Katyayani Shakti Peeth, Vrindavan

Katyayani Peeth Vrindavan is located at Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg, Goda Vihar, Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. This temple is also known as Uma Shakti Peeth which is one among the 51 Shakti Peethas.

History Of Katyayani Peeth Vrindavan

The chief legend of Katyayani relates to the creation of the Shakti Peethas. Sati, the daughter of Prajapati Daksha, was married to the god Shiva despite his wishes. Daksha arranged a great yajna but did not invite Sati and Shiva. Uninvited, Sati reached the yajna site, where Daksha ignored Sati as well as Shiva.

Sati was not able to withstand this insult. So, Devi Sati gave her life by jumping into the fire of Havan organized by her father King Daksh. When Lord Shiva was running around the planet carrying her body Lord Vishnu divided the body into 51 parts utilizing his Sudarshan chakra. Out of those 51 parts, from which the ‘Ringlets of Hair’ of Sati fell to this place. Here Sati is called Uma and Lord Shiva is called Bhotesh.

Katyayani Shaktipeeth in Vrindavan stayed unidentified for centuries. Swami Keshavanada was born to devout and pious Brahmin parents. He was the person selected by God to begin and find this place of worship. Swami Keshavananda had actually left the house at an early age to look for spirituality. His journey first took him to Varanasi. Here he became the Brahmachari order of Saints. He stayed for 2 years and after that went to Vindhyachal. From Vindhyachal Sadhu informed him to return to Varanasi. He suggested taking Diksha from the great Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahasaya. Swami Keshavananda got his Diksha into the order of Kriya Yoga by Lahiri Mahasaya.

Lahiri Mahasaya asked Keshavanandaji to meet other great masters in the Himalayas. Swami Keshavananda spent 33 years in the mountains in his mission for spirituality. He fulfilled numerous fantastic sages and ascetics. He was then informed in a Divine Vision to continue to Vrindavan. He recognized the Shakti Peeth where Sati Mata’s hair had actually fallen. This was to be the most essential of all that Swami Keshavananda did in the world. He came to Vrindavan and began living on the banks of the spiritual Yamuna River. He quickly identified the area and acquired the land around it.

He constructed a temple in 1923 and enshrined a Murti of Maa Katyayani. He also constructed an Ashram beside the temple. Swami Keshavananda lived here for the rest of his life. In 1942 he accomplished Mahasamadhi. After that Swami Satyanandaji took charge of administering the temple. He was followed by Swami Nityanandaji and then by Rani Ma Ji. Presently, Swami Vidyanandaji Maharaj is handling the temple.

Importance of Katyayani Shaktipeeth Vrindavan

Katyayani Shaktipeeth, Vrindavan is a Shakti Peeth that catches attention by Divine intervention. Here the Gopis of Vrindavan worshipped Maa Katyayani. Maa Katyayani blessed them to achieve the state of supreme devotion.

The most important thing about this temple is that here 5 different deities of the 5 sects or sampradayas are worshipped. Each idol is worshipped by the sampradaya’s various worship methodologies.

Architecture Of Katyayani Temple

The Katyayani Peeth temple has gone through a lot of renovations over the years, but the main part of the temple is still unbroken. From the outside, the entire temple is made from white marble and big pillars support the temple. Pillars are made with black stone and present an attractive view. Just adjacent to the steps that lead to the main yard, 2 golden-colored lions are standing and they represent the car or vahana of Maa Durga. Devi has got a sword in the temple which is famously known as Uchawal chandrahaas.

Idol

The Ashtadhatu idol of Goddess Katyayani was placed after the performance of Sanatan Dharm rites by spiritual scholars or pandits from Varanasi, Bengal, etc. Along with the goddess Katyayani,(Shakt sampradaya) other idols set up are, Lord Shiva (Shaiv sampradaya), Lord Laxmi Naarayan (Vaishnav sampradaya), Lord Ganesh (Ganpataya sampradaya), Lord Surya (Surya Sampradaya). Along with these 5 main deities, Jagatdhatri Devi is also worshipped here.

Festivals

• Krishna Janmashtami is a huge festival that embarks on the birth of Lord Krishna. During this day, people keep fast (Not eating food) and celebrate the birth of lord Krishna at midnight.
• Holi – a five-day festival in which people play with colors has been celebrated from the time of Lord Krishna.
• Katyayani Vrat, Navratri Durga Puja, and Diwali are other famous festivals celebrated at the Uma Shakti Peeth.
• Basant Panchami is another festival that is celebrated by the people with great devotion and is dedicated to Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Temple Timings

Darshan Timings

Morning Timing	Evening Timing
07:00 AM to 12 Noon	05:30 PM to 08:00 PM

Katyayani Shakti Peeth Temple Pujas and Aartis Timings

Timing	Aarti
11:45 AM	Bhog Aarti
07:00 PM	Evening Aarti

• Daily puja, Bhog aarti, are performed every day.
• Durga Saptashati (Chandi Paath) is chanted daily
• Bhajans and Hymns are recited during the evening Aarti

Nearby places to visit

• Banke Bihari Temple
• Prem Mandir
• Gopeshwar Mandir
• Sri Rangji Mandir
• Krishna Janmabhoomi Mathura

How to reach

By Air

• The nearest airport is Agra Airport, 84 km from the temple.
• Delhi Airport is about 165 km from the temple.

By Railway

• The nearest railway station is Mathura,13 km from the temple

Temple Videos