Through Saptarshi Jivnadipatti, Saptarshi advised Shri Chitashakti (Sau.) Anjali Gadgil to visit Ayodhya on 31st July. They further advised that on 2nd August, on the occasion of Uttarashada nakshatra (Lunar asterism) which is the birth nakshatra of Paratpar Guru Dr. Athavale, She should take darshan of Shri Devkalimata. Also on 3rd August, once the Uttarashada Nakshatra gets over and when Shravan nakshatra of Shrivishnu begins, She should visit the birth place of Shriram and take darshan of the Idol of Shriram. Accordingly, Shri Chitashakti (Sau.) Anjali Gadgil visited the temple of Shri Devkali Devi, Shriram’s Family Deity, on 2nd August and also visited the temple of child form of Shriram on 3rd August.
Shri Devkali Devi, the Family Deity of the
Suryavanshi kings and popularly known as ‘Goddess of Ayodhya’
Ayodhya city is the capital of the Suryavanshi kings. Their Family Deity is Shri Devkali Devi. In Tretayug, Shriram was born to Raja Dashrath from Suryavanshi family. Devkali Devi has been seated in Ayodhya even before the birth of Shriram. Even today, people consider the Devi as the ‘Goddess of Ayodhya’. Family auspicious deeds, children’s choulkarma etc. are performed in this temple. The Idol of Shri Devkali Devi consists of three goddesses. Devi Shri Mahakali on the left, Shri Mahalakshmi in the center and Shri Mahasaraswati in the right. This goddess is called as ‘Badi Devkali’ by the locals. While arriving in Ayodhya after marriage, Sitamata had brought an Idol of Shri Girijadevi, the Family Deity of her maternal place. This goddess is also seated in a temple in Ayodhya. The locals call this goddess as ‘Chhoti Devkali’.
Spiritual experiences and Divine signs
received after visiting Shri Devkali temple
1. Characteristic events that took place
while taking the darshan of Shri Kalbhairav
1 a. Darshan of Shri Kalbhairav in the form of a dog
While entering the temple of Shri Devkali, a black dog came in front of Shri Chitashakti (Sau.) Anjali Gadgil. Shri Chitshakti (Sau.) Gadgil paid obeisance with spiritual emotion to the dog. Black dog is considered as a symbol of Shri Kalbhairav.
1 b. Being taken to the temple of Shri Kalbhairav by the priest of the temple himself
At every Shakti Peeth situated on the surface of earth, a temple of Shri Kalbhairav is present outside the temple of Adishakti Jagdamba. It is said that Kalbhairav’s presence is to ensure protection of the places of the Goddess. After the darshan of Shri Devkali, the local priests came out of the sanctum sanctorum and took Shri Chitashakti (Sau.) Anjali Gadgil to the temple of ‘Shri Kalbhairav’ in the premises.
– Shri. Vinayak Shanbhag, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. (4.8.2020)
Darshan of adorable Idol of Shriram in the form of a sleeping child
The priest took Shri Chitashakti (Sau.) Gadgil for the darshan in the temple of Shriram in the child form. Specialty of this temple is that the Idol of Shriram is in the form of a child and lying asleep on a swing. After seeing this Idol, spiritual emotion of Shri Chitashakti (Sau.) Anjali Gadgil aroused. Looking at that Idol, it seemed as if Shriram is actually sleeping here in form of a child. Shri Devkalidevi is the Family Deity, meaning she is the mother of all. Looking at the Idol of Shriram, it seems that, ‘God Himself is sleeping here in His mother’s arms.’
Even in the difficult situation caused by Corona, only due to the grace of Paratpar Guru Dr. Athavale we are really fortunate that we could avail this opportunity to take this darshan. On the occasion of Bhumi Pujan ceremony of Shri Ram Mandir at Shriram’s birth place, we could take darshan of these Deities and offer prayers for the establishment of Ram Rajya. For this opportunity, I offer gratitude unto the holy feet of Shriram, Maharshi and Paratpar Guru Dr. Athavale!’
Difference between present day Hindus and our ancestors