Information of Mangla Gauri Temple, Gaya, Bihar

The Mangla Gauri temple which is located in Gaya, Bihar has been of great significance and the stories of which has been mentioned in Padma Purana, Vayu purana as well as Agni Purana. This holy place has been dedicated to Maa Shakti in the prevailing Vaishnavite pilgrimage centre of Gaya. Maa Mangla Gauri is prayed as the Goddess of munificence and the temple comprises of an Upa-Shakti Pitha. This pitha is considered to be a place where the upper part of the body of Shakti fell as per the mythology. In this temple, Maa Shakti is worshipped in the form of breast symbol which is considered to be a symbol of nourishment.

Mangla Gauri Temple Religious Significance

It is said that a person comes to offer prayers returns back home successfully with all his wishes and desires coming true. This temple is visited by most of the people in order to attain blessings from Maa Shakti and to attain nourishment. The temple possesses huge religious significance as mentioned in numerous puranas. The actual name of the Devi is SarvaMangla devi and the holy place comprises of two rounded stones symbolizing the breast of Goddess Sati who was the first wife of Lord Shiva. Its religious importance is well praised by devotees, who come here to offer prayers and chants mantras.

Mangla Gauri Temple Mythology & History

In order to create the universe, Lord Brahma performed a Yajna in order to please Shiva and Sati. With the motive to return Sati back to Shiva, he made his son Daksha to perform yagnas so that Shakti could be his daughter. It was then decided to bring Sati into this world with the motive of getting married to Shiva. Daksha did not want Shiva and Sati to get married as he hated Shiva. However, Sati was attracted towards Shiva and finally both of them got married which increased the hatred of Daksha towards Shiva. In a yagna kept by Daksha, Sati and Shiva were not invited but still Sati attended and did not attain any respect and Shiva was badly insulted. Sati immolated herself because of the insult. In order to stop the rage of Shiva, Vishnu intervened and made use of Sudharshan chakra cutting through the Sati corpse. The different body parts fell in different spots and formed sites which are known as Shakti Peethas today.

Mangla Gauri Temple Architectural Significance

This is a small brick made temple that tends to face towards the east and has been constructed over the Manglagowri hill. By taking few flights of steps and by means of motorable roads, you can reach the temple and offer your prayers. In the starting of the step route there is a small temple of Bhima who is one of the five pandavas. One can see his knee impression in this temple. It is said that in this place Bhima did his Shraddhakarma and therefore this is known as Bhimvedi Gaya. There is a Bilwa tree and a Ganesh temple inside the front of the main temple. The main sanctum possesses the symbol of Goddess and also houses some fine designed relief sculptures. There is a small hall or a mandap in front of the temple where you can perform small functions such as marriages, pujas etc. The courtyard comprises of the fire pit where one can perform homa collectively. One can get to see some other small shrines that have been basically dedicated to Lord Shiva as well as images of Mahishashura Mardini, Durga and Dakshina Kali.