Temple Profile

Temple Profile: Mandir Shri Bijasan Mata Ji

Location:	On a high hill which is near about 1000 ft. high and 10 kms. Away from Indragarh Sumerganj Mandi.	God Worshipped:	Goddess Beejasan (or the Goddess seated on Rakta Beeja demon)
District:	Bundi	Road Distance from Jaipur:	160 Kms
Built in the year:	Vikram Samvat 107 (44 A.D.)	Nearest Airport:	Kota (75 kms)
By	Shri Kamal Nath	Nearest Rly. Station:	Indargarh-Sumerganj Mandi (10 kms)

Cause of Establishment:
This ancient temple was built as the popular opinion goes, 2000 years ago in Vikram Samvat 103 by Kamal Nath who was a great devotee of Goddess Durga. His unflinching devotion to the Goddess propitiated the Goddess and she appeared before him. This idol of Beejasan Mata (Mother Goddess Durga) seated on the demon Rakta Beeja. In Markendeya Puran, the great exploits of Goddess Durga are narrated which are now known as Shri Gurga Shaptasati. In the eighth chapter of Shri Durga Shaptasati we read the Chivalrous shape of Durga when she waged her fierce battle against the demon Rakta Beeja. This demon had been blessed with an extraordinary kind of boon. Every drop of his blood falling from his body on earth would turn into a Rakta Beeja of the equal power and equal prowess.

The result was that there were millions of Rakta Beeja demons. Finally the Goddess decided not to let the blood of these demons fall on earth. She therefore, with burning torches either burnt the wounds or collected the falling blood in a bowl and drank it up. The goddess also took as many forms as the demon Rakta Beeja had. Thus the Goddess quelled and killed the demon Rakta Beeja and hence this name Beejasan was given to her.

Brief of the Diety:
The statue or idol of Goddess is made of stone.
Religious sect to which the temple belongs:
Shakta sect and all Hindus, Jain and Sikhs worship the goddess.
Architecture of the Temple:
Important Architectural Characteristics:
The temple is build on a high hill. To reach the temple one has to climb the flight on steps which begins from the foot of the hill, leading to the temple. There are thousands of steps, one has to ascend to have a darshan of the Goddess.



Material of Construction:	Stone and Lime
Total Construction Time:	Near about one year

Religious aspects of temple:
The Goddess is deemed to be very powerful and shows instant miracles. It is believed that the blind can regain their lost sight with the grace of the mother. Various people with various kinds of wishes come to the Goddess – have their wishes fulfilled because of the strong faith in the powers of the Goddess. Pilgrims, visitors etc. visit the temple throughout the year.
Unique features of the temple:
This temple built on height commands a beautiful site on the landscape around. What impresses every one is the constant inflow of visitors to the temple. They perform religious rituals here.
Festivals & Fairs in Temple (Main Events):
Navratras are performed with great enthusiasm and devotion in the month of Chaitra and Ashwin. At this time, big fairs are held. Those whom whished are fulfilled offer artificial eyes to the goddess.

Timings:
Morning Time:	5.00 AM	Evening Time:	7.00 PM
Custom & Traditions of Temple:
Like all other temples of Shri Durga, pooja is performed with full elaboration. Shri Durga Shaptasati is recited here. Four times in a day, Aaratis are performed viz., Mangala, Bhog, Sandhya and Shayan. Local people and people from outside come to this temple. Newly wedded couples pay their first visit and their newly borne babies are brought to the temple for the first time ritual shearing of their hair called Mundan Sanskar.
Details of Temple:
Rasoi:	In the South of the temple, there is a rasoi.
Others:	The temple is built in Nagar style of Architecture and is Square in size. On a rock, the image of the Goddess has been encarved.
Vandana (If any particular) in text:
Prayers and hyms prescribed for the Goddess are sung.
Issues requiring global attention for conservation, protection and improvement of the temple:
The flight of strips with almost worn out and requires immediate repair. If this hill is strictly afforested, it would not only enrich the ecological surroundings but also offer shade to the visitors. Since the visitors have to climb thousands of steps at three or four points, cool water should be made available for drinking.