Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the purpose of the Vaishno Devi Temple at Nagpur?
The Vaishno Devi Temple at Nagpur is being established based on the specific divine instructions received from Vaishno Devi Mataji by her devotee Shankar in a dream in June 2016, in which Vaishno Devi Mataji appeared in his dream along with her majestic lion, and asked him to create a temple for her in Nagpur, by showing the location on a hologram of India map. “Ease of Access” was key part of her message. So the temple aims to provide a more accessible worship site for devotees of Vaishno Devi Mataji across India (especially those in central, western, eastern, and southern India) because Nagpur is located at the geographical center of India. The temple also seeks to serve as a community center that supports social work and spiritual development through its various programs. In the coming years and decades, the temple will radiate goodwill and prayers across India from its central location at Nagpur.
2. Why was Nagpur chosen as the location for the temple?
The location of Nagpur was specifically given by Vaishno Devi Mataji when she came in the dream of Shankar in June 2016 to entrust him with this new temple creation project. For the location of this temple, Mataji showed Nagpur with a green circle on the India map, for ease of access, so that people across India can easily come to this temple, because of the central location of Nagpur, which makes it easily accessible from various parts of India. The divine instruction by Mataji emphasized Nagpur as the temple location. It is not an option or a choice. It is a requirement. “Ease of Access” was the specific keyword used by Mataji, to ensure that the temple can be accessed easily by a large number of devotees located in western, central, southern, and eastern India. Nagpur is the geographical center of India, with excellent railway and road connectivity, and good air connectivity. Because “Ease of access” was the keyword used by Mataji, every effort will be made to ensure that the temple is built at a location near Nagpur that is easy to reach with solid road connectivity to Nagpur Railway Station and Nagpur Airport. The exact location of the temple is not finalized yet, and suitable land is being identified in outskirts of Nagpur.
3. What types of services will the temple provide?
The temple will evolve as a spiritual hub for devotees, and the temple will also engage in social services. The temple will directly offer (and partner with genuine NGOs) to offer a range of social services, including Free Education and Scholarships to deserving students, Healthcare Services, Community Kitchens, Women’s Empowerment Workshops, Child Protection and Welfare, and Support for the Elderly and Disabled. Step by step, the temple will do good work across India in the name of Vaishno Devi Mataji. The scope of work is huge, and it will be achieved with the participation and support of thousands of devotees, based in India and abroad.
4. How will the temple project be funded?
The temple will be funded through donations, grants, and partnerships with individuals and organizations who share our vision. Mataji told Shankar in his dream, “Don’t worry, all necessary resources will come once you start the project.” Therefore, divine assurance was given that necessary resources would become available once the project started. And the temple project has started in July 2024, nearly 8 years after Mataji gave the instruction for this project in June 2016. A few years were lost in between due to covid and personal setbacks and trading losses faced by Shankar, but these setbacks are part of the divine will and a test of faith. Despite various setbacks, this temple project was always kept as a priority and its planning was being done during these years. Many devotees of Vaishno Devi Mataji have expressed interest to participate in this temple project, and many more will join as the word spreads.
5. How can I contribute or support the temple project?
We are currently in the process of setting up the necessary structure to receive contributions for this temple project. It should get completed in year 2025. At the moment, it is enough if you just express your interest to support this project. Then we will contact you when the setup is ready to receive your contribution. You can support this project in many ways; through donations, social services, or by informing more people about the temple. You can also volunteer for temple activities, and such details will be posted on our website on the Services page. Please fill the form at the end of this page to express your interest, or please send an email to: “info@vaishnodevitemple.org” Thanks!
6. How is this temple different from other Vaishno Devi temples?
First of all, we are all devotees, and we are not competing with any temple, because that is against the spirit of devotion. The purpose of this temple is to do good work across India in the name of Vaishno Devi Mataji. This temple will not only serve as a place of worship but also as a community center focused on social welfare and education, carried out in the name of Vaishno Devi Mataji. In our vision, any child or woman in distress should be able to take shelter at the temple or its branches across India. The lion with Vaishno Devi Mataji is a strong force of protection and this force will be made visible through the work of the temple. The central location of Nagpur and the community services make it a unique spiritual and social sanctuary.
7. Are there any specific architectural features or design elements of the temple that are unique?
The temple’s design is still in early stages. We want to make it iconic but not grandiose. We don’t want to build an expensive marble structure. It is far better to use funds for doing good work across India in the name of Vaishno Devi Mataji, by helping people in difficulties. However, the temple will have an iconic design, which maybe different most other temples. The temple will integrate traditional architectural elements with modern amenities and latest technologies to ensure accessibility and environmental sustainability. Special attention will being given to creating a serene and welcoming atmosphere for all devotees and visitors. In everything we do, we will constantly keep in mind the keyword expressed specifically by Mataji while entrusting this temple project to Shankar in his dream: “Ease of Access”. And that means Ease of Access in terms of road connectivity from the Nagpur Railway Station and Nagpur Airport, and then Ease of Access in terms reaching the main prayer room from the entrance of the temple.
8. How to stay updated on the progress of the temple project?
All updates will be posted regularly on this official website and through our social media channels. You can also subscribe to receive our newsletter through our website.
9. Will the temple benefit the local community at Nagpur?
Absolutely! The local community in Nagpur will have multiple benefits from this temple. Mataji showed Nagpur with a green circle on the hologram of India map, so it must have significant meaning and importance. The temple can provide a boost to the local economy of Nagpur, and nearby areas in the Vidarbha region like Wardha, etc in the coming years and decades. The benefits maybe in the form of more affordable and high quality education for children of Nagpur and Vidarbha region, and free healthcare services for needy people, and also increased employment for local youth who are connected with temple project in different ways. The temple will also increase the visibility of Nagpur as a spiritual destination. In our vision, we see direct flights from London to Nagpur, and from New York to Nagpur in the future. Many of these developments are way beyond our control. Our actions are in our control, and we will take one step at a time, and try to do our best, while being guided by the divine will and God’s blessings.
10. How will the temple remain a safe and inclusive space for all?
The Vaishno Devi Mataji temple at Nagpur is committed to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment. Policies will be in place to prevent discrimination of any type, and ensure that the temple is accessible to people of all backgrounds, abilities, and ages. In our vision, this temple of Vaishno Devi Mataji at Nagpur will not have any religious bias. For example, just like the main shrine of Vaishno Devi Mataji near Katra in Jammu & Kashmir state, where many of the workers and helpers are Muslim but they cheerfully help all the devotees coming for a dharshan. Thousands of devotees are Sikhs, and everyone is welcome. That is the true spirit of devotion. Love for humanity is essential. We must understand clearly that Vaishno Devi Mataji is there for blessing all humanity without any discrimination, so there will be no bias in the services offered by the temple. If a person has come to the temple, he or she is a devotee, and deserves our full respect and support. Everyone who is doing something good for humanity, is doing God’s work, and we are all aligned on that cause.
11. Will the temple be open 24×7 day and night? Will there be any entry fee? Will there be any prasad for visitors?
The temple will be free for public visit, and it will be our goal to keep the temple open 24×7 so that people can visit the temple without any artificial delays. The concept of sleep is for mortal humans, but our creators and caretakers, Shri Krishna and Vaishno Devi Mataji, are omni-present and always-awake. Therefore, the temple can be open 24×7 if we can arrange suitable staff to manage the night shifts (it will happen in due time). Donations will be used to offer suitable prasad to all visitors/devotees. Over time, based on the amount received in donations, the temple will have its own signature prasad, which will be a type of halwa, similar to the halwa prepared as prasad for Shri Satya Narayana Katha. Thanks.
12. How to reach the temple from Nagpur Railway Station or Nagpur Airport?
The temple location is not finalized yet and we will share updates once it is finalized. Because “Ease of access” was mentioned by Vaishno Devi Mataji as an important reason for setting up this temple in/near Nagpur, it is our goal to ensure good connectivity from Nagpur Railway Station and Nagpur Airport. Over time, we can also expect strong support from Nagpur city officials, and its possible that we will have some public transport like buses for the temple from the Nagpur railway station and airport.
13. What is the current status of the temple project?
The temple is currently in the planning stage and suitable locations near Nagpur are being identified. We are also informing people in our network about this project, so that collective participation can take this project forward. Using the donations received, suitable land for the temple will be bought. Once the land is bought, suitable approvals from local authorities will be taken, and the temple construction project will be started, even if its a small structure, because our faith in Vaishno Devi Mataji does not have to wait for the physical structure of the temple to complete. Based on the funds and donations received, the temple construction will be completed, and social work will be started. Vaishno Devi Mataji has assured that all necessary resources will come once the project starts. Therefore, we just to need to show constant effort and commitment, which we will do. Jai Mata Di!
Contact Form (Ask Your Question)
Do you have any questions that are not answered above? We will be happy to answer your questions. Please use the contact form below, and we will reply to you, and also update this FAQ page. Thanks!