Photo copyright © Satyabrata Maiti
Alopi Sankari Devi Shakti Peeth Temple is located near Alopi Bagh of PRYAGRAJ (Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh. It is near to the holy Sangam, or confluence, where the rivers, the Ganges, Yamuna and the legendary Saraswati meet. Kumbha mela is organized near to this place. It is one of the Shaktipeethas of India and among the must visit temples in Prayagraj.
About Alopi Sankari Devi Shaktipeeth
Alopi Devi Mandir is unique in that there is no statue of any deity in this temple; instead, a wooden carriage or ‘doli’ is worshiped. The name Alopi (disappeared) Bagh derives from the Hindu belief that after the death of his wife Sati, Shiva travelled through the skies with her dead body. To relieve him of his agony, Vishnu threw his Sudharshan Chakra at the corpse, causing various parts of the body to fall at various places in India, which were sanctified by the touch of the Goddess’ body parts and thus became holy places for pilgrimage. The final section fell at this location, which became known as “Alopi” (where disappearance was concluded) and the holiest of all. However, this claim is debatable because Pryagraj has only one Shakti peeth, the Lalita Devi temple, where Sati’s fingers are said to have fallen.
Another more credible version can be found in oral history traditions told by long-term residents of the area. It dates back to when the entire region was covered in dense forests infested with the dreaded dacoits. A wedding procession happened to be passing through the forest at the time. Marriage processions were the most vulnerable targets of robbers in medieval times because they returned loaded with gold and other treasures received as gifts. The wedding party was surrounded by robbers while deep in the jungle. After killing all the men and looting the wealth, the robbers moved on to the ‘doli,’ or bride’s carriage. When they unveiled the carriage, they discovered that no one was inside. The bride had vanished into thin air. The word spread, and history became legend, which then became myth. A temple was built on the site of the incident, and locals began to worship the bride as “Alopi Devi,” or the “virgin goddess who had vanished.”
Alopi Devi continues to be worshiped by thousands of people living in the region who share every festival, marriage, birth and death with their guarding deity.
Though it was always a prominent temple in the neighbourhood, its reach and following has seen a significant rise since the 1990s leading to large-scale restoration of the surrounding area.
The timings for visiting of Alopi Sankari Devi Shakti Peeth temple is 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Alopi Devi is the Maha Shaktipeethas and its important worship days are Tuesdays and Fridays as a number of devotees visit the temple.
I was fortunate to visit the temple on 24-Jan-2025 when I was in Maha Kumbha Mela. I was staying in a hotel near Bagambi Road, Allahpur, Pryagraj 211003. I was told by the locals that this temple is a Shakti Peeth and must be visited when you are in Pryagraj. I was also advised to walk to temple which was about 2 km from my hotel. I left the hotel after talking bath in the morning at 7:00 am and reached the temple by 7:20 am. I went straight inside where a Pujari-ji was blessing the devotees. When my turn came he joked with me about my camera and interest in photography. I was surprised when he put a garland made of tulsi (Ocimum basilicum ) on my neck and also gave me a coconut to share with the family members. I bowed down in reciprocation and went inside to see another idol. A surprise was also stored there for me. The pujari started talking to me in Tamil thinking that I am from Tamil Nadu. I wished him “Unakum” then told that my Tamil is that much. He switched to Hindi and asked many questions about my family, son etc. He also gave me Prasad.
I came out of the temple and took some photographs in the temple complex and returned to the hotel with a pleasant feeling.
Jai Hind!
Satyabrata Maiti
References:
- Wikipedia
- Online resources
- https:// https://satyabratamaitiblog.co.in/wp-admin/post.php?post=1480&action=edit
I lived 18 years in Alopibag at a stone throw distance at Dipti Saheb’s kothi from 1946 to 1964 and never missed Magh mela till this Mahakumbh in 2025. Prayag Shankaracharya’s huge ashram and Bhairav (Tilabhandeswar) is just on the other side of the road. Sarva Shakti Samanvita Divine Mother’s mercy is infinite. Some wonderful episodes we experienced.
Alopi Devi temple and the mythological story behind it is very interesting. This is first time I came to know about this temple through your vivid description. Your photo with garland, coconut and the holy cloth is really very nice.