VAISHNO DEVI :During the Treta yuga powerful and evil forces had taken control of the world. The combined cries of devotees inspired a divine solution. Mahalakshmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswati combined their shanti's (powers) to produce a Devi powerful enough to free the people of their suffering. That powerful Goddess that they produced is Vaishno Devi.

Vaishno Mata quickly disposed of an evil demon who was preventing devotees from their religious practices. She took a birth in South India so that She could continue with Her divine mission here on earth. After some time She left home to perform austerities and meditate on Lord Rama. At that time Lord Rama was searching for his wife Sita who had been abducted by the evil Ravana. Rama appeared before Vaishno Devi. She asked to be his wife. Rama refused saying that he was already married but if Vaishno Devi could recognize him when he returned next then he would agree to marry her.

After killing Ravana and rescuing Sita Rama returned to Vaishno Devi's hermitage disguised as an old sadhu. To her disappointment Vaishno Devi did not recognize him. He consoled her saying that he would again take a birth in Kali Yuga (the present age) and then they would get married. Lord Rama told Vaishno Devi to stay in a cave in the Trikuta hills where Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati were staying. There many devotees would come for Her darshan and she would fulfill their desires. He also sent Hanuman to serve Her. Since that time Vaishno Devi has been there, serving the world, and waiting for Lord Rama to return.

CHAMUNADA DEVI :The demons ‘Chand” and “Mund” were killed by hence known as “Chamunda”. Meri Maiya Chamundadevi Mandir is seven hundred years old; build by Meri Maiya bhakt (still unknown) from the village, who was asked by Meri Maiya Herself in his dream to fetch the idol across Ban Ganga and place it in the temple over "Holy Meri Maiya Pindi" and worship HER. Meri Maiya Mandir is a holy shrine of 'Shiva and Shakti' and is known as 'Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham'. Meri Maiya Mandir is a seat of spirituality since ancient times and is situated on the bank of Ban-Ganga. Meri Maiya Mandir is surrounded by natural beauty, peace and bliss and as such a natural refuge for saints and meditators since time immemorial.This in only Meri Maiya Mandir where Meri Maiya Puja and Cremation of Dead body is done at the same place. Here the great Lord 'Ashutosh Shiv Shankar' in the form of death, destruction and devourer is sitting with Meri Maiya Chamundadevi. Ancestoral worship (Shradha Ceremony) is also performed here. After taking a dip in Ban Ganga it is auspicious to listen or recite 'Shat Chandi' Path (Hymns).

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MANSA DEVI
(who fulfills the desires) : Mansa means desire and Meri Maiya who fulfills the desire of HER devotees, is popularly known as Mansa Devi. Located a top the Shivalik-Hills near Hardwar the Mandir is easily accessible through Ropeway Trolley, as well as stairs and pedestrian path The Main - idol, enshrined in the Mandir, consists of 5 heads (faces) and three arms of Meri Maiya. Pilgrims tie-up a thread around stem of an old tree for the fulfillment of their desires. One can easily see hundred of knots around it.

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NAINA DEVI :Blinds may get eye-sight from “ NAINA DEVI”
(a symbol of the energy of vision)
The devotees have a common faith that Meri Maiya Naina Devi blesses HER bhakts with eyes, even to those, who can’t see. The shrine is regarded as one of the foremost seats of the deity. According to the legend, eyes of Sati fell here, when lord Vishnu cut the body of sati into pieces. The temple is also known as Mahishapitha because of it's association with Mahishasur.

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CHINTAPURNI MAA:

“Chinta” Means worry ……
Tension or worries act as a slow Poison. Maiya saves HER bhakts from it, giving elixir of life, by fulfilling their desires and hence rightly known as CHINTAPURNI The sacred place belong to 'Chhinnmastika Devi ' i.e. the goddess without head. It is also know as the Abode of Chhinnamastila. But the most popular name is CHINTAPURANI, Some parts of the holy feet of Sati are said to be fallen here, while Lord Vishnu used His Sudarshan Chakra to cut the corpse into pieces. The Shrine of Chintapurniis situated in Una district of Himachal Pradesh in northern India

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KALIKA DEVI
(A Symbol of death and destruction) : Kali is derived from the word Kaala which stands for two meanings -
1. time or age 2. darkness.

It is believed that there was a state of total darkness before the origin of Universe; no life existed anywhere! Total Chaos! The age of death and destruction!Kali Maa is another roop (form) of Durga Maa. She was created by Durga Maa to help in the fight against demons. She is the ferocious aspect of Durga. According to the Puranas, this image of Durga as Kali, so widely worshipped in eastern parts of India, owes its origin to the battle of Durga with Shumbha and Nishumbha. She is also known as the slayer of the demon Raktavija by drinking the drops of his blood and not allowing them to fall on the ground.Actually, death is the cause of a new life and destruction is the cause of a new shape. This energy is represented as Meri Maiya Kalika.
SHE produces the netherworlds and destroys them.

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VAJRESHWARI DEVI : “ The Goddess of Power ” , Popularly known as Kangrewali Mata this seat of deity is powerful, so much so, as to conquer the enemy. Vajra means thunderbolt and Meri Maiya, who bears it is known as Vajreshwari Devi

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JWALAMUKHI DEVI
(who represents the energy of fire)
Nine Sacred - Flames, continuously burning without any fuel, or assistance may be seen erupting from a rock-side, now housed
in the shape of a Mandir, here. This miracle of nature is worshipped as Meri Maiya known as JWALAMUKHI.

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KAMAKHYA DEVI: It is one of the 108 Shakti Peethas of Goddess Durga. Legend has it that Kamakhya came into existence when Lord Shiva was carrying the corpse of his wife Sati, and her "yoni" (female genitalia) fell to the ground at the spot where the temple now stands. The temple is a natural cave with a spring. Down a flight of steps to the bowel of earth, is located a dark, mysterious chamber. Here, draped with a silk sari and covered with flowers, is kept the "matra yoni". A unique festival observed here is the Ambuvaci (Ameti) fertility festival wherein it is believed that the Goddess (mother Earth) undergoes her menstrual period.

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SHAKUMBHARI DEVI
(A Symbol of Botanical Energy)
Katha tells us that Meri Maiya helped the living creatures to survive only upon plants and vegetables, when no water was available on this earth, for full long hundred years. Hence, SHE was known as SHAKUMBHARI DEVI i.e. Meri Maiya who feeded upon vegetables. Stating in terms of botanical-science, there exists a form of energy behind the growth of plants and vegetables; the evolution of this energy is caused due to the multiplication and compounding of atoms. The same energy has been worshipped as Meri Maiya SHAKUMBHARI in Katha Here, Meri Maiya is represented by four idols. Bhramari and Bhima Devi are enshrined on the right side of SHAKUMBHARI DEVI is also known as Sheetla Devi. Actually all these names signify the same deity, who incarnated HERSELF with the different names in different ages.In present context also, this aspect of worship is utmost relevant, because the world began to think about the importance of plants and trees only a few years ago, whereas, the Indian Culture had adopted the same thousand of years before, when the worship of SHAKUMBHARI DEVI was started.

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