Yogmaya Temple - Revision history

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	{{short description\|Hindu temple in Delhi, India}}		{{short description\|Hindu temple in Delhi, India}}
	{{about\|temple\|Hindu religious leader\|Yogmaya Neupane}}		{{about\|temple\|Hindu religious leader\|Yogmaya Neupane}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=March ~~2019~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=March 2022}}
	{{Use Indian English\|date=March 2019}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=March 2019}}
	{{Infobox Hindu temple		{{Infobox Hindu temple
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	\| creator =		\| creator =
	}}		}}
	'''Yogmaya Temple''', also '''Jogmaya temple''', is a [[Hindu temple]] [[Shakti Peetha]] dedicated to the goddess [[Yogmaya]], also considered to be a sister of [[Krishna]] as she took [[avatar]] as [[Vindhyavasini]], and situated in [[Mehrauli]], [[New Delhi, India]], close to the [[Qutb complex]]. According to local priests and native records, this is one of those 27 temples destroyed by [[~~Mahmud of Ghazni\|Mahmud Ghazni]] and later by [[~~Delhi ~~Sultanate~~\|Mamluks]] and it is the only surviving temple belonging to pre-sultanate period which is still in use. Hindu king [[Hemu\|Samrat Vikramaditya Hemu]] reconstructed the temple and brought back the temple from ruins. During [[Aurangzeb]]'s reign a rectangular Islamic Style hall was added to the temple. Though its original (300-200 BC) architecture could never be restored after its destruction by Islamic rulers, but its reconstruction had been carried out repetitively by the locals.		'''Yogmaya Temple''', also '''Jogmaya temple''', is a [[Hindu temple]] [[Shakti Peetha]] dedicated to the goddess [[Yogmaya]], also considered to be a sister of [[Krishna]] as she took [[avatar]] as [[Vindhyavasini]], and situated in [[Mehrauli]], [[New Delhi, India]], close to the [[Qutb complex]]. According to local priests and native records, this is one of those 27 temples destroyed by [[Mamluk dynasty (Delhi)\|Mamluks]] and it is the only surviving temple belonging to pre-sultanate period which is still in use. Hindu king [[Hemu\|Samrat Vikramaditya Hemu]] reconstructed the temple and brought back the temple from ruins. During [[Aurangzeb]]'s reign a rectangular Islamic Style hall was added to the temple. Though its original (300-200 BC) architecture could never be restored after its destruction by Islamic rulers, but its reconstruction had been carried out repetitively by the locals.

	Yogmaya or Jogmaya is considered, an aspect of [[Maya (illusion)\|Maya]], the illusionary power of God.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Qqei_Wo1qXwC&pg=PA67&dq=Jogmaya+Temple&as_brr=0 Jog Maya Temple] ''Pilgrimage Centers of India'', by Brajesh Kumar. Published by Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd., 2003. {{ISBN\|81-7182-185-5}}. ''Page 67 ''.</ref><ref>[http://mehraulionline.com/Discovery_of_Mehrauli.php Yogmaya Temple]{{dead link\|date=July 2016 \|bot=InternetArchiveBot \|fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The temple is also venue of a large congregation of devotees during the [[Navratri]] celebrations.		Yogmaya or Jogmaya is considered, an aspect of [[Maya (illusion)\|Maya]], the illusionary power of God.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Qqei_Wo1qXwC&pg=PA67&dq=Jogmaya+Temple&as_brr=0 Jog Maya Temple] ''Pilgrimage Centers of India'', by Brajesh Kumar. Published by Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd., 2003. {{ISBN\|81-7182-185-5}}. ''Page 67 ''.</ref><ref>[http://mehraulionline.com/Discovery_of_Mehrauli.php Yogmaya Temple]{{dead link\|date=July 2016 \|bot=InternetArchiveBot \|fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The temple is also venue of a large congregation of devotees during the [[Navratri]] celebrations.
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	==Structure==		==Structure==
	[[File:Yogmaya in Sanctum.JPG\|thumb\|left\|Main chamber ([[garbha griha]]) of the temple]]		[[File:Yogmaya in Sanctum.JPG\|thumb\|left\|Main chamber ([[garbha griha]]) of the temple]]
	The temple rebuilt in 1827 is a simple but contemporary structure with an entrance hall and a sanctum sanctorum that houses the main Idol of Yogmaya made of black stone placed in a marble well of {{convert\|2\|ft\|m\|abbr=on\|1}} width and {{convert\|1\|ft\|m\|abbr=on\|1}} depth. The sanctum is {{convert\|17\|ft\|m\|abbr=on\|1}} square with a flat roof over which a truncated [[shikara]] (tower) is built. Apart from this tower, a dome is the other feature seen in the temple (pictured). The idol is covered in sequins and cloth. Two small [[~~pankha~~]]s (fans) of the same materials are seen suspended over the Idol from the roof. The walled enclosure around the temple is {{convert\|400\|ft\|m\|abbr=on\|1}} square, with towers at the four corners. Twenty two towers were built within the precincts of the temple at the orders of the Sood Mal, the builder. The floor of the temple was originally made of red stone but since then has been replaced by marble. The main tower above the sanctum is {{convert\|42\|ft\|m\|abbr=on\|1}} high and has copper plated shikara or [[pinnacle]].<ref name= smith>{{Cite book\|author=R.V.Smith\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cN7-8ZwviRgC&q=yogmaya+temple&pg=PA15\|title=The Delhi that no-one knows\|access-date=2009~~-05-05~~\|pages =19–23\|publisher= Orient Blackswan\|year=2005\|isbn=978-81-8028-020-7}}</ref><ref name=phool>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.india9.com/i9show/-Delhi/New-Delhi/Phoolwalon-Ki-Sair-37493.htm\|title= Phoolwalon Ki Sair\|access-date=2009~~-05-05~~}}</ref><ref name=baksi>{{Cite book\|author=S.R.Bakshi\|title= Delhi Through Ages\|access-date=2009~~-05-07~~\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=roNH68bxCX4C&q=Yogamaya+Temple+in+Delhi&pg=PA95\|publisher= Anmol Publications PVT. LTD\|year=1995\|isbn=9788174881380}}</ref>		The temple rebuilt in 1827 is a simple but contemporary structure with an entrance hall and a sanctum sanctorum that houses the main Idol of Yogmaya made of black stone placed in a marble well of {{convert\|2\|ft\|m\|abbr=on\|1}} width and {{convert\|1\|ft\|m\|abbr=on\|1}} depth. The sanctum is {{convert\|17\|ft\|m\|abbr=on\|1}} square with a flat roof over which a truncated [[shikara]] (tower) is built. Apart from this tower, a dome is the other feature seen in the temple (pictured). The idol is covered in sequins and cloth. Two small [[punkah]]s (fans) of the same materials are seen suspended over the Idol from the roof. The walled enclosure around the temple is {{convert\|400\|ft\|m\|abbr=on\|1}} square, with towers at the four corners. Twenty two towers were built within the precincts of the temple at the orders of the Sood Mal, the builder. The floor of the temple was originally made of red stone but since then has been replaced by marble. The main tower above the sanctum is {{convert\|42\|ft\|m\|abbr=on\|1}} high and has copper plated shikara or [[pinnacle]].<ref name= smith>{{Cite book\|author=R.V.Smith\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cN7-8ZwviRgC&q=yogmaya+temple&pg=PA15\|title=The Delhi that no-one knows\|access-date=5 May 2009\|pages =19–23\|publisher= Orient Blackswan\|year=2005\|isbn=978-81-8028-020-7}}</ref><ref name=phool>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.india9.com/i9show/-Delhi/New-Delhi/Phoolwalon-Ki-Sair-37493.htm\|title= Phoolwalon Ki Sair\|access-date=5 May 2009}}</ref><ref name=baksi>{{Cite book\|author=S.R.Bakshi\|title= Delhi Through Ages\|access-date=7 May 2009\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=roNH68bxCX4C&q=Yogamaya+Temple+in+Delhi&pg=PA95\|publisher= Anmol Publications PVT. LTD\|year=1995\|isbn=9788174881380}}</ref>

	The flowers and sweet meats offered by the Devotees to the goddess are placed over a marble table of 18 inches square and 9 inches height set in front of the idol in the sanctum floor. Bells, otherwise a part of Hindu temples, are not tolled during the worship of the goddess. Wine and meat are forbidden to be offered at the temple and goddess Yoga Maya is stated to be austere and exacting. An interesting display at the temple premises in the past (but now in an open wall panel) was an iron cage of {{convert\|8\|ft\|m\|abbr=on\|1}} square and{{convert\|10\|ft\|m\|abbr=on\|1}} in height in which two stone tigers are exhibited. A passage, between the temple and the wall panel has flat roof which is covered with the planks overlaid by bricks and mortar and fixed with bells.<ref name=baksi/>		The flowers and sweet meats offered by the Devotees to the goddess are placed over a marble table of 18 inches square and 9 inches height set in front of the idol in the sanctum floor. Bells, otherwise a part of Hindu temples, are not tolled during the worship of the goddess. Wine and meat are forbidden to be offered at the temple and goddess Yoga Maya is stated to be austere and exacting. An interesting display at the temple premises in the past (but now in an open wall panel) was an iron cage of {{convert\|8\|ft\|m\|abbr=on\|1}} square and{{convert\|10\|ft\|m\|abbr=on\|1}} in height in which two stone tigers are exhibited. A passage, between the temple and the wall panel has flat roof which is covered with the planks overlaid by bricks and mortar and fixed with bells.<ref name=baksi/>
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	{{Main\|Vindhyavasini}}		{{Main\|Vindhyavasini}}
	[[File:Entry door to the sanctum with bells outside.JPG\|thumb\|Bells at the entry door]]		[[File:Entry door to the sanctum with bells outside.JPG\|thumb\|Bells at the entry door]]
	It is believed that the main idol in the temple was that of Yogamaya ( daughter of [[Yashoda]]), an incarnation of [[Durga]], born as the sister of [[Krishna]]. [[Kamsa\|Kansa]], cousin of [[Devaki]] (mother of Krishna) and uncle of Yogamaya and Kansa attempted to kill Yogamaya on Krishna [[Janmastami]] day when Krishna was born. But Yogamaya, who was cleverly substituted for Krishna, vanished after predicting Kansa's death at the hands of her brother Krishna.<ref name= smith/><ref name="phool"/><ref name=baksi/>		It is believed that the main idol in the temple was that of Yogamaya ( daughter of [[Yashoda]]), an incarnation of [[Durga]], born as the sister of [[Krishna]]. [[Kamsa\|Kansa]], cousin of [[Devaki]] (mother of Krishna) and uncle of Yogamaya and Kansa attempted to kill Yogamaya on Krishna [[Janmastami]] day when Krishna was born. But Yogamaya, who was cleverly substituted for Krishna, vanished after predicting Kansa's death at the hands of her brother Krishna. Later she reborn as Krishna's younger sister [[Subhadra]].<ref name= smith/><ref name="phool"/><ref name=baksi/>

	==Folk legends==		==Folk legends==
	Another folk legend is that of Mughal Emperor [[Akbar II]]'s (r. 1806-1837) association with the temple. His wife was distraught at the incarceration and exile of her son [[Mirza]] [[Jehangir]] who had fired from a [[Red Fort]] window at the then British Resident that had resulted in the killing of the bodyguard. Yogamaya had appeared in her dream and the Queen praying for her son's safe return had vowed to place ~~[[Punkah]]~~ made of flowers at the Yogmaya temple and in the nearby [[Muslim]] shrine of Qutbuddin Bhaktiar Khaki. This practice set since then is continued to this day in the name of [[Phool Walon Ki Sair]], a festival held for three days during October every year.<ref name= smith/><ref name=phool/>		Another folk legend is that of Mughal Emperor [[Akbar II]]'s (r. 1806-1837) association with the temple. His wife was distraught at the incarceration and exile of her son [[Mirza]] [[Jehangir]] who had fired from a [[Red Fort]] window at the then British Resident that had resulted in the killing of the bodyguard. Yogamaya had appeared in her dream and the Queen praying for her son's safe return had vowed to place punkah made of flowers at the Yogmaya temple and in the nearby [[Muslim]] shrine of Qutbuddin Bhaktiar Khaki. This practice set since then is continued to this day in the name of [[Phool Walon Ki Sair]], a festival held for three days during October every year.<ref name= smith/><ref name=phool/>

	Another important fact about this ancient temple is that for more than 5000 years {i.e. the times when the said temple was built}, the people who live around this ancient temple have been taking care of the yogamaya temple. It is said and believed that all these people who are now more than 200 in number had one common ancestor at point in time who, hundreds of years ago started the practice of taking care of the temple by offering prayers to the goddess which includes doing the shringar of the goddess yogamaya twice a day, cleaning the temple, making and distributing prasad to the devotees visiting the temple and other related things. These 200 odd people who now take care of the temple carrying forward the customs and traditions of their forefathers do it voluntarily and amicably.		Another important fact about this ancient temple is that for more than 5000 years {i.e. the times when the said temple was built}, the people who live around this ancient temple have been taking care of the yogamaya temple. It is said and believed that all these people who are now more than 200 in number had one common ancestor at point in time who, hundreds of years ago started the practice of taking care of the temple by offering prayers to the goddess which includes doing the shringar of the goddess yogamaya twice a day, cleaning the temple, making and distributing prasad to the devotees visiting the temple and other related things. These 200 odd people who now take care of the temple carrying forward the customs and traditions of their forefathers do it voluntarily and amicably.

	==Phoolwalon-ki-sair Festival==		==Phoolwalon-ki-sair Festival==
	[[File:Panka (fan) over the Idol of Yogmaya in the sanctum.JPG\|thumb\|One of two [[punkah]] suspended in the sanctum above the idol of Yogmaya: one inscribed [[Delhi]] and the other inscribed [[Haryana]], during [[Phool Walon Ki Sair]], a syncretic festival of [[Hindus]] and [[Muslims]] held in October every year in [[Mehrauli]]]]		[[File:Panka (fan) over the Idol of Yogmaya in the sanctum.JPG\|thumb\|One of two punkah suspended in the sanctum above the idol of Yogmaya: one inscribed [[Delhi]] and the other inscribed [[Haryana]], during [[Phool Walon Ki Sair]], a syncretic festival of [[Hindus]] and [[Muslims]] held in October every year in [[Mehrauli]]]]
	{{Main\|Phool Walon Ki Sair}}		{{Main\|Phool Walon Ki Sair}}
	The annual [[Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki#Phoolwalon-ki-sair festival\|Phoolwalon-ki-sair Festival]] (Festival of flower-sellers), which commences from the [[dargah]] of [[Sufi]] saint, [[Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki]] also in Mehrauli, every autumn (Oct-Nov). First started in 1812, the festival has today, become an important inter-faith festivals of Delhi, and includes offering a floral [[punkah]] to the deity at the Yogmaya temple.<ref name=ex/><ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/298470.cms 'Phoolwalon Ki Sair' begins in Delhi] [[The Times of India]], 2 November 2006.</ref><ref>{{cite news \| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Attack_took_place_close_to_emblem_of_Indian_secularism/rssarticleshow/3535097.cms \| title=Attack took place close to emblem of Indian secularism \| newspaper=[[The Times of India]] \| date=28 September 2008 \| first=Sameer \| last=Arshad \| access-date=3 March 2019 }}</ref>		The annual [[Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki#Phoolwalon-ki-sair festival\|Phoolwalon-ki-sair Festival]] (Festival of flower-sellers), which commences from the [[dargah]] of [[Sufi]] saint, [[Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki]] also in Mehrauli, every autumn (Oct-Nov). First started in 1812, the festival has today, become an important inter-faith festivals of Delhi, and includes offering a floral [[punkah]] to the deity at the Yogmaya temple.<ref name=ex/><ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/298470.cms 'Phoolwalon Ki Sair' begins in Delhi] [[The Times of India]], 2 November 2006.</ref><ref>{{cite news \| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Attack_took_place_close_to_emblem_of_Indian_secularism/rssarticleshow/3535097.cms \| title=Attack took place close to emblem of Indian secularism \| newspaper=[[The Times of India]] \| date=28 September 2008 \| first=Sameer \| last=Arshad \| access-date=3 March 2019 }}</ref>

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History

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{{short description|Hindu temple in Delhi, India}}
{{about|temple|Hindu religious leader|Yogmaya Neupane}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2019}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Yogmaya Temple
| image = Entry Door to the Yogmaya precincts.JPG
| alt =
| caption = Entry into the temple precincts
| map_type = India New Delhi
| map_caption = Location in Delhi
| coordinates = {{coord|28|31|30|N|77|10|57|E|type:landmark_region:IN_scale:100|display=inline,title}}
| native_name =
| country = [[India]]
| state =
| district =
| location = [[Mehrauli]], [[New Delhi]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = [[Yogmaya]]
| festivals =
| architecture = [[Hindu temple architecture]]
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity =
| inscriptions =
| year_completed =
| creator =
}}
'''Yogmaya Temple''', also '''Jogmaya temple''', is a [[Hindu temple]] [[Shakti Peetha]] dedicated to the goddess [[Yogmaya]], also considered to be a sister of [[Krishna]] as she took [[avatar]] as [[Vindhyavasini]], and situated in [[Mehrauli]], [[New Delhi, India]], close to the [[Qutb complex]]. According to local priests and native records, this is one of those 27 temples destroyed by [[Mahmud of Ghazni|Mahmud Ghazni]] and later by [[Delhi Sultanate|Mamluks]] and it is the only surviving temple belonging to pre-sultanate period which is still in use. Hindu king [[Hemu|Samrat Vikramaditya Hemu]] reconstructed the temple and brought back the temple from ruins. During [[Aurangzeb]]'s reign a rectangular Islamic Style hall was added to the temple. Though its original (300-200 BC) architecture could never be restored after its destruction by Islamic rulers, but its reconstruction had been carried out repetitively by the locals.

Yogmaya or Jogmaya is considered, an aspect of [[Maya (illusion)|Maya]], the illusionary power of God.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Qqei_Wo1qXwC&pg=PA67&dq=Jogmaya+Temple&as_brr=0 Jog Maya Temple] ''Pilgrimage Centers of India'', by Brajesh Kumar. Published by Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd., 2003. {{ISBN|81-7182-185-5}}. ''Page 67 ''.</ref><ref>[http://mehraulionline.com/Discovery_of_Mehrauli.php Yogmaya Temple]{{dead link|date=July 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The temple is also venue of a large congregation of devotees during the [[Navratri]] celebrations.

The present temple was restored in early 19th century and may be the descendant of a much older Devi shrine.<ref>''Ancient Delhi'', by Upinder Singh. Oxford University Press, 1999. {{ISBN|0-19-564919-2}}. ''Page 104''.</ref> Adjacent to the temple lies, a water body, ''[[johad]]'', known as [[Baolis of Mehrauli|Anangtal Baoli]], after King [[Anangpal Tomar]], and covered by trees from all sides<ref name="ex">[https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/dda-fails-hc-gives-private-body-a-chance/ DDA fails, HC gives private body a chance] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925002406/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/dda-fails-hc-gives-private-body-a-chance/457287/|date=25 September 2012}} [[Indian Express]], 11 May 2009.</ref> The temple is also an integral part of an important inter-faith festival of Delhi, the annual [[Phool Walon Ki Sair]].<ref name=cens>[https://books.google.com/books?id=T08Oe3MHJF0C&pg=RA1-PA323&dq=Jogmaya+Temple&as_brr=0 Jogmaya Temple at Mehrauli] ''Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North West Frontier Province'', by H.A. Rose, IBBETSON, Denzil Ibbetson Sir, Maclagan. Published by Asian Educational Services, 1996. {{ISBN|81-206-0505-5}}. ''Page 323''."Based on the Census Report for the Punjab, 1883, By The Late Sir Denzil Ibbetson and the Census Report for the Punjab, 1892, By Sir Edward Maclagan And Compiled By H.A. Rose."</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=8aIyc7_Q8JYC&pg=PA129&dq=Phool+Walon+Ki+Sair&as_brr=0 Phool Walon Ki Sair] ''India: A Splendour in Cultural Diversity'', by Paulias Matane. Published by Anmol Publications, 2004. {{ISBN|81-261-1837-7}}. ''Page 129''.</ref>

==History==
[[File:Main shrine of Hanuman, Connaught Place.JPG|thumb|Entrance gate from outside the Yogmaya temple]]
In 12th-century [[Jain]] scriptures, [[Mehrauli]] is also mentioned as ''Yoginipura'', after the temple. The temple is believed to be built by the [[Pandavas]], at the end of [[Mahabharata]] war.<ref name="Chopra1976">{{cite book|author=Prabha Chopra|title=Delhi Gazetteer|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=acoBAAAAMAAJ|year=1976|page=1078|publisher=The Unit}}</ref> Mehrauli is one of the seven ancient cities that make up the present state of Delhi. The temple has its association with [[Mughal Emperor]] [[Akbar II]] (1806–37) by Lala Sethmal.

The temple lies 260 yards from the [[Iron pillar of Delhi|Iron Pillar]] in the [[Qutb complex]],<ref name="Chopra1976"/> and within the [[Lal Kot]] walls, the first fortress citadel of Delhi, constructed by the Tomar/Tanwar King Anangpal I around AD 731 and expanded by King AnangPal II in the 11th century who also constructed [[Qila Rai Pithora|Lal Kot]].

==Structure==
[[File:Yogmaya in Sanctum.JPG|thumb|left|Main chamber ([[garbha griha]]) of the temple]]
The temple rebuilt in 1827 is a simple but contemporary structure with an entrance hall and a sanctum sanctorum that houses the main Idol of Yogmaya made of black stone placed in a marble well of {{convert|2|ft|m|abbr=on|1}} width and {{convert|1|ft|m|abbr=on|1}} depth. The sanctum is {{convert|17|ft|m|abbr=on|1}} square with a flat roof over which a truncated [[shikara]] (tower) is built. Apart from this tower, a dome is the other feature seen in the temple (pictured). The idol is covered in sequins and cloth. Two small [[pankha]]s (fans) of the same materials are seen suspended over the Idol from the roof. The walled enclosure around the temple is {{convert|400|ft|m|abbr=on|1}} square, with towers at the four corners. Twenty two towers were built within the precincts of the temple at the orders of the Sood Mal, the builder. The floor of the temple was originally made of red stone but since then has been replaced by marble. The main tower above the sanctum is {{convert|42|ft|m|abbr=on|1}} high and has copper plated shikara or [[pinnacle]].<ref name= smith>{{Cite book|author=R.V.Smith|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cN7-8ZwviRgC&q=yogmaya+temple&pg=PA15|title=The Delhi that no-one knows|access-date=2009-05-05|pages =19–23|publisher= Orient Blackswan|year=2005|isbn=978-81-8028-020-7}}</ref><ref name=phool>{{Cite web|url=http://www.india9.com/i9show/-Delhi/New-Delhi/Phoolwalon-Ki-Sair-37493.htm|title= Phoolwalon Ki Sair|access-date=2009-05-05}}</ref><ref name=baksi>{{Cite book|author=S.R.Bakshi|title= Delhi Through Ages|access-date=2009-05-07|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=roNH68bxCX4C&q=Yogamaya+Temple+in+Delhi&pg=PA95|publisher= Anmol Publications PVT. LTD|year=1995|isbn=9788174881380}}</ref>

The flowers and sweet meats offered by the Devotees to the goddess are placed over a marble table of 18 inches square and 9 inches height set in front of the idol in the sanctum floor. Bells, otherwise a part of Hindu temples, are not tolled during the worship of the goddess. Wine and meat are forbidden to be offered at the temple and goddess Yoga Maya is stated to be austere and exacting. An interesting display at the temple premises in the past (but now in an open wall panel) was an iron cage of {{convert|8|ft|m|abbr=on|1}} square and{{convert|10|ft|m|abbr=on|1}} in height in which two stone tigers are exhibited. A passage, between the temple and the wall panel has flat roof which is covered with the planks overlaid by bricks and mortar and fixed with bells.<ref name=baksi/>

==Goddess==
{{Main|Vindhyavasini}}
[[File:Entry door to the sanctum with bells outside.JPG|thumb|Bells at the entry door]]
It is believed that the main idol in the temple was that of Yogamaya ( daughter of [[Yashoda]]), an incarnation of [[Durga]], born as the sister of [[Krishna]]. [[Kamsa|Kansa]], cousin of [[Devaki]] (mother of Krishna) and uncle of Yogamaya and Kansa attempted to kill Yogamaya on Krishna [[Janmastami]] day when Krishna was born. But Yogamaya, who was cleverly substituted for Krishna, vanished after predicting Kansa's death at the hands of her brother Krishna.<ref name= smith/><ref name="phool"/><ref name=baksi/>

==Folk legends==
Another folk legend is that of Mughal Emperor [[Akbar II]]'s (r. 1806-1837) association with the temple. His wife was distraught at the incarceration and exile of her son [[Mirza]] [[Jehangir]] who had fired from a [[Red Fort]] window at the then British Resident that had resulted in the killing of the bodyguard. Yogamaya had appeared in her dream and the Queen praying for her son's safe return had vowed to place [[Punkah]] made of flowers at the Yogmaya temple and in the nearby [[Muslim]] shrine of Qutbuddin Bhaktiar Khaki. This practice set since then is continued to this day in the name of [[Phool Walon Ki Sair]], a festival held for three days during October every year.<ref name= smith/><ref name=phool/>

Another important fact about this ancient temple is that for more than 5000 years {i.e. the times when the said temple was built}, the people who live around this ancient temple have been taking care of the yogamaya temple. It is said and believed that all these people who are now more than 200 in number had one common ancestor at point in time who, hundreds of years ago started the practice of taking care of the temple by offering prayers to the goddess which includes doing the shringar of the goddess yogamaya twice a day, cleaning the temple, making and distributing prasad to the devotees visiting the temple and other related things. These 200 odd people who now take care of the temple carrying forward the customs and traditions of their forefathers do it voluntarily and amicably.

==Phoolwalon-ki-sair Festival==
[[File:Panka (fan) over the Idol of Yogmaya in the sanctum.JPG|thumb|One of two [[punkah]] suspended in the sanctum above the idol of Yogmaya: one inscribed [[Delhi]] and the other inscribed [[Haryana]], during [[Phool Walon Ki Sair]], a syncretic festival of [[Hindus]] and [[Muslims]] held in October every year in [[Mehrauli]]]]
{{Main|Phool Walon Ki Sair}}
The annual [[Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki#Phoolwalon-ki-sair festival|Phoolwalon-ki-sair Festival]] (Festival of flower-sellers), which commences from the [[dargah]] of [[Sufi]] saint, [[Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki]] also in Mehrauli, every autumn (Oct-Nov). First started in 1812, the festival has today, become an important inter-faith festivals of Delhi, and includes offering a floral [[punkah]] to the deity at the Yogmaya temple.<ref name=ex/><ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/298470.cms 'Phoolwalon Ki Sair' begins in Delhi] [[The Times of India]], 2 November 2006.</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Attack_took_place_close_to_emblem_of_Indian_secularism/rssarticleshow/3535097.cms | title=Attack took place close to emblem of Indian secularism | newspaper=[[The Times of India]] | date=28 September 2008 | first=Sameer | last=Arshad | access-date=3 March 2019 }}</ref>

==Other Yogmaya temples==
[[File:Yogmaya temple sanctum view.JPG|thumb|View of the [[garbhagriha]]]]
* Jogmaya Temple, [[Barmer, Rajasthan|Barmer]] [[Rajasthan]]
* Jogmaya Temple, [[Multan]] (now in Pakistan)<ref name=cens/>
* Jogmaya Temple, [[Jodhpur]], [[Rajasthan]]
* Yogmaya Temple, [[Vrindavan]]
* Yogmaya Temple, Naya Bans [[Khari Baoli]], [[Old Delhi]]
* Yogmaya Temple, [[Dehradun, Uttarakhand]]
* [[Tripura Sundari Temple|Jogmaya Tripura Sundari Temple]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://delhi2000.8m.com/Chjogma.html Historical places - Jogmaya temple]

{{Delhi|state=collapsed}}
{{Hindu temples in Delhi}}

[[Category:Shakti temples]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Delhi]]
[[Category:Mehrauli]]