Bandi, Anandi and Manovanchha Devi
Baldeo, 2018.03.28 (VT): Bandi, Anandi and Manovanchha Devi. The temple of these three goddess of Baldeo is among the prominent Shakti Temples of Vraja. Bandi Anandi and Manovancha Devi temples of Bandi village are among the most frequented local temples and are a source of inspiration to Brijwasis.
Situated just three Kilometers from Baldeo, the village of Lord Balaram, thousands of devotees gather in Bandi village to worship the three Devis during the time of Chaitra Shukla Chaturdashi. On Chaturdashi, a grand fair is organized to mark the occasion. Several rituals are performed, including the mundan samaskar (first head shaving) of the new born babies.
Chaturdashi Mela
The temple of the three Devis was built in the 14th century by a wealthy man from Agra named Ghasi Ram Seth. Ram Seth was an ardent devotee of Goddess Shakti. It is said that these three Devis were the Kuldevis of different clans of the Yadavas.
The miracle of Bandi Devi is described in the third chapter of the tenth canto of Shrimad Bhagwatam. The Bhagavatam says that the gatemen of the Kamsa’s prison fell asleep miraculously, when Krishna was born. This was the miracle of Yogmaya, in the form of Bandi Devi.
Yogmaya gave ‘Anand’ or pleasure to Nanda – Yashoda and Vasudev – Devaki. So she is worshiped in the form of Anandi Devi. Yashoda Maa prayed to Goddess Shakti to save Krishna – Balaram from Kamsa and their wellbeing. Her desire was fulfilled; therefore the Goddess was named as Manovanchha Devi.
Anand Kund
People offer silver tongue and eyes to the Goddess as it is believed that worshiping Goddess Manovanchha heals problems such as stammering, stuttering and squint.
The new brides of the Jadon clan of the Yadavas visit this temple after the marriage. The Three Goddess manifested from the nearby Anand Kund. According to the Garga Samhita, Maa Bandi Devi decorated Radha ji before the maharasa. Bandi Devi gave Tilak to Radha as a wedding gift and Maa Anandi Devi gifted ear ornaments to Radha Rani.
Temple entrance
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