My visit to Avantika Devi Temple

My visit to Avantika Devi Temple

Ma Jagadamba and Ambika

Lord Vishnu

Avantika temple is located in a small village on the banks of the River Ganga near Bulandsahar. In this temple Devi is swayabhu and two faces are visible. One is Ma Jagadamba and the other is Ambika.  People strongly believe that all their wishes are fulfilled here.  Especially unmarried girls offer prayers here for marriage and soon their wishes are fulfilled and they are married to the grooms of their choice.  This is the place where Rukmini got Sri Krishna as her husband. There is story behind this temple.

Rukmini was the daughter of Bhishmak. He had a son named Rukmi. Rukmini wanted to marry SriKrishna.  But Rukmi wanted his sister to marry Shishupal his friend. When Rukmini came to know this she sent a message to Sri Krishna to abduct her from Avantika Mandir and marry her. She does not want Sri Krishna to fight a war with her brother as it leads to the bloodshed of many near and dear people.  Sri Krishna came along with Balarama and abducted her from this temple.  Sri Krishna is the incarnation of Maha Vishnu and Rukmini was Maha Lakshmi.

This temple is believed to have existed since Dwaparyug.  Its name is mentioned in Maha Bharata and Srimad Bhagavatam.

After offering our prayers to Avantika Mata, we recited Lalita Sahasra Namam and two dasakams of Rukmini Kalyanam from Narayaneeyam.  River Ganges flows by the side of this temple. With cool breeze coming over the river the atmosphere was so serene and soothing to our senses.

Lalita Sahasranama Parayana

Vishnu Sahasranama Parayana

This temple is managed by Gurukul Ashram named Rukminivallabh dev Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya attached to this temple.  This Ashram is run by Swami Mahanand Bhrahmachariji Maharaj.  Along with Vidyalaya there is one Gaushala and Library. About 100 children learn Ved here.  Our Satsangam organised Annadanam to all the members of the Ashram on that day.

There are huge buildings constructed for the children’s hostel and residences for the teachers and administrative staff.  There is one huge Yagnasala where we recited Vishnusahasranamam and listened to the Anugraha Bhashanam of the Guruji Sri Mahanand Brahmachariji.

Students in the Gurukul

Sri Mahanand Brahmachariji

Sri Vishnushasranama Satsangam of Shipra Suncity, Ghaziabad has arranged this one day pilgrimage trip to Avantika.  There are about 100 devotees in two buses visited this place.  Very good arrangements made by the Vishnu Sahasranama Satsangam organisers for travel, lunch, refreshments etc.  At the end of the journey devotees thanked the organisers Especially Sri Srinivasan who is instrumental to all “ADHYATMIC ACTIVITIES” through Vishnu Sahasranama Satsangam.

................................................................................................................................................................................