Jogmaya Temple, Delhi

Delhi, India's bustling capital, boasts a plethora of captivating monuments. With around 1300 monuments scattered across the city, it would take an enthusiast approximately four years to explore each one, assuming a visit to one site per day. Among Delhi's historical gems lies Jogmaya Temple, nestled in a quiet lane just a stone's throw away from the iconic Qutb Minar in the Mehrauli area.

History

While not a prominent fixture in mainstream travel guides, Jogmaya Temple holds a fascinating historical narrative that beckons exploration. Although commonly believed to be dedicated to Maya, Lord Krishna's sister, historical evidence suggests otherwise. Originally, the site housed a Yogini temple, with time transforming "Yogini" into "Yogmaya" or "Jogmaya." Contrary to popular belief, this temple's roots are not intertwined with Krishna's sister. Instead, Yoginis are regarded as demi-female deities associated with Kali or Bhairavi, or as manifestations of Durga during a battle against an Asura.

People nowadays claim that this Yogmaya temple a.k.a. Jogmaya temple is dedicated to Maya, Lord Krishna's sister. (Those who  know the story of Krishna could recollect that Krishna's uncle Kansa was trying to kill a female infant, which took the form of Mother Goddess. She is Maya, Krishna's sister.)

Legend has it that Yudhishtira, eldest of the Pandava brothers from the Mahabharata epic, erected a temple for Yogini in Mehrauli, leading to the area being referred to as Yoginipura in ancient times. Setting aside the legend, historical records attest to the existence of a Yogini temple on the site for many centuries, with periodic destruction and reconstruction attributed to various rulers.

The present-day temple, reconstructed in 1827 CE, owes its existence to Seth Sidhu Mal, a wealthy Chandni Chowk resident who undertook its restoration during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar II. Akbar II, a titular emperor in the waning years of Mughal rule, faced dire financial straits, prompting Seth Sidhu Mal's intervention. 

The temple's association with Akbar II extends further, marked by a poignant episode involving the queen's vow to Yogmaya after her son's exile. TA British resident's bodyguard was shot dead by his son Mirza Jehangir. Mirza was exiled to Allahabad. Akbar's wife was extremely sad due to this and she wanted his son to be back to Delhi at any cost. Yogmaya appeared in her dream once. The queen vowed to place floral pankhas at her temple. This vow birthed the tradition of offering floral pankhas (fans) at Yogmaya Temple and the nearby Muslim shrine of Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, a tradition upheld to this day during the annual Phool Walon Ki Sair festival held in October.

Temple Structure and Layout

The temple's contemporary structure features a modest entrance leading to the sanctum sanctorum, where Yogmaya's circular shrine resides. Fashioned from black stone and nestled within a small marble well, the icon lacks a distinct shape or form. A small shikara (tower) adorns the sanctum, while marble images of deities such as Ganesha, Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Radha, Krishna, Santoshi, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Bhairava and Kaliki adorn the temple interior.

Happy travelling.