Goddess Vindhyavasini

Goddess Vindhyavasini is a manifestation of Mother Goddess Shakti. She is Mother Goddess Durga who made her abode in the Vindhyanchal Mountains. She is also referred to as Yoga Maya, Ashtabhuja Devi  and Kaushiki Devi. There are numerous references regarding the manifestation of Goddess Vindhyavasini.

As per Vindhyanchal Mahima, this is the original home of Mother Goddess Adi Shakti. She as Yoga Maya appears in all animate and inanimate. She protects those that follow Dharma and she annihilates those that follow Adharma.

According to Devi Bhagavad Purana, She decides to reside in Vindhyanchal after she is pleased with the penance performed by Manu. She moves out of Ksheerasagara and resides in Vindhyanchal.

According to holy text Durga Saptashati, Vindhyavasini Devi appeared to protect Devas, saints and human beings who were terrorized by demons Shumbh and Nishumbh. She is believed to have emerged from the body of Goddess Durga.

The Goddess is also believed to be the sister of Lord Krishna. She appeared as the eighth child of Devaki and Vasudeva. When Kamsa attempted to kill her, she flew away from his clutches and predicted his death.

All different stories in various regions agree on one point that she is the manifestation of Mother Goddess Shakti.

According to the story of Shrimad Bhagwat Purana, Shri Krishna, born from the eighth womb of Devaki, was taken to Nandji’s house in Gokul overnight by Vasudevji to save him from Kansa, and Adi Parashakti Yogmaya was born as a daughter from Yashoda’s womb. He was quietly brought to Mathura jail. Later, when Kansa got the news of the birth of Devaki’s eighth child, he reached the prison. As soon as he wanted to kill that newborn girl by throwing her on a stone, that girl suddenly got released from Kansa’s hands and reached the sky she predicted the slaughter of Kansa by showing her divine form and finally, she returned to Bhagwati Vindhyachal.

Bhagwati Vindhyavasini Adya is super power. Vindhyachal has always been his abode. The continual presence of Jagdamba has made Vindhyagiri an awakened Shaktipeeth. In the Virat Parva of Mahabharata, while praising Yudhishthira Devi, Dharmaraj says – Vindhyachaivanag-Shreshthe Tavasthanahi Shashwatam. Hey mother! You always reside in Vindhyachal, the best among the mountains. In Padyapuran, Vindhyachal-Nivasini, this superpower has been related to the name of Vindhyavasini- Vindhyavindhyadhivasini.

The most famous temple dedicated to her is located at Mirzapur District in Uttar Pradesh.