The one-of-a-kind Shri Yantra Mandir in Amarkantak, MP
15 Jun 2022 19:11:42
Today, let us explore a temple which many are unaware of, due to several reasons, but is truly beautiful in its own way, and dates back several years. The incomplete Shri Yantra Mandir is the Shri Yantra Mahameru Shakti Peeth. The ambitious temple is under construction since the year 1991. The temple is actually the brainchild of Acharya Mandaleshwar of the Attal Akhada Sri Swami Shukdevanadji.
The temple is also known as Sri Chakra is a Yantra (Geometrical Design), that is an important part of tantric traditions. Shri Chakra is of great importance in the Shri Vidya school of Hinduism. It is used for worship and as an aid to meditation.
The beautifully sculpted figures of the 64 Yoginis or Chausath Yogini, detail the walls beneath the massive faces of the four Goddesses. There are 16 of the Yoginis on each of the four sides of the entrance tower. On the eastern side, in addition to Yoginis, can be seen the figures of Ganesha & Karthik. The sculptors for this structure are specially called from South India and West Bengal.
Location | The Shri Yantra Mandir is located on a hallowed out land, which is the birthplace of the sacred Narmada River in Amarkantak, Annupur District, Madhya Pradesh. Amarkantak has several holy places in the area, and most of these sacred places are largely unknown to people. It is also believed that many evolved beings stay here in their subtle form. Due to this divine reason, this Amarkantak was chosen to build the Shri Yantra Mandir.
The Shri Yantra Mandir is definitely incomplete, but somehow, it will leave you in with its stunning architecture. As one exits the temple, the silhouettes of the Goddesses look down upon you, and such a sense holds on to you for long after you’ve left the temple.
He helmed the construction of the Shri Yantra Mandir, which when complete would be the only temple of its kind in the entire world. Swami Shukhdevanandji passed away in August 2018, without being able to see the completion of his dream project. Hence, the project has fallen to his successor, Swami Sharad Puri.
The temple is being constructed according to the ancient beliefs of the Hindu temple building contained in the ancient Agama Shastras. The reason why the temple is still not completed even after 30 years, is that construction is undertaken only during Guru Pushya Nakshatra, which is considered auspicious. The Guru Pushya Nakshatra falls on an average of about 4-5 days in a year.
The temple is also known as Sri Chakra is a Yantra (Geometrical Design), that is an important part of tantric traditions. Shri Chakra is of great importance in the Shri Vidya school of Hinduism. It is used for worship and as an aid to meditation.
The feature of the unfinished Shri Yantra Mandir that will grab your attention right away is the entrance tower. The tower has four faces of Godesses facing the four directions. The entrance faces the eastern direction, and the face of the Goddess Maha Saraswati sees towards the east.
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Goddess Maha Kali faces the southern direction. Facing the northern direction is Goddess Maha Bhuvaneshwari, and the angelic face of the Goddess Maha Lakshmi looks out in the northern direction towards the inner complex of the Shri Yantra temple.
The beautifully sculpted figures of the 64 Yoginis or Chausath Yogini, detail the walls beneath the massive faces of the four Goddesses. There are 16 of the Yoginis on each of the four sides of the entrance tower. On the eastern side, in addition to Yoginis, can be seen the figures of Ganesha & Karthik. The sculptors for this structure are specially called from South India and West Bengal.
The Shri Yantra Mandir, when complete would be a grand and complex structure that would represent a 3D projection model of the Shri Yantra. This is also known as Maha Meru.
Location | The Shri Yantra Mandir is located on a hallowed out land, which is the birthplace of the sacred Narmada River in Amarkantak, Annupur District, Madhya Pradesh. Amarkantak has several holy places in the area, and most of these sacred places are largely unknown to people. It is also believed that many evolved beings stay here in their subtle form. Due to this divine reason, this Amarkantak was chosen to build the Shri Yantra Mandir.
The Shri Yantra Mandir is definitely incomplete, but somehow, it will leave you in with its stunning architecture. As one exits the temple, the silhouettes of the Goddesses look down upon you, and such a sense holds on to you for long after you’ve left the temple.