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Shila Devi Temple Jaipur

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Shila Devi Temple Jaipur

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Shila Devi temple of Jaipur was built in 16th century in Amber fort. Goddess Kali is the deity of Shila Devi temple of Jaipur. Navratri festival is grandly celebrated in this temple. Millions of devotees come across the world in every Navratri festival at Shila Devi temple Jaipur. In following passages, you will find the history of Shila Devi Idol, history and other details of Shila Devi Temple, Timings and Daily schedules of worship, aarti and bhog in Shila Devi temple, and the Main festivals and fairs celebrated in Shila Devi Temple of Jaipur.

About Shila Devi Idol, Jaipur

The idol in Shila Devi Temple, Amber of Pink City Jaipur is of Goddess Kali (Maa Kali). Maa Kali is an incarnation of “The Great Divine Mother of Universe” called “Shakti”. Idol of Maa Kali in Shila Devi Temple is made of Stone Slab which is called “Shila” in Hindi. The neck of the idol is tilted one side. There is a famous legend in Pink City Jaipur express the cause of tilting neck. According to the legend, initially the neck of the idol was straight. Those days, sometimes oblation of human being performed and offered her as Bhog. Later on, oblations of human being get restricted. Then after, oblation of He-buffalo started for her Bhog. This was also stopped because of some reasons. Then oblation of Ram and Lamb started on special occasions. Later on oblation stopped for non-violence policies. Legend says that Maa Kali got angered and tilted her neck to show her anger and refusal of vegetarian Bhog.

This legend of tilted neck of goddess Shila Devi also described in most popular folk song in Rajasthani language of Maa Shila Devi in following lines which sings by Jaipurites during her worship:

“Pehli Bhog Minkhan Ko Le Chi, Paache Bhainsa Liya Ye Bhawani

Bhainsa Od Jab Aayo Mhari Abla, Jad Tu Bakra Liya Ye Bhawani

Jad Mukhdo Modyo Mhari Abla”

About Shila Devi Temple, Jaipur

The Shila Devi Temple is situated at Amber Fort of Pink City Jaipur. Maharaja (Ruler) Man Singh was a devotee of goddess Kali and invoked her grace both in peace and during war. According to legend, this image was brought by Maharaja Man Singh from eastern part of Bengal in the last quarter of 16th century A.D. While in an encounter with the ruler Kedar (a ruler in the empire of King Pratapaditya), Maharaja Man Singh did not get success for the 1st time and so, he prayed for the success to goddess Kali.

The goddess gave him a vision in dream & took a promise from him for her salvation from the lot; she was then subjected to a slab (Shila). As a result of the promise given by the Maharaja, the goddess blessed him with victory in the forthcoming battle.

This stone image of Shila Devi was lying in the sea in the form of a slab (called Shila in Hindi) and was taken out and brought by the Maharaja Man Singh at Amber where it became popular by the name of “Shila Devi”.

According to one more legend, ruler Kedar of Bengal after his defeat had married his daughter to Maharaja Man Singh and presented this image of Shila Devi to him.

The temple belongs to Shakti cult. “Shakti” is worshiped as the Supreme Being in Shaktism. In Hinduism, there is a concept of the ultimate, non-manifested, omnipotent, beyond of all attributes God. Once God wished to become “Many” out of “One” and hence God appeared in the form of Shiva. Lord Shiva represents Purush Tatva, a cosmic masculine cause of the manifested universe. Shakti is divine cosmic feminine power called Prakriti- the counterpart of Purush and hence together the cause of the manifested universe. Because of this, Shakti also referred as “Mother of All”, “Mother of Universe”, and “The Great Divine Mother” in Hinduism.

Shakti means a sacred force; a primordial cosmic energy represents the dynamic forces that move through the entire universe. Shakti, the Mother of All, hence Supreme Being- a source of cosmic kinetic energy because of which this illusionary phenomenal world has motion.

Visitors can see beautiful stone carving work in the temple and fabulous silver work on the doors of the temple. Nine incarnations of Shakti (Goddess Durga) namely Shail Putri, Brahmcharini, Chandra Ghanta, Kooshmanda, Skand Mata, Katyayani, Kaal Ratri, Maha Gauri, and Siddhi Daatri; and Ten Mahavidyas (ten incarnations of Goddess Sati) namely Kali, Tara, Shodashi (Tripur Sundari), Bhuvneshwari, Bhairvi, Chinnmasta, Dhumawati, Baglamukhi, Maatangi, and Kamla are engraved on silver doors of the temple.

Timings and Daily Schedule of Worship, Aarti and Bhog in Shila Devi Temple Jaipur