Jhandewalan Temple

Getting there

• By road

  Jhandewalan metro station is the nearest. The temple is about 1 minute from the station.

Rules to know

• Photography is prohibited in the prayer hall.

Why devotees come here

Jhandewalan Temple lies close to the junction of Deshbandhu Road and Panchkuian Road, on the road to Karol Bagh in New Delhi. It is one of the oldest temples in Delhi and a major centre for Navratri. The nearest metro station is Jhandewalan.

Jhandewalan Temple is one of the oldest temples in Delhi. The temple is described as dedicated to Maa Aadi Shakti, and it is a major centre for Navratri, when rituals such as Jyoti Kalash, Kanya Puja and Devi Mahatmya are performed. Some accounts name the Devi here as Vaishno Devi instead, so the dedication is not settled in every telling.

Badri Bhagat founded the temple in the 19th century. Legend says he had repeated dreams about an ancient shrine buried near a spring. In 1944 Shyam Sundar set up the Badri Bhagat Jhandewalan Temple Society to manage the temple and its daily programmes.

The main shrine is an octagonal Devi temple on a stone platform, reached by four steps. It houses a white marble idol of Devi, and a pavilion called a dalan stands in front of it. The temple remains a major religious centre, especially during Navratri. Durga Ashtami is one of the most important days of Navratri.

Festivals

• During NavratriNavratri

  The temple is a major centre for Navratri in Delhi, with Jyoti Kalash, Kanya Puja and Devi Mahatmya rituals.

• During NavratriDurga Ashtami

  One of the most important days of Navratri.

Tips for your visit

• Look for the dalan, the pavilion in front of the main shrine.
• Inside the octagonal shrine you will find a white marble idol of Devi.
• Four steps lead up to the main shrine.
• If you want to see the Navratri rituals, plan your visit for the festival days, when Jyoti Kalash, Kanya Puja and Devi Mahatmya are performed.

Questions people ask