Chaitra Navratri’s arrival in March ignites nationwide devotion to Maa Durga’s forms, from tranquil to tempestuous. Tucked away in Ujjain’s Bhairavgadh wilderness thrives Masan MeldI, the enigmatic tantric goddess hailed as Gujarat’s defender.
Reaching her domain tests resolve—a serpentine trail through bamboo jungles, past trees scarred by tantra: hefty nails, speared citrus, fabric puppets swaying in the breeze. Aghoris dominate the nights, their siddhis forged in secretive ceremonies.
A rudimentary tin-roofed sanctum protects her paduka and idol, sites of fervent offerings like oils and attars that purportedly grant desires instantly. Post-sunset access is verboten, ceded to tantric devotees.
Her lore stems from divine ingenuity: Parvati, honoring vows, conjured Masan MeldI to eliminate Amaruv, concealed in skeletal remains. The manifestation’s lethal strike restored cosmic balance.
Villagers in Gujarat uphold her as rakshak, perpetuating rituals that fuse bhakti with mysticism. This forested enclave embodies India’s occult heritage, alluring seekers of the divine arcane.