Mangla Gauri Temple, Gaya, Bihar

Mangla Gauri Temple, Gaya, Bihar

Mangla Gauri Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Sakthi, located in Gaya City in Gaya District of Bihar, India. The temple is located on top of the Mangalagiri (Bhasmakuta) hill on the south side of Gaya. The Temple is situated on the banks of Falgu River. Mangla Gauri Temple is one of 18 Maha Shakti Peethas, or Grand Shakti Peethas – highly revered temples throughout South Asia that commemorate the location of fallen body parts of the Hindu deity Sati.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/05/mangla-gauri-temple-gaya-legends.html

History

The temple was built in the 15^th century CE at the time when the Rajputs came to defend the region comprising of Gaya and Benares from the Mughals who invaded the region and tried to occupy it.

The Temple

The temple is facing east and is built on top of the Mangalagiri (Bhasmakuta) hill. There are flight of steps and motorable road to reach the Temple. The Sanctum is very small and only one or two persons can enter at a time. The Sanctum has no idol of the Goddess. It is said that the breast of Goddess Shakti fell here. Only a piece of rock resembling breast is worshipped here. It signifies nourishment for all creations that exist in the whole world.

A flame which burns eternally in the temple lights up the formation inside of the temple. The Sanctum is preceded by a small Mandapam. The courtyard houses a fire pit for the Homa. There are idols and shrines for Lord Shiva, Mahishasura Mardini, Ganesha, Hanuman, Durga and Dakshina Kali in the courtyard. There is shrine of Bhima at the foot hills where steps to reach hill top starts. His Knee impression can be seen here.

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 05.00 AM to 01.00 PM and 03.00 PM to 10.00 PM.

Festivals

Maha Shivaratri and Navaratri are the important festivals of Mangla Gauri Temple.

Prayers

Unmarried girls can pray on Tuesdays to get a husband who has all the good traits of God Shiva. A special worship of Goddess Shakti can be carried out on every Tuesday in the Shravan months.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 5 Kms from Gaya Bus Stand, 5 Kms from Gaya Junction Railway Station, 9 Kms from Gaya Airport, 11 Kms from Bodh Gaya, 100 Kms from Patna and 104 Kms from Patna Airport. Gaya is connected to the rest of India by roads, rail and airways.  Gaya is connected to Patna by National Highway 22 (formerly NH 83), and to Nawada, Rajgir and Bihar Sharif by NH 120. The Grand Chord section of the Indian Railways passes through Gaya.

Location