In the vast tapestry of Indian spirituality, some places are not merely locations but living chapters of dharma and history. The Barahi Devi Dham in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, stands as one such profound nexus of faith. Revered as one of the 51 sacred Shakti Peeths, this ancient temple is a monument to divine compassion and the eternal battle between good and evil. Beyond its historical weight, the Dham is particularly famous for a unique, almost unbelievable miracle: the return of lost eyesight, facilitated by the sacred waters (Neer) and the mystic milk of an enormous, centuries-old Banyan tree (Vat Vriksha). It is a place where every bhakt (devotee) who bows their head finds peace and their heart’s desires fulfilled.

The Divine Address: Locating the Northern Bhawani (Uttari Bhawani)

Nestled amidst the serene natural beauty of Uttar Pradesh, the Barahi Devi Temple finds its sacred grounding in the geography linked to ancient Puranas.

• Location: The temple is situated in the Gonda district, within the Belser area. Specifically, it is located in the Sukar Kshetra (a holy region), in the village of Mukundpur, under the Tarabganj tehsil and Umri Begumganj police station.
• Distance: The Shakti Peeth lies approximately 40 kilometres from the Gonda district headquarters.
• Historical Setting: The site is famously situated on the banks of the Sukhnai River (Nadi).
• Alternative Name: Locals and pilgrims often refer to the Maa Barahi Temple as Uttari Bhawani or Avatari Bhawani.

Despite its profound spiritual importance, reaching this divine destination often requires determination, as pilgrims note that the infrastructure, including the roads leading to the temple, remains underdeveloped due to governmental neglect.

The Genesis of Power: Maa Sati and the 34th Shakti Peeth

Every Shakti Peeth is born from a cosmic event of separation and sorrow, a tale recorded in our scriptures. The Barahi Devi Dham is considered the 34th of the 51 Shakti Peeths.
The enduring legend recounts how Lord Shiva, maddened by grief, carried the charred body of Maa Sati. For the welfare of the cosmos, Lord Vishnu intervened, using his celestial discus (Chakra) to fragment Sati’s body into 51 pieces, which scattered across the Indian subcontinent.
It is believed that the 34th part of Maa Sati’s body fell at this very location in Gonda. While some accounts broadly mention the ’34th organ’, more specific folklore suggests that either Maa Sati’s jaw (jabda) or her two back teeth landed here.
A compelling testament to this history is the two mysterious holes still present at the site, whose depth has never been successfully measured. According to folklore, an individual who once attempted to gauge the depth lost their power of sight.

The Varaha Avatar: Battle for the Blue Planet

The history of this temple is inextricably linked to one of Lord Vishnu’s ten major incarnations, the Varaha Avatar. This narrative, described vividly in the Varaha Purana, provides the temple with its name and its protective essence.

1. The Crisis of the Earth: When the demonic daitya Hiranyaksha (brother of the infamous Hiranyakashyap) gained dominion over Prithvi (Earth), he began oppressing the gods, sages, and rishis. In his arrogance, he stole the Earth and submerged her, surrounding her with water.
2. The Divine Descent: Unable to proceed with creation, Brahma sought the aid of Lord Vishnu. To vanquish the demon and rescue the planet, Lord Vishnu took the colossal, mountain-like form of a boar, the Varaha.
3. The Invocation of Power: To reach Paatal Lok, where the demon resided, or to harness necessary cosmic strength, the Varaha form of Vishnu performed rigorous worship of Shakti.
4. Maa Barahi Manifests: In response to this divine call, Maa Bhagwati Barahi Devi appeared on the banks of the Sukhnai River in Mukundpur.
5. The Victory & Tunnel: It is said that Lord Varaha used a hidden tunnel (surang) located within the present-day temple premises to descend into Paatal Lok and slay Hiranyaksha. This sacred tunnel is guarded to this day, with a perpetual lamp burning over its structure.
6. The Birth of Mangal (Mars): After Varaha lifted the Earth and emerged from the water, the Goddess of Earth, in the form of Lakshmi (Lakshmi Rupi Dharti Mata), emerged from the ground as Maa Barahi. Later, the divine couple shed their boar forms, and from this union, the planet Mangal (Mars) was born, symbolising welfare for all.

The Miracle of Sight: Vat Vriksha and Divine Jal

The most compelling aspect of the Barahi Devi Dham, drawing devotees from neighbouring states and even Nepal, is the miraculous connection between the sacred Banyan tree (Vat Vriksha) and the restoration of eyesight.

A massive, sprawling Banyan tree dominates the temple complex, its presence testifying to the antiquity of the site, having stood for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years (some accounts estimate it at about 1800 years old). The tree is so large that it covers the entire temple, extending over roughly one acre or nearly one kilometre, providing constant shade (chhaya).

• The Healing Ritual: Devotees strongly believe that if the milk (doodh) extracted from the leaves of this colossal Vat Vriksha is applied to the eyes, along with the holy water (Neer or Jal) from the temple, all eye problems disappear and lost sight (jyoti) returns. This ritual is considered particularly potent on an auspicious Monday (Shubh Somvaar).

The Kalpavas Tradition: Individuals suffering from severe eye ailments, especially those whom doctors have given up on, often perform Kalpavas (a temporary, strict religious retreat) at the temple during the month of Navratri to seek a cure.

A Sanctuary of Faith and Harmony: The Spiritual Ecosystem

The Barahi Devi Dham is not just defined by its ancient myths but by the vibrant faith that thrives there today. Maa Barahi is primarily worshipped in Pindi form, although symbolic representations (vigrah) are kept for the ease of darshan (viewing) by pilgrims.

• Flow of Devotion: While thousands visit daily, the flow of pilgrims swells to lakhs during the nine days of Navratri. Significant crowds also gather every Friday and Monday.
• Protection and Blessings: The experience of a darshan is believed to be powerful enough to dispel negative energies, neutralise tona-totka (local forms of black magic), avert impending dangers (sankat) and ensure the welfare and long life (aayu raksha) of the devotee.
• Communal Harmony: In a beautiful display of Indian saampradayik sadbhav (communal harmony), the Barahi Devi Temple is a point of deep faith not only for Hindus but also for members of the Muslim community, who also come to offer their respects.

The Expanding Campus: The temple complex is adorned with numerous smaller temples dedicated to deities like Lord Hanuman, Shiva, and Kaal Bhairav. Furthermore, many small temples and rest houses (dharmashalaen) dot the area, constructed by grateful devotees whose sincere wishes (manokamnayein) were fulfilled by Maa Barahi.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Maa Barahi Devi Dham

What is the significance of Maa Barahi Devi Dham in the context of the Shakti Peeths?

This temple is identified as the 34th of the 51 Shakti Peeths. It is believed to be the location where a part of Maa Sati’s body, specifically her 34th organ, the jaw (jabda), or her back teeth, fell when Lord Vishnu fragmented her body for the sake of world welfare (jagat kalyan).

How is Maa Barahi associated with Lord Vishnu’s Varaha Avatar?

According to the Varaha Purana, Lord Vishnu took the Varaha (boar) form to defeat the demon Hiranyaksha, who had stolen and submerged the Earth. To gain strength, Varaha worshipped Shakti. Maa Barahi Devi manifested here on the Sukhnai riverbank, and the temple holds a tunnel that Varaha supposedly used to reach Paatal Lok and vanquish the demon.

What is the miracle associated with the Banyan Tree (Vat Vriksha)?

The massive, ancient Banyan tree covering the temple grounds is central to the temple’s fame. It is widely believed that applying the milk (doodh) extracted from the tree’s leaves, along with the holy water (Neer) from the temple, can cure all eye diseases and restore lost eyesight.

When is the best time to visit Maa Barahi Devi Dham?

While the temple sees thousands of devotees throughout the year, the greatest influx (bhakton ka jamaavda) occurs during the Navratri festival, when millions visit. Mondays and Fridays are also highly popular days, drawing larger crowds.

Is Maa Barahi Devi worshipped in idol form?

Maa Barahi is primarily established here in the Pindi form. However, symbolic representations (vigrah) are kept to allow devotees to easily offer darshan and prayers.

Maa Barahi Devi Dham Temple Location

Address – Gonda, Mukundpur, Uttar Pradesh 271402