Dare to step back in time. Let’s explore the mystical Nageshwari Mandir right here in Delhi. This temple stands as a testament to faith and resilience. It has survived centuries of upheaval.
Nageshwari Mandir is dedicated to Yogmaya. She is considered the sister of Krishna. She took avatar as Vindhyavasini. The temple is in Mehrauli near the Qutb complex.
Local priests say this is one of 27 temples destroyed by Mamluks. It is the only surviving pre-sultanate temple still in use. Hindu king Samrat Vikramaditya Hemu rebuilt it. He brought the temple back from ruins. During Aurangzeb’s reign, an Islamic-style hall was added. The original architecture could not be fully restored. But locals have repeatedly reconstructed it.
Yogmaya is considered an aspect of Maya. Maya is the illusionary power of God. The temple hosts a large gathering during Navratri. The present temple was restored in the early 19th century. It may be the descendant of an older Devi shrine. Nearby is a water body. It is known as Anangtal Baoli. King Anangpal Tomar built it. Trees surround it. The temple is part of Delhi’s inter-faith festival, Phool Walon Ki Sair.
In the 12th century, Mehrauli was called Yoginipura after this temple. Legend says the Pandavas built it after the Mahabharata war. Mehrauli is one of Delhi’s seven ancient cities. Mughal Emperor Akbar II had associations with this temple.
The temple is near the Iron Pillar in the Qutb complex. It stands within the Lal Kot walls. King Anangpal I of the Tomar dynasty constructed this fortress around 731 CE. King Anangpal II expanded it in the 11th century.
The temple was rebuilt in 1827. It features a simple yet contemporary design. There is an entrance hall. The sanctum sanctorum houses the Yogmaya idol. The idol is made of black stone. It sits in a marble well. The sanctum is square with a flat roof. A truncated shikara sits on the roof. A dome is also visible. The idol is covered in sequins and cloth. Two small punkahs hang above it. The temple enclosure is square with towers at each corner. Sood Mal, the builder, ordered twenty-two towers to be built within the temple. Originally, the floor was red stone. It has since been replaced with marble. The main tower is tall. It has a copper-plated shikara.
Devotees offer flowers and sweets. These are placed on a marble table. Bells are not tolled during worship. Wine and meat are forbidden. Yoga Maya is considered austere. An iron cage used to display stone tigers.
The main idol is believed to be Yogamaya. She was the daughter of Yashoda. She is an incarnation of Durga. She was born as Krishna’s sister. Kansa tried to kill her on Krishna Janmashtami. Yogamaya vanished. She predicted Kansa’s death at Krishna’s hands. Later, she was reborn as Krishna’s younger sister Subhadra.
Mughal Emperor Akbar II also has a legend connected to the Nageshwari Mandir. His wife prayed here for her son’s safe return from exile. She vowed to place a floral punkah at the temple and at a nearby Muslim shrine. This practice continues as Phool Walon Ki Sair.
For over 5000 years, local people have cared for Yogmaya Temple. Over 200 people, descendants of a common ancestor, maintain the temple. They offer prayers, perform shringar, clean the temple, and distribute prasad. They carry forward the customs voluntarily.
Every autumn, the Phool Walon Ki Sair festival starts at the dargah of Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki in Mehrauli. This festival includes offering a floral punkah to Yogmaya. It is an important inter-faith event in Delhi.
The Nageshwari Mandir is more than just a temple. It embodies Delhi’s layered history. It is a symbol of enduring faith. Its stones whisper tales of devotion. It is a place where the past and present intertwine. As you leave, carry with you the echoes of its ancient stories. Remember the spirit of Yogmaya.