Yamai Temple, Aundh – Legends

Yamai Temple, Aundh – Legends

Yamai Devi:

It is said that Goddess Mahalaxmi of Kolhapur and Lord Jyotiba (Avatar of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva) called her as Ye Mai (in Marathi) which means "Mother, please come" in English. Hence, she is known as Yamai Devi.

Aundh:

As per the legend, once demon Aundhsur started troubling the locals and sages. They prayed to the Goddess Yamai. She killed the demon and the town was named as Aundh.

Test on Lord Rama by Mother Parvathy:

When Sita Devi was abducted by the demon King Ravana of Srilanka, Lord Ram was in a lot of anguish and was searching Sita Devi everywhere along with brother Lakshman. On seeing his state of affairs, Goddess Parvati got suspicious how Lord Ram could be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva tried to convince Goddess Parvati, but she could not accept reality, and she decided to take a test of Lord Ram. Hence, she took the form of Sita Devi and appeared in front of Lord Ram. Since, he was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, for him Goddess Parvati was his mother. Lord Ram immediately recognized Goddess Parvati and addressed her as a mother. She realized her mistake and blessed Lord Ram.