New Delhi, February 16: India is home to numerous ancient temples with histories tied to the epic tales of Mahabharata and Ramayana. The Pandavas established many Shiva and Maa Bhavani temples across the country. However, did you know that in Ujjain, devotees worship an extraordinary form of Maa Bhagwati that resembles Lord Narasimha?
Notably, the deity in this temple is the Kuldevi of the demon king Ravana, who is believed to grant invincibility and the destruction of enemies.
Nestled between the famous Mahakal and Maa Baglamukhi temples in Ujjain is the temple of Maa Pratyangira Devi. This temple is located near Baglamukhi Dham on Bhairavgarh Road. Maa Pratyangira Devi’s form is distinct from other incarnations of the goddess, embodying a fierce demeanor. Her face resembles that of a lion, while the rest of her body is goddess-like. This representation evokes the roar of a lion. Across the country, many worship Maa in her Rudra and wrathful forms, but Maa Pratyangira Devi stands apart.
Maa Pratyangira is revered as a goddess of tantra, similar to Maa Baglamukhi. It is believed that after darshan (viewing) of the goddess, all negative energies within the body are eradicated. For those who have practiced tantra, special rituals can be performed at the temple. Devotees worship Maa Pratyangira to overcome fears of untimely death and to gain victory over adversaries. Tantrics also conduct rituals at the temple at night to fulfill their spiritual practices.
According to ancient lore, when the supreme devotee Prahlad needed protection, Lord Vishnu took the form of Lord Narasimha. Even after slaying Hiranyakashyap, Narasimha’s fury remained unquenched. The gods and demons alike were terrified of his wrath. It was then that Maa Pratyangira appeared, calming Lord Narasimha.
Interestingly, Maa Pratyangira is considered a form of Nikumbala Devi, worshipped by Ravana and his son Meghnath. The Ramayana mentions how Ravana and Meghnath performed special rituals to Maa Nikumbala before heading into battle, seeking victory.
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P.S./DKP
My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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