Shree Vajreshwari Yogini Devi Mandir

The Shree Vajreshwari Yogini Devi Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Vajreshwari, located in the town Vajreshwari, 75 km away from Mumbai. The town, earlier known as Vadvali, was renamed Vajreshwari in honour of the presiding deity of the temple.

The town of Vajreshwari - on banks of river Tansa - lies in Bhiwandi city, Thane district, Maharashtra, India and 31 km away from the nearest railway station of Vasai. The temple is located near the post office of Vajreshwari town, on the Mandagiri hillock, which was formed out of a volcanic eruption and is surrounded by hills on all sides.

Legends

The region of Vadvali is mentioned in the Puranas (Hindu scriptures) as visited by Avatars (incarnations) of Vishnu (Hindu god of preservation): Rama and Parshurama. The legend has it Parshurama had performed a yajna (fire offering) at Vadvali and the hills of volcanic ash in the area are its residue.

The primary deity of the temple, Vajreshwari (vajreśvari), also spelled Vajreshvari, also known as Vajrábái and Vajrayogini, is considered as incarnation of goddess Parvati or Aadi-Maya on earth. Her name literally means "the lady of the Vajra(thunderbolt)". There are two legends about the goddess' origins, both associated with the Vajra.

Thousands of years ago, a Rakshasa (demon) named Kalikala or Kalikut troubled the rishis (sages) and humans in the region of Vadvali and waged a war against the devas (gods). Distressed the gods and sages headed by Vashishta performed the TriChandi yagna, a fire offering to the Goddess, to please Her. An aahuti (offering of ghee in yajna) was not granted to Indra (king of devas). Enraged, Indra hurled his Vajra - one of most powerful weapons in Hindu mythology- at the yajna. The terrified gods and sages prayed to the Goddess to save them. The Goddess appeared in all her glory at the site and not only swallowed the Vajra and humbled Indra but also killed the demons. Rama requested the Goddess that she should stay in the region of Vadvali and be known as Vajreshwari. Thus, the Vajreshwari temple was established in this region.

Another legend says that Indra and other devas went to goddess Parvati and requested her to help slay demon Kalikala. Goddess Parvati assured that she will come to their aid at the right time and ordered them to fight with the demon. In the battle, Kalikala swallowed or broken all weapons thrown at him. Finally, Indra threw the Vajra at the demon, which Kalikala broke into pieces and from the Vajra, emerged the Goddess, who destroyed the demon. The devas extolled her as Vajreshwari and built her temple.

The 7th canto of Navanath Kathasar states that Machindranath served goddess Vajrabhagawati (Vajreshwari) for a month by giving her a bath of the water of hot springs.This place is also called as Nath Bhoomi,A land of Nathas.

Hot Springs

There are around twenty-one hot water springs, in a five-kilometer radius of the temple. According to tradition, the hot water is the blood of demons and giants, slain by goddess Vajreshwari. Though according to scientists, their proximity to the former volcano in the region accounts for their creation. Pilgrims who visit the temple also have a holy bath in the springs, which are referred to askundas in Sanskrit and are named after Hindu deities like Surya (sun-god), Chandra (moon-god), Agni (fire-god), Vayu (wind-god), Rama (Vishnu's incarnation), Sita (Rama's wife and incarnation of goddess Lakshmi - wife of Vishnu) and Lakshmana (Rama's brother).