Yamai Devi Temple – Satara
Yamai Devi Temple is a famous temple in Satara, Maharashtra. Devi Yamai is also the Kul Devi of many families in Maharashtra. Yamai Temple is 44 km from Satara and 63 km from Panchgani. The Yamai Devi Mandir is situated on a hill in Aundh village in the Satara district of Maharashtra. This temple is worshipped in Maharashtra and it is one of the most important places to visit in Satara.
Yamai Devi History:
‘Ye Mai’ is a Marathi word that means ‘come mother’. Goddess Mahalakshmi of Kolhapur and Goddess Jyotiba called Yamai. Elsewhere, the goddess of this temple is known as Yamai Devi.
The town and temple belonged to the Pant family for many centuries. The current head of this former ruling family, Gayatri Devi Panthpratinidi, installed a 7 kilogram (15 pound) solid Copper kalash crown on the summit of the Yamai temple on the hill. Another temple of Devi Yamai is located in the town rather than from over the hill.
Legendary of Yamai Devi Temple:
According to the legend, Aundhasura, a demon, used to torture the people of Earth and sages. At that time the deities were helpless and weak. They prayed to the goddess Shakti. They pray to the goddess to save them from this demon. Then the goddess Yamai Devi kills this demon in the form of Mahishasura mardhini. From then this town got its name ‘Aund’ because of the killing of the demon Aundhasura.
Yamai Devi is the sister of Jyotiba Devi. According to a famous legend, Goddess Yamai writes the child’s destiny within five days of its birth. Jyoti Ba Devi is also the family goddess of many people. After visiting the JyotiBa Temple in Kolhapur Taluk, Maharashtra, a visit to the Yamai Temple is a must. Only then the Yatra is said to be complete.
Yamai Devi idol
Yamai Devi is the family deity of many Maharashtrian families and this is the form of Goddess Mahishasura Mardini idol in black stone. It is about 2 metres high. This idol has four hands holding mace, arrow, trident and palm leaf. Devotees can reach the temple using steps that start at the bottom of the hill. A direct road is also available on the hill.
Sri Bhavani Museum:
The Sri Bhavani Museum was established from the private collection of the Maharaja of Andhra. The museum has 19th and 20th century Indian artists such as M. V. Dhurandhar, Baburao Painter, Madhav Satwalekar and Raja Ravi Varma can be found in the artwork. Also has paintings such as the famous mother and child rock formation by British artist Henry Moore.
Yamai Devi Temple Annual fair
The annual fair of Yamai Devi Temple attracts thousands of devotees. Yamai Devi Yatra is celebrated in Maharashtra on Pushya Purnima or full moon day in Pushya masam(month) as per traditional Hindu calendar, In the Month of January. At that time devotees carry Yamai Devi’s Palanquin (pallaki) in the village roads which is fully decorated with flowers. This Fair attracts a large number of devotees.
Yamai Devi Temple Timings:
Monday : 08:00 am – 06:30 pm
Tuesday : 08:00 am – 06:30 pm
Wednesday : 08:00 am – 06:30 pm
Thursday : 08:00 am – 06:30 pm
Friday : 08:00 am – 06:30 pm
Saturday : 08:00 am – 06:30 pm
Sunday : 08:00 am – 06:30 pm
Yamai Devi Temple Location / Address:
Aundh Village, Satara District,
Maharashtra state, India, 415510.
How to reach Yamai Devi Temple:
Through Air: The nearest airport is located at Kolhapur, which is 118 km away from the Temple.
Through Rail: Satara is the nearest convenient railway station at a distance of 42 km from the Yamai Devi temple.
Through Road: The nearest town is Satara, which is 40KMs away. Satara roads are well connected to all the major cities in Maharashtra.
Nearby Attraction:
Vajrai Falls
There are more tourist attractions to see near Satara and Vajrai Falls is one of them. Vajrai Falls is an attractive waterfall located near Kas Flower Valley in Satara District, Maharashtra. It is the most spectacular waterfall in Maharashtra and one of the top monsoon tourist destinations near Pune. It plunges from a height of about 853 feet. It is a year-round waterfall but the view is most spectacular during the rainy season.
Yamai Devi Temple Photos:
