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Kaila Devi Temple, Karauli
Locality/village : Keladevi
State : Rajsthan
Country : India
Nearest City/Town : Bandikui
Best Season To Visit : October to March
Languages : Hindi & English
Temple Timings : 7.00 AM and 6.30 PM.
Photography : Not Allowed
Kaila Devi Temple, Karauli
Dedicated to Lord Balaji, an incarnation of Hanuman, the Mehandipur Balaji Temple in Dausa is one of the most popular pilgrim sites in Rajasthan, apart from Salasarji Temple in Sikar and Khatu Shyam Ji Temple in Khatu Village. Balaji is the childhood form of Hanuman. It is said that an image of Hanuman appeared at this sport. The Lord appeared in the dreams of local priest and asked him to consecrate a temple in his name here.
The temple is especially known to get rid of evil spirits. Hundreds of pilgrims bring the ‘possessed’ and the local priests perform the exorcism. The treatment ranges from mild (reading holy texts and consuming strictly vegetarian diet) to more intense one (violent patients are chained and shackled before the exorcism). Festive occasions like Holi, Hanuman jayanti, are thought to be the most effective times to get rid of such spirits.
The temple also organizes regular charities, food for the poor and stray animals, accommodation for the homeless, etc.
Kaila Devi Temple, Karauli;
- Temple History
- Legend
- Architecture
- How To Reach The Temple
- Daily Poojas And Festivals
- Videos
- Additional Information
The temple is dedicated to the tutelary deity, Goddess Kaila Devi, of the erstwhile princely Jadaun Rajput rulers of the Karauli state. It is a marble structure with a large courtyard of a checkered floor. In one place are a number of red flags planted by devotees.
These Red flags existing in the Kaila devi mandir are placed by the devotees. Devotees used to put the bhog along with these flags there in kaila devi mandir on each day of the year. The Jagran by the bhagat ji is the most attractive thing here happens every night at 09:00 PM IST in the temple. Devotees used to come there by foot from different areas of Rajasthan, UP, MP and all over India in the month of Chaitra.
Balaji temple at Mehandipur in Rajasthan is very powerful place. It is believed that the deity in this temple has divine power to cure a person possessed with evil spirit. Hundreds of ‘Sankatwalas’, as the possessed people are referred to in local lingo, throng to the temple every day to offer prayers and have ‘darshan’. The temple has also become a home and the last respite for the victims. The ‘Mahant’ of the temple, Shri Kishor Puri Ji, prescribes the treatment. It can include reading holy texts, following a strict vegetarian and simple diet, and even afflicts physical pain to one’s body.
One can witness people going through various physical therapies like keeping heavy stones on their body, on arms, legs and chest, to ease their pain. There are others who inhale the smoke that fumes out of the sweet Patasa’s kept on smoldering cowpats. The ones with serious case of spirit possession, who tends to get violent, are even shackled in chains within the temple premises.
This may appear a bit anachronistic at the first glance, but thousands of people are believed to have been cured in this way. Festival time (Holi, Hanuman Jayanti and Dusshera etc) are regarded as the most auspicious time to emancipate from the evil spirit. Medical science may discard such approach to the ailment as self-deceptions based on blind faith, but for the believers, the power of Balaji is something supernatural, something beyond metaphysics.
Kaila Devi temple architecture has stood the test of time and is wonderful example of building contrivance. Till today the temple has not crumbled or being subject to ruins in any sort of manner. The frontage of the temple holds intricate mosaic and relief work. The large Shikhar of the temple is also an architectural marvel. There is chowk in front of the main temple that is opened and on either side there is a verandah. The area around the temple is also adorned with various statutes.
Another unique feature is that the temple is located at the foothills of the mountain and is surrounded by greenery. The Jagmohan (prayer hall is also the same). The ornamental work, engraving and encarving have been done on walls and pillars. Red Stone of Karauli was used for construction of Temple.
By Road:The temple is situated in Todabhim, Karauli district of the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is 66 km from Jaipur, 44 km from Hindaun City and 3.4 km from Dausa and is quite close to the Bandikui railway station. The temple is located at 3 km from the Jaipur – Agra national highway from Balaji Mod.
By Rail: The Temple is well connected through nearest Bandikui railway station (40 kms)
to major cities railway stations like Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Chennai, Ajmer, Pali, Jaipur, Ahmedabad.
By Air: Kaila Devi Temple can be reach through nearest Jaipur Airport (160 Km) which is well connected with regular domestic flights to Delhi, Mumbai.
A major part of the Kaila Devi rituals and observances are the mass prayers offered to the Goddess in the morning at 7:00 am and 06:30 pm respectively.
Every year, thousands of devotees visit the temple on their foot in the month of Chaitra to seek blessings of the Devi. An annual fair is held in the honor of Kaila Devi. It is held at the village Kaila in the Chaitra Month. It starts from Chaitra Budi 12 and lasts for a fortnight. The deity is worshipped as ‘Kuladevi’ by people residing at Kaurauli, Dholapur, Agra and many parts of western Rajasthan.
Summer is not a good time to visit Karauli. The best time to visit this heritage town is from October to March.
Other places which are worth visiting in Karauli district:
• Kedar Nath Cave and Temple: This is the original temple of Kaila Devi. This place was declared unsafe due to threat from the animals in jungle of the Ranthambore. This is situated 3 km from the town. Devotees can walk there for the pray.
• Ranthambore Sanctuary: Kaila devi is connected to one side of the century. which has an entrance from this town.
• Shri Mahavirji Temple: This is a Famous Jain Temple which is around 45 km from the town.
• Mehandipur Balaji Temple: This is a temple of Lord Hanuman situated at a distance of around 95 km from the town.
• Barbasin Temple: This is a Barbasin Devi Temple which is situated at a distance of 13 km at the banks of Kalisil River.
