Narayani Mata Mandir, Alwar | Etymology

Narayani Mata Mandir, Alwar Overview

Situated just next to Sariska National Park, 80 kms from the main city of Alwar, Narayani Mata Mandir is a much-venerated temple. The temple is revered by the Sain samaj and is the only one of its kind in the country. The site houses a tiny spring which is an unusual source of water considering the semi-arid area. The spring draws a lot of tourists in addition to the numerous pilgrims who throng the place annually.

The temple highly follows the caste system. The priest of the shrine belongs to the Meena caste and since the temple as a whole is dedicated to Sain caste, Baniya caste people are not allowed to enter the premises.

Etymology of Narayani Mata Mandir

Legend suggests that Narayani Mata is a form of Mata Sati who was the first wife of Lord Shiva. Once Raja Daksha- father of Rani Sati, held a grand Yagya but did not invite Lord Shiva in order to hurt him. Mata Sati though angry, still visited the Yagya thinking it was a family affair. However, on her arrival, Raja Daksha humiliated her and her husband Lord Shiva in the presence of all the guests. The king criticized them for coming in uninvited.

Unable to bear the insult, Mata Sati ordered the Yogagni to burn her. But as it was Yogagni, her body remained unburnt. Lord Shiva punished King Daksha and took her body away. Later Sudarshan Chakra tore the body to pieces which fell in different parts of the world. One such piece fell here and the temple built around it was called Narayani Mata Mandir.