Goddess Maa being a lion, Mayur Kamalasini, and having three forms of kumarika in the morning, Sundari i.e. youth in mid-day and adult in the evening, is called Tripura Sundari.
The Tripura Sundari Temple in Banswara, Rajasthan, is a revered Shakthi Peetha. The river ‘Mahi,’ flowing in this region, is referred to as the ‘Mahi Ganga’ in scriptures during the Kali Yuga. Veneshwardham is the sacred confluence of three rivers, Som, Jakham, and Mahi, situated in Vagad. This region is adorned with rivers, reservoirs, and scenic landscapes.
Dating back to the first century, the history reveals:
During Emperor Kanishka’s reign, a Shiv Linga is said to have been present here. It is believed this place has been renowned since Kanishka’s early times. Scholars speculate the existence of Devi Mata’s Shakthi Peetha in this place since the third century. Initially, this region was known as ‘Gadhpur,’ meaning fortress city. It is believed that rulers from Gujarat, Malwa, and Marwar were devotees of Mata Tripura Sundari.
The history of temple restoration dates back approximately 500 years:
This temple was a favorite deity of Solanki King Siddharaj Jaysinh from Gujarat. After worshipping the deity, he would embark on warfare. Legend says Malwa’s King Jagadesh Parmar once sacrificed himself by offering his head at the deity’s feet. At that moment, due to King Siddharaj’s prayers, Mata revived Jagadev, the son. The history of the Tripura Sundari Temple’s restoration is around 500 years old, done in 1501 by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya Debarma. It is believed that the king took Mata Tripura Sundari’s small idol to the battlefield.
Located about 18 kilometers from Banswara district in Talwara village amidst the Aravalli ranges, this magnificent temple of Mata Tripura Sundari has gates made of silver. The idol of Singhvahini Mata Bhagavati Tripura Sundari has eighteen arms. The five feet tall idol depicts nine forms of Mother Durga. Because of the lion, peacock, and lotus symbols, it is visible that the goddess assumes three forms during the day. It is believed that in the morning, Kumarika, in the afternoon, Youth, and in the evening, the mature form of the goddess can be witnessed. Due to the significance of seeing the goddess in these three forms, she came to be known as Tripura Sundari. It is also said that earlier, there were three forts around the temple: Shaktipuri, Shivapuri, and Vishnupuri. Due to these three cities’ existence, the deity was called Tripura Sundari. Jagat Janani Tripura Sundari Siddhapeetha makes this region potent, energetic, and powerful.
The pedestal behind the deity has beautiful idols of 42 Bhairavas and 64 Yoginis. Shri Krishna and other goddesses are depicted on the right and left sides of the goddess’ idol, and the scene of the battle between gods and demons is portrayed. Tripura Sundari Devi Temple’s throne has an exquisite eighteenth-armed Shyamvarna magnificent idol. There are ten small idols in its circumference, called Dasa Mahavidya or Nav Durga. The Sri Yantra on the black and shiny marble stone under the goddess’s statue has its special tantric significance. Additionally, the remains of Trived, Kali, and Ashta Bhuja Saraswati temples can still be found. Many tales of devotees and miracles of the goddess’s various devotees can be heard here.
It’s the only power seat in North India where no part of the Mother’s idol has been distorted. In the political realm, this Devi Mata has become famous as the redeemer goddess of politicians’ troubles. Starting from the President, Prime Minister, Chief Ministers to local leaders, all have spread their sheets at her feet to fulfill their desires. Renowned political figures from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and across the country have taken blessings from Devi here. Leaders like the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Vice President Sw. Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister Prakash Javadekar, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Central Minister Bhupendra Yadav, Hema Malini, former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, Sw. Former Chief Minister Haridev Joshi, and Ashok Gehlot, Sati. Many BJP stalwarts have visited the Devi Mata’s darbar. Besides them, former President Pratibha Patil, former Governor Sw. Kalyan Singh, Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra, Punjab Governor V. P. Singh, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, yoga guru Baba Ramdev, and many illustrious figures have been present here. It is believed that whoever comes to the temple of Mata gets their wishes fulfilled. This is the reason why the cradle of the mother is never empty. Mata Rani fulfills the wishes of everyone, whether poor or rich, and has made everyone’s desires come true. This temple has witnessed people who have ruled the country and the state after making genuine requests. The Tripura Sundari idol is self-manifested and exists only in North India in the form of the Ashtadashbhuj (eighteen-armed) form. Devotees from the Panchal community serve there.
The reason behind fulfilling desires is that the idol manifested itself on the Shri Chakraraj Yantra; this Shri Chakraraj Yantra is the tantric form of Bhagwati Kamakhya. In rituals and daily worship, as long as the temple’s rituals are performed, Jagadamba will remain merciful.
