Yogmaya Temple
Yogmaya Temple
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p10sri
New Delhi, India12 contributions
Jun 2018 • Solo
This temple is a old temple dating back to Dwapar Yuga as per Indian mythology, this temple is of Devi Yogamaya who is believed to be sister of Shri Krishna(Incarnation of lord Vishnu).
This temple is situated in Mehrauli, Delhi that is stone's throwaway from the famous Qutub Minar. The temple is not large and the entrance to the temple is a rather small road where you won't be able to go via car as usually cars of nearby residents are parked. There is an authorized parking opposite to the main road where you need to park your vehicle and take a small walk of around 50m to lead to the main temple entrance gate. Now being surrounded by residential houses, the Temple still holds a lot of historical value. Be careful as the temple is not visible from the main road and persons visiting for the first time can easily miss it.
As like all old temples, this temple main sanctum (garbh grah) doesn't have an idol of the devi but is present in the form of " Pindi " (holy rock). In the temple there are shivling, ganapti, shri ram, hanuman jee, and some other other idols too.
During the famous "Phool Walon ka Sair" festival in oct/nov, there is a tradition to offer pankha made up of flowers to the mata signifying secularity. I felt lot of peace during my visit over there. Whenever you visit Mehrauli , take some time out and visit this holy temple at least once.
This temple is situated in Mehrauli, Delhi that is stone's throwaway from the famous Qutub Minar. The temple is not large and the entrance to the temple is a rather small road where you won't be able to go via car as usually cars of nearby residents are parked. There is an authorized parking opposite to the main road where you need to park your vehicle and take a small walk of around 50m to lead to the main temple entrance gate. Now being surrounded by residential houses, the Temple still holds a lot of historical value. Be careful as the temple is not visible from the main road and persons visiting for the first time can easily miss it.
As like all old temples, this temple main sanctum (garbh grah) doesn't have an idol of the devi but is present in the form of " Pindi " (holy rock). In the temple there are shivling, ganapti, shri ram, hanuman jee, and some other other idols too.
During the famous "Phool Walon ka Sair" festival in oct/nov, there is a tradition to offer pankha made up of flowers to the mata signifying secularity. I felt lot of peace during my visit over there. Whenever you visit Mehrauli , take some time out and visit this holy temple at least once.
Written June 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Satyendra Garg
National Capital Territory of Delhi, India6,946 contributions
Feb 2015 • Family
This temple, very near the world famous Qutub complex in Mehrauli is dedicated to Goddess Yogmaya, sister of Lord Krishna and its history goes back to Mahabharat period. This temple was one of the temples ransacked by Mahmud Gazni and have been rebuilt many a times.
This temple has association with Phool walo ki sair, an annual festival which marks communal harmony among the people of area.
Though small but as it is historical temple, it is good to visit this temple, particularly when one is in Mehrauli.
This temple has association with Phool walo ki sair, an annual festival which marks communal harmony among the people of area.
Though small but as it is historical temple, it is good to visit this temple, particularly when one is in Mehrauli.
Written February 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shek2005
Mumbai, India805 contributions
Aug 2018 • Friends
situated in Mehrauli, it is quite close to the famous Qutub Minar. The temple is not large and the entrance to the temple is a rather small road.. Good temple.
Written September 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kumar S
New Delhi, India420 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
The temple may not be not large with extraordinary structure, but it sure has some historical and spiritual significance. History of this temple dates back to Mahabharata period. If you are near Qutub complex, it’s worth a visit. Nearest metro is Qutub Minar.
Written September 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sunnyraas
New Delhi, India157 contributions
Apr 2016 • Solo
The Yogmaya Temple : It is believed that the main idol in the temple was that of Yogmaya or Pure goddess, sister of god Krishna (according to Bhagavata Purana), an incarnation of god Vishnu. Kansa, cousin of Devaki (mother of Krishna) and uncle of Yogmaya and Kansa attempted to kill Yogmaya on Krishna Janmastami day when Krishna was born. But Yogmaya, who was cleverly substituted for Krishna, vanished after predicting Kansa’s death at the hands of her brother Krishna.
In 12th-century Jain scriptures, Mehrauli place is also mentioned as Yoginipura, after the temple. The temple is believed to be built by the Pandavas, at the end of Mahabharata war.Mehrauli is one of the seven ancient cities that make up the present state of Delhi. The temple was first renovated during the rule of Mughal Emperor Akbar II (1806–37) by Lala Sethmal.
Yogmaya Temple also known as Jogmaya temple, is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Yogmaya, the sister of Krishna, and situated in Mehrauli, New Delhi, close to the Qutb complex. It is widely believed to be one of the five surviving temples from the Mahabharata period in Delhi. According to local priests this is one of those 27 temples destroyed by Ghazni and later by Mamluks and it is the only surviving temple belonging to pre-sultanate period which is still in use. Rajput King Hemu reconstructed the temple and brought back the temple from ruins. During Aurangzeb's reign a rectangular hall was added to the temple which is a witness of a failed attempt by Mughals to convert this ancient temple into a mosque which was later turned into a store room for Devi's vastra.Though its original(200-300B.C.) architecture could never be reformed after its deconstruction but its reconstruction had been carried out repetitively by the locals.
Many believe that this ancient temple is that for more than 5000 years the people who live around this ancient temple have been taking care of the Yogmaya temple. It is said and believed that all these people who are now more than 200 in number had one common ancestor at point in time who, hundreds of years ago started the practice of taking care of the temple by offering prayers to the goddess which includes doing the shingar of the goddess yogmaya twice a day, cleaning the temple, making and distributing prasad to the devotees visiting the temple and other related things.
The present temple was built in early 19th century and is a descendant of a much older Devi shrine.Adjacent to the temple lies, a water body, johad, known as 'Anangtal', after King Anangpal, and covered by trees from all sides The temple is also an integral part of an important inter-faith festival of Delhi, the annual Phool Walon Ki Sair.
Anangpal Tomar was the first historical ruler to make ancient Delhi his capital.
Little is known of Anangpal Tomar, (736-754AD) who was from the Rajput Tomara clan and whose ancestors had settled in the Aravalli Hills around the end of the first millennium AD. Some archaeological evidence survives of earlier settlements survive in the area and may be related to a ruler called Surajpal. Of Anangpal, the primary source for information comes from the Prithviraj Raso, a history of Prithviraj Chauhan which was written much later. Physical evidence at Lal Kot (literally Red Fort), which he is thought to have built and which is the oldest identifiable city in the area, suggests that he lived in the eleventh century.
The origin of Phool Waalon Ki Sair goes to 1812, during the reign of the Mughal King Akbar Shah II (r. 1808 -1837). Akbar Shah-II was not happy with his eldest son Siraj Uddin “Zafar” (Bahadur Shah Zafar II) and wanted to nominate his younger son Mirza Jahangir as the heir Apparent (Wali-Ahad). This move was not liked by the then British Resident in the Red Fort, Sir Archibald Seton. Once Mirza Jahangir who was a reckless youth of 19 insulted Seton in open court and called him Loolu. The British Resident somehow did not react to this insult as probably he did not understand the meaning of Loolu. After a few days, when Mirza Jahangir was merrymaking on the roof of Naubat Khana in Red Fort, Archibald Seton was coming from the Darbar after an audience with Resident. Mirza Jahangir fired a shot at the Resident from the roof of Naubat Khana. Seton escaped but his orderly was killed. For this act of his, Mirza Jahangir was exiled to Allahabad under orders of the British Resident.
The mother of Mirza Jahangir Queen Mumtaz Mahal Begum, was distraught and took a vow that if her son was released from Allahabad she would offer a chadar of flowers at the dargah of Khwaja Bakhtiar ‘Kaki’ at Mehrauli. After a couple of years Mirza Jahangir was released and like a devout lady Mumtaz Mahal Begum went to Mehrauli to redeem her vow. With her the Imperial Court also shifted to Mehrauli and so did the entire population of Delhi. For 7 days all sorts of merrymaking continued at Mehrauli with Jhoolas (swings) in the mango groves, cock fighting and bull bailin, kites flying, wrestling and swimming bouts. Amidst all this merrymaking with great pomp and show, a chadar made of flowers was offered at the Dargah of Khwaja Bakhtiar Kaki. The Mughal king was secular minded and under his orders floral offering in the shape of a floral pankha was offered at the famous Yogmaya Temple which is also in Mehrauli.
Seeing the response of the people and sensing the enthusiasm generated, it was decided that the festival will be held annually after the rains and people of all communities will offer pankha and chadar at the Dargah of Khwaja Bakhtiar Kaki and pankha and floral offering at Yogmayaji temple. The Darbar was also shifted to Mehrauli for the 7 days of the Festival. The Festival reached its pinnacle during the reign of Siraj-U-ddin “Zafar”, the last Mughal emperor also known as Bahadur Shah “Zafar”. Bahadur Shah “Zafar” went to celebrate “Phool Waalon Ki Sair” even in 1857 when Delhi was under siege of the British. This was the last “Phool Waalon Ki Sair” under the Mughals
The annual Phoolwalon-ki-sair Festival (Festival of flower-sellers), which commences from the dargah of Sufi saint, Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki also in Mehrauli, every autumn (Oct-Nov). First started in 1812, the festival has today, become an important inter-faith festivals of Delhi, and includes offering a floral punkah to the deity at the Yogmaya temple.
The Festival continued to be celebrated even after 1857 revolt by the British Deputy commissioner who was the highest government functionary in Delhi with the help of some prominent citizens. The Festival was stopped by the British during Quit India Movement of Mahatma Gandhi in 1942 in pursuance of their “Divide and Rule” policy.
In about 1961, the then Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru thought of reviving the Festival and asked Mr. Noor Uddin Ahmed, the Mayor Of Delhi and Shri Yogeshwar Dayal, a scion of a prominent family of Delhi to revive the Festival. “Phool Waalon Ki Sair” was revived in 1961-62, when Nehru joined the festivities on September 6, 1962 .
Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru took great interest and came to Mehrauli on every “Phool Waalon Ki Sair” as long as he lived. The Festival has grown since then. During the period ofIndira Gandhi as the Prime Minister, all the States of India were requested to participate in the Festival and the Festival known for communal harmony also took a step towards national integration by weaving the States of India into the garland of flowers of “Phool Waalon Ki Sair”.
After its revival in 1962, the Festival is organized every by Anjuman Sair-e-Gul Faroshan, a society registered under the Societies Registration Act.
In 12th-century Jain scriptures, Mehrauli place is also mentioned as Yoginipura, after the temple. The temple is believed to be built by the Pandavas, at the end of Mahabharata war.Mehrauli is one of the seven ancient cities that make up the present state of Delhi. The temple was first renovated during the rule of Mughal Emperor Akbar II (1806–37) by Lala Sethmal.
Yogmaya Temple also known as Jogmaya temple, is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Yogmaya, the sister of Krishna, and situated in Mehrauli, New Delhi, close to the Qutb complex. It is widely believed to be one of the five surviving temples from the Mahabharata period in Delhi. According to local priests this is one of those 27 temples destroyed by Ghazni and later by Mamluks and it is the only surviving temple belonging to pre-sultanate period which is still in use. Rajput King Hemu reconstructed the temple and brought back the temple from ruins. During Aurangzeb's reign a rectangular hall was added to the temple which is a witness of a failed attempt by Mughals to convert this ancient temple into a mosque which was later turned into a store room for Devi's vastra.Though its original(200-300B.C.) architecture could never be reformed after its deconstruction but its reconstruction had been carried out repetitively by the locals.
Many believe that this ancient temple is that for more than 5000 years the people who live around this ancient temple have been taking care of the Yogmaya temple. It is said and believed that all these people who are now more than 200 in number had one common ancestor at point in time who, hundreds of years ago started the practice of taking care of the temple by offering prayers to the goddess which includes doing the shingar of the goddess yogmaya twice a day, cleaning the temple, making and distributing prasad to the devotees visiting the temple and other related things.
The present temple was built in early 19th century and is a descendant of a much older Devi shrine.Adjacent to the temple lies, a water body, johad, known as 'Anangtal', after King Anangpal, and covered by trees from all sides The temple is also an integral part of an important inter-faith festival of Delhi, the annual Phool Walon Ki Sair.
Anangpal Tomar was the first historical ruler to make ancient Delhi his capital.
Little is known of Anangpal Tomar, (736-754AD) who was from the Rajput Tomara clan and whose ancestors had settled in the Aravalli Hills around the end of the first millennium AD. Some archaeological evidence survives of earlier settlements survive in the area and may be related to a ruler called Surajpal. Of Anangpal, the primary source for information comes from the Prithviraj Raso, a history of Prithviraj Chauhan which was written much later. Physical evidence at Lal Kot (literally Red Fort), which he is thought to have built and which is the oldest identifiable city in the area, suggests that he lived in the eleventh century.
The origin of Phool Waalon Ki Sair goes to 1812, during the reign of the Mughal King Akbar Shah II (r. 1808 -1837). Akbar Shah-II was not happy with his eldest son Siraj Uddin “Zafar” (Bahadur Shah Zafar II) and wanted to nominate his younger son Mirza Jahangir as the heir Apparent (Wali-Ahad). This move was not liked by the then British Resident in the Red Fort, Sir Archibald Seton. Once Mirza Jahangir who was a reckless youth of 19 insulted Seton in open court and called him Loolu. The British Resident somehow did not react to this insult as probably he did not understand the meaning of Loolu. After a few days, when Mirza Jahangir was merrymaking on the roof of Naubat Khana in Red Fort, Archibald Seton was coming from the Darbar after an audience with Resident. Mirza Jahangir fired a shot at the Resident from the roof of Naubat Khana. Seton escaped but his orderly was killed. For this act of his, Mirza Jahangir was exiled to Allahabad under orders of the British Resident.
The mother of Mirza Jahangir Queen Mumtaz Mahal Begum, was distraught and took a vow that if her son was released from Allahabad she would offer a chadar of flowers at the dargah of Khwaja Bakhtiar ‘Kaki’ at Mehrauli. After a couple of years Mirza Jahangir was released and like a devout lady Mumtaz Mahal Begum went to Mehrauli to redeem her vow. With her the Imperial Court also shifted to Mehrauli and so did the entire population of Delhi. For 7 days all sorts of merrymaking continued at Mehrauli with Jhoolas (swings) in the mango groves, cock fighting and bull bailin, kites flying, wrestling and swimming bouts. Amidst all this merrymaking with great pomp and show, a chadar made of flowers was offered at the Dargah of Khwaja Bakhtiar Kaki. The Mughal king was secular minded and under his orders floral offering in the shape of a floral pankha was offered at the famous Yogmaya Temple which is also in Mehrauli.
Seeing the response of the people and sensing the enthusiasm generated, it was decided that the festival will be held annually after the rains and people of all communities will offer pankha and chadar at the Dargah of Khwaja Bakhtiar Kaki and pankha and floral offering at Yogmayaji temple. The Darbar was also shifted to Mehrauli for the 7 days of the Festival. The Festival reached its pinnacle during the reign of Siraj-U-ddin “Zafar”, the last Mughal emperor also known as Bahadur Shah “Zafar”. Bahadur Shah “Zafar” went to celebrate “Phool Waalon Ki Sair” even in 1857 when Delhi was under siege of the British. This was the last “Phool Waalon Ki Sair” under the Mughals
The annual Phoolwalon-ki-sair Festival (Festival of flower-sellers), which commences from the dargah of Sufi saint, Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki also in Mehrauli, every autumn (Oct-Nov). First started in 1812, the festival has today, become an important inter-faith festivals of Delhi, and includes offering a floral punkah to the deity at the Yogmaya temple.
The Festival continued to be celebrated even after 1857 revolt by the British Deputy commissioner who was the highest government functionary in Delhi with the help of some prominent citizens. The Festival was stopped by the British during Quit India Movement of Mahatma Gandhi in 1942 in pursuance of their “Divide and Rule” policy.
In about 1961, the then Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru thought of reviving the Festival and asked Mr. Noor Uddin Ahmed, the Mayor Of Delhi and Shri Yogeshwar Dayal, a scion of a prominent family of Delhi to revive the Festival. “Phool Waalon Ki Sair” was revived in 1961-62, when Nehru joined the festivities on September 6, 1962 .
Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru took great interest and came to Mehrauli on every “Phool Waalon Ki Sair” as long as he lived. The Festival has grown since then. During the period ofIndira Gandhi as the Prime Minister, all the States of India were requested to participate in the Festival and the Festival known for communal harmony also took a step towards national integration by weaving the States of India into the garland of flowers of “Phool Waalon Ki Sair”.
After its revival in 1962, the Festival is organized every by Anjuman Sair-e-Gul Faroshan, a society registered under the Societies Registration Act.
Written December 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RGS
New Delhi, India217 contributions
Apr 2015
Though this temple holds a lot of historical value but now it is al ruined by reconstruction which made it to lose its old charm.
Written March 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ritwick S
Gurugram (Gurgaon), India228 contributions
Dec 2015 • Friends
The temple is dedicated to Yogamaya who is considered to be the baby girl who replaced Lord Krishna when he was born and taken out of the prison. When Kansa killed her, one of her body parts fell here and turned into stone. So the inner sanctum does not have an idol but has a stone to which people pray.
Having said that most ancient temples in India do not have idols in their inner sanctum. This temple dates back thousand years to the time when Tomars ruled Delhi and had built the first fort, Lal Kot, behind the temple.
Meharauli was the first city to be built and this place is well known for its Sufi Saints. This temple along with the Dargahs nearby has been visited by people irrespective of their religion. It is said that the late Mughals would first put a flower chadar over Yogamaya Mandir before putting another at the Dargah of Qutubuddin Kaki. This festival is still continued today and called as Phoolo Walo ka Sair and maintains the secular thread of the society.
The temple is near Mehrauli Bus Stand and around 600 mts from Qutub Minar. One cannot miss the gate on the main road and a short lane leads to this temple which is inside a square surrounded by houses on all side. This is a good start for your walk around Mehrauli village
Having said that most ancient temples in India do not have idols in their inner sanctum. This temple dates back thousand years to the time when Tomars ruled Delhi and had built the first fort, Lal Kot, behind the temple.
Meharauli was the first city to be built and this place is well known for its Sufi Saints. This temple along with the Dargahs nearby has been visited by people irrespective of their religion. It is said that the late Mughals would first put a flower chadar over Yogamaya Mandir before putting another at the Dargah of Qutubuddin Kaki. This festival is still continued today and called as Phoolo Walo ka Sair and maintains the secular thread of the society.
The temple is near Mehrauli Bus Stand and around 600 mts from Qutub Minar. One cannot miss the gate on the main road and a short lane leads to this temple which is inside a square surrounded by houses on all side. This is a good start for your walk around Mehrauli village
Written December 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peregrineri
New Delhi, India925 contributions
Aug 2017 • Solo
First, I should mention that it's not a particularly beautiful temple. The architecture is certainly nothing special. What is special about it is the spiritual feeling. It's an ancient temple with a long history that has been described by another reviewer. Anyway, it's my favorite temple in Delhi and I've been here many times.
Written August 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shilpamittal
New Delhi, India413 contributions
Mar 2016 • Friends
A nice temple to visit. Some history is also associated with this place. Was not able to explore much about this place due to ongoing construction work.
Written September 21, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Singh56
340 contributions
Jan 2016 • Family
I visited this temple when I came to New Delhi with my cousin brother's.The temple was Beautiful but there was not much things to see.There were also reconstruction work going on.So,I recommend this place only if you visited all the places in New Delhi.
Written August 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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