Sree Jivdani Devi Temple – Virar

 

Sree Jivdani Mata temple is located in Virar in the state of Maharashtra.

Jivdani Mata is an incarnation of Goddess Durga.

Jivdani Devi Temple has an arch to reach the temple one has to take 1460 steps and has a Thirtham Vaitarini River. The presently installed image is a very recent one, the original sanctum sanctorum is the hole in the niche of the cave, which is the central place of worship. The temple of the Devi is completely renovated and there is a beautiful idol of Devi in white marble. Alternately there is a rope-way for old, elderly, and physically disabled people.

 

According to legend, during the forest journey of the Pandavas, they came to the Shurparaka. They visited the holy temple of Vinaleshwar constructed by Lord Parashuram. On the banks of Viraar Tirtha, they worshipped Bhagavathi Ekaveera and on seeing the serenity and beauty of nature they decided to carve caves in the nearby mountains. They installed and worshipped the yoga linga of the Ekaveera Devi in one of the caves. They called her Bhagavati Jeevadhani. The maharishi who used to graze the village cattle stayed in Viraar at the time of Jagadguru Shankaracharya's arrival. To get darshan from Jagadguru Shankaracharya, Padmanabaswami Maharishi came to Nirmal Mandir and asked him to bless him so that he could have darshan of his beloved kula devata. Pleased with his devotion, he advised Maharshi to serve gomata in the foothills of the Jivadhani. After some time, he got the darshan from his Goddess. While grazing the village cattle a beautiful woman appeared to him. He realized that she was his kuladevi Jeevdhani.

 

Jivdani temple is more than 1500 years old. It is said that this temple was created by Pandavas.

During Navratri days many devotees visit this temple. A fair is held on the day of Dasara.

Temple Timings

5.30 am to 7.30 pm

5.30 am – Morning Aarti

12.00 pm – Noon Aarti

7.30 pm – Evening Aarti

How to reach the Temple

50 km from Mumbai.