What are three pindis in the Vaishno Devi Temple?

 The three piṇḍīs in the Vaiṣṇo Devī Temple represent three supreme energies (Mahāśaktis) of the Goddess. Interestingly, they all emerge from a single 5.5-foot-tall rock base, with the holy water known as Caraṇagaṅgā flowing beneath them.

The three piṇḍīs are:

1. Mātā Mahākālī: This piṇḍī represents Kriyā Śakti. She is śyāma varṇa. She grants physical strength, destroys enemies, helps overcome life's obstacles, and blesses devotees with a healthy and disease-free life.

2. Mātā Mahālakṣmī / Vaiṣṇavī: This piṇḍī represents Dhana Śakti. Her piṇḍī is mūṅgā/rakta varṇa. She blesses her devotees with wealth, prosperity, success in business, fame, and honor.

3. Mātā Mahāsarasvatī (माता महासरस्वती): This piṇḍī represents Jñāna Śakti. Her piṇḍī is white in śveta varṇa. As the presiding deity of knowledge, she grants wisdom, intellect, and clear judgment.

The Vaiṣṇo Devī Temple is considered highly unique and significant because it is a place where these three essential powers for human life health and action, wealth, and wisdom are worshipped together in unison.

Many people think these tripiṇḍīs are the Tricaṇḍikās of the Saptaśatī because the Durgā Saptaśatī is chanted there. However, this is not true. For example, the Jhandewalan Mandir features idols that are replicas of the Vaiṣṇo Devī piṇḍīs, and it clearly has idols of the Tridevī (Mahākālī, Mahālakṣmī, and Mahāsarasvatī), not the Tricaṇḍikās. The Saptaśatī is chanted there because Vaiṣṇo Devī is Lakṣmī, and the Saptaśatī is also ultimately dedicated to Lakṣmī.

As the Lakṣmī Tantra (Chapter 7) explains:

"The expansion of Mahālakṣmī, who is Māyā characterized by the three guṇas, is described as the dual form of Mahākālī and Mahāvidyā. Mahālakṣmī, Mahākālī, Mahāvidyā, are truly greatest their manifestation occurs under the third sheath, which is known as Prasūti, in this schema."

How many pindis does Vaishno Devi have?

 The holy cave of Vaishno Devi houses exactly three pindis (natural rock formations. These three pindis represent the three supreme energies or manifestations of the devi!

(Left/White) Mata Maha Saraswati: The Supreme Energy of Creation

(Middle/Golden) Mata Maha Lakshmi/Vaishnavi: The Supreme Energy of Maintenance

(Right/Black) Mata Maha Kali: The Supreme Energy of Dissolution

There are no statues or idols inside the cave, instead, the Mother Goddess is worshipped in the form of these three rock heads, which sit atop a five-and-a-half-foot tall rock base. Although they emanate from a single rock form, each Pindi is distinctly different in color and texture. According to the legend, after Mata Vaishnavi beheaded the demon Bhairon Nath, she decided to shed her human form and immerse herself in eternal meditation, assuming the form of this rock with three heads . Shri Mata Vaishno Devi is considered to be an incarnation of the three Supreme Energies represented by these Pindis.

- Bathing: The Pindis are ritually bathed by pujaris (priests) with water collected from the Charan Ganga, the sacred water that naturally flows from the base of the Pindis . They are then bathed with the five Amrits (i. e milk, curd/yogurt, ghee/clarified butter, honey, and sugar), both individually and mixed together as Panchamrit, accompanied by the chanting of mantras.

- Dressing: The Vastras (garments) of the Pindis are changed twice a day during the Aarti rituals . The pujaris dress the Pindis using a Chunni, a Chola, and folded saris. During winters, a shawl is also placed along the upper side.

- Golden Canopy: The rock feature where the Pindis are located is covered with a sheet of solid gold that has only three openings for the Pindis to be visible.

- Jewelry: In 2000-2001, the entire ornamentation of the Holy Pindis was redone using pure gold, diamonds, and precious stones.

- Coins: The Shrine Board has issued gold and silver coins of guaranteed purity that carry an impression of the Holy Pindis, which devotees can purchase as souvenirs.

Jai Maa