# Centuries Old Jeenmata Shrine in Sikar Where Aravalli Hills Echo Historical Resistance Against Aurangzeb

> Nestled in Rajasthan's Sikar district, the millennium-old Jeenmata temple draws massive crowds during Sharadiya Navratri while preserving ancient stone inscriptions and historic folklore.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Rajasthan · **Published:** 2026-10-12 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/rajasthan/aravali-ki-vadiyon-men-sthita-jeenmata-mndira-ka-itihasa-aura-aurangzeb-ki-sena-para-bhnvaron-ka-prahara-46713 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Jeenmata Temple, Sikar, Rajasthan, Sharadiya Navratri, Aurangzeb, Aravalli Hills, Bhawani Shankar Sharma, Prithviraj I

Nestled amid the scenic valleys of the Aravalli range in Rajasthan's Sikar district, the revered Jeenmata temple stands as a major center of cultural heritage, spiritual devotion, and living folklore. For centuries, this sacred pilgrimage site has represented the unshakeable faith of millions of devotees across the country. Beyond its spiritual significance, the temple is steeped in remarkable regional traditions and historical episodes, particularly during the medieval period, that distinguish it from other shrines across northern India.

## The Mughal Offensive and the Legend of the Swarming Bees
Among the various historical legends surrounding Jeenmata, the most prominent narrative dates back to the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Historical folklore recounts that during a phase when temples across different territories faced destruction under imperial campaigns, a detachment of Mughal troops marched toward the remote hills of Sikar with the objective of razing the Jeenmata shrine. As the advancing soldiers reached the immediate vicinity of the sanctum and attempted to desecrate the structure, alarm and fear gripped the local priests and gathering worshipers.

Confronted with imminent danger, the devotees gathered within the temple courtyard and fervently prayed to Jagdamba Maa Jeenmata for divine intervention and protection. According to long-standing local traditions, their appeals coincided with an extraordinary natural phenomenon: swarms of innumerable bees emerged suddenly from the temple precincts and the adjoining caverns of the surrounding Aravalli hills. The aggressive bees launched an unrelenting assault on the approaching troops, inflicting intense pain and triggering absolute disarray among the ranks. Unable to withstand the stings, the soldiers fled the mountainous terrain to save their lives, forcing the imperial expedition to retreat. Following this dramatic turn of events, the deity became widely revered across the region as the Goddess of Bees, or Bhanwaron Ki Devi. Traditional accounts further record that, deeply moved by the incident, Aurangzeb subsequently arranged a regular supply of oil to sustain the eternal flame kept burning inside the temple sanctuary.

## Stone Inscriptions Documenting a Millennium of Architectural History
The antiquity of the Jeenmata shrine is supported by robust epigraphic evidence rather than oral tradition alone. Researchers studying the site have documented approximately eight major stone inscriptions across the temple grounds that testify to its deep past. The oldest among these epigraphs dates to Vikram Samvat 1029, corresponding roughly to 972 AD. Subsequent inscriptions found at the complex date back to Vikram Samvat 1132 and Vikram Samvat 1162.

The inscription from Samvat 1162, corresponding to the year 1105 AD, specifically mentions the reign of the renowned Chauhan monarch Prithviraj I. Additional historical documentation notes that an individual named Hattad, alternatively recorded as Hand and affiliated with the Mohil clan, was instrumental in constructing or renovating this grand stone edifice. These engraved records provide clear archaeological proof that the sacred complex has stood firm for more than one thousand years, witnessing major shifts in regional dynasties and religious patronage.

## Sharadiya Navratri Festivities and Fragrant Adornment Rituals
The temple is currently hosting its grand nine-day Sharadiya Navratri fair, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from across India who arrive in Sikar to offer prayers and fulfill vows. On the festival's second day, the presiding deity was ceremonially adorned in the divine representation of Maa Brahmacharini, the second form of Goddess Durga. Explaining the spiritual importance of this ritual, head priest Bhawani Shankar Sharma highlighted that this specific manifestation guides devotees toward self-control, spiritual discipline, austerity, and moral strength.

To mark this year's Navratri celebrations, a specialized saffron perfume was sourced directly from Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh to adorn the deity. The sanctum sanctorum has been further embellished with natural aromatic flowers also procured from Kannauj, alongside five distinct ornate traditional attires prepared for the ceremonies. Temple administrators presented extensive offerings of fresh fruits and dry nuts to the deity, while local authorities and shrine personnel enforced strict security measures across the crowded valley as chants echoed through the hills.

## What this means for you
The ongoing Sharadiya Navratri festival at the Jeenmata shrine in Sikar directly influences pilgrimage logistics, crowd management, and regional commerce.

- **Across India:** Devotees traveling from outside Rajasthan should prepare for heavy festival rush along major transit routes heading toward Sikar. Pilgrims planning their visit must verify local temple schedules and make lodging arrangements well in advance.
- **In Sikar:** District authorities have put tight security protocols and traffic diversions into effect around the temple zone and foothills. Commuters traversing surrounding valley corridors must anticipate road closures and plan for longer travel times.
- **For devotees:** Pilgrims visiting during the festival can witness specialized daily adornments representing different forms of Goddess Durga. Visitors on the second day experience the deity decorated with authentic Kannauj saffron perfumes and traditional attires.
- **Local economy:** The massive influx of hundreds of thousands of visitors provides a major seasonal boost to hospitality, transport, and local vendors selling ritual offerings. Small businesses operating around the foothills are experiencing elevated demand throughout the nine-day gathering.

## Why this happened
The prominence of the Jeenmata shrine stems from documented medieval defense legends, archaeological inscriptions, and annual festival traditions.

- **Seasonal festive calendar:** The annual nine-day Sharadiya Navratri fair has commenced, attracting vast numbers of pilgrims to the mountain shrine. This seasonal gathering brings nationwide attention to the rituals and heritage of the temple complex.
- **Historical folklore of resilience:** Traditional accounts preserve the memory of an attempted Mughal assault under Aurangzeb, which was reportedly halted by swarms of local bees. This celebrated encounter earned the deity the title of Bhanwaron Ki Devi and resulted in long-standing royal patronage for the temple's flame.
- **Epigraphical validation:** Archaeological investigations discovered eight distinct stone inscriptions documenting the site's timeline since at least 972 AD. Records referencing Prithviraj I and Hattad of the Mohil dynasty firmly anchor the temple's structural existence across more than ten centuries.
- **Traditional ceremonial offerings:** The Navratri rituals called for specialized embellishments, prompting the procurement of pure saffron attar and floral varieties directly from Kannauj. These dedicated arrangements highlight the continuous continuity of centuries-old devotional customs.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Where is the Jeenmata temple located?
The Jeenmata temple is situated amid the Aravalli hills in the Sikar district of Rajasthan.

### 2. Why is Jeenmata revered as the Goddess of Bees?
According to legend, swarms of bees emerged from the hills to attack and drive away invading Mughal troops under Aurangzeb when they attempted to harm the temple.

### 3. How old is the earliest stone inscription found at the temple?
The earliest inscription found at the site dates back to Vikram Samvat 1029, which corresponds to approximately 972 AD.

### 4. Which ruler is named in the Samvat 1162 inscription?
The inscription from Samvat 1162 mentions the reign of the Chauhan monarch Prithviraj I.

### 5. From where was the perfume sourced for the Navratri celebrations?
The specialized saffron perfume and aromatic flowers used for the deity's adornment were brought from Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh.

### 6. Which divine form was the deity adorned as on the second day of Navratri?
The deity was ceremonially decorated in the form of Maa Brahmacharini, the second manifestation of Goddess Durga.

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