About
Alopi Devi Mandir in Allahabad is a famous Hindu temple which is located in Alopi Bagh in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh. This distinguished Temple is positioned very close to the sacred Sangam Ghats where three holy Rivers- Ganges, Saraswati and Yamuna meet. Kumbh Mela is observed every four years to pay homage to god and to get blessings in bulk. Inside the main sanctum- sanctorum, there is no idol placed; only a Palki or the Doli is fixed in the center of the Temple Dome.
History
This temple is peculiar in that there is no statute of any deity in this temple, rather, there is a wooden carriage or doli which is worshipped. The origin of the name, Alopi (disappeared) Bagh lies in the Hindu belief that after the death of his wife Sati, the grieving Lord Shiva traveled through skies with her dead body. Lord Vishnu, to relieve him from this agony, threw his Chakra at the corpse, resulting in the fall of various parts of the body at various places in India, which were sanctified by the touch of the Goddess' body parts and hence were thereby deemed holy places for pilgrimage. The last part fell at this location thereby named Alopi and the holiest of all.
As per some historical evidences, Great Maratha Warrior Shreenath Mahadji Shinde had developed the Sangam place during his stay at Allahabad in 1772 AD. Maharani Bayzabai Scindia has done some works for the renovation of Sangam ghats and temples at Allahabad.
Puja and Festivals
Festivals such as Maha Shivratri, Chaitra Navratri, Shardiya Navratri, Dussehra, Durga Puja, and Diwali are celebrated in a grand enthusiasm. Kumbh Mela is the star attraction here and it attracts a crowd in exorbitant numbers, both domestic and international as well. It is celebrated after a gap of every 12 years and on this auspicious period, people take bath in the holy water of Sangam.