Temple of ‘Jalaun Wali Mata’ Was Once a Center of Faith for Dacoits

Jalaun (Uttar Pradesh): In the districts of Bundelkhand where once the fear of dacoits reigned supreme, today the chants of the goddess echo with devotion. After years of police and STF encounters, these dacoit-affected regions have now been completely freed from terror. Nestled in the ravines, the ‘Jalaun Wali Mata’ temple was once a spiritual center for dacoits, who used to worship the goddess especially during Navratri. Now, the area is peaceful, and hundreds of devotees from far-off regions visit this temple regularly.

For decades, Bundelkhand was infamous for the terror of dacoits. The dense ravines along the Yamuna and Chambal rivers served as hideouts for these outlaws, from where they operated and spread fear. The districts around Jalaun—such as Etawah and Auraiya—were deeply impacted. Notorious dacoits like Phoolan Devi, Fakkad Baba, and Pehalwan used to bow their heads at this temple. Over the last thirty years, the reign of dacoits has collapsed, with many being killed in major encounters. Today, especially during Navratri, the temple witnesses a surge of devotees.

Dacoits Never Harmed Visiting Devotees

According to senior journalists, it was a tradition among dacoits to visit the Jalaun Wali Mata temple and offer bells and prayers. Well-known dacoits like Malkhan Singh, Pehalwan Singh, Nirbhay Singh Gurjar, Fakkad Baba, Phoolan Devi, Lovely Pandey, and Arvind Gurjar used to secretly visit the temple to seek blessings. Interestingly, during their rule, devotees were never harmed by the dacoits, no matter how deep into the ravines they ventured for darshan. After the end of the dacoit era, more and more devotees began turning to the temple.

Temple Believed to Be Established by the Pandavas

Another unique aspect of this temple is its mythological connection. It is believed that the temple was established during the Dwapar Yuga by the Pandavas themselves, giving it immense religious significance. The temple gained further popularity during the reign of the Chandela kings, but after India’s independence, the rise of dacoits turned this holy place into part of the dreaded Chambal region. People feared visiting it for years. However, due to the active efforts of the police and STF, many dacoits were killed or surrendered, and the temple gradually reclaimed its spiritual glory.

Today, the Jalaun Wali Mata temple stands as a symbol of both faith and transformation, drawing pilgrims instead of outlaws, echoing prayers instead of fear.