Vindhyachal

Trikona Parikrama

There are several temples of other deities in the vicinity, the most famous ones being Ashtabhuja Devi Temple and Kalikhoh Temple. There is parikrama (circumambulation) which constitutes:

1. Maa Vindhyavasini Devi Temple, dedicated to Goddess Yogmaya (Durga).
2. Kali Khoh Temple, in form of ancient cave dedicated to Goddess Maha Kali (6 km from Vindhyavasini temple) Here, the deity represents an incarnation of Hindu Goddess Durga, for killing demon Raktabeeja.
3. Ashtabhuja Temple, dedicated to Goddess Maha Saraswati (on a hillock, 8 km from Vindhyavasini Temple).

Important Places in Trikona Parikrama

1. Kankali Devi temple, dedicated to Maa Kali in the form of a skeleton, as described in the 11th chapter of Durgasaptashati (Markandeya Puran)
2. Shiv Samooh Awadhoot Ashram, a centre point (Bindu) of naturally formed Shri Chakra, Near Gerua Talab. The place where Maharishi Lalbhatta Maharaj attained Nirvikalpa samadhi. Awadhoot Kripanandnath continued this lineage. Samooh celebrates its foundation day on the pious occasion of Basant Panchmi every year. Saadhna shivirs are organised by smooth on different occasions at this place.

Demographics

As per provisional data of 2011 census, Mirzapur-cum-Vindyachal urban agglomeration had a population of 245,817, out of which males were 131,534 and females were 114,283. The population in the age range of 0–6 years was 29,619. The effective literacy rate of the population 7 years and above was 77.85 per cent.

As of 2001 India census Vindyachal and Mirzapur were together considered a single census entity: a municipal board tagged as 'Mirzapur-cum-Vindhyachal'. It had a population of 205,264, of which males were 109,872 and females 95,392. The population between 0 and 6 years was 28,666. The crude literacy rate was 62.9% and the effective literacy rate was 72.1%.

Bhojpuri is the local language spoken in the city. The western dialect of Bhojpuri language, also known as Mirzapuri is spoken in Vindhyachal.

City

Vindhyachal, a Shakti Peeth, is a centre of pilgrimage in Mirzapur district, Uttar Pradesh. The Vindhyavasini Devi temple located here is a major draw and is thronged by hundreds of devotees during the Navratris of Chaitra and Ashwin months to invoke the blessings of the Goddess.

Other sacred places in the town are Ashtbhuja temple, Sita Kund, Kali Khoh, Budeh Nath temple, Narad Ghat, Gerua talab, Motiya talab, Lal Bhairav and Kal Bhairav temples, Ekdant Ganesh, Sapta Sarovar, Sakshi Gopal temple, Goraksha-kund, Matsyendra kund, Tarkeshwar Nath temple, Kankali Devi temple, Shivashiv Samooh Awadhoot Ashram and Bhairav kund. Mirzapur is the closest railhead. Vindhyachal has regular bus services to the nearby towns. The nearest railway station is Mirzapur. Some of the important trains also halt at Vindhyachal railway Station (Code: BDL). Regular bus services connect Vindhyachal to the nearby towns.

Culture

Vindhyachal has a distinct religious and cultural tradition associated with its temples, fairs, festivals and ritual practices. It has long been associated with the religious and cultural traditions of the Bhojpuri region.

Festivals

Vindhyachal hosts several religious and cultural festivals throughout the year.

Navaratri

Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri are major festivals associated with the worship of Vindhyavasini Devi. During Navratri, large numbers of devotees visit the Vindhyavasini Devi Temple and the surrounding area for worship and religious observances.

Maa Vindhyavasini Prakatya Utsav

Maa Vindhyavasini Prakatya Utsav is celebrated at the Vindhyavasini Devi Temple in Vindhyachal in commemoration of the manifestation of the goddess. Religious ceremonies and processions are held as part of the celebration.

Dala Chhath

Dala Chhath, also called Chhath Puja, is celebrated in Vindhyachal during Kartik month. The four-day festival includes the rituals of "Nahay Khay" and "Kharna", followed by "arghya" to setting Sun on Kartik Shukla Shashthi and to the rising Sun the following morning. Devotees worship Chhathi Maiya and Surya during the festival. In Vindhyachal, devotees gather at the Ganges ghats, particularly Pakka Ghat and Diwan Ghat, where they perform rituals with offerings of fruits, sugarcane and other traditional offerings. Traditional Chhath songs are also sung during the celebrations. Chhath is regarded as the biggest festival of the Bhojpuri people and holds particular significance in the Purvanchal region, where Vindhyachal is located.

Durga Puja

Durga Puja is also observed in Vindhyachal during the festival period, with worship and community celebrations taking place in the town.

Teej

Hartalika Teej is observed during Bhadrapada, with women observing a fast and worshipping Parvati and Shiva. Kajari Teej is celebrated through traditional Kajari folk songs and cultural gatherings. Fairs and musical performances are also held during the Kajari season in Vindhyachal.

Other religious festivals, local celebrations and fairs are also held in Vindhyachal throughout the year.

Fairs

Several religious fairs are associated with Vindhyachal. The Saptasagar fair is held on Ashwin Krishna Chaturthi and is associated with a temple dedicated to Ganesha. The Lohandi Mahavir fair is another religious fair associated with the Vindhyachal area.

Religious traditions

Vindhyachal is associated with several Hindu life-cycle rituals of Bhojpuri people. Anomg the families of Purvanchal and the wider Bhojpuri region, the mundan ceremony of children is performed at the Vindhyavasini Devi Temple. The temple is also a place for performing the upanayana ceremony in the Bhojpuri community, accompanied by communal feasting and donations to Brahmins.

Attractions

• Vindhyavasini Devi Temple