Discover the Yogini Shakti Peeth Temple in Godda District with our detailed guide. Explore its history, significance, and visitor tips for spiritual journey.
Introduction
The 52nd Shakti Peeth is situated in Barkop at a distance of 15 km from Godda district of Jharkhand state. It is known as Shakti Peeth and by the name of Maa Yogini Devi.
It is said that this temple has been present here since Dwapar Yuga. According to religious literature and many books, this temple is of Dwapar Yuga.
It is said that the Pandavas spent many days of their unknown year here. This temple is also mentioned in Mahabharata. This temple was also famous by the name of Gupt Yogini.
Introduction to Yogini Shakti Peeth Temple
The history of Yogini Shakti Peeth Temple is said to be about a thousand years old. The belief of this temple is that whoever asks for his wish from Maa Yogini Devi with devotion, it is definitely fulfilled. The worship in this temple was started by Nat Raja.
It is said that Nat Raja also creates obstacles in the rituals. Angered by his interference in the rituals, the other kings, i.e. Brahma kings, chased him away. After which, the worship of Mother Yogini Devi started being done by Brahma kings.
Later, when the Zamindari system came into force, the Khetari Zamindars started doing the work here. Even today, the people of the family of Khetori Zamindar, the head priest here, are taking care of this Yogini Peeth temple. The families of Brahma kings are also residing here.
According to religious texts, this Yogini Peeth temple is said to be from the Dwapar era. It is said that this temple has also been mentioned in the Mahabharata. This Yogini Peeth temple is located inside a cave on the top of the mountain. Going there is an act of courage for everyone.
You will not have the courage to go to the sanctum sanctorum of Yogini Shakti Peeth alone. Only one person can go inside at a time to enter the sanctum sanctorum. The way to go inside has to be passed through stone rocks.
In which you will feel as if you will be stuck here. But this is not so, it has been seen that no matter how fat a person is, till date no one has got stuck while entering the sanctum sanctorum of Maa Yogini Shakti Peeth. Here darkness is always seen in the sanctum sanctorum. But after going inside, light is seen.
History of the temple
According to religious scriptures, when Lord Shiva, enraged by the insult of his wife Sati, started doing Tandava with her burning body, to save the world from destruction, Lord Vishnu cut the body of Mata Sati into many pieces. In this sequence, her left thigh fell here.
But this Siddhasthal was kept secret. Scholars say that there is a description of 51 Siddha Peeths in our Puranas, but Yogini Purana has stated the number of Siddha Peeths as 52.
Naming of Yogini Shakti Peeth
There is a very big story behind the naming of Yogini Shakti Peeth. Which is mentioned in the Puranic stories. It is said that in the Satyuga, when Daksh Prajapati started a Yagya named Brihaspati. At that time, he had invited all the gods and goddesses.
But had left out Lord Shiva. On hearing about the yagya at her father’s house, Mata Sati expressed her desire to go. Lord Shankar did not agree to this. Due to which Mata Sati left and went to her father’s house.
When Mata Sati reached her home, on hearing her father’s disrespect for her husband, she jumped into the yagya kund. After that, there was chaos all around. Angered by this, Shiva reached there in the form of Veerbhadra and in anger, he cut off the head of King Daksha and separated it from the body.
After that, the angry Lord Shiva started doing Tandava with the dead body of Mata Sati. At that time, to prevent the destruction of the world, Lord Vishnu cut Sati’s dead body into many pieces with his chakra. During this, many parts of Mata Sati fell on the earth.
Due to which a piece of the thigh of the body fell in this Shakti Peeth. Due to which this place came to be known as Maa Yogini Shakti Peeth. Maa Yogini Shakti Peeth temple is considered to be the 52nd Shakti Peeth.
Geographical and Historical Background
Maa Yogini Shakti Peeth Temple is located in Barkop of Godda district. Special worship is done in this temple on Tuesday and Saturday. The maximum crowd is seen here on that day. However, worship is done daily in Maa Yogini Shakti Peeth Temple throughout the year.
The main temple of Maa Yogini Shakti Peeth Temple is located in the sanctum sanctorum inside a cave on the top of the mountain. Stairs have been built to climb this mountain at present. Due to which it has become a little easier for the devotees to worship Maa Yogini Devi.
There are a total of two mountains here. In which there is Maa Yogini Shakti Peeth Temple on one mountain. Maa Mansa Devi is worshipped on the other mountain. Stairs have been built to climb both the mountains. The entire city can be seen from the main temple of this Maa Yogini Shakti Peeth.
There is a big tree below the mountain. Near which temples of many gods and goddesses have been built. Those who are unable to climb the mountain. For them, Maa Yogini Shakti Peeth can be worshipped near the Banyan tree here.
Structure of the temple
The structure of Maa Yogini Shakti Peeth temple here was built in the Dwapar era. Which is present inside the cave. Apart from this, the Banyan tree which is located below the mountain. The temple built here is similar to the Kamakhya temple of Assam.
Just like the Kamaru Kamakhya temple, the treatment of diseases is done here in Maa Yogini Shakti Peeth through tantra-mantra. Dham is mainly set up in this temple on Tuesday and Saturday.
The worshipers pray for the freedom of people from diseases. People from Jharkhand, Bihar, Orissa and Bengal come to worship in Maa Yogini Shakti Path temple.
Deity of the temple and method of worship
In this Maa Yogini Shakti Peeth temple, the temple opens at 4 am for worship. And remains open till 9 pm. One does not have to take worship material to this temple. All the worship material is available in the temple premises. Some amount has to be spent for this.
Here the main temple of Yogini Mata is in the mountain cave. And the temples of all other gods are present in the premises of the banyan tree. In which Kali Mata, Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Hanuman Temple, Mansa Devi and other gods and goddesses are worshipped.
It is said that in the olden times, human sacrifice was done here in the Maa Yogini Shakti Peeth temple. But this practice was abolished after the arrival of the British. In today’s time, goat is sacrificed in this temple. Which happens every Saturday or Tuesday.
You can worship here even without sacrifice. You can fulfill your wishes. In which you can worship with flowers, fruits, laddus. You can break a coconut. Coconut is broken outside the temple. All festivals are celebrated in Maa Yogini Shakti Peeth temple according to every Hindu religion.
Best way to reach the temple
The best way to reach Maa Yatogini Shakti Peeth temple is by road. You can also come here by rail. For this, rail route facility is available only till Godda. The distance from the railway station to Yogini Shakti Peeth is about 20 kilometers.
From the railway station to Maa Yogini Shakti Peeth temple, you can use bus or small vehicles. Which are available all the time. Or you can also go by toto. The nearest city here is Pathargama. Which is 5 kilometers away from the temple.
Today, a national highway is being constructed to go here. Which passes through the main gate of the temple. Air route facility is not available in Godda district. For this, you may have to come from Deoghar. Which can be a distance of about 78 kilometers.
Religious importance of the temple
Many local people say about Maa Yogini Shakti Peeth Mandir Dham that whoever wishes here, his wish is definitely fulfilled. Many times claims have been made to see Maa Yogini Devi here. No one knows how true this is.
This belief can also be correct. Because the number of devotees is increasing day by day here. Earlier, local people used to worship here. But in today’s time, the number of devotees can be seen here daily. Many sacrifices are offered in the weekly worship in Shakti Peeth temple here.
If the belief was wrong, then why would there be so much crowd day by day. This is a matter of thinking a little. Local people also believe that till date, all the devotees who ask for a wish here, their wish has definitely been fulfilled.
Attractions around the temple
- Godda Biodiversity Park which is about 17 kilometers away from Yogini Mandar.
- Sundar Dam which is 25 to 30 km east of Yogini Shakti Peeth.
- Basantrai Pokhar, where a big fair is held on Maghi Purnima and Ram Navami. Which is about 24 km away from Yogini Shakti Peeth temple. Visiting here can be a pleasure only on a special festival.
Local food
There are many food and drink facilities available in the Yogini Shakti Peeth temple complex. Which are available in small and big shops. The main food here is Puri-Sabzi in breakfast.
Apart from this, Chaat, Chowming and other fast food carts are seen in the temple complex. For eating food, there is a nearby line hotel which is found on the side of the main road. In which roti, rice, dal, vegetable and veg and non-veg are available.
Maintenance and management of the temple
The Yogini temple is maintained by the temple priest and members of the Khetari landlord’s family. For its development work, a scheme has been done by the government here. And in the coming time also there is a possibility of development of Yogini Shakti Peeth temple.
Its cleaning is done by the temple priest and people of Khetari family. Talking about security here, this place is famous as a safe place. No religious incident has ever been seen here. Due to which no one has been harmed. Apart from this, the administration here protects it.
CCTV cameras have been used at various places. Proper arrangements have been made for the lights. For the convenience of the people, a hand pump has been built at the main entrance of the temple.
Use of modern technology
There is no ticket required to visit the Yogini Shakti Peeth temple. Nor is there any online booking. Yes, the temple premises and the temple’s photos can be seen online.
Many photos and videos can be seen about it on social media. Digital facility is not available here. To know about it, you can see the official website of Gedda district.
Community and social contribution
Due to the presence of this Yogini Shakti Peeth temple, the local people here have got employment opportunities in many ways. Those people who used to waste time in search of work, they also set up small shops in the temple premises to feed themselves.
They improve their family and their financial condition. Many people are improving their livelihood by buying small battery operated vehicles here and giving them on rent. This has been possible because of this Yogini Shakti Peeth temple. Hundreds of people come here to worship every day.
Due to this, the society and local people here have benefited in many ways. Which is a good thing for the development of the country. People coming here donate. Which is spent in the development of the temple.
Facilities and suggestions for travelers
There is no hotel facility for travelers to stay in the temple premises. But if you want to come here, then you can book a hotel in the nearest city. Where all the facilities of food and drink are available.
Before coming to Yogini Shakti Peeth temple, get some information about it from the local people here. There is no facility for bathing in Maa Yogini Shakti Peeth temple, so whenever you come to worship, you can take a bath.
Otherwise you can bathe in the beautiful river here. Which is about 10 kilometers away from the temple.
Sightseeing places and natural beauty
The beauty of the Yogini Shakti Peeth temple is unmatched. Because the main temple is located inside a cave on the top of the mountain. The mountain is completely green.
Stairs have been built to climb up to it. Along with this, places have also been made to rest at various places. Shops are also found on the top of the mountain, where you can buy puja materials. Food items are not available on the top of the mountain.
There are many big stones and many trees on the mountain. Which adds to the beauty of this place. Temples of many goddesses and deities are also present below the mountain. Where many shops are set up under a big tree.
Which looks colorful all around. Wherever your attention goes, red color is visible everywhere. You can get a good view by clicking photos here. The water of the beautiful dam is clearly visible from the top of this mountain.
Experience of visiting the temple
When I went to visit Yogini Shakti Peeth temple for the first time, I did not know that the temple is located in a cave on the top of the mountain. Due to which I returned without seeing the goddess. Later when I came to know about it, after a few days I got ready to visit here again and came.
Earlier when I came alone, I did not have the courage to see the goddess. I returned from its main gate. Mansa Devi is worshipped on the top of the other mountain, I also went there. After climbing hundreds of stairs, I started feeling tired.
Due to which I visited all the temples below the mountain, did puja and also took some photos. There was also a camera man present here who would print a photo for 20 rupees. Everyone should visit this Yogini Shakti Peeth temple at least once in their life.
Because this temple is associated with Satyayug and Dwaparyug. Its explanation is also found in Mahabharata.
Final suggestion for readers
Whether you are reading this article from any city of India, please give your opinion about this article or vote.
So that if some line about this temple is missing, we can include it as well. Or you can also comment. So that our courage increases and we can convey this kind of information to you people.
It is not in everyone’s fate to visit this temple. If possible, take out time and visit it sometime in life, you can definitely get peace of mind.
FAQs
1. Who is the goddess of Yogini?
Mata Sati is the first wife of Lord Shiva. She was the daughter of Prajapati Daksha. King Daksha pleased Goddess Bhagwati with his penance, after which Mata Bhagwati took birth in his house as Sati.
2. What is Yogini Shakti?
The power of Yogini Shakti Tantra-Mantra can be called Yogini Shakti. Which should be used for good works.
3. What does it mean when someone calls you Yogini?
First of all, a feeling arises in the mind, it seems as if the person in front considers us small and lowly. He considers us to be someone who looks at us with evil eyes.
4. When is Yogini Shakti Peeth open?
Yogini Shakti Peeth temple is open every day. But sacrifices are offered here only on Saturday and Tuesday.