27-Apr-2022
by Sandy and Vyjay_____________________The Shri Yantra Mandir of Amarkantak pulled us like puppets on a string. The intriguing images of the temple, that we had seen at the MPT Holiday Homes Amarkantak, propelled us to explore this unusual temple in the holy city of Amarkantak.
As we gazed up at what can be called the massive Gopuram (Entrance Tower) of the temple, we could feel the goosebumps rising on our arms. Four humungous faces with different expressions looked in the four cardinal directions. They seemed to be gazing into eternity. The massive faces reminded us of the Bayon temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
It was dusk when we reached the Shri Yantra Temple Amarkantak. In the fading light, the massive faces assumed a dreamlike quality.
We wanted to explore more of this unique and unusual temple, but alas it was closed!
Why is the temple closed? Why is the Shri Yantra Mandir, whose construction started in 1991 still incomplete? Read on to find answers to these questions and know more about the mysterious Shri Yantra Mandir of Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh.
The incomplete Shri Yantra Mandir is actually the Shri Yantra Mahameru Shakti Peeth. The ambitious temple has been under construction since 1991. It is being built under the auspices of Bhartiya Prachya Yog Shodh Sansthan. The temple is the brainchild of Acharya Mandaleshwar of the Attal Akhada Sri Swami Shukdevanadji.
Swami Shukhdevanandji was the driving force behind the construction of the Shri Yantra Mandir, which when complete would be the only temple of its kind in the entire world. Sadly Swami Shukhdevanandji passed away in August 2018, without seeing the completion of his dream project. After that, the mantle has fallen to his successor, Swami Sharad Puri.
The Shri Yantra Mandir is being constructed according to the ancient tenets of the Hindu temple building contained in the ancient Agama Shastras. The prime reason why the Shri Yantra Temple is still not completed even after more than 30 years is that construction is undertaken only during the Guru Pushya Nakshatra, which is considered auspicious. The Guru Pushya Nakshatra falls on an average of about 4-5 days in a year.
When we visited the Shri Yantra Mandir, we had access only to a narrow corridor that leads from the entrance tower. At end of the corridor were placed two beautiful idols of Devis (Goddesses). These represent Tripura Sundari, the ultimate representation of Shakti. One of the idols was that of Goddess Saraswati and the other of Goddess Mahalakshmi. There were doors in the corridor that led inside the temple premises, but these were closed.
The temple is located in a vast open area and is surrounded by woods. On the left-hand side of the temple, the land was at a higher level and dotted with trees. We climbed this elevated land to get a better view of the Shri Yantra Mandir. And this vantage view, enable us to get an idea of the design of the temple. The design was unusual and we had a vague feeling of having seen the design or something similar, elsewhere.
It was only later when fueled with curiosity we sat down to do some research on the temple, that we came to know why the design seemed oddly familiar. The design to some extent, in its unfinished status, resembled the Shri Yantra that we have at home.
The Shri Yantra temple is conceived as a three-dimensional representation of the famous Shri Yantra, also referred to as Sri Chakra. The Shri Yantra Mandir Amarkantak is being built in the form of a Maha Meru Yantra (3D form of Shri Yantra) and would be the Shri Yantra Maha Meru Shaktipeeth.
To understand the complexities of the design of the Shri Yantra Mandir of Amarkantak, it is necessary to have a basic understanding of the design and significance of the Sri Yantra itself.
The Shri Yantra is also known as Sri Chakra is a Yantra (Geometrical Design), that is an important part of tantric traditions. The Shri Chakra is of immense importance in the Shri Vidya school of Hinduism. The Shri Yantra is used for worship and as an aid to meditation. The vibrations created by the intricate design of the Shri Yantra are said to help in meditation.
The Shri Yantra is made up of 9 interlocking triangles. 4 of these triangles have their apexes pointing upwards and base downwards, while 5 of the triangles have apexes pointing downwards and base pointed upwards. The 4 triangles that point upwards represent Shiva while the 5 that point downwards represent Shakti. The Sri Yantra is also referred to as Navayoni Chakra because of the nine triangles.
The nine triangles of the Shri Yantra form an interlocking design that consists of 43 smaller triangles. At the centre of these interlocking triangles is the central point known as Bindu which represents the cosmic centre and the Sri Chakra itself represents the entire cosmos. At the central point is seated the divine Shakti, known as Tripura Sundari or Lalita Tripura Sundari.
The overall structure of the Shri Yantra is made up of 9 levels.
9. At the innermost core level is the centre point or Bindu, as described above, this is known as Sarva Anandmaya.
8. The next outer level is a small triangle that has the Bindu at its centre and is known as Sarva Siddhiprada.
7. The next outer level is a ring formed by 8 triangles which are known as Sarva Rogahara.
6. A ring of 10 triangles can be seen at the next level and is known as Sarva Rakshakara.
5. Another ring of 10 triangles forms the next level known as Sarvarthasadhaka.
4. The next level is formed by the outermost ring formed by the triangles consisting of 14 triangles, this level is known as Sarva Saubhagyadayaka.
3. A lotus consisting of 8 petals forms the next layer and is known as Sarva Samkshobahana (the inner lotus).
2. The outer lotus with 16 petals forms the next layer and is known as Sarvasa Paripuraka.
1. The outer-most level is a square that frames the entire concentric structure with four square openings in the four cardinal directions. This level is known as Trailokya Mohana.
It is interesting to note that the Sri Yantra is considered to be a representation of the Lalita Sahasranama. The Lalita Sahasranama is a hymn to the Goddess Lalita Devi, a manifestation of the Divine Mother (Shakti) and a part of the Brahmanda Purana. Just as in the Shri Yantra the progression is from the outer layers to the innermost centre (Bindu), the verses of the Lalita Sahasranama start with the grosser aspects of the Goddess and then progress to the subtler aspects of Kundalini and culminate in the unity of Shiva and Shakti represented by Lalithambika.
The feature of the unfinished Shri Yantra Mandir that rivets your attention is the entrance tower. The tower has four faces of Godesses facing the cardinal directions. The entrance faces the eastern direction, and the face of the Goddess Maha Saraswati gazes out benevolently towards the east.
The fearsome face of Goddess Maha Kali gazes in the southern direction. Facing the northern direction is the calm countenance of 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 (Chausath Yogini) adorn the walls beneath the massive faces of the four Goddesses. There are 16 of these Yoginis on each of the four sides of the entrance tower. On the eastern side, in addition to the Yoginis, can be seen the figures of Ganesha and Karthik. The sculptors who have made the sculptures in the temple 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 known as Maha Meru.
Though we could not get a good view of the main temple that stood in the centre of the circular temple complex. We understand that the steps leading to the temple are flanked by the raised heads of two serpents. The serpents that rise from the base have their tails entangled and surround the entire temple. On the external walls of the temple, Kaal Nritya or the "dance of time," has been depicted with various iconography.
The construction of a temple in the form of a Shri Yantra requires precise knowledge of Vastu Shastra as well as the complexities of the Shri Yantra itself. According to legend, such a design has been attempted only once in history. This was some 2,000 years ago when Acharya Ameresh designed the original Kamakhya temple in Guwahati, Assam. It is believed that the original temple was constructed in the form of a Shri Yantra, but was later destroyed by lightning. When the temple was rebuilt later, the original design could not be duplicated.
The Shri Yantra Mandir is located on the hallowed land that is the birthplace of the sacred Narmada River in Amarkantak, Annupur District, Madhya Pradesh. Amarkantak has many holy places in its vicinity and many sacred places that are unknown to people. It is believed that many evolved beings stay here in their subtle form. Because of this Amarkantak was chosen to build the Shri Yantra Mandir.
The Shri Yantra Mandar is surrounded by verdant forests on two sides. There is an ancient water body called Batte Krishna Kund to the west of the temple. A water reservoir located towards the north of the temple, adds to the mystic beauty of its surroundings. The location of the Shri Yantra Mandir is at the intersection of three mountain ranges, the Maikal, the Vindhyas, and the Satpura mountain ranges. The presence of 5 ancient and sacred water bodies or Kunds near the location of the temple, adds to its sanctity.
One can only imagine the grandeur and complexity of the Shri Yantra Mandir, once it is completed. It will resemble a gigantic Shri Yantra in three dimensions. According to the planned design of the temple, it will be having a grand entrance tower that leads inside the temple from the eastern side. The main temple with Tripura Sundari will occupy the centre of the entire structure.
The main temple will be completely surrounded by a group of smaller temples or Mandals. There will be 108 smaller Yantras on which will be placed the idols of the other Goddesses or the consorts of the principal deity, Maha Tripura Sundari. These idols would be 216 in number. Further, there would be 4 temples, one each in all the four cardinal directions that would have the deities as Shiva, Ganesh, Hanuman, and Bhairav. 1,25,000 Shri Yantras would be installed in the temple premises.
One can only imagine the spiritually surcharged atmosphere that will prevail in the Shri Yantra Mandir, once it is completed and is operational.
The Shri Yantra Mandir is incomplete, and yet it awes you with its enigmatic grandeur. As we leave the temple, the silhouettes of the Godesses look down upon us, and we head back with images of the temple haunting us, long after we had left its precincts.
We leave you too with some images of the enigmatic Shri Yantra Mandir and are sure that they will draw you to Amarkantak soon.
Amarkantak is a beautiful and serene destination that soothes the mind and satisfies the soul with its spiritual vibes and natural beauty. Apart from the Shri Yantra Mandir, there are other places of interest that you should include in your Amarkantak itinerary.
What is the importance of the Shri Yantra Mandir in Amarkantak?The Shri Yantra Mandir in Amarkantak is in the form of a Maha Meru which is a three-dimensional representation of the Shree Yantra or Shri Chakra.
Is the Shree Yantra Mandir Amarkantak completed?The Shree Yantra Mandir of Amarkantak is still under construction.
When was the construction of the Sri Yantra Mandir in Amarkantak started?The construction of the Sri Yantra temple in Amarkantak was started in the year 1991.
Why is the construction of the Shree Yantra Mandir taking so much time?The construction of the Shree Yantra Mandir is undertaken only during the days of the Guru Pushya Nakshatra, which means that work is done only for 4 to 5 days in a year, hence the slow pace of construction.
Who is building the Sri Yantra Mandir in Amarkantak?The Sri Yantra Mandir Amarkantak is being Bhartiya Prachya Yog Shodh Sansthan. The temple is the brainchild of Late Acharya Mandaleshwar of the Attal Akhada Sri Swami Shukdevanadji, who passed away in 2018.
Reaching Amarkantak By Air
The nearest airport to Amarkantak is in Jabalpur at a distance of about 218 kilometres. There are flights to and from places like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Indore, etc, from Jabalpur. From Jabalpur, one can travel by road to Amarkantak.
Reaching Amarkantak By Rail
The nearest railway station is Pendra Road (Chhattisgarh) a distance of about 30 kilometres. You can easily get a taxi from Pendra Road (Chhattisgarh) to Amarkantak.
Reaching Amarkantak By Road
Amarkantak is well connected by road to all major cities and towns of Madhya Pradesh, and neighbouring states.
If you planning to visit the Shri Yantra Mandir or the Narmada temple in Amarkantak, you can book your flight tickets right here through, TripAdvisor or Agoda or CheapAir or Cleartrip or Makemytrip or Priceline and fly to Jabalpur. If you are thinking of a road trip from Jabalpur or Bhopal, do check out the rental car and bus options.
Amarkantak is a place of pilgrimage and hence there is no dearth of accommodation options here. One of the best and most beautiful properties to stay at is the MPT Holiday Home, which offers clean and comfortable rooms as well as luxury tents.
You can book the MPT Holiday Home in Amarkantak or any other hotel in Amarkantak, Mandla, Jabalpur, Bhopal, or anywhere else right here!
You can book Hotels/Resorts in Amarkantak or any destination right here through any of the options mentioned: TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or Agoda or Makemytrip or Priceline and save a lot by getting the best deals on booking your stay.
The state of Madhya Pradesh is an absolute delight for travellers. It has so much to offer for all types of travellers. For the spiritual seekers, there are places like Amarkantak, Sanchi, Bhojpur, Ujjain, and others.
For those looking at wildlife and nature, there are places like Pachmarhi, Pench, Kanha, and other places. For the heritage buff, you have Khajuraho, Orchha, Gwalior, Bhopal, Chanderi, and many other places. Madhya Pradesh is also home to a reach tribal culture and the home of tribes like the Baigas, Bharia, and Gonds.
There is so much to see and experience in Madhya Pradesh. If you prefer package tours and looking for these, you can plan your Madhya Pradesh itinerary and book your MP trips, right here. So go ahead and book online places to see in Madhya Pradesh and popular activities in MP and cover attractions in Madhya Pradesh.
We visited the Shri Yantra Temple in Amarkantak while we were on a Tribal Trail in Madhya Pradesh which was curated and organized by Times Passion Trails ( Times of India ) and Madhya Pradesh Tourism under the #DekhoApnaDesh and #AzadiKaAmritMahotsav initiative. The views and opinions expressed in this blog post are our own. #timespassiontrails #TimesofIndia #MPTourism #Amarkantak #HeartOfIndia #MadhyaPradesh
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