Katyani Peeth
Katyayani Peeth Vrindavan otherwise known as uma shakti peeth is one among the 51 Shakti Peethas. It is said that, the Ringlets of Hair of Maa Sati fell here, when lord Vishnu in order to relieve lord Shiva from grief of losing his wife Sati, used his ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ to incise Maa Sati Body. Here the idol of Maa Sati is called as ‘Uma’ and lord Shiva is worshiped as ‘Bhotesh’.
The most significant thing about this temple is that here five separate deities of the five sects, or sampradayas are worshipped. Each idol is worshipped by the sampradaya’s different worship methodology. Also, the Ashtadhatu idol of Goddess Katyayani, was installed after the performance of Sanatan Dharm rites by religious scholars or pandits from Varanasi, Bengal, etc. Along with the goddess Katyayani ,(Shakt sampradaya) other idols installed are, Lord Shiva (Shaiv sampradaya), Lord Laxmi Naarayan (Vaishnav sampradaya), Lord Ganesh (Ganpataya sampradaya), Lord Surya (Surya Sampradaya). Along with these five main deities, Jagatdhatri Devi is also worshipped here.
The Katyayani Peeth temple has undergone a lot of renovations over the decade, but the main part of the temple is still intact. From outside the whole temple is made of white marble and huge pillars support the temple. Pillars are made with black stone and presents a picturesque view. Just adjacent to the steps that lead to the main courtyard, two golden colored lions are standing and they represent the vehicle or vahana of Maa Durga. Devi has got a sword in the temple which is popularly known as Uchawal chandrahaas.
The main Katyayani temple was constructed in 1923. The temple was constructed by Yogiraj Swami Keshvanand Bramachari. Swami Keshavanandji spent about 40 years traversing the snow clad peaks and dales of the Himalayas meeting the existing masters under directions of his Guru Shri Lahiri Mahasay. There he had the vision and direction of the Almighty Mother to proceed to Vrindavan and perform the most important mission of his life by locating the Peethsthan mentioned in the Purans.
It is believed that the Ringlets of Hair of Maa Sati fell at this place. Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who was a famous saint in Mathura was responsible for reviving the lost quintessence of the Katyayani Peeth temple.