In most temples, you have to remove your slippers and shoes before entering. But in Bhopal, there’s a unique temple where devotees actually offer slippers and shoes to the Goddess. This may sound strange, but it’s true.
The Devi Maa Temple, also known as Jijabai Mata Mandir or Pahadi Wali Mata Mandir, is located on a hill on Kolar Road in Banjari. The idol of Goddess Siddhidatri is installed here, and she is worshipped as a daughter. Devotees bring new slippers and sandals as gifts for her. Even those living abroad send new footwear for the Goddess.
To reach the temple, you need to climb about 125 steps. The temple was established more than 25 years ago, and the tradition of offering footwear has continued since then. According to the temple priest, Om Prakash, he performed the marriage ritual of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati before the temple was built. He claims to have done the Kanyadaan ritual for Goddess Parvati, treating her as his daughter. The idol of Goddess Siddhidatri is installed as a child avatar, and devotees offer her everything they would give to a child, including glasses, watches, and umbrellas.
When the temple priest feels the Goddess is unhappy, he changes her clothes two or three times a day. In the past 25 years, more than 1.5 million clothes, slippers, and other items have been offered to Mata Rani. During Navratri, the temple sees a huge crowd of devotees.
This unique temple in Bhopal shows a different way of worship and devotion, where the Goddess is loved and treated like a daughter.
