March heralds Chaitra Navratri, a nine-day spectacle of Goddess worship uniting India in ecstatic bhakti. Amidst this, few know of Masan MeldI Mata, the tantric deity shrouded in Ujjain’s impenetrable jungle near Bhairavgadh, venerated as Gujarat’s shield against malevolence.
The journey demands courage: a narrow path flanked by bamboo labyrinths, where ritual-marked trees loom with nails driven deep, lemons pierced, and rag dolls suspended like talismans. Nightfall belongs to Aghoris, their tantric tapasya echoing through the darkness.
The shrine, unassuming in its tin enclosure, cradles holy footprints and a petite metal murti. Bhakts anoint them with perfume and oil, attributing miraculous boons to her glance. A firm custom forbids entry post-dusk, preserving the site’s arcane sanctity.
Legends recount her origin: Durga, as Parvati, birthed Masan MeldI from clenched fists to vanquish Amaruv, the demon cowering in a cow carcass. Her victory purged evil, cementing her role as a destroyer of darkness.
Gujarat’s countryside reveres her enduring legacy, blending folk traditions with potent occultism. Masan MeldI’s realm invites the bold to explore faith’s hidden dimensions, where ancient powers pulse beneath the forest canopy.