Saptashringi Devi Temple (Vani)

Saptashringi Devi Temple is located at Vani in Nashik District of Maharashtra. It is also known as Vani temple. The temple is about 55 km from Nashik.
There are seven mountains and hence the name " Saptashringi'. This beautiful temple is dedicated to Goddess Saptashringi, one of the forms of Shakti. The goddess is depicted with 18 hands. The Devi is said to be swayambhu (self-manifested) on a rock on the sheer face of a mountain
It is said that once a cowherd was tendering to his herd near the mountain. He came across a huge beehive. He tried to remove the beehive with his stick. When he pulled the stick out of beehive, it was red in color. It had sindoor on it. He started digging and came across Goddess idol

Travel (Nashik to Saptashringi )
The drive by car from Nashik to Saptashringi is very scenic. It takes about 2 hrs from Nashik. One has to take Dindori Road from Nashik. The ghat travel starts from a village called Nanduri and is about 11 kms. The road is very good and the scenery great. Vehicles are allowed only upto a certain point. There is lot of parking place. Many shops also offer parking place provided one takes prasad from them. It is better to carry your own food and water. There are many great spots on the way back to stop by and have a picinic

Darshan
The offerings has to be purchased before starting to ascend the steps. There is a huge entrance where camphor has to be burnt. Atleast 9 camphor needs to be burnt. There is temple depicting a head of a buffalo near the entrance. It probably depicts the killing of the demon Mahisasur. The climb to the temple is steep and takes about 30 mins. Chant ‘Jai Mata Di’ while climbing. The view from the temple is absolutely breathtaking.
The idol is huge (around 8 feet) hence it is easily visible from the queue. One could offer coconuts, flowers, saree and sweets to the Goddess. After darshan, one could sit near the havan and mediate/concentrate on the Idol. Try to chant ‘Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayyai Viche Namah’ 108 times
There are pundits also who would perform pujas for devotees. Beware of Monkeys. They will snatch away prasad, water, flowers etc
The path for ascending and decending the temple are different. The entire path has a concrete canopy. If one is interested in buying books on Mata Saptashringi then only one shop near the temple entrance sells it.

Meaning of Mata Mantra
Om - The Infinite beyond conception
Aim - Creation, Rajo Guna, Energy of Desire, Mahasaraswati
Hrim - Preservation, Sattva Guna,Energy of Action, Mahalakshmi
Klim-Destruction,Tamo Guna,Energy of Wisdom, Mahakali
Chamunda -The Slayer of Passion and anger, Moves in the head
Yai-The Grantor of Boons
Vic- In the body of knowledge; in the perception
Ce - of consciousness

JAI MATA DI