{{Short description|Hindu temple in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India}} {{distinguish|text=Mahamaya Mandir of Raipur}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}} {{Infobox Hindu temple | name = Mahamaya Temple | image = Ratanpur Mahamaya Temple.jpg | alt = | caption = Temple entrance | map_type = India Chhattisgarh# India# Asia | map_caption = Location in Chhattisgarh | coordinates = {{Coord|22.2884|N|82.1599|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=title}} | country = India | state = Chhattisgarh | district = Bilaspur | location = Ratanpur | elevation_m = | deity = Mahamaya | festivals= | architecture = Hindu temple architecture (Nagara Style) | temple_quantity = | monument_quantity= | inscriptions = | year_completed = 12-13th century CE, renovated by Archaeological Survey of India<ref name=at/> | creator = Kalachuri King Ratnadeva | website = {{URL|https://www.mahamayaratanpur.com/}} }} '''Mahamaya Temple''' is a Hindu temple, dedicated to Goddess Durga, Mahalaksmi located at Ratanpur of Bilaspur district in Chhattisgarh, India and is one of the 52 Shakti Peethas, shrines of Shakti, the divine feminine, spread across India. Ratanpur is a small city, full of temples and ponds, situated around 25&nbsp;km from district Bilaspur of Chhattisgarh.Goddess Mahamaya is also known as Kosaleswari, presiding deity of old Daksin Kosal region (modern Chhattisgarh state).

==History==

Built in the 12–13th century, the temple is dedicated to the Goddess Mahamaya.<ref name=at>{{cite web|title=MAHAMAYA TEMPLE, Ratanpur (District Bilaspur)|url=http://www.cgculture.in/ArchaeologyCPMMahamayaTempleRatanpur.htm|publisher=Govt of Chhattisgarh, Archaeology|accessdate=14 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123092228/http://www.cgculture.in/ArchaeologyCPMMahamayaTempleRatanpur.htm|archive-date=23 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was built during the reign of Kalachuris of Ratnapura. It is said to be located at the spot where king Ratnadeva had a ''darshan'' of goddess Kali.<ref name="Jha1998">{{cite book|author=Makhan Jha|title=India and Nepal: Sacred Centres and Anthropological Researches|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4Jk6oE4sh18C&pg=PA78| year=1998|publisher=M.D. Publications |isbn=978-81-7533-081-8 |pages=78–79 }}</ref>

Originally the temple was for three goddesses viz Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati. Later, Maha Kali left the old temple. Still later, a new (current) temple was built by king Bahar Sai which was for goddess Maha Lakshmi and goddess Maha Saraswati. This temple was built in vikram samvat 1552 (1492 CE).<ref name="Jha1998"/> There are ponds near the temple. There are also temples of Shiva and Hanuman within the campus. Traditionally Mahamaya is the Kuldevi of Ratanpur state. The temple has been renovated by the architecture department. Mahamaya temple is situated at Ratanpur, 25&nbsp;km from district headquarters Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.

==Architecture==

The Mahamaya temple is built in Nagara style of architecture facing north beside a huge water tank.<ref name=at/> One can see the scores of ancillary temples, domes, palaces and forts now, which once housed the temple and the royal house of Ratanpur Kingdom.<ref name="cg">{{cite news|date=9 May 2012|title=Chhattisgarh, a land of temples|newspaper=The Pioneer|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/raipur/63848-chhattisgarh-a-land-of-temples.html|accessdate=14 August 2012}}</ref>

Within the complex, there is also temple of Kantideval, which is oldest of the cluster and is said to have been built by a build ascetic named Santosh Giri in 1039,<ref name=asi>{{cite book|title=Bulletin, Volume 25, Issues 1-4|year=1980|publisher=Anthropological Survey of India, India. Dept. of Anthropology|pages=71, 77|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bnELAAAAIAAJ&q=Kanthideval+}}</ref> later expanded by Kalchuri King Prithivideva II in the 15th century. It is having four gates and beautiful carvings. It has also been restored by Archaeological Survey of India. The sanctum and the mandapa are fortified with a fascinated courtyard, which was built in Maratha period in the late 18th century.<ref name=cg/>

A few kilometers away there are ruins of ancient 11th century old Kadeideol Shiva temple located on a hill top of ruined fort, built by Kalchuri rulers, who were followers of Shiva & Shakti. This temple is also being planned for restoration by the archaeological department.

People throng the temple during Navaratri festival, when Jyotikalash is lit to appease the mother goddess.<ref name=db>{{cite news|title=नवरात्रि में यहां की गई पूजा कभी निष्फल नहीं होती|url=https://www.bhaskar.com:443/jeevan-mantra/|access-date=14 August 2012|newspaper=dainik bhaskar|date=26 March 2012}}</ref>

The guardian of the temple is considered to be Kalbhairva, whose temple is located on the approach road to the temple on the highway. It is a popular belief that pilgrims who visit Mahamaya temple also need to visit the temple of Kalabhairava to complete their pilgrimage.<ref name=cg/>

== Administration == Shri Mahamaya Devi Mandir is managed by a trust, consisting of 21 distinguished trustees, who are responsible for the well-being of the Mandir, its architecture, day-to-day management, finances and administration. The Trust – Sidh Shakti Peeth Shri Mahamaya Devi Mandir Trust – is a non-profit organisation, registered with the registrar of firms and societies. The trust also carries out various social activities for the well-being of the poor and disabled sectors of the society.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Trustees|url=https://mahamayaratanpur.com/trustees/|access-date=2020-10-04|website=Mahamaya Devi Mandir|language=en-US}}</ref> Thakur Balram Singh remained the President of the Trust since its establishment on 5 March 1982 and thus served Shri Mahamaya Devi Mandir for 37 years and 54 days.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-05-01|title=महामाया मंदिर को देश में पहचान दिलाने वाले बलराम नहीं रहे|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/chhattisgarh/bilaspur/news/chhattisgarh-news-balram-was-not-able-to-identify-the-mahamaya-temple-in-the-country-064134-4459006.html|access-date=2020-10-04|website=Dainik Bhaskar|language=hi}}</ref> Currently, Ashish Singh Thakur has been elected and serving as the President of the Trust.<ref>{{Cite web|last=संपादक|first=प्रधान|date=2019-08-04|title=आशीष सिंह ठाकुर को सर्वसम्मति से रतनपुर मां महामाया देवी मंदिर ट्रस्ट का अध्यक्ष बनाया गया|url=http://www.actindianews.com/ashish-singh-thakur-was-unanimously-elected-chairman-of-ratanpur-mother-mahamaya-devi-temple-trust/|access-date=2020-10-04|website=Act India News|language=en-US}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category|Mahamaya Temple, Ratanpur}}

{{Hindu temples in Chhattisgarh}}

Category:Hindu temples in Chhattisgarh M Category:12th-century Hindu temples