Turturiya Dham - Mata Mandir
The Mata Mandir at Turturiya Dham is a separate, revered temple dedicated to the Divine Mother, often associated with Mata Sita or a local Goddess form, located on a nearby hillock. Reaching the temple requires an ascent of approximately 270 straight steps, which is considered an act of devotion and penance. The climb offers visitors an opportunity to pause and absorb the breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary forests and the entire Turturiya valley below. The physical journey to the top is an integral part of the pilgrimage experience, symbolizing the human journey toward spiritual enlightenment. The temple structure itself is relatively simple but holds deep religious importance for the local communities and visiting pilgrims. The spiritual ambiance at the summit, combined with the cooling breeze and quiet isolation, makes it a perfect place for deep prayer and receiving the Goddess's blessings. The Mata Mandir acts as a guardian shrine for the entire Dham complex, and visitors often consider their visit incomplete without seeking the Mother Goddess's blessings after visiting the Valmiki Ashram and the waterfall. Its location emphasizes the local integration of Goddess worship within the ancient Valmiki Ashram site.
General information
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Ideal Duration:
1. 5 to 2 hours, including the time for the dedicated climb up the 270 steps and descent.Place Type:
Religious, Pilgrimage, Scenic Viewpoint, Hillock SEntry Fees:
Mandir Access Fee: There is No Entry Fee to climb the 270 steps or to visit the Mata Mandir at the summit. The pilgrimage is freely accessible. The effort itself is considered the offering.
Footwear Keeping Charges: Because pilgrims remove...Mandir Access Fee: There is No Entry Fee to climb the 270 steps or to visit the Mata Mandir at the summit. The pilgrimage is freely accessible. The effort itself is considered the offering.
Footwear Keeping Charges: Because pilgrims remove their footwear before beginning the climb, there might be a very small, Nominal Fee (Rs.5 to Rs.10) charged by local vendors or attendants to safely keep your shoes at the base of the stairs, particularly on busy days.
Guide/Attendant Fees: While guides are not formal, local children or young men may offer to show the way or provide basic information for a small, expected tip (Rs.50 to Rs.100). This is a service charge and not a mandatory fee.
Prasad and Offerings Cost: The cost of materials for puja (worship), such as flowers, prasad, and coconuts, which are usually purchased from the vendors at the base of the hill, is the only mandatory expense for the devotional visit. Prices are generally low and negotiable.Timing:
Stairway Access Timings: The stairway is technically accessible 24 hours, but for safety reasons, it is best visited between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Climbing in the dark is strongly discouraged due to the steepness and uneven patches.
Ideal Climb ...Stairway Access Timings: The stairway is technically accessible 24 hours, but for safety reasons, it is best visited between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Climbing in the dark is strongly discouraged due to the steepness and uneven patches.
Ideal Climb Time: The Ideal Time to Climb is at sunrise (6:00 AM to 7:00 AM) when the temperature is cool and the light is soft, or late afternoon (4:00 PM to 5:00 PM) to catch the sunset from the top. Climbing during the mid-day sun (10:00 AM to 4:00 PM) is very difficult due to heat and sun exposure.
Mandir Darshan Timings: The small shrine at the top typically remains open throughout the day, but a priest may only be available during peak morning hours. Visitors can perform self-worship (darshan) at any time the stairs are safely accessible.
Monsoon Considerations: The stairs can become extremely slippery and dangerous during heavy monsoon rains (July and August). In this season, plan your visit for a time when the rain has stopped and the steps have had a chance to dry slightly.Special Events:
Navratri Festivals: Being a temple dedicated to the Mother Goddess (Mata), the nine-day festivals of Navratri (both Chaitra Navratri in March-April and Sharad Navratri in September-October) are celebrated with intense devotion. Pilgrims undertake the steep climb specificall...Navratri Festivals: Being a temple dedicated to the Mother Goddess (Mata), the nine-day festivals of Navratri (both Chaitra Navratri in March-April and Sharad Navratri in September-October) are celebrated with intense devotion. Pilgrims undertake the steep climb specifically during these days, fasting and performing special pujas to seek the Goddess's blessings. The atmosphere at the top is particularly powerful.
Annual Temple Anniversary Day: A specific date marks the temple's founding or a major renovation, celebrated as the annual anniversary. This day features special, extended aartis, colorful decorations, and often a community meal for the hundreds of devotees who undertake the arduous climb on this auspicious day.
Local Rituals and Offerings: The Mata Mandir is a hub for mundan ceremonies (first haircut for children) and offerings made by families who have had their vows fulfilled. These private but numerous events keep the temple active year-round and mark it as a spot for deeply personal, special family occasions.Best Photo Spots:
The 270 Steps Ascent/Descent: Photograph the long, straight line of steps leading up the hill. This shot is best taken from the bottom or a mid-point, looking up, to convey the scale of the pilgrimage and the anticipation of the climb. Include a person climbing for scale a...The 270 Steps Ascent/Descent: Photograph the long, straight line of steps leading up the hill. This shot is best taken from the bottom or a mid-point, looking up, to convey the scale of the pilgrimage and the anticipation of the climb. Include a person climbing for scale and dynamism.
The Temple Platform View: The absolute best photo spot is the platform outside the Mata Mandir. Frame the shot to capture the vast, unbroken canopy of the Barnawapara forest stretching out to the horizon, often with the main Ashram complex looking small in the distance. This shot conveys the isolation and elevation.
The Temple Façade: Photograph the simple façade of the Mata Mandir against the backdrop of the clear sky. Focus on the contrasting colors of the temple paint and the natural stone/trees, ensuring the temple's small shrine is clearly visible.
A Pilgrim's Moment of Rest: Capture a respectful, candid photo of a pilgrim resting on the steps or near the temple, looking out at the view. This human element, reflecting effort and peace, makes for a powerful, emotive photo.
The Hilltop Rocks: The natural rock formations on the hillock near the temple provide interesting textures and vantage points, offering a slightly rugged, natural framing for landscape shots of the valley below.Photo Gallery
Things To Do
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Undertake the Stairway Pilgrimage: The main and most fulfilling activity is the climb up the approximately 270 straight steps to the Mata Mandir. Treat the ascent as a spiritual challenge or tapasya (austerity). Take breaks, count your steps, and focus your mind on your intention.
Seek Blessings at the Summit Shrine: Upon reaching the top, perform darshan of the Mother Goddess. Offer prayers for protection and prosperity. The shrine is a powerful spot for personal vows (mannat) and thanksgiving, completing the devotional aspect of the visit.
Capture Panoramic Views: Utilize the elevated viewpoint for photography. Capture the vast expanse of the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary and the scenic valley where the Valmiki Ashram is nestled. This provides a stunning visual memory of the entire Turtu...
Information
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Why Famous:
Pilgrimage of Ascent: The temple is famous for the devotional challenge of its 270 steps climb, which pilgrims undertake as an act of faith and purification. This effort and the sense of accomplishment are a key part of the visit's fame.
Guardi...Pilgrimage of Ascent: The temple is famous for the devotional challenge of its 270 steps climb, which pilgrims undertake as an act of faith and purification. This effort and the sense of accomplishment are a key part of the visit's fame.
Guardian Goddess of the Dham: It is viewed as the shrine of the Mother Goddess who guards the sacred Valmiki Ashram and the birthplace of Lav and Kush. Its elevated position symbolizes a watchful, protective presence over the entire valley.
Panoramic Forest Views: The temple's hillock location offers some of the best vantage points in the area, providing breathtaking panoramic views of the entire Turturiya region and the forest cover of the adjacent Barnawapara Sanctuary. This scenic beauty is a major draw for non-pilgrim tourists.
A Serene Spot for Meditation: Due to its separation and elevation from the main Ashram, it is famous for providing a peaceful, quiet, and isolated environment, making it an ideal spot for serious meditation and spiritual retreats, away from the crowds of the main complex. -
Architecture:
Mandir Structure and Ascent: The Mata Mandir is a small, relatively modern temple structure located on an elevated natural platform or hillock. The most prominent architectural feature is the approach: the 270 steps (approximately) leading up to the shrine. These steps are...Mandir Structure and Ascent: The Mata Mandir is a small, relatively modern temple structure located on an elevated natural platform or hillock. The most prominent architectural feature is the approach: the 270 steps (approximately) leading up to the shrine. These steps are cut into the natural rock or are constructed of concrete/stone slabs, often with a railing for support. This path itself is a functional piece of architecture, designed for pilgrimage access. The temple at the summit is likely a simple, single-chambered shrine (Garbhagriha) to house the idol, built with local materials. The focus is less on ornate design and more on the spiritual climb and the naturally spectacular setting. The small temple dome or spire is often painted in bright colors. -
How To Reach:
By Air:
The route remains the same: fly to Raipur Airport (RPR, 100 KMS away). From the airport, hire a direct cab to the Turturiya Dham complex, where the Mata Mandir is located within the same compound on a hillock. This involves a 2. 5-3... -
Near Tourist Places:
2. Sirpur (Ancient Buddhist/Hindu Site) (24 KMS)
Tourism Tips
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Health & Safety (Climbing) The most critical tip is to climb the 270 steps at a slow, steady pace, especially if you have knee problems or respiratory issues. Do NOT climb during rain or immediately after a shower, as the steps become dangerously slippery. Carry at least 1 liter of water per perso...
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