Mangal Chandi Temple, an esteemed Hindu temple devoted to Goddess Sati and popularly known as Ujani Shakti Peetha, is located in Kogram Village of Bardhaman District, West Bengal. This sacred site overlooks the historical Ajay River which was once called Ujani millennia ago. As one of the 51 revered Shakti Peethas that hold great significance for devotees of Shaktism – a sect within Hinduism – this holy sanctuary has been venerated since ancient times.
The name Chandi implies ‘skillful’ or ‘clever,’ whereas Mangal stands for ‘well-being.’ Subsequently, Goddess Durga is identified as Chandi since she masters the craft of doing well to others. Additionally, Earth’s son is known by the title Mangal.
Legends speak of the ‘right wrist’ of Goddess Sati having descended to Earth at Mangal Chandika Shakti Peeth. It is said that her spiritual energy and Lord Shiva’s power manifested in tangible forms, namely ‘Mangal Chandika’ and ‘Kapilambar’, respectively.
King Dakshya was filled with arrogance and disdainfully excluded Sati and her husband, Lord Shiva, from his yajna ceremony. To this affront, the devi arrived uninvited to face further humiliation at the hands of her father. In a fit of rage and sorrow, she self-immolated right then and there. Upon learning what had transpired, Lord Shiva transformed into Birbhadra in fury and beheaded King Dakshya before taking up Devi’s lifeless body in mourning. To help Him out of His pain and to save the world, Lord Vishu sent the Sudarshan Chakra to mutilate the body of the Devi. When that happened the body was cut off in 51 pieces. The right wrist of the Devi fell at this place and formed the Shakti Peeth.
The Maa Mangal Chandi Temple ritual, known as the nitya puja, is filled with meaningful customs. The shebaits start off by performing snana and then decking up the garbha griha with flowers and oil lamps. As an offering to the deities, devotees provide fresh clothing for them to wear. After a period of time has passed before doing aarti, pilgrims can offer their puja to these spiritual figures; following this they get Prasad from both Maa Mangal Chandi and Lord Shiva.
During Durga Puja, Navaratri and Kalipuja or Diwali the deities are adorn with glittering jewels and grand outfits. The holy ceremonies of Yajnas are also performed by dedicated priests during these special occasions. Mahashivratri is a particularly momentous festival in Bardhaman district’s ancient Shakti Peeth, celebrated with great gusto every year.
The Ujani Shakti Peeth stands brightly, with its freshly painted yellow walls that are unadorned by intricate ornamentation. The temple courtyard is blessed with grand and aged trees; while inside the garbha griha two divine idols of Devi Mangal Chandi and Lord Shiva are enshrined – worshipped as Kapilambar here.
When the temperature soars, it is best to forego that trip and wait for more pleasant weather. October through March provides the optimal time period to visit Shri Mangal Chandika Temple as these months offer cooler temperatures.
By Air
Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport (IDR) at Indore is the nearby airport to Ujjain and it is 55 km away.
By Train
Ujjain railway station is a main junction of Western railway zone.
By Road
Ujjain is well connected by road so Regular bus services are available from Indore (55 km), Gwalior (450 km), Ahmedabad (400 km) and Bhopal (183 km) to Ujjain. Air-conditioned buses are available in these routes.
