Palhna Devi Temple

Azamgarh district in Uttar Pradesh is home to many ancient and significant religious sites, among which the Palhna Devi Temple, dedicated to Goddess Palhneshwari, is prominent. This temple is located approximately 40 kilometers from Azamgarh city, and its age-old beliefs make it especially significant. Devotees from far and wide come here with their wishes, as it is believed that visiting this temple fulfills devotees’ desires. Another notable feature of the temple is its sacred pond. People believe that bathing in this pond can even cure leprosy. For this reason, individuals suffering from skin diseases visit the temple for five consecutive Tuesdays and Sundays to bathe in the pond and seek relief from their ailments. Palhna Devi Temple is not just a religious site but also a center of faith and hope, where devotees come to find relief from physical and mental troubles. The temple’s serene atmosphere and unwavering faith in the Goddess provide devotees with a unique spiritual experience.

According to religious texts (Puranas), King Daksha once performed a grand Yagna but did not invite his daughter, Sati. Deeply hurt, Sati jumped into the sacrificial fire and gave up her life. When Lord Shiva learned of this, he became furious and carried Sati’s body across the world, creating disturbances everywhere. To calm this chaos, Lord Vishnu used his powerful Sudarshan Chakra to divide Sati’s body into four pieces. One of these pieces fell at a place called Palhna in Azamgarh. At this site, the sacred temple of Goddess Palhneshwari Devi was established, which is considered a Shaktipeeth.

The architecture of Palhna Devi Temple is unique. According to records, the temple is built in the style of South Indian temples. When first constructed, it used minimal bricks, but later renovations incorporated brickwork. Inside the temple, there is also a well. The temple primarily houses an idol of Lord Shiva, along with idols of Lord Rama, Lakshman, Sita, Parvati, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Hanuman, and Ganesha. According to tradition, Palhna Devi Temple is the tallest temple in the Azamgarh and Ghazipur region. Its distinct architecture and religious importance make it a special site for devotees.

The famous Palhna Devi Temple in Azamgarh is a sacred site where devotees come for darshan from morning until evening. The temple doors remain open throughout the day, allowing devotees to visit at their convenience. During Navratri, the temple sees large crowds of devotees. Special pujas and aartis are performed in the morning and evening, attended by many devotees seeking the Goddess’s blessings. On certain special occasions and festivals, the temple timings or darshan schedules may vary.

Devotees are offered various prasad items, such as fruits like bananas, apples, and oranges, sweets like peda, barfi, and laddoo, and dry fruits like raisins, almonds, and cashews. Additionally, coconuts, chunris (sacred cloth), and garlands of flowers are offered as prasad. On special occasions, halwa and puris are also included in the offerings.

You can reach Palhna Devi Temple via train, bus, or air travel. Here are the details: By Train: The nearest railway station to Palhna Devi Temple is Azamgarh Railway Station (AMH), about 40 kilometers away. This station falls under the Varanasi railway division of the North Eastern Railway zone and connects to several major cities. From the station, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the temple. By Bus: Direct bus services to Palhna Devi Temple are available from Azamgarh city and surrounding areas. You can easily find buses from Azamgarh Bus Station. Buses also run from nearby towns like Lalganj and Mehnagar. By Air: The nearest airport is Azamgarh Airport (AZH), located near Mandouri village. However, this is a domestic airport with limited flights. If you are coming from a major city, Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) in Varanasi is a better option, approximately 100 kilometers from Azamgarh. From Varanasi Airport, you can reach Azamgarh and then the temple by taxi or bus. Depending on your convenience and travel distance, you can choose any mode of transport.