In Ratanpur, Chhattisgarh, Mahamaya Devi Temple honours Goddess Mahamaya, worshipped in the forms of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. It is also known as Mahamaya Temple, Siddh Shaktipeeth Shri Mahamaya Devi Mandir.
One of the 52 Shakti Peethas of the Indian subcontinent, where local legend holds that the right hand of the goddess Sati fell; it is the major and most ancient Devi temple of Ratanpur near Bilaspur. The original shrine dates to the 12th to 13th century under the patronage of the Kalachuri dynasty of Ratnapura under King Ratnadeva, according to legend following a divine encounter between the king and Goddess Kali.
Chhattisgarh carries a distinct temple identity of its own: A land of ancient Shakti Peethas and tribal devotion, where forested Bastar hills cradle Chhattisgarh's oldest temples and living festival traditions.
Darshan hours and daily worship
| Session | Timing (as published) |
|---|---|
| Morning | 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM daily, with entry restricted for about half an hour around 12:00 PM for Bhog |
| Evening | Open until 8:30 PM daily; open until midnight during Navaratri |
Timings extend during the Navaratri festival period
Poojas and daily rituals
Bhog offering around midday
Festivals and special-day timings
Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.
| Festival | Period | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Navaratri | Held per the Hindu lunar calendar, in the Ashwin month (typically September/October) | The temple's major festival, marked by the lighting of the Jyotikalash in reverence to the goddess and drawing large numbers of pilgrims |
History and architecture
Architecture
Nagara style, facing north, standing beside a large water tank
History
The original shrine dates to the 12th to 13th century under the patronage of the Kalachuri dynasty of Ratnapura under King Ratnadeva, according to legend following a divine encounter between the king and Goddess Kali. The present temple structure was built in 1492 CE by King Bahar Sai. The site includes several associated structures, including the Kantideval Temple (built 1039, expanded in the 15th century), the ruined 11th century Kadeideol Shiva Temple on a nearby hilltop, and the Kalbhairava Temple along the approach road. The temple is now managed by a 21 member trust and has been renovated with support from the Archaeological Survey of India.
Planning your visit
How to reach
Ratanpur is about 25 to 30 km from Bilaspur city; the nearest railway station and airport are both in Bilaspur, about 30 to 38 km away, with the temple reachable by road via NH-130
Where this information comes from
Confidence: High. History, architecture, Shakti Peetha status, timings and how-to-reach details are corroborated across Wikipedia, the temple's own site and Incredible India