About the Temple

The Chhatarpur Temple lies in South Delhi and is dedicated to Goddess Katyayani. A remarkable story is attached to it. According to the legend, a sage named Katyayan once performed intense penance to Goddess Durga. Pleased by his devotion, the Goddess appeared before him and told him to ask for any boon he wished. The sage asked the Goddess to be born as his daughter, saying he wished to become her father. Moved by his devotion, the Goddess granted the wish and was born in his household as Katyayan's daughter — and from then on this form of the Goddess came to be known as Katyayani Devi. This is why the temple is known as the Katyayani Devi Chhatarpur Temple. It lies in the south-western part of Delhi, only about 4 km from the Qutub Minar. The temple was established by Baba Sant Nagpal in 1974; he passed away in 1998. Within the temple complex, the shrine of Goddess Katyayani is opened only twice a year, at Navratri, when thousands of devotees travel long distances for her darshan. One of the rooms here has silver chairs and a table, while another — the resting chamber — has a bed, a dressing table and silver-carved furniture. This chamber is opened only when a major satsang, religious programme or bhajan gathering is held. At the temple's entrance stands an old tree on which sacred threads are tied. People tie threads and bangles to the tree in the belief that their wishes will be fulfilled. Thousands of devotees visit for darshan during Navratri. In short, the Chhatarpur temple, reflecting India's religious heritage, is a highly significant temple. The complex's Shiva temple, Ram temple, Maa Katyayani temple, Maa Mahishasurmardini temple, Maa Ashtabhuji temple, Jharpir temple, Markandeya temple, Baba's samadhi, Nageshwar temple, the trishul, and the 101-foot Hanuman statue are special attractions for devotees. Besides these shrines, a very large building has been constructed here where a bhandara (community meal) is held every day. Some form of religious prayer continues here almost round the clock. During Navratri, Maha Shivratri and Janmashtami, the temple sees crowds of thousands of devotees; on these occasions lakhs of devotees come for darshan, making the scene here well worth witnessing. During Navratri, langar prasad is distributed to lakhs of people here — a sight so beautiful it can be hard to believe. Architecturally, the Chhatarpur temple is remarkable — its stonework is said to read like poetry. Before Delhi's Akshardham Temple was built in 2005, this Chhatarpur temple was the largest temple in India and the second largest in the world. It was built entirely in marble, with latticework (jaali) used throughout — this style of architecture is known as Vesara architecture. Spread over a vast area, the temple's various buildings are made from a range of materials, and the complex holds several beautiful gardens and lawns that bring a sense of peace to any visitor. The carving work in the temple is genuinely admirable, and the temple's large scale makes the complex especially impressive. The idol of Goddess Katyayani is installed in a large building, which can also be entered from the prayer hall. The gold-plated idol of Goddess Katyayani is always adorned in resplendent robes, gold ornaments and beautiful flower garlands. During Navratri, to manage the crowds of thousands of devotees, people are made to stand in serpentine queues, controlled by numerous security personnel posted along the long lines. There is good connectivity from across the country to reach this Chhatarpur temple in the national capital, Delhi. The nearest railway station is Nizamuddin Railway Station, and the nearest airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport. The Delhi Chhatarpur temple has several distinctive features. One of its most striking aspects is that once someone enters the temple, they tend to keep wandering through it, unable to tell where the temple begins or where the way out lies — because the temple has been built so that, whichever direction one goes, the far end of the temple never comes into view. It feels as though every direction offers a way further in, with no sign of a way out. Another distinctive feature is the very old and large tree at the temple's entrance — people have such faith in it that tying a thread or bangle there is believed to fulfil a devotee's wish, which is why threads and bangles can be seen tied all around it.

Established: 1974

Services

• Marriage bureau
• medical and diagnostics centre
• daily langar
• temple hall booking

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Main Chhatarpur Rd, Block A1, Dr Ambedkar Colony, Chhatarpur, New Delhi

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