Shri Gayatri Devi Shaktipeeth Temple -

Shri Gayatri Devi Shaktipeeth Temple

Manibandh Shakti Peeth Temple dedicated to Goddess Gayatri is one of the 51 Shakti Peeth temple located in Pushkar, Rajasthan is said to be the place where the wrist of the Goddess is said to have fallen. It is located at Gayatri hills near Pushkar and 11 km north-west of Ajmer, Rajasthan and around 5-7 km from the famous Pushkar Bramha temple.

“ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः। तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि। धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्।
इसका अर्थ है: ॐ (परब्रह्म), भूर्भुवः स्वः (पृथ्वी, आकाश और स्वर्ग), उस सूर्य के समान तेजस्वी देव का हम ध्यान करते हैं, जो हमारी बुद्धि को सन्मार्ग की ओर प्रेरित करे “

― Shri Gayatri Devi Temple

The place, where Goddess Sati’s two manivedikas – wrists fell, is known as Manivedika Temple and the Icon, installed later in the temple is called Gayatri Devi. There are two idols here, one is of Devi Sati and called as Gayatri. The other idol in the temple is of Lord Shiva Known as the Sarvananda (the one who makes everyone happy). Meaning of Gayatri is Saraswati. Saraswati is the goddess of Knowledge in Hindu culture. This temple is considered as the ideal place for Gayatri Mantra sadhana. The temple is constructed on a hill and made of stones on which various idols of gods and Goddess are engraved. The art and architecture of the temple is commendable and the huge pillars show the grandness of this holy structure.

History of Temple

Lord Brahma has two consorts namely Savithri and Gayatri Mata Temple. There is a separate shrine for goddess Gayatri at Pushkar but at opposite end of the lake. Goddess Savithri seated on the highest hill in Pushkar, whereas goddess Gayatri, is seated at the eastern side of the Pushkar Lake. Goddess Gayatri temple (locally called as Pap Mochani Mandir) is easy to get in to by 30 minute walk on the steps. It is behind Marwar bus stand at Pushkar town. On the request of Gayathri Lord Bramha granted a boon to her to be head of Vedas with five divine characters.

So she has five faces of different colours as indication of her divine powers and as a presiding deity over the four Vedas, namely the sacred Sanskrit scripts of Hindus. Gayatri blessed Pushkar to be the king of pilgrimages. The idol of Gayathri is very beautiful and attractive. You will be pleased to see her smiling, bewitching, attractive faces. I felt as if Mother goddess Gayathri is sitting like a living Goddess. The Pushkar town bus stand gets number of buses from Ajmer, which is about 11 km from here. The local rail way station brings trains from Ajmer. Ajmer is a railway junction connected to almost all cities in India.

Architecture of the Temple

As per Hindu mythology, Lord Brahma released a swan with a lotus in its beak from the heaven to drop to the place where he would perform a grand yagna. The place was Pushkar and that is why, it is considered a major pilgrimage spot for Hindus. Goddess Gayatri is the consort of Lord Brahma and it is believed that she stood by him while he performed the yagna at Pushkar. However, Goddess Gayatri was an untouchable. According to the legend, it is believed that to purify her she was put into the mouth of a cow and taken out from the other end.

The star attraction of the temple is its wonderful Rajasthani architecture. The architecture of the temple offers an opportunity to know about the culture of Rajasthan to every visitor. The temple holds immense spiritual importance. Because of this importance, a huge number of devotees visit the temple everyday to offer prayers to Goddess Gayatri Mata Temple.

Significance of the Gayatri Temple in Pushkar:

Shakti Peeth:

This temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths, sacred places where parts of Sati’s body are said to have fallen after her self-immolation. In this case, the wrists are believed to have landed here.

Gayatri and Brahma:

The temple is linked to the story of Lord Brahma and his wives, Gayatri and Savitri. It is said that Gayatri cursed Brahma to be worshipped only in Pushkar, leading to the temple’s significance as a place where Brahma and Gayatri are worshipped together.

Spiritual Importance:

Pushkar is known for its spiritual atmosphere, with the Brahma Temple and the sacred Pushkar Lake adding to its sanctity. The Gayatri Temple is a part of this spiritual landscape.

Associated with a Temple Story:

According to legend, Brahma dropped a lotus flower which created Pushkar Lake, and the temple is linked to the creation of the lake. The Gayatri temple is one of the many temples in the area, and it is considered sacred and revered by devotees.