Vindhyachal

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For the mountain range in central India, see Vindhya Range.

Vindhyachal <phonos file="Vindhyachal.ogg">pronunciation</phonos>(Hindi: विंध्याचल) is a town in Mirzapur District of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. The city is a Hindu pilgrimage site having the temple of Vindhyavasini, who according to Markandeya Purana had incarnated to kill the demon Mahishasur. The detailed description has been given in 'Durga Saptashati' Chapter of Markandeya Purana. The river Ganga flows through this city. The Indian Standard Time (IST) line passes through the Vindhyachal railway station.

Inside Vindhyachal Temple entrance

The temple

Vindhyachal 70 km. (one and a half hour drive) from Varanasi, is a renowned religious city dedicated to Goddess Vindhyavasini. Mythologically goddess Vindhyavasini is believed to be the instant bestower of benediction. Vindhyavasini Devi Temple is situated 8 km from Mirzapur, on the banks of the holy river Ganga. It is one of the most revered Shaktipeeths of the presiding deity, Vindhyavasini Devi. The temple is visited by large number of people daily. Big congregations are held during Navratras in Chaitra (April) and Ashwin (October) months. Kajali competitions are held in the month of Jyestha (June). The temple is situated just 2 km from the Kali Khoh.

Trikona Parikrama

There are several temples of other deities in the vicinity, the most famous ones being Ashtabhuja Devi Temple and kalikhoh Temple. There is parikrama (circumambulation) which constitute:

  1. Maa Vindhyavasini Devi Temple, dedicated to Goddess Durga.
  2. Kali khoh temple, in form of ancient cave dedicated to Goddess Maha Kali (2 km from Vindhyavasini temple) Here, the deity represents to incarnation of Hindu Goddess Durga, for killing demon Raktabeeja.
  3. Ashtabhuja temple, dedicated to Goddess Maha Saraswati (on a hillock, 3 km from Vindhyavasini temple)As per mythology, Ashtabhuja was sister of Krishna, who came here, after relieving herself from the grip of demon Kansa, who wanted to kill her, just after her birth to Vasudeva and Devaki.

Important Places in Trikona Parikrama

  1. Kankali Devi temple, dedicated to Maa Kali in the form of skeleton, as described in 11th chapter of Durgasaptashati (Markandeya Puran)
  2. Shivashiv Samooh Awadhoot Ashram,a center point (Bindu) of naturally formed Shri Chakra, Near Gerua Talab. The place where, Maharishi Lalbhatta Maharaj attained Nirvikalpa samadhi. Awadhoot Kripanandnath continued this lineage. Samooh celebrates its foundation day on the pious occasion of Basant Panchmi every year. Saadhna shivirs are organised by samooh on different occasions at this place.

Demographics

As per provisional data of 2011 census, Mirzapur-cum-Vindyachal urban agglomeration had a population of 245,817, out of which males were 131,534 and females were 114,283. The literacy rate was 77.85 per cent.[1]

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See also: List of cities in Uttar Pradesh

As of 2001 India census Vindyachal and Mirzapur were together considered a single census entity: a municipal board tagged as 'Mirzapur-cum-Vindhyachal'.[2]

The city

Vindhyachal, a Shakti Peeth, is a center of pilgrimage in Mirzapur District, Uttar Pradesh. The Vindhyavasini Devi temple located here is a major draw and is thronged by hundreds of devotees during the Navratris of Chaitra and Ashwin months to invoke the blessings of the Goddess.

Other sacred places in the town are Ashtbhuja temple, Sita Kund, Kali Khoh, Budeh Nath temple, Narad Ghat, Gerua talab, Motiya talab, Lal Bhairav and Kal Bhairav temples, Ekdant Ganesh, Sapta Sarovar, Sakshi Gopal temple, Goraksha-kund, Matsyendra kund, Tarkeshwar Nath temple, Kankali Devi temple, Shivashiv Samooh Awadhoot Ashram and Bhairav kund. Mirzapur is the closest railhead. Vindhyachal has regular bus services to the nearby towns. The nearest railway station is at Mirzapur. Regular bus services connect Vindhyachal to the nearby towns.

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See also: Demographics section in the article on Mirzapur

HVDC power station

Since 1989 there is a HVDC back-to-back station with a maximum transmission power of 500 megawatts and an operating voltage of 176 kV.[3] The HVDC-back-to-back station at Vindhyachal is used for the interconnection of the power grids of Northern and Western India.[3] The equipment was built by ABB Group.[3] In the same year another HVDC came up at upper sileru project. The equipment was built indigenously by BHEL and APGENCO.This HVDC is used for grid synchronization between central and southern India.

Attractions

  1. Vindhyavasini Devi Temple
  2. Kalikoh Temple.
  3. Ashtabhuja Devi Temple.
  4. Ramgaya Ghat and Taradevi Temple.
  5. Sita Kund.
  6. Gerua Talab.

References

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