ZFMOtis800669 at 12:16, 6 April 2026

2026-04-06T12:16:12Z

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{{Short description|Hindu Mother Goddess}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| image = Mataranijhandewali.png
| caption = [[Saraswati]] (left), Jhandewali Mata (middle), [[Kali]] (right)
| other_names = Jhandewali Mata, Gufawali Mata, Maharani Ji, Maateshwari, Jagadamba, Bhagvati, Sheron Wali Mata, Daati, Chandika, Vaishnavi
| affiliation = [[Mahadevi]], [[Vaishno Devi]], [[Saraswati]], [[Lakshmi]], [[Kali]]
| symbol = Flag (Jhanda), Jyoti (Flame)
| gender = Female
| temples = Jhandewalan Temple (oldest place of worship, late 18th century)
| abode = [[Jhandewalan Temple]]
| festivals = [[Navratri]], [[Durga Puja]], [[Diwali]]
| artefacts = Original idol (found with broken hands, now at ground level)
| mount = Lion
| deity_of = Universal Protection, Destruction of Sins/Grief, and Salvation
| god_of = All happiness and prosperity
| venerated_in = [[Hinduism]], [[Shaktism]]
| mantra = Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundaye Vichche
| weapons = [[Trishul]] and Khadg
}}
'''Jhandewali Mata ({{Langx|hi|झंडेवाली माता}})''' (also known as Jhandewalan Mata), a form of [[Mahadevi]]. The name "Jhandewalan" or "Jhandewali" means "She of the flags" or "associated with flags", derived from the tradition of offering prayer flags (''jhanda'') at the temple.<ref name="EnrouteJhandewalan">{{cite web |url=https://enrouteindianhistory.com/the-fascinating-story-of-delhis-jhandewalan-mandir/ |title=The Fascinating Story of Delhi’s Jhandewalan Mandir |publisher=Enroute Indian History |date=2025-10-09 |access-date=2025-11-28}}</ref> Jhandewalan Mata is revered as the most powerful divine feminine figure in Hinduism and is associated with [[Vaishno Devi]].<ref name="EnrouteJhandewalan"/> The temple's beliefs are rooted in local and regional traditions around Delhi, particularly tied to its flag-offering customs.<ref name="TimesOfIndia957">{{cite web |date=2022-11-23 |title=Jhandewalan Mata Mandir: Know everything about this temple |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/religious-places/jhandewalan-mata-mandir-know-everything-about-this-temple/articleshow/95709759.cms |access-date=2025-11-28 |publisher=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name="EnrouteJhandewalan"/>

== Legends and stories ==
Devi Origin is linked to a local legend involving Badri Das, a cloth merchant from Chandni Chowk and a devotee of [[Vaishno Devi|Mata Vaishno Devi]].<ref name="EnrouteJhandewalan"/><ref name="TimesOfIndia957"/> According to tradition, Badri Das had a dream in which the Goddess told him about the idol.<ref name="TimesOfIndia957"/> Following this revelation, the original idol of the Goddess was excavated from the site. This self-manifested (''Swayambhu'') form is known as Gufawali (Goddess of the Cave) and remains enshrined in the lower level of the sanctum. <ref name="TOI_2022">{{cite news |title=Jhandewalan Mata Mandir: Know everything about this temple |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/religious-places/jhandewalan-mata-mandir-know-everything-about-this-temple/articleshow/95709759.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |date=23 November 2022 |access-date=17 January 2026}}</ref>

== Worship and beliefs ==

Jhandewali Devi is manifestation of [[Adi Shakti]] [[Vaishno Devi|Mata Vaishno Devi]] and the Supreme Mother. In local devotional tradition, she is regarded as a dual force a compassionate mother who forgives sins and a powerful queen (Maharani) who governs time and fortune. Worshippers often address the deity by epithets describing her nature, such as Sachiyan Jotan Waali (She whose flames are true). Central to the temple's philosophy is the concept of "One form, many names", viewing Jhandewali Devi as the unified embodiment of other prominent goddesses, including [[Vaishno Devi]], [[Naina Devi]], [[Saraswati]], and [[Bhadrakali]]. Devotional observances at the temple typically combine humble submission with specific petitions. Devotees approach the goddess to seek spiritual salvation and the forgiveness of faults, characterizing their relationship as that of a dependent child to a mother. Simultaneously, prayers are offered for worldly protection and specific blessings associated with the days of the week, seeking attributes such as intellect, peace, and bravery.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/badri-bhakta-jhandewalan-devi-mandir-jhandewala-devi-mandir |title=Badri Bhakta - Jhandewalan Devi Mandir (Jhandewala Devi Mandir) |publisher=Internet Archive |access-date=1 December 2025}}</ref>

== Iconography ==
The main deity is a manifestation of [[Adi Shakti]].<ref name="TimesOfIndia957"/> The original damaged idol, worshipped at ground level with silver hands added to honour its form, is housed in the subterranean cave shrine.<ref name="EnrouteJhandewalan"/> The upper-level idol resembles depictions of [[Vaishno Devi]].<ref name="TimesOfIndia957"/>

== Associated temples and shrines ==
The primary shrine is the [[Jhandewalan Temple]] in [[Karol Bagh]], one of [[Delhi]]'s oldest places of worship, dating to the late [[18th century]].<ref name="TimesOfIndia957"/><ref name="EnrouteJhandewalan"/> It features subsidiary shrines to Shiva and Kali, and is managed by the Badri Bhagat Jhandewalan Mandir Society.<ref name="TimesOfIndia957"/><ref name="EnrouteJhandewalan"/>

== Folk traditions ==
Devotees believe sincere visits bring happiness, prosperity, and wish fulfilment. <ref name="TimesOfIndia957"/>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Shaktism]]
[[Category:Forms of Lakshmi]]
[[Category:Hindu goddesses]]
[[Category:Mother goddesses]]
[[Category:Hindu folk deities]]
[[Category:Hinduism in Delhi]]

Jhandewali Mata - Revision history

ZFMOtis800669 at 12:16, 6 April 2026