Bijlipur Temple in Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh

The Bijlipur Temple also known as Bijleshwari Devi Temple is located in the Balrampur district of Uttar Pradesh. Maa Durga is worshipped here as Bijleshwari Devi, who appeared as a divine lightning to bless her devotee.

The story of Bijlipur Temple centers around a devout follower of Maa Durga who lived many years ago. This humble devotee would walk 25 kilometers daily to the Devi Patan temple to offer his prayers. As he grew older, however, the daily journey became increasingly difficult due to his age and weakening body. One day, after making his final pilgrimage to Devi Patan, he prayed to the goddess, expressing his inability to continue the long walk and bidding a heartfelt farewell.

Moved by his unwavering devotion, Maa Durga decided to ease his burden. It is believed that the goddess manifested herself in the form of lightning, striking down on a peepal tree near his home. Appearing before her devoted follower, Maa Durga told him, “You no longer need to journey for my darshan. From now on, worship me here, where I reside.”

The pit formed by the lightning strike became the sacred spot where the goddess was believed to reside, and hence, the temple was built around this location. When the local king of Balrampur heard of this miraculous event, he commissioned the construction of the Bijleshwar Devi Temple, where the goddess could be worshipped permanently.

One of the most unique aspects of the Bijlipur Temple is that there is no idol of the goddess here. Instead, the primary focus of worship is the pit created by the divine lightning strike. This sacred pit is believed to hold the presence of the goddess, and devotees come from far and wide to offer their prayers and seek blessings at this unusual site.

The temple, set amidst peaceful surroundings, is a place of deep devotion and simplicity. The temple has mesmerizing architectural beauty and was designed by the king of Balrampur.

Location: The temple is located in the Balrampur district of Uttar Pradesh, about 25 kilometers from the famous Devi Patan Temple.

How to Reach: Balrampur is well-connected by road, rail, and air. The nearest airport is Lucknow, and regular buses and taxis are available to Balrampur from major cities in Uttar Pradesh.

Best Time to Visit: The ideal time to visit the temple is during festivals like Navratri, when the temple is beautifully decorated, and special prayers are held.