Being an iconic city that represents the true essence of Punjab, Amritsar is also home to numerous temples and gurudwaras that are grand, eclectic and spiritually uplifting. Although it is the holiest city for Sikh pilgrims travelers of all faith and interests visit this beautiful place in Punjab. Amritsar today is a thriving city with active trade and tourism industries. The tourist is very active these days due to the recent developments taken place under the HRIDAY project in the city. Various historical and religious places are attracting the tourist due to the beautification and the renovation work done in their surroundings.
Importance of Mata Lal Devi Temple
But one such religious place that has always attracted the eye of the travelers is Mata Lal Devi Temple. Built-in 1989, in Rani Ka Bagh, amidst the populated residential colony it is a sacred Hindu sanctuary that is a replica of famous sacred Vaishnodevi Temple at Katra. This temple used to be the shrine of 20th Century “Female Saint”, Mata Lal Devi Ji, popularly known as “Pujya Mata Ji” – (Respected Mother Figure), a human-deity who lived on fruits and milk all her life. The temple is believed to be full of miraculous powers. Considering that people who particularly want to start a family, come for blessings from here and with the blessings of the bespectacled female deity, all their wishes are fulfilled shortly after. Because of the fact, it attracts people from all over India. We can see a swarm of people inside the temple praying and chanting Bhajans in the praise of Mata Lal Devi Ji. Renamed as Lal Bhawan, after the presiding deity, during “NAVRATARAS” it remained crowded with devotees from early hours of the morning to late hours of the night. The “ASHTAMI JAGRAN” is celebrated with great zeal and zest in the temple premises and is attended by hundreds of people.
Mata Lal Devi Temple – Sheesh Mahal of Punjab
The hallway of the temple is adorned with a spectrum of colorful mirrors with lights popularly called as the Sheesh Mahal by many. there are numerous vivid, intricately designed brilliant altars in the primary mandir. With some twisted pathways, ankle-deep waterways, there is a series of shrines and caves inside the temple. Being a home to various deities besides Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, Goddess Kali, and Goddess Saraswati, it has a sacred seat for “Mata Ji” in the center of all.
Unique Features of Mata Lal Devi Temple
The distinct feature about this Hindu temple is that the main Prashad that is offered to the devotees of this temple from Mata Lal Devi Ji, is the Pushps – (The Flower Petals), which is regarded as highly sacred by people and believed to be a cure for all sicknesses. Apart from eating that Prashad, people also keep it in their wallets and purses as a mark of Blessings from revered Mata Ji and believe that the same will bring some good fortune to them. Another peculiar feature of this temple is the “Gufa” – (a Little water channel) which is a miniature of popular Vaishno Devi Gufa, with all the three deities residing in – Maa Katyayni Devi, Maa Chintpurni Devi, and Maa Jwala Devi. One needs to cross the caves by bending and crawling through some parts. These peculiar features of this temple make it distinct from all.
Festivals are celebrated with utmost devotion and gaiety at the temple. Free food is served to all. If not the religious sentiments, then the magnificently unique concept of the interiors can be the call for a visit to the Mata Lal Devi Temple. Being an intrinsic part of our Wagah Border Tour, it is visited and enjoyed by many of the travelers from around the world.