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Delhi is a city that offers both peace and solace to its visitors. The beautiful palatial Mughal monuments and the sprawling boulevards are admired by locals and tourists alike. One of the historic temples in the city is the Yogmaya temple which offers serenity to each visitor. It is a temple bearing the shrine of Lord Krishna’s sister, goddess Yogmaya. It features the goddess’s Vindhyavasini avatar and stands as one of the 27 temples destroyed during the reign of the Mamluk dynasty. It was restored during King Samrat Vikramaditya Hemu’s time. The idol of the goddess is made from black stone and is placed in a 2-foot wall of marble.
Yogmaya Temple Location
Photo: Nvvchar / Wikimedia Commons
The Yogmaya Temple’s address is Yogmaya Maa Mandir, Seth Sarai, Mehrauli, Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi 110030. The area of Mehrauli is well connected to other parts of Delhi, including Vasant Kunj and Gurugram. It is located very close to the Qutub complex, which hosts an influx of visitors throughout the year. The temple is situated 260 yards away from the famous Iron Pillar.
How To Reach Yogmaya Temple
Photo: Ravi Dwivedi / Wikimedia Commons
By Rail: The New Delhi Railway Station is 10 km away from the temple. You can get down at the station and then book a cab to the temple. The metro stations closest to Yogmaya Temple are Qutub Minar and Saket. They are on the Yellow and Magenta Lines of the Delhi metro.
By Road: A lot of public buses follow a transit line route to the Yogmaya Temple. Some of the bus routes which can take you to the temple are 334, 413, 502 and 505. You can reach the temple yourself by car via Cariappa Marg or NH9 and Mahatma Gandhi Road.
Places To Visit Around Yogmaya Temple
There are many well-maintained and spacious properties where you can plan your stay while visiting the Yogmaya Temple.
1. Alai Minar
Photo: Al Bobby / Wikimedia Commons
This minaret is located in the Qutub complex, which houses one of the tallest minarets in the world. The Alai Minar is not as often visited as the Qutub Minar and is 27 m high, taking a circular form. The Minar was Sultan Alauddin Khilji ‘s ambitious project. He wanted his minar to surpass the attention that Qutubuddin Aibak’s colossal minaret was getting. The sultan had unfortunately passed away at the time the basement of this monument was being constructed. Red sandstone had been used in the construction of the Minar and there are both Arabic and Persian inscriptions on its body.
Timings: 7 AM – 6 PM
Distance From Temple: 600 m
2. Jamali Kamali Mosque
Photo: Pawan.kamrani / Wikimedia Commons
This architectural wonder is a part of the many Archaeological structures in Mehrauli. The mosque and the tomb lie adjacent to each other, owing their origin to the 16th century. The architect behind this monument was Sheikh Jamali Kamboh. The structures were built using red sandstone, a common material for construction in the past. The mosque and the tomb are enclosed in a beautiful garden that is very well maintained. There are Quranic inscriptions on the walls of the mosque and the central arch is ornately designed. The tomb is painted with blue and red and has an intricately designed ceiling.
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Distance From Temple: 2.4 km
3. Rajon Ki Baoli
Photo: Anupamg / Wikimedia Commons
This structure is one of the most visited ones in Mehrauli. It is also locally referred to as the Rajon ki Bain. This step well was famously built under the ruler Daulat Khan during the 16th century. It is one of the most significant architectural components that the Lodhi dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate has left behind. The structure gets its name from the ‘Rajbirs’ or masons who had to set up a living space amidst this structure during its construction. The stepwell is enclosed within high walls and there are twelve pillars which have been meticulously designed by the artisans of the time.
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
Distance From Temple: 500 m
4. Jain Mandir Dadabari
Photo: ProbuddhoG. / Wikimedia Commons
This beautiful Jain Mandir attracts a large number of devotees throughout the year. It is located on the Devi Puri Ji Ashram Road in Mehrauli, which is an area known for being home to architectural brilliance. This temple is run by Svetambar Jains and bears the shrine of Dada Guru ji who is held supreme in the Jain community. There are rooms available for pilgrims and visitors to take a rest while visiting the temple. Wheelchairs can also be provided to those who are physically challenged or senior citizens who find it difficult to walk.
Timings: 6 AM – 10 PM
Distance From Temple: 1.4 km
5. Ashoka Pillar
Photo: Bpilgrim / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Also simply referred to as the Iron Pillar, this monument is one of the most visited places in Delhi. It stands about 24 feet high and is believed to have been constructed by Chandragupta II who was a great follower of Ashokan tenets. The pillar is widely known for being constructed with rust-resistant materials, which was a feature quite advanced for its age. The tall pillar weighs around 6 tonnes. There are a number of inscriptions on the pillar, including a prominent one on King Chandragupta II.
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Distance From Temple: 1 km
Where To Stay
Photo: Olichel / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
The Qutub Residency Hotel is located at a distance of 1.9 km from the temple. This hotel has earned a good reputation through the years and offers a comfortable experience for its visitors. The Vrindavan Guest House is a property with spacious, well-maintained rooms and is easy on the pocket due to its affordable rates. It is located 2 km away from the Yogmaya Temple. Some other options that you can choose from are Mykonos Guest House, Anand Bhawan and Hotel Mayda Inn.
Where To Eat
Photo: LAWJR / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Some people may prefer to consume vegetarian or vegan meals before setting foot at the entrance of the Yogmaya Temple. There are plenty of restaurants and eateries near the temple that serve vegetarian, non-vegetarian and vegan food across various cuisines. The Bo Tai Qutub is a popular restaurant which offers a variety of dishes, including vegan options. You can even see the glorious Qutub Minar from inside the restaurant. The Thai dishes at this restaurant are very popular. Though it is a little expensive, the ambience and the quality of the food make it worth a visit.
If you want to try authentic North Indian and Mughlai dishes, cooked amidst a homely setting, then Pahalwan Dhaba is the perfect place for you. Located on Dargah Road in Mehrauli, this dhaba serves great kadhai chicken, kebabs and soft rotis. Some other restaurants near the temple are Kakapo, Ditas Delhi and The Grammar Room.
Best Time To Visit
Photo: Julia’s pen Sam / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
The Yogmaya Temple timings for visitors are from 5:00 AM to 8:30 PM every day throughout the year. It is best that you visit the temple when rituals are being conducted in honour of the goddess, during aarti or archana. The temple celebrates Mahashivratri and Navratri quite grandly, and it is considered auspicious to visit the temple on these days. The Phoolwalon-ki-sair Festival, a festival of flowers, is also celebrated in and around the temple and is accompanied by cultural events. You can visit the temple during September to be a part of this three-day-long festival.
Other Factors To Consider
Photo: sittipornarromsukko / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
While visiting the Yogmaya Temple in Mehrauli, Delhi, you must keep certain other factors in mind, to make your visit a more comfortable affair.
- The Yogmaya temple has a strict dress code to which both men and women must adhere to. It is recommended that you cover your shoulders and knees before entering the temple.
- The temple is not visible from the main road so ask the locals for the right directions if you can’t find the entrance.
- To witness the Mangla Aarti in the morning, you must be inside the temple by 6:00 AM. Similarly, for the evening aarti, you must reach by 6:00 PM. The temple is very punctual when it comes to these rituals.
The Yogmaya Temple is a centre of spirituality and peace. The temple’s infrastructure has been built according to the Nagara architectural style. It is highly revered by Hindus and attracts visitors from all over the world. If you are looking forward to a complete rejuvenation of your soul, then you must visit the Yogmaya Temple soon. Get in touch with TripXL for your bookings.
Cover Photo: Nvvchar / Wikimedia Commons
