Mahasamund, 01 April. There are many such places in India, which are still associated with the stories related to Ramayana and Mahabharata period. There is a similar place in Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh, about which it is said that Mahabali Bhima and the demonic Hidimba were married there. There is a temple of Mata Khallari at this place, for whose darshan people from all over India reach.

Mata is celebrated as protector. There is a temple of Mata Khallari on the hills located about 24 km from the city in Mahasamund district of rural Chhattisgarh. It is believed that in ancient times this place was known as Khalvatika. Devotees have to climb about 850 steps to reach the temple of Khallari Mata. Apart from Badi Khallari Mata, there is also a temple of Choti Khallari Mata in this place. A grand fair is held here during Navratri. The people of this region believe that Mata Maa Khallari is their protector.

Bhima was married to Hidimba, there is a trace of Mahabali Bhima such a legend that in the Mahabharata period there lived a demon named Hidimba at this place. Mahabali Bhima was resting while passing through this place in the unknown, when Hidimba’s sister Hindiba was fascinated by Bhima’s strong physique. Meanwhile the demon Hidimba reached there and fought with Bhima. Bhima killed Hidimba and married the demonic Hidimba on the orders of Mother Kunti. It is believed that Pandavas resided at this place for a long time, the evidence of which is still found today. This place is also known as Bhimkhoj, there are many such marks in the hills of Khallari, which are associated with Mahabali Bhima. In local beliefs, large marks made on the rocks are considered as evidence of Bhima’s performance of power. At the same time, Bhima hearth, Bhima’s boat place are also present here.

Jyot was lit for the first time in 1985 on Navratri, local people say that earlier there was only a cave on the Khallari hill in the midst of dense forests, in which the finger print of the Mother Goddess was inscribed. Taking the risk of the wild animals, the villagers used to climb into the hills to worship the goddess. Around 1940, stairs were built to climb the mountain, due to which the number of devotees started increasing and in 1985, for the first time in Navratri, the temple was constructed by lighting the Jyoti Kalash.

The story of Mata being seated on the hill is interesting, according to local legends, in ancient times, Khallari Mata’s residence was in the village of Dencha of Mahasamund. The goddess used to take the form of a girl and used to come to the market of Haat in Khallari. Once upon seeing the mother in the form of a girl, a banjara was fascinated and following her reached the hill. Enraged by this, Khallari Mata cursed the banjare and turned him into a stone and herself sat there.