Yamai Temple

The Yamai Devi Temple is situated in a hill complex in the town of Aundh, Satara district, Maharashtra, India.

History

It is said that Goddess Mahalaxmi, God Jyotiba of Kolhapur and Sri Rama called her as "Ye Mai" which means "Mother, pls. come" in English. Hence, she is known as Yamai Devi. Yamai Devi is also considered the elder sister of Tulja Bhavani because Yamai is regarded as a combined manifestation of Shiva and Parvati and is also considered a joint incarnation of Parvati and Renuka Devi. Since the incarnation of Renuka is associated with the Krita Yuga and that of Tuljabhavani with the Treta Yuga, Yamai is therefore regarded as the elder sister of Tuljabhavani. Significantly, within the Tuljapur Tuljabhavani temple complex, there is also a consecrated shrine dedicated to Yamai Devi. Therefore, many devotees still follow the tradition of visiting the Mulpeeth Yamai Devi after visiting Tuljapur's Tulja Bhavani. Devotees are used to come with pure heart into one of the Devi Yamai's temples and to find her blessing.

Temple features

The Yamai temple is built on a small hill. The top of the hill can either be reached using steps that start at the bottom of the hill, or by car. There is a parking available at the top. The temple complex has the head of Rakshas Aundhasur, a well carved Nandi and a Shivling. The idol of the goddess, Yamai in black stone is almost two metres high and is in a cross-legged sitting position. The temple is the family shrine for a large number of Marathi families. The top of the temple has images and idols of various Hindu deities. The town and the temple has been associated with the PantPratinidhi family for many centuries. The present head of this former ruling family, Gayatreedevi Pantpratinidhi, has installed a solid gold kalash or crown on the pinnacle of the Yamai temple on the hill. Another temple of Devi Yamai is located in the town; apart from the one on the hill.
The temple had an elephant for religious processions and ceremonies for more than fifty years. It was taken to an elephant sanctuary in 2017 because of health issues.

Shri Bhavani Museum

The temple complex also houses the Shri Bhavani Museum established from the private collection of the Maharajas of Aundh. The museum building is situated on the middle section of the temple hill. Visitors can reach the museum, both by steps and road. The museum holds paintings by noted 19th and 20th century Indian artists such as M. V. Dhurandhar, Baburao Painter, Madhav Satwalekar and Raja Ravi Varma as well as the famous Mother and Child stone structure by the British artist Henry Moore.

Major Twelve Peeth (shrines-temples) of Shri Yamai Devi in Maharashtra

Shree Yamai Devi is revered as one of the prominent goddesses of Maharashtra. There are around 60–70 small and large temples dedicated to Yamai Devi across India, primarily in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Among these, twelve temples hold special significance and are considered the twelve main shrines of Yamai Devi. Along with the Mulpeeth at Aundh, several Uppeeth dedicated to the goddess have been established across the state for the purpose of destroying evil forces and ensuring the welfare of devotees. These subsidiary shrines are considered as sacred and significant as the original seat. The twelve major Mulpeeth and Uppeethas are as follows:
1. MULPEETH : Shree Mulpeeth Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree Kshetra Aundh, Taluka Khatav, District Satara.
UPPEETH :
2. Shree Jagdamba Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree Kshetra Rashin, Taluka Karjat, District Ahmednagar.
3. Shree Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree Kshetra Jyotiba Dongar, Taluka Panhala, District Kolhapur.
4. Shree Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree Kshetra Mardi, Taluka North Solapur, District Solapur.
5. Shree Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree Kshetra Kanherasar, Taluka Khed, District Pune.
6. Shree Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree Kshetra Shivri, Taluka Purandar, District Pune.
7. Shree Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree Kshetra Kavathe Yamai, Taluka Shirur, District Pune.
8. Shree Sakharagadnivasini Ambabai – Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree Kshetra Kinhai, Taluka Koregaon, District Satara.
9. Shree Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree Kshetra Hingangav, Taluka Paranda, District Dharashiv.
10. Shree Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree Kshetra Hippargarav, Taluka Umarga, District Dharashiv.
11. Shree Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree Kshetra Mahalung, Taluka Malshiras, District Solapur.
12. Shree Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree Kshetra Koregaon, Taluka Barshi, District Solapur.