Located in Virar, North Mumbai, Jivdani Mata is the famous temple dedicated to Jivdani Mata, an avatar of goddess Adi Shakti Devi. The temple is situated on a hill and is about 1460 steps above the land. The Jivdhan fort was found on the temple hill in the late 17th century.

location Maharashtra, Virar East, Virar, Mumbai

Legend

According to the legends, Pandavas came to Shurparaka during their forest journey and visited the holy temple of Vimaleshwar consecrated by Lord Parashuram.They halted on the banks of Vaitarni river during their journey to Prabhas. There they worshipped the Goddess Ekaveera on the banks of Viraar Tirtha and they decided to carve caves in the nearby mountains and installed the Yoga Linga of Ekaveera devi in one of the caves. They called that idol as Bhagavati Jeevadhani. Pandavas also made a set of small caves now known as "Pandav Dongri" about a mile from Shirgaon for the hermits. Later the number of visits of Vaidik Yogis lessened and slowly people forget the hillock and the Devi. During times of Jagadguru Shankaracharya's advent, a Mahar or Mirashi used to stay in Viraar who used to graze the village cattle. Once the Mahar came to Nirmal Mandir for the darshan of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Padmanabha Swami and requested His Holiness to bless him so that he could have darshan of his beloved Kuladevata. Pleased with the devotion of Mahar, Jagadguru advised him to serve Go-Mata on the foothills of Jivadhani, and told him that he would have darshan of his Goddess at appropriate time.  After that, Mahar herded the village cattle for the rest of his life. while grazing the village cattle, he used to see a cow grazing along with the other cows whose owner never paid him for herding her. Determined to find the owner of the cow, once Mahar followed the cow on the top of Jeevdhan Hill and a beautiful woman with divine features appeared in front of him. Mahar understood that the woman is none other than his Kuladevi Jeevdhani. He was overjoyed and requested the payment for herding the cow. The Devi just smiled and was on the point of putting some money in the Mahar's hand, Mahar said "Do not touch me, I am Mahar. Give me something which cannot be spoilt by touch, words, smell, figure, and ether". Devi asked Mahar from where he learned this unique knowledge of Varnashram Dharma and Moksha Dharma, Mahar replied that he learned about it from Jagadguru Shankaracharya. Pleased by this Devi said to Mahar, "By your virtue, see this cow which is none other than Kaamadhenu has taken your forefathers to higher abodes by her tail, crossing the Vaitarini. I confer upon you the thing which you demanded that is Moksha". Saying so the Mahar attained Moksha. When the Devi was about to disappear in the cave, a barren woman who saw all this divine incident screamed to Devi to bless her also with a child. Pleased by her prayers, Devi bless her with a child. However, the lady again prayed to the Goddess to bless all the barren daughters who pray to the goddess with a child. Pleased at her request, Goddess told her that from now on She will stay in a hole in the niche of the cave and any barren women who offer her the beetle nuts in that hole will be blessed with a child. Saying this the Goddess disappeared.

Architecture

Jivdani Mata temple is situated on a hill and is about 1460 steps above the land. The temple offers picturesque beauty of Virar as it is surrounded by the Satpura Range. In 17th century there was a fort by the name of Jivdhan on this hill. Within the fortifications there are some ancient looking caves and water cisterns, most of which have now practically dried up. The temple of the Devi is completely renovated and there is a beautiful idol of Devi in white marble. There is also a temple dedicated to Sri Krishna.

Culture

The Mumbai culture is a blend of traditional festivals, food, music and theaters. It is the busiest cosmopolitan city of India holding its age-old culture. Marathi is the official language of the people of Mumbai.

Darsan Info

Recommended Season and Time : All 12 months are ok to visit this temple. Best time in a day is between Early morning 5:30 AM and 7:00 AM or Evening after 4:00 PM.

Special and Crowded Days : Sunday and Thursday being the special day for Jivdani Devi, Crowd is more compared to other days.

Darsan Dresscode

Wear modest clothes and avoid shorts for men

Famous Festival

Navarathi

Temple Rituals

Morning pooja and aarati starts at 09:00 AM onwards

Additional Info

 

Hotel Radha Krishna, Hotel Sainidhi, Rainbow Palace

    

 Supermarket : Available