A Truly One-Of-Its-Kind Place Of Worship, Yogmaya Temple Is A 5,000 Year Old Temple!

Looking for a perfect blend of old and new in Delhi? Among its many historically and mythologically rich sites is the unique Yogmaya Temple. This temple stands out because it’s the only one in Delhi dedicated to the deity Yogmaya. According to legend, the area now known as Mehrauli was once called Yoginipuram after Yogmaya, a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu and the sister of Lord Krishna. She disappeared into thin air after being swapped with Krishna, prophesying Kansa's death at her brother's hands. Ready to explore this one-of-a-kind site? Keep reading!

According to Hindu mythology, Yogmaya also means divine illusion and she is worshipped by many as the mother of all beings. Apart from Yogmaya, the temple also has other deities such as Lord Ram, Shiva, Ganesha and other widely worshipped Hindu gods and goddesses.

The Legendary History

Picture Credits: Prashant Singh

Yogmaya Temple, also known as the Jogmaya Temple, is an ancient Hindu shrine situated in the heart of Mehrauli, a few hundred meters away from the famous Qutub Minar. The temple is rather secluded, hidden inside the walls of Lal-Kot among all the houses that surround it. Although the temple is not so famous to the general public of Delhi, it still holds value for the residents of Mehrauli who are seen worshipping and chanting prayers here almost every day. 

The people living around the temple look after the day-to-day running of the temple. The head priest serves as the primary caretaker and claims the temple to be his family’s legacy for several generations. 

It’s believed to be one of the few temples in Delhi belonging to the Mahabharata period which was constructed by the Pandavas after the war ended. The temple has been standing for the past 5,000 years despite being subjected to a lot of damage and destruction by Ghazni, a Persian ruler from 970 A.D. It was later revived by the residents of Mehrauli in a combined effort to preserve their history.    

Phoolwalon Ki Sair

Picture Credits: leebering

Every year in October, a festival is held for the flower sellers of Delhi known as the ‘phoolwalon ki sair’. Mehrauli constitutes one of the biggest flower markets in Delhi, and thus the turnout is pretty massive as it’s celebrated by both Hindus and Muslims. 

The sair takes place from the dargah of Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Khaki in Mehrauli to the Yogmaya Mandir where the floral fans and canopies are offered to the goddess Yogmaya. According to legend, this tradition was started by the Hindu wife of Emperor Akbar when her wishes came true after praying to Yogmaya Devi. 

In recent years, this festival has become one of the highlights for the residents living around Mehrauli. It’s seen as a sign of communal integration and thus, major politicians always attend it. A mela is organized that involves a lot of fun activities like kite flying & the Indian sport of kabaddi. Amusement rides are set up for kids and food stalls can also be spotted. 

It’s a must-visit place for people living in Delhi and if you haven’t already been to the Yogmaya Temple, make sure to explore a bit of history in the forgotten areas of Lal Kot!

Where | Yogmaya Temple - Khasra No. 1806, Mehrauli