Ratanpur Mahamaya Mandir Must Visit In Chhattisgarh

The temple dedicated to Goddess Durga Mahalakshmi, situated in Ratanpur, this sacred site is not only a spiritual haven but also a significant marker in the annals of Indian history. The Ratanpur is in the golden pages of history, reflecting its rich cultural heritage.

Ratanpur tourist places are characterized by numerous temples and ponds, earning it the title of the city of Maa Mahamaya. The goddess is also revered as Koshaleshwari, the presiding deity of the ancient South Koshal region, which corresponds to the present-day state of Chhattisgarh. 

Located approximately 25 kilometers from the judicial capital of Bilaspur, Ratanpur is steeped in ancient and glorious history, particularly as the sacred city of Adishakti Maa Mahamaya Devi. Historically, Ratanpur served as the capital for a branch of the Kalchuri dynasty from Tripuri, which ruled over Chhattisgarh for an extended period.

King Ratnadev I, recognizing the significance of the village of Manipura, renamed it Ratanpur and established it as his capital. King Ratnadev I commissioned the construction of the Adishakti Maa Mahamaya Devi temple in the 11th century.

According to local lore, in 1045, King Ratnadev spent the night resting under a banyan tree in Manipura. In the middle of the night, he awoke to a divine light emanating from beneath the tree. To his astonishment, he witnessed a celestial assembly of Adishakti Shri Mahamaya Devi.

Overwhelmed by this divine vision, he lost consciousness. Upon awakening in the morning, he returned to his previous capital, Tummaan Khol, and resolved to make Ratanpur his new capital. By 1050, the magnificent temple of Shri Mahamaya Devi was constructed, solidifying Ratanpur's status as a significant religious and historical site.

The temple, built in the 12th to 13th centuries, is dedicated to Goddess Mahamaya. It is located where King Ratnadev had a vision of Goddess Kali. Originally, the temple was dedicated to three deities: Mahakali, Mahalaxmi, and Mahasaraswati. 

However, over time, Mahakali abandoned the old temple, leading to the construction of a new temple by King Bahar Sai, which was dedicated to Goddess Mahalaxmi and Goddess Mahasaraswati. The construction of the temple took place in the Vikram Samvat in 1552. 

Ratanpur temple has undergone restoration by the Department of Architecture, ensuring its preservation. The architectural style of the temple is also unparalleled, featuring a sanctum and a mandapa enclosed by an attractive courtyard, which was built at the end of the 18th century during the Maratha period.

In summary, the temple of Goddess Durga Mahalakshmi in Ratanpur Mahamaya Mandir is not merely a place of worship but a testament to the region's rich history, cultural significance, and the enduring legacy of its ancient rulers.