Dedicated to Budhiya Mata, the Budhiya Mai Temple is located
in the Kusmhi forest in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. It is considered a heritage
site of the Purvanchal region.
Gorakhpur Budhiya Mai Temple Has a 600-Year-Old History
The Budhiya Mai Temple is believed to have been built in
honor of a miraculous elderly woman dressed in white, who used to walk with the
help of a stick. It is said that earlier, the Tharu tribe lived in this part of
the forest. They used to worship a forest goddess by creating three sacred
mounds (pindis) in the jungle. The Tharus often saw an old woman around the
mounds, but she would disappear within moments.
Budhiya Mai Temple Stories
Two stories about Budhiya Mai are quite famous in the
region. The first one dates back 600 years. According to the tale, a wedding
procession was crossing a wooden bridge over the Turra stream in the forest. A
dancer was part of the procession. Before crossing the bridge, Budhiya Mai
appeared and asked the dancer to perform a dance. The wedding party mocked her,
saying they were in a hurry, and continued on. However, a clown (joker) in the
procession did dance for her.
Budhiya Mai then warned the clown not to go on the bridge
with the rest of the group. As soon as the procession loaded with people
started to cross the bridge, it collapsed. The groom and all others fell into
the stream and died. Only the clown who obeyed Budhiya Mai survived. After
this, the old woman vanished. The clown later told the villagers everything.
Since then, the area on both sides of the stream has been known as the site of
Budhiya Mai. The temple exists on both sides of the stream, and people cross
between the two shrines via boat.
The second story is about the fulfillment of wishes. After
the death of Jokhu Sokha, a resident of Vijhara village, his family immersed
his body in the Turra stream. His body drifted to the area of the Tharu’s three
pindis. Budhiya Mai appeared and brought Jokhu back to life. After this
miracle, Jokhu began worshipping there, and he installed a statue of the
goddess in the same form in which she appeared to him, and built a temple.
Greatness Of The Temple
The glory of Budhiya Mata is such that not only people from
across India, but even from abroad, are drawn to visit this place. It is
believed that those who visit and worship at this temple with a pure heart are
never taken by untimely death. Budhiya Mai always protects her devotees.
Huge Crowds During Navratri
Even though the Budhiya Mai temple is located deep within
the forest, a fair-like atmosphere prevails here during Navratri. A huge
number of devotees come to offer prayers and make wishes. Navratri last three
days attract nearly 100,000 devotees daily.