Yogmaya Temple
Another name of Yogmaya Temple is Jogmaya Temple. It is the holy place of Hindus. It is worshipped and visited in the honour of Goddess Yogmaya (sister of Lord Krishna). It is sited in Mehrauli which is in New Delhi.Yogmaya is well thought-out as a feature of Maya, the delusionary clout of God. Devotees considered her as a mother of all existences. As per legends the shrine had got its solid structure by Pandavas when the war of Mahabharat had come to an end. Its restoration had taken place during the supremacy of Mughal ruler Akbar. People from all caste, religion and creed are allowed to visit this temple. Alcohol, tobacco and smoking are not allowed in the temple premises. The respectable dresses are permitted in the temple in which shoulders and knees must have to be covered. Along with the idol of Yogmaya the sanctum comprises idol like Lord Ganesha, Ram, Shiva and other Hindu god and goddess. There is a water body, johad called as ANANGTAL lies near the temple.
Getting There
One can reach Delhi by mean of three modes: road, rail and air. There is a large bus network which connects Delhi to various cities. The railway network is also very wide to connect Delhi to many cities. The journey through air can be carried out by Delhi's airport i.e. Indira Gandhi International airport. After reaching New Delhi one can reach Mehrauli by mean of bus and metro. The way to Yogmaya Temple is carried out by hiring taxis, metros, auto-rickshaws and local buses.
Security And Some Tips
There are many security services which are provided to people for safety and protection. These security services are ISF Group Security Services, Alpha Facility Services, At Par Security Services, Raj Security Services and KBS Services. One should not carry cash and ornaments with him. Yatris should keep their luggage at safe and secure place.
When To Visit
The best time to visit this temple is October to March. It is opened all the days of the week. The timings of this temple are 5:00 AM to 8:30 PM. There is no entry fee to visit the temple. The duration of the visit is 1 to 2 hours.
What To See And Do
There is a big entrance gate made up of stone and covered from both sides. The walls of the sanctum are carved out of beautiful paintings. The shrine comprises flat roof along with curtailedtower. It is also characterized by a dome. The temple premises consist of twenty two towers.After taking entry into the temple there is an entrance hall and a shrine in which the deity of goddess Yogmaya is placed. Previously,the floor of the shrine is made up of red stone. The presiding deity of the goddess is made up of stone lying within the well made up of marble. This well has width of 2 feet (0.6 m) and depth of 1 foot (0.3 m). Shiny flecks and fabric has covered the deity. Two trivial fans are attached to roof for serving the goddess. Meat and wine are not allowed to be taken into the temple premises. Boiled black gram and halwa are distributed as Prasad.
Where To Stay
There are many dharamshalas in Mehrauli which provide stay at budget prices. They are: Agarwal Dharamshala, Maharaja Agarsain Bhawan, Khandelwal Dharamshala, Chander Dharamshala and Prabha Dharmshala etc.
Where Else To Stay
Yatris can also take stay at hotels near this temple as they provide luxury. They are Trinity Art Hotel, Qutub Residency, Pluto Inn, Hotel Swagath, The Grand New Delhi, Jaypee Vasant Continental and Parkland Green Park.
Festivals
The festivals of Navratri and Phoolwalon-ki-sair are celebrated here with great joy and happiness. People from distant places flocked towards this temple during these festivals. These festivals are celebrated in order to show the real devotion and spiritualism to goddess.
Side Trips
There are many attractive places near Yogmaya Temple to visit. These places are Nilli Masjid, Jamali Kamali Tomb and Mosque, Qutab Minar, Tomb of Imam Zamin, Alai Darwaza, Mehrauli Archaeological Park and Qila Rai Pithora etc.
Travel Tips
Yatris should take video camera with them in order to trap whole of the visit. They also should take a personal diary to have a written record of the whole visit along with the feelings and emotions at that moment. They should also hire atourist guide so as to have a complete knowledge of the temple along with its history. They should bring first aid in order to cure frequent injury.
Hence, the visit of this temple is the nice way of its worship.