Ashtabhuja Devi, Vindhyachal Mountains — Attraction in Uttar Pradesh

Ashtabhuja temple is an ancient cave temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi maa at Vindhyachal in Mirzapur district, located on the northernmost part of the Vindhyachal mountain. Ashtabhuja means one with eight arms, hear Maa Saraswathi has 8 hands and hence the name is called as Ashtabhuja Devi. Vindhyachal is located at 8 km away from Mirzapur, 65 km away from Varanasi and 90 km away from Prayagraj. If you are planning to visit Prayag or Varanasi then you can plan one day trip to Vindhyachal where you can see Vindhyavasini Maa temple and Kali Khoh temple along with Ashtabhuja temple.

Maa Durga, Kali and Saraswathi located here in Vindhyachal in 3 different temples. Maa Durga is prayed here as Vindhyavasini, Maa Kali is prayed in Kali Khoh temple as Kali Maa and Maa Saraswathi is prayed in Ashtabhuja Devi.

You can plan your visit to Vindhyachal to visit all these temples before lunch and after lunch you can visit Sita Kund, Rameshwar Mahadev Mandir, and local forts. if you have some more time then visit Windom Falls which is located at a distance of 16 km from Mirzapur.

Trikon Parikrama at Vindhyachal: Ashtabhuja Devi temple is part of the Trikon Parikrama of three temples situated in Vindhyachal town. The other two are Maa Vindhyavasini and Kali Khoh temple. The temples of the three goddesses forms the three corners of a triangle, and the area encompassed by the triangle like a Yantra. Ashtabhuja temple is the third tangent of Vindhyachal Trikon Parikrama. Generally Devotees covers all these three temples visit in a day and it is belief that Completing Trikon parikrama in one day will generate great luck to the people who complete this Parikrama. The Parikrama is considered over after visiting the pond of Saint Karngiri.

Temple Architecture: The main Deity is there inside Cave temple. The entrance of the temple is low but the exit is high. The cave in which idol is installed is about 12 feet wide. Statue of Goddess has large eyes and white of eyes is made up of silver. The murti of Maa Saraswathi here is noted for large eyes, which is decorated with a silver ornaments. Goddess in the sanctum sanctorum is adorned with North Indian style decoration like gold crown, necklaces, bangles, rings and red color cloth.

Apart from the main temple, several smaller temples and shrines are dedicated to various gods and goddesses. The Shiva temple is most prominent after the main Deity temple, which has a beautiful double Shivalinga and a Shiv Murti. In the temple walls are adorned with ancient Hanuman, Ganesh and Bhairav.

One Can also find a Yagna Shala behind the Maha Saraswathi temple. It is believed that anyone can get their Havan Samagri and Join the Yagna.

How to Reach this temple: To reach this temple there are three ways, One can reach this temple by Auto, Taxi or by Personal Vehicle via Ghat road. By using this road you can reach very near to temple and need to use steps downwards to reach temple. The other way is from the Vindhyachal base from where there is steps way, where one has to climb 222 steps to reach to this temple. There is third option which is Ropeway available from Kali Khoh temple. How ever you have to still climb some steps to reach to the temple.

Temple Visit timings: Morning 04:00 to...

Facts: Location: Asthbhuja Mata Mandir is located in the sacred town of Vindhyachal, known for its spiritual significance and scenic beauty.

Spiritual Hub: The temple is dedicated to Asthbhuja Mata, attracting pilgrims and tourists seeking divine blessings in the serene Vindhya region.

Architecture: The temple boasts intricate architecture and a peaceful ambiance, creating a serene space for worship and reflection.

Panoramic Views: Situated in the lap of nature, the temple offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes, adding to the overall spiritual experience.

Must-Do Activity: One highly recommended activity is to order food before climbing for the darshan. This ensures that when you return from the divine experience of the temple, you'll be greeted with tasty and hot food, providing both nourishment and a delightful culinary experience.

Must-Try Dish: Litti Chokha Don't miss the opportunity to savor the local flavors by trying the Litti Chokha. This regional delicacy is a delightful blend of roasted wheat flour balls (litti) served with a spicy mashed vegetable mix (chokha), offering a burst of flavors that complement the cultural richness of Vindhyachal.

Pros: Spiritual Atmosphere: The temple exudes a spiritual atmosphere, providing a peaceful sanctuary for devotees and visitors.

Scenic Beauty: Surrounded by the natural beauty of Vindhyachal, the temple offers breathtaking views, making the visit a holistic experience.

Culinary Delights: The advice to order food beforehand adds a practical and enjoyable aspect to the visit, ensuring a delightful culinary experience after the spiritual journey.

Cons: Crowded During Peak Times: Like many popular religious sites, Asthbhuja Mata Mandir may experience crowds during peak pilgrimage seasons.

Limited Parking: Visitors should be mindful of potential parking limitations, especially during busy times.

In summary, Asthbhuja Mata Mandir in Vindhyachal is a gem of spiritual and cultural significance. By ordering food in advance and trying the local specialty Litti Chokha, you can enhance both your culinary and spiritual journey. Highly recommended for those seeking a harmonious blend of divinity and...

Ashtabhuja Temple is an ancient cave temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati at Vindhyachal in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh. Ashtabhuja Devi Temple is part of the Trikon Parikrama or Yatra of three temples here. The other two are Maa Vindhyavasini Temple and Kali Khoh temple.

Trikon Parikrama at Vindhyachal – The temples of the three goddesses forms the three corners of a triangle, and the area encompassed by the triangle is like a yantra. Devotees visit all the three shrines in a day. Ashtabhuja Temple is located on the northernmost part of the Vindhyachal Mountain.

Ashtabhuja means one with eight arms.

A flight of 222 steps takes one to this cave temple. There is also a motorable road. One can have a panoramic view of Ganga River and the surrounding areas from atop the temple. The main murti of Maa Ashtabhuja is located inside a cave. The entrance to the cave is very low. The murti of Maa Saraswati here is noted for large eyes, which is decorated with a silver ornament.Goddess in the sanctum sanctorum is adorned with North Indian style decorations like gold crown, bangles, necklaces, rings and red color cloth. The murti is always decorated with fresh flowers and garlands.

9-day Navratri is the most important festival here. Both Chaitra Navratri (March – April) and Sharad Navratri (September – October) attracts nearly a million devotees. Saints and pious souls sit in meditation on the Vindhyachal Mountain...