| Yamai Devi | |
|---|---|
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
 Interactive map of Yamai Devi | |
TheYamai Devi Temple is situated in a hill complex in the town ofAundh,Satara district,Maharashtra, India.
It is said that GoddessMahalaxmi, GodJyotiba ofKolhapur and Sri Rama (Lord Vishnu) called her as "Ye Mai" (inMarathi) (ये माय / ये माई) which means "Mother, pls. come" in English. Hence, she is known asYamai Devi. Yamai Devi is also considered the elder sister ofTulja Bhavani because Yamai is regarded as a combined manifestation of Shiva and Parvati and is also considered a joint incarnation of Parvati and Renuka Devi. Since the incarnation of Renuka is associated with theKrita Yuga and that of Tuljabhavani with theTreta Yuga, Yamai is therefore regarded as the elder sister of Tuljabhavani. Significantly, within the Tuljapur Tuljabhavani temple complex, there is also a consecrated shrine dedicated to Yamai Devi. Therefore, many devotees still follow the tradition of visiting the Mulpeeth Yamai Devi after visitingTuljapur's Tulja Bhavani. Devotees are used to come with pure heart into one of the Devi Yamai's temples and to find her blessing.[1]
The Yamai temple is built on a small hill. The top of the hill can either be reached using steps that start at the bottom of the hill, or by car. There is a parking available at the top. The temple complex has the head of Rakshas Aundhasur, a well carved Nandi and a Shivling. The idol of the goddess, Yamai in black stone is almost two metres high and is in a cross-legged sitting position.[citation needed] The temple is the family shrine (kula-daiwat) for a large number of Marathi families. The top of the temple has images and idols of various Hindu deities. The town and the temple has been associated with the PantPratinidhi family for many centuries.[2] The present head of this former ruling family, Gayatreedevi Pantpratinidhi, has installed a 7 kilograms (15 lb) solid goldkalash or crown on the pinnacle of the Yamai temple on the hill. Another temple of Devi Yamai is located in the town; apart from the one on the hill.The temple had an elephant for religious processions and ceremonies for more than fifty years. It was taken to an elephant sanctuary in 2017 because of health issues.[3]
The temple complex also houses the Shri Bhavani Museum established from the private collection of the Maharajas ofAundh. The museum building is situated on the middle section of the temple hill. Visitors can reach the museum, both by steps and road. The museum holds paintings by noted 19th and 20th century Indian artists such asM. V. Dhurandhar,[4]Baburao Painter,Madhav Satwalekar[5] andRaja Ravi Varma as well as the famousMother and Child stone structure by the British artistHenry Moore.[6]
Shree Yamai Devi is revered as one of the prominent goddesses of Maharashtra. There are around 60–70 small and large temples dedicated to Yamai Devi across India, primarily in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Among these, twelve temples hold special significance and are considered the twelve main shrines (temples) of Yamai Devi. Along with theMulpeeth (original seat) at Aundh, severalUppeeth (subsidiary shrines) dedicated to the goddess have been established across the state for the purpose of destroying evil forces and ensuring the welfare of devotees. These subsidiary shrines are considered as sacred and significant as the original seat. The twelve majorMulpeeth andUppeethas (12 popular Shrines-Temples of Yamai devi) are as follows:
1. MULPEETH (Original Seat- Main Shrine - Temple of Shree Yamai devi) : Shree Mulpeeth Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree KshetraAundh (Mulpeeth), TalukaKhatav, DistrictSatara.
UPPEETH (Major Subsidiary Shrines-Temples of Shri Yamai Devi) :
2. Shree Jagdamba Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree Kshetra Rashin, Taluka Karjat, District Ahmednagar.
3. Shree Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree KshetraJyotiba Dongar (Wadi Ratnagiri), Taluka Panhala, District Kolhapur.
4. Shree Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree Kshetra Mardi, Taluka North Solapur, District Solapur.
5. Shree Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree KshetraKanherasar, Taluka Khed, District Pune.
6. Shree Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree Kshetra Shivri, Taluka Purandar, District Pune.
7. Shree Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree KshetraKavathe Yamai, Taluka Shirur, District Pune.
8. Shree Sakharagadnivasini Ambabai – Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree KshetraKinhai, Taluka Koregaon, District Satara.
9. Shree Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree KshetraHingangav, Taluka Paranda, District Dharashiv (Osmanabad).
10. Shree Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree Kshetra Hippargarav, Taluka Umarga, District Dharashiv (Osmanabad).
11. Shree Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree KshetraMahalung, Taluka Malshiras, District Solapur.
12. Shree Yamai Devi Devasthan, Shree Kshetra Koregaon, Taluka Barshi, District Solapur.
