Vajreswari Jogini or simply Vajreswari temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Vajreswari, a form of Adi Shakti (Primal Feminine Power) situated in the village with the same name, in the Bhiwandi Taluka of Thane district, Maharashtra. One small but beautiful river named Tansa flows by the side of this village. There are two mythological story associated with this temple, both of which narrate how the demon Kalikut was killed by the Goddess, with a difference that associate Vajra (thunderbolt), the weapon of Indra, the king of gods. In one story, Indra hurtled Vajra to a group of Rishi-s (sages) who forgot to invite him to a Yagna (fire ritual) and the Goddess Vajreswari came and shielded the hapless Rishis from the immensely powerful missile Vajra. The other story narrates that as Indra was unable to kill the demon even by his Vajra (the demon broke the Vajra into two parts), Goddess Vajreswari appeared from the broken Vajra and killed the demon. Historically, the ancient small temple of Goddess Vajreswari was renovated and re-built into a big magnificent temple built of stone by the Marahatta general Chimaji after he defeated the Portuguese in the battle of Vasai. The temple is situated on a small hillock, and one has to ascend a flight of about 50 stairs to reach the main gate of the temple. Inside, the temple complex consists of the main temple dedicated to the Goddess, surrounded by few smaller temples and sacred temple trees around which devotees tie red colored clothes with wishful thinking. One important temple is situated behind the main temple which is dedicated to Dattatreya, a combined form of the Trinity of Hinduism, viz. Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Maheswara (Shiva in His anthropoid form). Visitors must not miss the Rudraksha tree which is grown at the centre of the Dattatreya temple and goes up through a hole in the roof. If you are lucky, you can get one or two of genuine Rudraksha from this tree. The main temple : The main temple dedicated to Goddess Vajreswari is a North Indian (Nagara) type of temple with some modifications. In the front there is a hall with multiple columns, all decorated. Next is an ante-chamber where you can see Lord Ganesha on your left an Morba Devi, a goddess who rides a rooster. In the sanctum, there are 3 idols on the altar - from your left these are of Renuka Mata (the mother of Parashurama, the 6th Avatar of Lord Vishnu), Vajreswari Mata and Goddess Kalika. Photography is prohibited in the sanctum, though you can try a shot from outside with a tele lens. But if you are not so choosy, you can get a good photo from the picture of the three deities which hung in the wall of the Dattatreya temple.

One important point must be mentioned here. On the right side of the main temple, just outside the boundary wall, there is a small temple of Lord Hanuman. Behind this temple, there is a series of steps going to the top of the hill in which the main temple complex is situated. This path will lead to you to the top of the hill where you can see the Samadhi Mandir (mausoleum) of Donge Baba, the priest of the original temple. The climb is an easy one, and from the top you can have a good panoramic view of the surrounding areas.

The wash rooms, if you need, are good and clean, and are situated just behind the Hanuman temple.

The Vajreswari hot springs:

There are a number (21) of hot springs within 5 km radius of the temple of Goddess Vajreswari. Local mythology ascribe the hotness of the water of the hit springs to the hit blood of the demon whom the Goddess killed here. A group of such hot springs are situated about 1.5 km away in Akloli area (called locally "Jalaram Dham"), where one can take a bath in one of the hot water pools. This area is situated by the Tansa river.