Shri Katayani Peeth Vrindhavan










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SHRI KATYAYINI PEETH


Location :
Shri Katyayani Peeth temple is located at the Peethsthan at Vrindavan and was consecrated on the full moon day of Magh as per Hindu calendar which falls in February, in the year 1923. The history of Vrindavan dates back to the ancient puranic age. Several references are found in the Hindu scriptures.

Who built the temple and when
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Srimad Bhagwat Puran has a detailed description of Vrindavan as the playground of Lord Krishna during his childhood, and as the grazing pastures for the cows belonging to his kin.

Sri 108 Yogiraj Swami Keshvanand Bramachari founded the Bhagwat Puran of the various spots, where Lord Krishna performed his Leela in Vrindavan. The location of these spots was identified centuries later by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a saint who had come from Bengal.

Significance of the temple
Shri Katyayani Peeth of Ashtdhatu (8 metals) idol was installed in accordance with Santandharam rites by learned pandits invited for the ceremony from Bengal, Varanasi and other cities. As per the Sanatandharam practice the main temple of Katyayani Temple has 5 deities corresponding to the five forms of worship - Sampradaya - namely
Shri Katyayani Peeth Temple
  1. Shakt (Goddess Katyayani)
  2. Shaiv (Chandra Shekar Maharaj, Shiv)
  3. Vaishnav - Sri Laxmi Narain
  4. Ganapataya - Sri Ganesh
  5. Saurya - Lord Surya

The Shiv Puran consists of "Dakshprajapati" father of Goddess Sati, who is the consort of Lord Shiva, which is organized as a big Yagna in which he did not invite Lord Shiva. When Sati came to know that Lord Shiva has insulted her, she jumped into the fire. Lord Shiva took the burning body of Sati on his shoulders and performed the Tandav dance (dance of destruction). According to the legend it is believed that when Lord Vishnu saw mass destruction all around he tried to normalize Lord Shiva and cut the burning body of Sati into pieces with his Chakra (Mace). It is said that the various spots where parts of Devi Sati fell became Shakti Peeth Sthans all the around the country. There are supposed to be 108 such Sthans , out of which only 51 are known today. It is stated that the hair of Goddess Sati fell in Brij and the spot is known as Katyayani Peeth.

The Arya Shashtra Adya Stotra mentions "Brijay Katyayani para", meaning that in Brij, where Vrindavan is situated, Goddess Katyayani is the deity for worship.Shrimad Bhagwat Puran mentions that Lord Vishnu directed "Yogmaya", his 'Shakti', to appear in Brij as the daughter of Nandbaba and Yashodha before he himself was to be born there as Krishna avatar for the establishment of Dharma or "righteousness" in this world.

The Gopis of Vrindavan worshiped the Goddess Katyayani on the banks of the Yamuna at the Peeth Sthan to get her blessings for having Lord Krishna as their consort. Goddess Katyayani blessed them and they attained the supreme state of devotion and performed "Maharaas" (Krishna consciousness).

Rules and Rituals of the temple
Shri Katyayani Peeth Temple
Swami 108 Vidyanand ji Maharaj, the present mahant, along with his trained priests perform daily puja, bhog aarti, etc. every day. On a daily basis Durga Shaptsati (Chandi Paath) is also chanted by priests. After the evening aarti, hymns are recited by the congregation of devotees present.

Other special pujas are also performed as per the Hindu Calender.The two main Durga Utsavs are celebrated during the two Navratras with the recitation of Shatchandi paath and yagyas.

Other places to Visit
  • Guru Mandir - here are the idols and Shivalings of Sri 108 Kesahvanadji Maharaj & Sri 108 Satyanandji Maharaj. Daily pujas are conducted, and special pujas are performed here by all disciples on the Guru Purnima day.
  • Saraswati Mandir - The temple is in the ashram garden, where the idol of Saraswati Devi, the Godess of learning,is worshiped every day.
  • Adi Guru Shankaracharya Mandir - Where the idol of Jagatguru Adi Shankaracharya is worshiped and his guidelines are regularly followed.
  • Bankey Bihari Temple - Dedicated to Lord Krishna, this huge temple houses a sacred black image of Krishna known as Thakur Ji. The devotees offer garlands and sweets to the idol daily and the temple hosts a number of festivals.
  • Govind Dev Temple - Built in 1590 by Raja Man Singh, this ancient temple is quite popular for its red sandstone structure, impressive artwork and the vaulted ceiling. The upper layers of this temple were destructed during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

  • ISKCON Temple - Established by the ISKCON group (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), it is one of the most impressive temples in Vrindavan. It owes its existence to Swami Prabhupada, a Hindu devotee born in Bengal in 1896.

Nearby tourist places to Shri Katyayani Peeth

Jaipur


Vrindhavan
Shri Katyayani Peeth

How to Reach the Temple
Vrindavan City is a sacred town situated on the banks of the holy river Yamuna. It is 150 Kms from Delhi and is approachable by rail and road.