Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

Many years ago Koradi was known as Jakhapur and was ruled by King Jhulan. He had seven sons named – Janoba, Nanoba, Banoba, Bairoba, Khairoba, Agnoba and Dattasur. The king was sad because he had no daughter, and he dearly wanted one. He performed many pujas, Havans and Yagnas to please the Gods, so that they would bless him with a daughter. The Gods were pleased and King Jhulan was blessed with a beautiful daughter. When the king saw his daughter for the first time he felt Mata Adi Shakti Herself had appeared as his daughter. The baby girl had the most alluring features the king had ever seen. She was named Jakhumai. The king was immensely happy and the whole kingdom celebrated the arrival of Jakhumai. As she grew up, the king had various experiences to indicate that Jakhumai was no ordinary princess. From an early age she displayed profound wisdom in matters of the state and often came up with solutions, when the king had none. This reinforced the king’s feeling that Jakhumai was born with divine qualities.

Once she accompanied the king in a war with a neighbouring kingdom. King Jhulan won and Jakhumai displayed her greatness when she dealt with the losing army in a just and honourable manner. One day Princess Jakhumai was roaming in the forest with her entourage. It so happened that the prince of a neighbouring kingdom was also there. He had come to hunt with his friends and attendants. He saw Princess Jakhumai and was attracted to her. He went home and the next day a proposal of marriage was received by King Jhulan. The proposal was turned down as King Jhulan did not consider the prince worthy of his daughter. The Prince felt insulted and was enraged. A war between the two kingdoms was the outcome. Princess Jakhumai herself led her army mounted on an elephant with a Trishul in her hand. After fierce fighting and loss of many lives, Princess Jakhumai was victorious. The vanquished king and prince begged for mercy. She spared their lives after they promised never to do any injustice to anyone. Princess Jakhumai set out to return to her palace when the sun was about to set. Jakhumai’s mission on earth was now complete. She stopped to rest at a place called Jakhapur and no one saw Her again. In the place where She had rested, was an idol of Mahalakshmi Jagdamba. A temple was built over the idol and the place is now known as Koradi.