Maa Mrinmoyee Mandir: A Thousand Years of Faith

Your trip to Bishnupur isn’t complete without a visit to the famous Maa Mrinmoyee Mandir. In the heart of Bishnupur stands Mrinmoyee Mandir, a temple that has seen over a thousand years of faith and devotion.  Maa Mrinmoyee is a form of Goddess Durga.It was built by King Jagat Malla, the 19th ruler of the Malla dynasty. According to local history, Maa Mrinmoyee appeared in King Jagat Malla’s dream and ordered him to build the temple. He then built it using clay from the Ganga River. The idol of Goddess Durga is placed at the center, with smaller idols of Saraswati, Lakshmi, Kartik, and Ganesh around her — a tradition followed for over a thousand years.

Maa Mrinmoyee

The first Durga Puja was celebrated in 997 CE, and the tradition has continued ever since. At Mrinmoyee Mandir, the rituals begin nearly 15 days earlier than Durga Puja celebrations in the rest of the country, starting well before Shashthi (the sixth day of Navratri). About a week before Navratri, on Krishna-Navami, Boro Thakurani enters the temple. She represents Mahakali, a powerful form of Goddess Durga. Her painted image (patachitra) is brought in under an umbrella, and a clay pot (ghat) is set up to start the rituals. Mejo Thakurani comes on Chaturthi, the fourth day of Navratri. She stands for Mahalaxmi, the goddess of wealth. Chhoto Thakurani arrives on Shasthi, the sixth day, and represents Mahasaraswati, the goddess of wisdom.

Maa Mrinmoyee Mandir at Night

Sandhi Puja on Durga Ashtami, the royal family's goddess, Devi Bishalakshmi, is brought to the main temple and placed on a silver plate. After that, a cannon is fired nine times — a tradition started by King Dhari Malla in the 16th century. On Navami night, people worship Mahamayi Devi, also called 'Khachchar Bahhini' because she rides a mule. She is a fierce form of Goddess Durga. Even though there are festivals, everything becomes quiet. No outsiders can enter the temple. Only the priests and the royal family take part. They worship by turning the painting (patachitra) backward, and the ritual must end before morning. On Vijaya Dashami, a painted image of Durga is taken for immersion. The main idol of Durga is never moved from her place in the temple and still stands there today.

The oldest Durga Puja in Bengal, this 1027 years old tradition continues to be celebrated with the same love and devotion.

Maa Mrinmoyee Mandir Premise