Destination Guide
Nestled in the scenic Aravalli range, the Jeen Mata Temple in Sikar district, Rajasthan, is one of the most revered and ancient Shakti shrines in North India. Dedicated to Goddess Jeen Mata — believed to be a sister of the deity Harshnath — this temple has a history spanning over a thousand years and draws hundreds of thousands of devotees each year, particularly during the twice-yearly Navratri Mela.
About Jeen Mata Temple
The Jeen Mata Temple sits at the top of a hill in the Aravalli range, about 29 km from Sikar town. The goddess Jeen Mata is considered the kuldevi (clan goddess) of many Rajput, Jat, and Brahmin communities across Rajasthan and beyond. The temple is ancient — inscriptions found here date back to the 10th century CE. The main idol of Jeen Mata is carved in black stone and is enshrined in the traditional Rajasthani temple style.
The temple is particularly famous for the practice of bhakt jyoti (a sacred lamp that devotees carry from their homes to the temple) — families travel hundreds of kilometres carrying this lamp as a vow to the goddess. The sight of thousands of these lamps moving through the hills at night during the Mela is an extraordinary spectacle of devotion.
The Jeen Mata Mela
The Jeen Mata Mela is held twice a year during Navratri — once in Chaitra (March-April) and once in Ashwin (September-October). The Ashwin Navratri Mela is particularly large, drawing pilgrims from Rajasthan, Haryana, UP, MP, and Delhi. During the nine days of Navratri, the area around the temple becomes a tent city with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, folk performers, and traders. Key events include:
- Continuous kirtan (devotional singing) throughout the nine days and nights
- Grand aarti at the temple at sunrise and sunset
- Traditional Rajasthani folk performances — Kalbeliya dance, Bhopa singers
- Fire-walking rituals performed by devotees as acts of faith
- Large community langars (free meals) organized by devotee groups
How to Reach Jeen Mata Temple
- From Sikar: 29 km via Rewari road — taxi or local transport available.
- From Jaipur: 110 km (about 2 hours by road).
- From Delhi: 330 km via NH-48 (Jaipur highway) — about 5-6 hours.
- Nearest train station: Sikar Junction — well-connected to Jaipur and Delhi.
The Jeen Mata Temple is one of Rajasthan's most authentic pilgrimage experiences — far from the tourist circuit, deeply rooted in local tradition, and charged with genuine devotional energy. To visit as part of our Rajasthan pilgrimage tour, contact us at +91 7240026380.
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