VINDHYACHAL
VINDHYACHAL DHAM
‘Bhagwati Vindhavasini’ is a super power. Vindhyachal has always been his residence. Jagadamba’s constant presence has made Vindhyagiriko Jagarat Shaktipeeth. In the Viraat festival of Mahabharata, Dharmaraj praises Yudhishthar Devi, saying: Vindeichavanov – the best place to live in heaven O mother! You are always on top of the best Vindhyacha in the mountains. In Padmapuraan, Vindhyachal-Nivasini has been associated with the name of Vindhavsinini, the super power of this Vindhyvindhidhasini. The story comes in the Dasam Skand of Shrimdev Bhagavat, when Brahma ji first creates Swayambhavvammanu and Shatruupa with his mind. Then after marriage, Swayambhav Manu made a statue of Goddess with his hands and performed harsh tenacity for a hundred years. Satisfied with his austerity, Bhagwati blessed him with a state of deserving state, family growth and the highest post. Mahadevi went to Vindhyachalvarvata after giving his blessing. From this it is clear that from the beginning of creation, the worship of Vindhyaswini is being done. His expansion of the universe came from his own good wishes.
CULTURE & HERITAGE
The calm and easygoing Mirzapur has never been known for its lifestyle and culture. This typical small-town of Uttar Pradesh is mostly known for its carpet weaving and brassware industries than for its festivals, food and remarkable tourist spot. For years, Mirzapur was merely a way station to the famous Chunar fort. Of late, however, the city is gaining popularity for its natural beauty and charming picnic spots. Despite a decent rise in its tourism, getting adapted to a vibrant city-life still remains a distant goal for Mirzapur.
Folk Dance
The cultural life of Mirzapur can be coined as “Ganga-Jamuni” culture that is quintessentially rural with specks of urban life making a peek-a-boo. In Mirzapur you can get a taste of pastoral life with folk music, dance and poetry oozing out at every breath. Here, you see a pleasant concoction of two lifestyles – one with dhoti or gamchha (towel) and kurta and other with branded apparels and scents. It is interesting to watch how these two extreme cultural wont co-exist harmoniously.
Apart from the local Mirzapuri dialect, the attires of rural Mirzapur is also quite distinct with women wearing traditional jewellery like kada (bracelet), baju band (arm bands), hasli (thick neck rings), bichiya (toe rings), kanachadi (ear rings), kardhani (silver belt). Men are mostly seen in gamchha and kurta.
Mirzapur has its indigenous folk culture. Some of the popular folk genres are Kajali, Biraha, Lachari, Lavani are Belwariya. Biraha is an extremely popular folk genre that is based on romantic or chivalrous tales, stories on goddesses or contemporary issues. Competition between two Biraha parties is a common cultural programme in the area.
Festivals form an intrinsic part in the lives of Mirzapur residents. Ancient folklores, mythology as well as history play a big role in these festivals. Some of the important festivals organised in the city are Jeevitputrika, Ganesh Dashehra, Ojhala Ka mela, lalahi Chatth, Vasantik Navratra, Shardiya.
Deep Mahotsav
Celebrated on Kartik Amavasya or Diwali, locals on this day adorn the ghats of Ganges with beautiful diyas or lamps and enjoy the evening burning crackers.
Deep Mahotsav
Kajari Festival
Of all these festivals, Kajari Mahotsav is celebrated in the grandest of way possible. This festival is celebrated in remembrance of King Kantit Naresh’s daughter Kajali. It is locally said that Kajali loved her husband very much and she found it difficult to forget her husband even after their separation. During her lonely days, Kajali sang sad love songs remembering her husband. Her melodious voice was loved by every local residents of Mirzapur. After Kajali’s death, the entire district remembers her through Kajari festival.
Jhoolanutsav
The festival takes place every monsoon where handmade, colourful swings are hung on tree branches. The celebration continues for five consecutive days. Dwarkadeesh temple, Kunj Bhawan and Ganga Jamuna Saraswati temple are beautifully decorated on these five days.
Mirzapur is also for its numerous fairs. Lohandi mela, Ojhala Mela, litti bati ka mela, Horaha gaderi Ka Mela are the most popular ones.
Lohandi Mela
The biggest attraction of Lohandi Mela is the artistic tattoo design stalls. The fair takes place adjacent to an old Lord Hanuman Mandir that is situated 2 km away from the main Mirzapur city. The temple is lit with earthen lamps during the entire monsoon period and along with several rituals performed, this fair is also organised for all Lord Hanuman devout.
Ojhala Mela
A fair near Ujjala river is organised every year. This is the only fair in the country where betting is legal on days of the fair.
By Air
The nearest Airport is Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, at Babatpur, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, which is approximately 72 Kilometres from Ma Vindhyavasini Temple, Vindhyachal.
By Train
The nearest Railway Station is ‘Vindhyachal’ (Indian Railway code-BDL), approx one Kilometre from Ma Vindhyavasini Temple, Vindhyachal. ‘Vindhyachal’ Railway Station is located on very busy Delhi-Howrah route and Mumbai- Howrah Route. Although not all, but reasonable number of trains have stoppage at ‘Vindhyachal’ railway station. For more options of Trains, choose Railway Station ‘Mirzapur’ (Indian Railway code-MZP), approx nine Kilometre from Ma Vindhyavasini Temple, Vindhyachal.
By Road
The most convenient way to reach Vindhyachal by Road is through National Highway 2 (NH 2), popularly known as Delhi- Kolkata Road. On the National Highway 2 (NH 2) road, which is incidentally part of Asian Highway 1 (AH1), take turn Southward, either at Gopiganj or Aurai, both places between Allahabad and Varanasi. After crossing Holy River Ganga, through Shastri Bridge, via State Highway 5, you will easily reach Vindhyachal. We want to specifically alert you about the pathetic condition of the State Highway 5 road, which connects National Highway 2 (NH 2) to Shastri Bridge. The distance between Aurai and Ma Vindhyavasini Temple, Vindhyachal is only approx 19 Kilometres; and distance between Gopiganj and Ma Vindhyavasini Temple, Vindhyachal is approx 25 Kilometres, but these small distances take approximately one hour due to bad condition of road. The distance between Varanasi and Ma Vindhyavasini Temple, Vindhyachal is approx. 63 Kilometres, and it takes around one and half to two hours of drive. If you want to use Public Transport, sufficient number of Uttar Pradesh State Transport Buses is available from Allahabad and Varanasi, the exact timings of the same may be ascertained from UPSRTC contact numbers.
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