Mangayle, Koli and Bhandhari treat Jivdani as their family goddess
posted in Jivdani Mata, Virar, jivdani |The goddess Jivdani Mata is an avatar of Adi Shakti Devi. Jivdani Mata’s temple is situated on a hill that has around 1375 steps.The 150-year-old Jivdani Temple at Virar, which attracts thousands of devotees on Sundays and during festivals, is getting a facelift. And the man entrusted with the job is the Mumbai-based traditional temple architect, Hariprasad H. Sompura.This hill also offers a very picturesque view of Virar and its vicinity. During the nine days of the Navratri festival many followers visit the shrine, and devotees also tend to visit on Tuesdays and Sundays.
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 Jivdani 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. So all are blessed by maa as they return from mountain.