Information of Lehra Durga Mandir, Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh

Lehra Durga Mandir is a primitive pilgrimage centre which demonstrates the religious feelings and devotion of individuals of the ancient times. The temple is located on the bank of Pawah River in Maharajganj district of Uttar Pradesh. This specific Hindu temple is dedicated to goddess Durga.

Lehra Durga Mandir Religious Significance

Lehra Durga Mandir celebrates many festivals on an outstanding magnitude with great interest and enjoyment. Each year through the month of Navaratri, a 15 day carnival is organised by the authorities of Lehra Durga Mandir which attracts considerable number of visitors from different corners of the nation. The festival is celebrated from the first day of Navaratri till the next full moon day.

Another popular festival in Lehra Durga Mandir is Chaitra Navaratri festival. On this occasion, a fair is organised by the temple which deals with apparels, sweets, toys and jewelleries. Moreover, entertainment programs for devotees, viz. plays, drama and skits are also organised on this occasion.

It is worth mentioning that Lehra Durga Mandir is very old temple of Hindu deity. It not only has religious importance, but also has historical significance. In Lehra Durga Mandir, the materials which are associated with the worship of goddess Durga are flower, sindoor, sweets, fruits and clothes. It is believed that requests and desires made by devotees in Lehra Durga Mandir are satisfied by goddess Durga. Moreover, it is also stated that if a devotee visits the temple and worship the deity for about five Tuesdays, his/her wishes are fulfilled. As a religious act, several travellers from Gorakhpur walk entire night and reach to the temple at dawn.

Lehra Durga Mandir Mythology & History

According to Hindu mythology, Lehra Durga Mandir existed before the popular battle of Mahabharata. This temple was believed to be created by lord Krishna in the existence of Pandavas. Traditionally, Lehra Durga Mandir was a forest. While travelling through the forest for about 14 years, Pandavas lived a year in cover. They visited the Lehra forest where the temple is situated and provided shelter by goddess Durga. It is also said that Yudhishthir, one of Pandavas responded to the queries of Yaksha in the Lehra Durga Mandir.

Hiuen Tsang, who was a popular Chinese traveller also mentioned Lehra Durga Mandir in his writing. Throughout British era, Lehra Durga Mandir was invaded by a military group. There is one natural Pindi in the temple. In accordance with Hindu mythology, once a British military officer came in the temple and shoot on the Pindi. Unexpectedly, blood begun to come out from the Pindi. Perceiving the blood, British forces ran away from the temple. It is also believed that later they are all deceased with their horses. A tomb of the British officer who fired in the Pindi is located in the Western side of the temple with a distance of about 1 kilometre.

Legend also states that once goddess Durga came to Maharajganj district in the form of a lovely girl and desired to cross the Pawah River. She rented a vessel and begun the trip. Nevertheless, in the centre of the river, the boatman became quite enthusiastica bout her impressive attractiveness and went off the track. The moment goddess Durga realised the intention of the boatman, she vanished along with the boat.

Lehra Durga Mandir Architectural Significance

Lehra Durga Mandir has unique architecture with respect to other temples of goddess Durga. The exterior and interior of the temple is exclusive with various traditional designs. The outer portion of the temple appears as a typical Hindu temple with three key structures. Inside the temple, there is deities of goddess Durga and lord Shiv along with other popular Hindu deities.