Historic Mahakali Mata Temple Kargil Nagar, Virar, T. Vasai Palghar

Just like Jivdani Devi in Virar, Palghar district, the temple of Jagatjanani Kalika Mata, which is equally famous, is located in Kargil Nagar within the city. This temple houses a fierce twelve-and-a-half-foot-tall idol of Kalika Mata sculpted from a single piece of black stone. It is claimed that this is the tallest idol of Kalika Mata in the country. Devotees firmly believe that serving the Goddess with a pure heart fulfills all wishes. Therefore, many devotees visit here for darshan from Palghar as well as Mumbai and Thane. During Navaratotsava, thousands of devotees coming for darshan give this area the festive atmosphere of a fair.

In Kargil Nagar at Virar, inside a temple located on land owned by Manish Raut, there used to be a small idol of the Goddess earlier. According to the legend of this Goddess, in the year 2008, the Goddess appeared to Raut in a divine dream and instructed him to consecrate a larger idol of her. Following this, Raut had this idol crafted from Jaipur. Before bringing the idol, the temple was given a new look. However, because of the large size of the idol, it could not be brought inside. The idol stood outside the temple for three days. On the third day, a part of the right side of the temple was demolished, and the idol was placed inside the temple with the help of a crane, after which the proper consecration rituals of the Goddess were performed. It is said that one hundred eight goats were sacrificed at that time.

This temple is located in Kargil Nagar, a short distance from Virar railway station. The temple has an attractive shikhara (spire), and in the center on the front side of the shikhara is an idol of Hanuman. Next to it are sculptures of meditating sages. Below that, in the niches on the side of the temple entrance, are idols of eighteen principal goddesses, including Ekvira Devi, Vajrai Devi, Renuka Devi, Tulja Bhavani, and Mahakali. Here, devotees can have darshan of idols from almost all the Shakti Peethas in the country. In the niches on the lower parts of the wall near the temple entrance, there is an idol of Ganesha on the left and Kalabhairava on the right. To the right of the temple entrance is a sculpture of the Goddess. It is depicted that two gajrajas (elephants) on both sides of the temple entrance steps are bearing the weight of this temple on their heads.

At the very beginning of the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), there is an idol of a tortoise. In the center of the garbhagriha, one gets the darshan of the fierce form of the ten-armed Goddess. The height of this idol, carved from a single black stone, is twelve and a half feet, and its weight is seven thousand five hundred kilograms. The idol wears a crown on its head, and holds weapons such as a trident, sword, khadga (broadsword), shield, khappar (skull-bowl), bow, and discus in its hands. Also, in one hand, it holds the head of the demon Raktabija. The Goddess has her tongue protruding. Around her neck and waist is a garland of skulls of demons. Sleeping Shiva lies beneath her feet. On the prabhavali (arch) behind the idol is attractive craftsmanship along with sculptures of deities. On both sides of the idol, the great avatars of the Goddess are carved. On the walls of the temple, more than seventy sculptures are carved depicting the destruction of the demons by the Goddess, the description of the Goddess in the Kali Chalisa, and the various forms of Mahakalika Mata.

Kalika Mata holds the head of the demon Raktabija in her hand. The mythological story behind this is that a demon named Raktabija had pleased Lord Shiva by performing severe penance. He had asked for the boon that wherever a drop of my blood falls, demons as powerful as me should be generated from that exact spot. After receiving this boon, the arrogant demon Raktabija created havoc across the three worlds. Many deities tried to defeat him; however, due to the boon received from Shiva, it was not possible. This demon even defeated Lord Indra. Helpless against his actions, all the deities sought refuge in Durga Mata to end him.

At the request of all the gods, Durga Devi fought with the demon Raktabija. However, whenever the Goddess struck him with her weapons, as his blood fell on the ground, asuras (demons) just like him were born from it. Since he could not be killed even after fighting for many days, Durga Devi asked Parvati for help. Durga Devi said to Parvati Mata, You should drink the blood of the demon Raktabija after I strike him in such a way that not a single drop of that blood falls on the earth. This is the only way to end him. As per Durga Devi’s instructions, Parvati took the avatar of Kalika Mata and set out with her to the battlefield. As Durga Mata struck the demon Raktabija, she began to consume the blood oozing out. Consequently, the demon Raktabija gradually began to grow weak. Seizing this opportunity, Durga Mata decapitated him. Afterwards, Durga Devi dedicated his head to Kalika Mata.

Even after the slaying of the demon Raktabija, Kalika Mata was not pacified. She wanted to slaughter more demons and consume their blood. Many attempts to calm her down failed. Therefore, the distressed gods went to Mahadeva. Mahadeva went to calm down the anger of the Goddess; however, her efforts also proved unsuccessful. Her eyes were red. She was slaughtering every demon she saw on the path and drinking their blood. Finally, to calm her down, Mahadeva lay down on the path she was taking. At that moment, the foot of the Goddess fell upon his body. Seeing that Mahadeva himself was under her feet, her tongue came out. That is why in this temple, the Goddess has the head of the demon Raktabija in her hand and a sleeping Mahadeva beneath her feet.

Devotees can have darshan of Kalika Mata in this temple every day from early morning five to twelve in the afternoon and from four in the evening to nine at night. Festivals like Sharadya Navaratotsava and Kali Chaudas (Narak Chaturdashi) are celebrated with great enthusiasm here. During Navaratotsava, an idol of the Goddess is installed in the space in front of the temple. Attractive illumination is done in the temple premises. Shops selling flowers and prasada are set up in the area. Various religious programs, including rituals, are organized here for nine days. Homas are performed for three days on Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami. On the night of Navami, after twelve o’clock, there is a tradition of performing a sacrifice. At this time, about fifty goats are sacrificed. On the day of Dussehra, after the Aarti takes place at seven-thirty in the evening, the mutton of these goats is given to the devotees as Mahaprasada during the Mahaprasada distribution. More than ten thousand devotees come for the darshan of the Goddess during Navaratotsava. During this festival, garba is also organized here at night. During the Kali Chaudas festival too, rituals such as homa and sacrifice are performed. Mahaprasada is also organized during this festival.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.

Sacred Darshan Gallery