Maa JivDani Temple : JivDani Mata

The most significant landmark in Virar is the Jivdani temple located on the mountain (“Jivdani Doanger”) visible from the railway station.

The goddess is worshipped for providing relief to the suffering and new life to the dying hence the name of the goddess – Jivdani.  Many people of Vasai especially – Mangayle, Koli and Bhandhari treat Javdani as their family goddess. The devotees return the “Navas” or blessing/favor by sacrificing goats and chickens. They also offer gold ornaments.

Devotees believe that to return to have “Navas” granted they must climb the mountain and worship the goddess but not return the same way as they climbed the mountain.

The ancient famous Maa Jivdani temple is located on the Jivdani hill in Virar, a suburb of Bombay. In 17th century there was a fort by the name of Jivdhan on this hill. Within the fortifications there are some ancient looking caves and water cisterns, most of which have now practically dried up. They are believed to be the work of Pandavas. The hill is famous for the invisible Jivdani Goddess who is believed to have fled from the niche in one of the caves. Since then a temple of Maa Jivdani has come into being. Lakhs of women devotees, especially barren women, from the surrounding cities go to the caves to make offerings and invoke the blessings of the Goddess. Offerings of beetle-nuts are dropped into a hole in the niche in which the deity is believed to reside.