Vani Saptashrungi Devi Temple | Saptashringi Devi Mandir Nasik

Vani Saptashrungi Devi Temple

The Vani devi is called Saptashringi because of the seven peaks around her. In Devi Bhagvata Purana Seven peaks of Saptshrungi are considered one Shaktipith. The meaning of Saptshrungi mata is the “mother of seven peaks”. The mountain range surrounding the devi mandir is called Ghad. Saptshringi Devi temple is also known as swayambhu mata mandir. The Saptashrungi mata is known by many names like Saptashringi, Saptashring Niwasini, Brahmavarupini (It is believed that she originated from Lord Brahma’s Kamandalu), Mahishasura Mardini, Vani devi. Saptashringi Devi has a total of eighteen hands so she is also called Ashtadasha Devi.

In Devi Mahatmya Akhyaika describes these eighteen hands of Devi. It is believed that a cruel demon named Mahishasura started to trouble everyone. By doing penance to Lord Brahma, Mahishasura got a boon of immortality. But Mahishasura’s death would only happen at the hands of a woman.  All the deities invoked Adishakti to kill Mahisharoor. And goddess fought with Mahishasura and killed him. And this event happened on seven hills of Saptshrungi mata mandir. This is why Vani devi (Saptashrungi Mata) is also called Mahishasur Mardhini. To kill Mahishasura devi was gifted 18 weapons from all gods. And she holds those 18 weapons in her 18 hands.

The design of the Saptashrungi Temple resembles that of the portico structure temples of the last centuries and is attributed to Satara Commander N Chief. The Vani Saptashrungi devi is decorated daily with a nose ring (Natni), crowns on her head, gold necklaces, and a colorful saree. Since the idol of Saptashrungi devi is 8 feet tall, she needs a 10.05-meter saree (11 varsadi) and 3-meter cloth for choli. The abhisheka is religiously performed daily and on festivals, abhisheka is done with a Panchamrut, where the goddess is decorated with special jewelry preserved from ancient India. The idol of Saptashrungi devi is self-manifested at the height of 4600 feet (1.4 km) in the seven mountain ranges of Sahyadri hills. Goddesses' eyes are made from porcelain stone which looks very bright and attractive which is carved into a rock up to a height of 8 feet (2.44 m). The Saptashrungi mata’s idol is completely covered with ochre (sindoor).

Rishi Markandeya wrote 700 hymns. It is believed that to listen to these hymns of Markandeya Rishini the idol of the Saptashrungi mata is seen leaning slightly towards the left. Sage Markandeya performed penance for the Saptashrungi devi sitting on the hill in front of where the goddess lived. Hence, this hill is known by the name of Sage Markandeya. After the darshan of the goddess, many devotees also go to Markandeya mountain for darshan. The devotional atmosphere near the temple attracts the devotees a lot. There are many attractive places to see such as Shittkada which is also called as Mata sati’s edge, Abode of Sage Markandeya, Shivalaya, Kali kund and Surya kund, Jalgumpha, Shivtirthk, Tambultirth, etc.

Facilities For Devotees:

For the convenience of devotees, there is a ropeway facility to reach the temple. Ropeway has coaches like a train which made the darshan of goddesses very easy and costs only 50 INR for each. Pilgrims reach the temple in just 3 minutes with the help of Ropwaya. And a circumambulation route is made for the devotees to circumambulate the hill of Saptshringi Devi Mandir. Queues have also been arranged to reach the Saptashrungi mandir.

Also, the trust has developed a walking road to the Saptashrungi devi temple, providing water facilities, food facilities, hospitals, accommodation, and rest houses for the devotees. Mahaprasad Yojna is also arranged for the devotees, Maha Prasad timings are 11 Am to 2:50 Pm and 7 Pm to 9:30 Pm.

Historic fact:

On July 21st , 2022, the conservation work of the idol started for around 45 days. Under the supervision of the Archaeological survey of india and the temple trust. 2000 kg of Shendur was removed from the idol of Saptashrungi mata in the temple. All the devotees got to see the very beautiful and attractive form of the Saptashrungi devi due to the removal of the Shendur on the idol. 8 September 2023 is the day when the Saptashrungi temple trust arranged the Prana Pratishtha ceremony of the idol. In this ceremony, Saptashrungi Devi and her ornaments were worshiped and ornaments are taken out for a procession.In 1710 Century Around 500 steps were constructed to reach the temple for devotees and these steps were built by Umabai Dabhade. 

Saptashringi Devi Mandir Trust was established in 1975. A lot of new activities are being planned for the Saptshringi temple by the state government as well as the temple development trust.

Saptashringi Devi Aarti Timing :

Kakad Aarti of Saptshringi Devi: (5:30 Am)

Kakad Aarti is the first aarti performed at the beginning of the day which starts at 5:30 am and lasts about 20 minutes. In the Kakad Aarti milk and sugar (khadi sakhar) are offered to the Saptashrungi devi. And arti ends by offering turmeric, kumkum, and gulal at the feet of Saptashrungi mata. 

Panchamrit Mahapuja: (7 to 9 Am)

The timing of Panchamrit Mahapuja of Saptshringi Devi is 7 to 9 Am. In this devi aarti, the Saptashrungi devi abhisheka is done with Panchamrita. Devi's Panchamrit includes curd, milk, ghee, honey, aromatic oil, and powdered sugar. After the Panchamrit Abhishek, the Goddess bathed again with hot water, and after that abhisheka of the Goddess is accomplished with 11 liters of milk. After that, they decorate the Saptashrungi devi with new clothes and jewelry and perform her aarti. After the devi aarti, some verses are recited in front of the Saptashrungi devi. This devi aarti takes 2 to 2:30 hours.

Mahanaivaidya Aarti: (12 Pm afternoon)

Mahanaivedya arti has performed at 12 pm. This devi aarti takes 15 to 20 min. 

Naivedya of Puranpoli is offered to the Saptashrungi mata by performing a Pancharti.

Sanj Aarti Puja (Evening Arti) : (6 Pm)

Sanj Aarti Puja was held at 6 pm.  In this Pancharati Aarti is performed by offering milk to the goddesses. This Sanj Puja lasts for 30 minutes. Along with the devi aarti, Pushpanjali, Apradh Kshmapan hymns, and the 4th chapter of Saptashati are said for the Saptashrungi mata.

Three and Half Shakti Peethas of Maharashtra: 

• Mahalakshmi Temple (Kolhapur)
• Tulja Bhavani Temple (Tujapur)
• Renuka Temple (Matripur)
• Saptshrungi Temple (Vani, Nashik) 

It is said that these three and a half Shakti Peethas of Maharashtra are the form of the sacred mantra Om. Omkara has three and a half Matras namely 1)Akar 2) Ukar 3) Mkar 4)Urdhmatra. Akar represents the Renuka Mata Mandir of Matripur(Mahur), Ukar represents the Tuljabhavani Temple of Tuljapur, Mkar represents the Mahalakshmi temple of Kolhapur and the Urdhmatra represents the Saptshrungi temple of Nashik. 

Festivals of Vani Saptashrungi Devi Temple: 

Navratri:

At the place of Saptashrungi gad goddesses fought with a cruel demon Mahishasura for nine days and killed him. That is why we also called goddesses Mahishasur Mardhini. Hence, Ashvin Shudh means September or October is the month of Navratri. The nine days of Navratri celebrate with great enthusiasm at Saptshrungi temple with commemorating the various form of goddesses. Every year during the Navratri festival here, a huge crowd of devotees is seen.

Chaitra Utsav:

March or April is the month of “Chaitra Utsav”. Chaitra Utsav is the biggest festival of the Saptashrungi mandir. This festival celebrates in the Hindu month of Chaitra. The Festival starts on Ram Navami and ends on Chaitra Purnima. A huge festival is held here on the day of Chaitra Poornima. On this day women who do not have children take a vow (Navas) to Saptashringi Mata to get a child. Lakhs of devotees are seen here during these days. 

The penultimate day(Upanty Divas)  i.e., the fourteenth lunar day is the day of flag worship of the goddess in which the flag is hoisted on the mata mandir in the middle of the night by a flag procession. The Gawli family of Daregaon hoists this flag by tradition

 The flag of the Saptashringi devi is considered so sacred that devotees also come to have darshan of that holy flag. This flag ceremony has been going on for centuries. In this, people offer coconuts, flowers, etc. to the Saptashringi mata. The goddess abhisheka is done with water brought from Suryakunda and cakes made with Turi flour, and Khiir made with rice, milk, and sugar are offered as prasad to the Saptashrungi mata. 

Auspicious days to worship Goddesses:

Full Moon Day (Poornima) : 

On the full moon of every month, devotees come to worship the Saptashrungi mata. Especially on Kojagiri Poornima, thousands of devotees come to take darshan.

Tuesday and Friday are considered auspicious days to worship any Goddess. Along with this, all the other festivals like Gudipadwa, and Mahashivratri are also celebrated in the temple. The temple is very crowded during Kumbh Mela, which is held every twelve years in Nashik

Outside the temple, there are many shops selling Goddess sarees, Kumkum, and Goddess Prasad. People are seen offering coconuts, silk cloth, blouses, and silver eyes to the goddess as gifts. Sitting in the temple, devotees recite 700 shlokas written by Markandeya rishi imitating the Saptashrungi mata.

People of Kathar and Khutadi communities consider Saptshringi Devi as their Kuldaivat. These people celebrate the 5th day of their baby's birth (Pachvi) and offer a goat (Bali) to the Vani devi and name the baby on the 12th day with the blessings of Saptashruni devi.

On the day of festivals, the people of the Bhute, Aaradhi, and Naik communities perform a dance called Ghondhal in front of the Vani devi. Godhal is done at night.

How To Reach Vani Saptashrungi Devi Temple :

Bhagavata Puran says that there are a total of 51 (52, 64,108 Shakti peethas also mentioned in many old texts like Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam) Shakti peethas. Out of the Indian temples of Shakti peethas, Maharashtra has three and a half Shakti peethas. Saptashrungi devi temple is one of them. The temple of Saptshringi Devi is located in the city of Nashik in the state of Maharashtra, India. This temple is about 64 km from Nashik. Saptshrungi Temple is considered a half-Shakti Peeth temple of the goddess. Saptashrungi mata temple is located in the village of Nanduri in Kalwan taluka of Nashik. Nanduri, Kalvan, and Vani villages are situated near the Saptashrungi Temple

Saptashrungi mandir are 64 km away from the Nashik central bus stop and several buses are available to reach the temple.

The temple trusts are doing a lot of development work for devotee's comfort and safety. As devotees are more crowded during Navratri or other festivals, more buses are made available to the temple on festival days. 

Places To Visit near Saptashrungi, Nashik:

There are many places to visit near Vani Saptashrunig devi temple, but some are very special and make your tour very adventurous.

Trimbakehwar Temple:

The distance from Vani Saptashrungi Temple to Trimbakeshwar Shiva temple is approximately 106 Km, which takes 2 hours to reach Trimbakeshwar. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the divine Jyotirlinga of Lore Shiva. The trip to Nashik is incomplete without visiting the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga temple of India. Trimbakeshwar Temple is also very famous for a holy Kushawart Tirth Kund where holy Godavari mata remerges after disappearing from Brahmagiri hills. Hindu rituals like Kaal sarp dosh puja and Narayan Nagbali Pooja are only undertaken at Trimbakeshwar. 

Shirdi Sai Baba Temple: 

The distance from Vani Saptashrungi temple to Shirdi Sai Baba temple is 131 Km, which takes 3 to 4 hours to reach. Shirdi temple is one of the most visited and successful organizations in India. 

Shree Nivruttinath Maharaj Samadhi Mandir: 

Nivruttinath Maharaj Samadhi temple is 38 Km away from Vani Saptashrungi Temple. This mandir is located in Trimbakeshwar, Nashik. Sant Nivruttinath Maharaj took a live samadhi at this place.

ShaniShingnapur Temple: 

ShaniShingnapur is 144 Km from Nashik city which take around 3 hours to reach. This 300 year old temple is the Temple of Lord Shanidev. No house and Shop are ever locked in ShaniShingnapur village this is the specialty of this village. In the Warkari community, this temple has a religious value.