Sharda Devi Temple, Maihar, Madhya Pradesh

Sharda Devi Temple, Maihar, Madhya Pradesh

Sharda Devi Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Sharda, located in Maihar Town in Maihar District in Madhya Pradesh, India. The Temple is situated at the top of Trikoota hill. The Temple is considered as one of the Sakthi 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/2020/10/sharda-devi-temple-maihar-legends.html

History

The Temple was built around 502 AD. The idols of Sharda Mai and Narasimha were installed in the temple in the year 502 AD. Maihar is also known for the Indian Classical Music. Ustad Allauddin Khan founder of the Maihar Senia Gharana was from Maihar. He was awarded by the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honour in 1971. His known students are Sitarist Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan.

The Temple

The Temple is situated at the top of Trikoota hill. There are 1,063 steps to reach the top of the hill. Road facility is also available for vehicles to a particular point only. People have to take the steps for the remaining distance. Rope car is provided for the disabled and the aged. Lodging facilities are available at the foot of the hill.

There are shrines for Gowri Shankar, Kala Bhairava, Ganesha, Durga, Karthik and Adi Sankaracharya in the temple premises. Presiding Deity is called as Sharada Devi / Maihar Devi / Saraswathi Devi. She is housed in the sanctum. There is an inscription at the feet of the stone idol of Mother. The Narasimha idol in the temple is also very old. 

It is said that a devotee Noopula Deva by name installed these idols in the temple in the year AD 502. There is a pond called Alha pond named after Alha downhill behind the temple. An Akhara (wrestling ring) where Alha and Udal used to practice kushti (wrestling) can be found at about 2 Kms from Alha Pond.

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 5.00 a.m. to 8.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Festivals

Navaratri in September-October, Ram Navami and Ashtami days are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Prayers

People pray in the temple to achieve high ranks in academic field and for child boon. Devotees perform milk abishek to Mother and offer pudding nivedhana.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Maihar Bus Stand, 3 Kms from Maihar Railway Station, 46 Kms from Satna, 69 Kms from Katni, 97 Kms from Panna, 139 Kms from Khajuraho, 164 Kms from Jabalpur, 174 Kms from Jabalpur Airport, 220 Kms from Prayagraj Airport,  and 422 Kms from Bhopal Airport. Maihar is connected via both major rail routes and National Highway 7. The Mahakoshal Express provides a daily direct connection from Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin station. Maihar railway station is situated in between Katni and Satna stations of the West Central Railway.

Location