Shri Tripurasundari Devi gives vision to King Dhanyamanik in his dreams, and attains the seat at Matabari (Tripura) !

The one among the ten Mahavidya (Supreme knowledge) is Tripurasundari Devi. Tripurasundari Devi has great significance in Shakti sect. The state of Tripura has acquired its popular name from Tripurasundari Devi. Shri Tripurasundari Devi’s temple is located at Matabari village near Udaipur city in Tripura State. This is one of the 51 Shaktipeethas (Seats of Divine Energy). Here, tows of Devi Sati’s left foot had fallen. In Kaliyuga, King Dhanyamanik built a temple at this place and consecrated the idol of Tripurasundari Devi.

1. King Dhanyamanik obtains a vision of the present temple in his dream!

In 1501, King Dhanyamanik ruled over Tripura. One night, Mother Tripureshwari came in his dream and said, “My idol is there in Chattagram. Bring it before morning.” The king woke up and immediately ordered his soldiers to get the idol. The soldiers were returning with the idol, however sunrise occurred in the midway when they had reached the village of Matabari. The idol was, therefore, installed at Matabari as per Devi’s instructions. King Dhanyamanik had, however, planned to build a temple of Shrivishnu at that place and went into deep thinking as Tripureshvari’s idol had got installed instead. Then there came a Divine message instructing the King to build Tripurasundaridevi’s temple at that place. Following the instruction, the King built a beautiful temple of Devi at that place.

2. Kalyansagar lake, an abode of divine turtles

There is a big lake spread on 6 and a half acres of land behind Tripurasundari Devi’s temple. There are few turtles in this lake that are more than 100 years old. When these turtles realise their death is close, they climb the steps and come out to the temple premises, circumambulate around Devi, and breathe their last. There is a samadhi of such turtles in the temple premises. It is also known as Kurma Peetha; because the shape of the temple is in the form of a turtle.

3. Shri Tripurasundari Devi slaying Bhandasura and relieving Deities of fear!

Shri Tripurasundari Devi is seated on the lotus that emerges out of the navel of Sadashiv who is sleeping peacefully. She has four hands that holds a noose, a goad, bow, and arrow respectively. Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, and Yamaraj carry Devi’s seat on Their heads. She has three eyes. She has a half-moon on Her head. There is a description of the creation of Tripurasundari Devi, in Purana.

After the separation from Sati, Bhagavan Shiva started to be constantly in meditation. At that time, a demon Tarakasura, who was harassing the whole world, acquired a boon from Brahma that only Shiva’s son would kill him. All Deities, therefore, sent Kamadev and his wife Rati to mount Kailas to awaken Bhagavan Shiva from His meditation. Kamdev awakened Bhagwan Shiva using His arrow named Kusum. Bhagavan Shiva got angry as He was disturbed from His meditation and burnt down Kamadev to ashes by opening His third eye. One of the ‘Gana’ of Shiva created an idol from the ashes of Kamadev. A man got created from that idol who praised Bhagavan Shiva. Bhagavan Shiva then named him as ‘Bhand’. As Bhand was created out of the anger of Shiva, he was tama-predominant. He too wreaked havoc in three lokas (Subtle regions). He attacked heaven and harassed all Deities. Devaraj Indra, therefore, asked Maharshi Narad for a solution. Maharshi Narad advised Indradev to worship Adishakti with his blood and flesh. Indradev did accordingly. Devi manifested in the form of Tripurasundari; slew the demon Bhand and relieved all Deities of fear!’

4. Sanatan’s Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Anjali Gadgil taking darshan of Shri Tripurasundari Devi!

Sanatan’s Shrichitshakti (Mrs.) Anjali Gadgil visited this temple and had darshan of Shri Tripurasundari Devi. She performed a sacrificial fire at this place for the establishment of the Hindu Rashtra. She also had darshan of the samadhi of turtles and offered her prayers.

5. Highlights

When some food is dropped in Kalyansagar lake to feed the turtles, they come up on water and give darshan. At the time of Devi’s aarti, all turtles gather in one place in the lake. The day Shrichitshakti (Mrs.) Anjali Gadgil visited the place, one medicine was put in the lake water due to which the turtles couldn’t be fed, and they didn’t come up. After Devi’s darshan and sacrificial fire, while leaving the temple, a thought came to Shrichitshakti (Mrs.) Anjali Gadgil’s mind that at least once she should be able to have darshan of a turtle, and at that very moment, a big turtle came up and she could have the darshan.

-Shri. Vinayak Shanbhag

It is a prayer at the holy feet of Shri Tripurasundari Devi, who had relieved all Deities of their fear by slaying Bhandasura, to shower Her grace on all Her devotees and let Hindu Rashtra be established at the earliest by elimination of all evil tendencies in Kaliyug !