Mirzapur

The ancient significance of Mirzapur city is evident from the Vedic scriptures, where it is mentioned as a sacred place. It is believed that the city was founded by Raja Nanner, who named it after Goddess Parvati as Girijapur. As per folklore, Goddess Parvati (Girija) sacrificed herself in a yajna at this place.

The district of Mirzapur has a rocky terrain which consists of hills, plateaus and cliffs. Mirzapur is watered by River Ganges and River Belan and their tributaries. It is surrounded by low lying hills like Rajdari, Devdari, Lakhaniyadari, Windom fall range, Sirshi, etc. which are the extensions of the Vindhya Range. It is bounded by Varanasi District on its north and north-east, Sonbhadra district on its south and Allahabad District on its south-west.

Mirzapuri is the local language of Mirzapur. Festivals like Jeevitputrika, Dusshera, Deep Mahotsava, Lalahi chattha, Shardiya and Vasantik navratra and fairs like ojhala ka mela, lohandi ka mela, Vindhya Mahotsava, horaha gaderi ka mela, litti bati ka mela and maa bhandari ka mela are celebrated with great enthusiasm.

Vindhyavasini Devi Temple is situated in Vindhyachal, 8 km from Mirzapur, on the banks of the holy river Ganges. It is one of the most revered Shaktipeeths of the presiding deity, Vindhyavasini Devi. The temple is visited by large number of people daily. Big congregations are held during Navratras in Chaitra (April) and Ashwin (October) months. Kajali competitions are held in the month of Jyestha (June). The temple is situated just 2 km from the Kali Khoh, an ancient cave temple dedicated to Goddess Kali.

70 km. (one and a half hour drive) from Varanasi, Vindhyachal is a renowned religious city dedicated to Goddess Vindhyavasini. Mythologically goddess Vindhyavasini is believed to be the instant bestower of bendiction. There are several temples of other deities in the vicinity, the most famous ones being Ashtabhuja Devi Temple and kalikhoh Temple, which constitute the Trikona Parikrama (circumambulation). The Vindhyavasini Devi Temple, the Ashtabhuja temple, dedicated to Goddess Mahasaraswati (on a hollock, 3 km from Vindhyavasini temple) and the Kali khoh temple, dedicated to Goddess Kali (2 km from Vindhyavasini temple) form the Trikon Parikrama.