Prayaga Madhaveswari is one of the 18 Shaktippethas. She is also called as Lalita Sthala Purana of Prayaga : Prayaga means Prakrishta Yaga, that means it is the place where Lord Brahma did a very great Yaga. Hence its name became Prayaga. Locally she is called AlopiMata
Shrine’s History
There are mainly three stories about the word Alopi. They are,
1)Alopi means the one who disappeared. After Sati dahana and Dhaksha Yagna destruction, Lord Siva disturbed mentally and lifted Satidevis body and roaming without any destination. Lord Vishnu cut Sati Devi body parts by using Sudarshana Chakra. Every place, where Sridevi’s body part fell, became a Shaktipeeth. Prayaga is the last place, where last part of Sati devis body fell on the ground. Here Sati Devi body became disappeared, hence the name Alopi.
2)There are some other stories about Alopi mata. In every temple, at least one idol or one symbol will be there for worshipping the goddess. But here, there is no idol or symbol. We have to imagine the goddess present on a wooden jhula. Hence the name Alopi.
3)According to a local story, Alopi mata is a newly married bride. She disappeared from pallaki when robbers attącked the marriage troop. As the bride disappeared as a miracle, she is worshipped as Alopi mata. S
Legends Associated with This Shrine
Mythology believes the Mangala Gauri temple as one of the Shaktipeethas. When Lord Shiva’s wrath at the death of his wife Sati manifested as the Tandava which would destroy the Universe, Lord Vishnu’s Sudarshan chakra cut her corpse into pieces which scattered around the subcontinent. It is here, at Allahabad that the fingers of the Devi are believed to have fallen. It is considered the spot where the last part of the Goddess fell and she disappeared. Hence the name of the deity, Alopi. There is also the local legend that a newly wed bride disappeared when her wedding procession was attacked by robbers. The locals worship her as Alopi Devi.
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
The shrine is a simple but aesthetically built structure. The conical roof is similar to the temple architecture of the region. The uniqueness of the temple lies in the fact that there is no deity inside the sanctum here. A wooden doli placed on a marble stand is worshipped by the devotees. Flowers and garlands adorn the area.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Near Bus Stand Daraganj
By Rail
Nearby Railway Station Allahabad
By Air
Nearby Airport Allahabad
Shrine Timings
Darsan Info: Alopi devi temple timings: 4.00 AM – 10.00 PM.