>UnitedStatesian at 16:06, 7 September 2021

2021-09-07T16:06:25Z

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{{Short description|Hindu Temple in Uttar Pradesh, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2019}}
{{more citations needed|date=June 2017}}
'''Alopi Devi Mandir''' is a temple situated in [[Alopibagh]] in [[Prayagraj]] in state of [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]]. It is near to the holy [[Lingam|Sangam]], or confluence, where the rivers [[Ganges]], [[Yamuna]] and the legendary [[Sarasvati River|Sarasvati]] meet. [[Kumbh Mela]] is near to this place.

As per some historical evidences, the Maratha warrior [[Mahadji Shinde|Shreenath Mahadji Shinde]] had developed the Sangam place during his stay at Prayagraj in 1771–1772.

Later in 1800s, Maharani [[Baiza Bai|Baizabai Scindia]] has done some works for renovation of Sangam ghats and temples at Prayagraj.

This temple is peculiar in that there is no statue of any deity in this temple, rather, there is a wooden carriage or 'doli' which is worshipped. The origin of the name, Alopi (disappeared) [[Bagh (garden)|Bagh]] lies in the [[Hindu]] belief that after the death of his wife [[Sati (goddess)|Sati]], the grieving [[Shiva]] travelled through skies with her dead body. [[Vishnu]], to relieve him from this agony, threw his [[Sudarshan Chakra|Chakra]] at the corpse, resulting in the fall of various parts of the body at various places in India, which were sanctified by the touch of the Goddess' body parts and hence were thereby deemed holy places for pilgrimage. The last part fell at this location thereby named as "Alopi" (where disappearance was concluded)and the holiest of all.<ref>{{cite web|title=माँ अलोपी शक्ति पीठ मंदिर, इलाहाबाद (Famous Alopi Devi Shakti Peeth in Prayagraj)|url=http://travel.vibrant4.com/2016/02/famous-alopi-devi-shakti-peeth-in.html|website=travel.vibrant4.com|publisher=vibrant4|accessdate=24 February 2016}}</ref> However, this claim is debatable since there is only one Shakti peeth in Prayagraj which is Lalita Devi temple where fingers of Sati are supposed to have fallen.

Another more credible version is found in oral history traditions narrated by old inhabitants of the area. It dates back to the time when the entire region was covered by dense forests infested with dreaded [[dacoit]]s. A marriage procession happened to pass through the forest. Marriage processions, in medieval times, used to be the most vulnerable targets of robbers as they used to return loaded with gold and other riches received as gifts. While deep into the jungle, the marriage party found itself surrounded by robbers. After killing all the men and looting the wealth the robbers turned to the 'doli' or carriage of the bride. When they unveiled the carriage they found there was no one inside. The bride had magically disappeared.
The word went around, history became legend and legend became myth.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}} A temple came up at the site where this incident occurred and locals started worshiping the bride as "Alopi Devi" or the 'virgin goddess who had disappeared'.

Alopi Devi continues to be worshiped by thousands of people living in the region who share every festival, marriage, birth and death with their guarding deity.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}.

Though it was always a prominent temple in the neighborhood, its reach and following has seen a significant rise since the 1990s leading to large-scale renovation of the surrounding area.

== See also ==
*[[Mata Mawai Dham]]
*[[Durgan Dham Temple]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{coord missing|Uttar Pradesh}}
{{Hindu temples in Uttar Pradesh}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Uttar Pradesh]]

{{india-hindu-temple-stub}}

Alopi Devi Mandir - Revision history

>UnitedStatesian at 16:06, 7 September 2021