Maa Thawewali Temple, Gopalganj Bihar : Introduction, How To Reach, History, Rahashu-Temple, Temple Timings, Important days & Fairs
Introduction & How To Reach
The Goddess Maa "Shakti" is the "Supreme power" which saturates the entire of the universe, and from which the Universe has emanated. There is nothing in the world, which is not "Shakti" in its essence. Shakti is the Great Mother of the Universe. Maa fights and vanquishes the evil forces to protect her Bhaktas (Devotees). She is always on the lookout for ways and means of helping her Devotee. Maa is very "Karunamayi", "Kripalu" and "Dayalu" (Kindhearted).
There are several names and forms of Maa Shakti. Bhaktas (devotees) worship her by many names in many forms, Maa Thawewali is one of them. There are 52 "SHAKTIPITHAs" in all over India, this place is also as like as "SHAKTIPITHA".
The Temple of "Maa Thawewali" is situated in “Thawe”, in Gopalganj District in the State of Bihar, INDIA. This is only 6 K.M. from Gopalganj town on the Gopalganj-Siwan National Highway.
Distance from the nearest towns & cities are given below:
From (City/Town)
Distance (in K.M.)
- Gopalganj :6 K.M.
- Siwan :28 K.M.
- Chapra: 94 K.M.
- Patna: 174 K.M.
- Gorakhpur: 120 K.M.
- Varansi: 230 K.M.
- Lucknow:385 K.M.
- New Delhi: 929 K.M.
By Road
There is a good road network in the state that connects different places within state along with other parts of the country. Many National Highways pass through the state. Regular Bus and Taxi services are available from major cities of Bihar and East Uttar Pradesh (Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Varanasi etc.) through out the day.
By Air
Patna the Capital City of Bihar, is well connected to different cities of the country through regular flights. From Patna very good Rail and Road transport facility is available to reach the Maa’s Temple.
Temple Timings & Important Day to Visit
The time of Morning Aarti - between 5:00 to 7:00 am and in Evening 7:00 pm (depends on season). Devotees worship maa with "Laddo", "Peda", "Narial" & "Chunari".
Two days in week Monday and Friday are very important for worshiping to make pleased Maa. On these days Devotees gathered and worship Maa in large number in comparison to other days. The special Mela is organized during two times in year, in the month of "Chaitrya" (March) and "Ashvin" (October) on the great occasion of "Navratra".
History
This holy story pertains to about 14th century AD. King 'Manan Singh' from 'Chero' dynasty was ruler of 'Hathuwa'. Although Manan Singh was a devotee of Maa Durga but he was having a proud nature. He claimed to be the greatest devotee of Maa Durga and did not like other saints and religious persons. People were not happy with the King due to his unkind nature and behavior.
The fort in which the king resided was located at present 'Thawe'. One 'Rahashu' lived in the same village who was a true devotee of 'Maa Kamakhya'. People used to call him 'Rahashu Bhagat' to convey their respect to him.
Once there was a great famine in the state of Hathuwa. People started to die due to hunger. There was very bad condition everywhere, but the king continued to levy tax even in that miserable condition. Poor people became sadder due to the cruel attitude of the king. They did pray to 'Maa Kamakhya' for relief. To relieve her devotees from their grief and pain, Maa Kamakhya appeared in midnight while sitting on seven lions and told to Rahashu Bhagat to cut 'Katara' (grass) and to worship her in midnight. Rahashu Bhagat used to cut 'Katara' (grass) whole day and yielded it in midenight by seven lions of Maa Kamakhya. Thus he got 'Manasara' (a type of holy Rice). Every morning Rahashu Bhagat distributed the Manasara among poor people. Rahashu Bhagat became very famous because he had relieved the poor people from their hunger.
When the king came to know about all these developments, he became very angry and called Rahashu Bhagat and insulted him. The king ordered Rahashu Bhagat to call Maa Kamakhya to prove his true devotion.
Rahashu Bhagat requested the king not to do so and suggested the King to pray the Maa with an honest heart but the king insisted to call Maa and threatened Rahashu Bhagat to kill in case of disobedience. At last, helpless Rahashu Bhagat started to pray Maa Kamakhya to call her. On the call from her true devotee, Maa Kamakhya started her journey sitting on seven lions from Kamrupa (Assam) where she is known as 'Kamakhya Devi' to Thawe.
Rahashu Bhagat again requested the King to drop his insistence but the king did not agree and forced Rahashu Bhagat to call Maa. Meanwhile Maa appeared in Vindhyachal for sometime and was called Maa 'Vindhyavasni Devi'. In her way to Thawe Maa reached Kalighat in Calcutta and was called Maa 'Kalka Devi'. Rahashu Bhagat again requested king to quit his wish and warned him for mass destruction but the king was not agreed.
In her way to Thawe Maa stayed at Patna for a while and was called 'PatanDevi'. Then Maa appeared in 'Aami' and 'Ghodaghat' was called 'AmbikaBhawanii' and 'Ghod Devi' respectively.
When Maa reached 'Thawe' the weather and appearance of the place began to change. Due to hundreds of thunders King's palace fell and destroyed. Everyone was feared. The devotees of Maa started to pray her to save them as they had known that Maa had reached Thawe.
After sometime, Maa appeared through broken head of Rahashu Bhagat and showed her right hand wearing a 'Kanagan' (Bracelet). The four handed Maa appeared sitting on the seven lions and blessed her devotees. On the pray from her true devotees, Maa made the things normal and disappeared.
Rahashu Bhagat got 'Moksha' (heaven). The king, his palace and all his empire came to end. The remnants of the palace may be seen even today around the temple of Maa at Thawe.
The devotee of Maa built a temple where Maa appeared. They also built a 'Rahashu-Temple' where Rahashu Bhagat used to pray Maa. It is said that after 'Darshan' (visit) of Maa Thawewali, Darshan of Rahashu-Temple is mandatory to please Maa.
Maa is also called 'Singhasini Bhawani'. Maa Thawewali is very kind and generous to her devotees and fulfills all their wishes.
