The Place Vindhyachal, as well as Goddess Vindhyavasini, has been liberally mentioned in many ancient scriptures of India. Some of them are Mahabharat, Vaaman Puran, Markandeya Puran, Matsya Puran, Devi Bhagavat, Harivansh Puran, Skand Puran, Raja Taranginee, Brihat Katha, Kadambaree and many Tantra scriptures.The very famous war between Goddess Durga and Demon King Mahishasur, which has very deeply spiritual, metaphysical as well as contemporary meanings, is supposed to have occurred at Vindhyachal. This is the reason that another name of Goddess Vindhyavasini is ‘Mahishasur Mardini’ (Killer of Demon Mahish– Literal Meaning Buffalo, since Mahishasur used to take the guise of a Buffalo). So, next time, in Durga Puja festival or anywhere else, you see the image of Goddess Durga killing Demon Mahishasur, just remember that this great war happened at Vindhyachal; and the temple of Vindhyachal commemorates this great victory of divine female power over malefic forces of the society.
Lord Ram had visited this place and surrounding areas, along with wife Sita and brother Lakshman in his period of exile. The places Sita Kund, Sita Rasoi, Ram Gaya Ghat, Rameshwar temple are a testimony to the journey of this great Hero of Humanity to this divine place.
In the ancient times, the temple of Vindhyachal was surrounded by thousands of temples and other religious places of ‘Shakti’ cult; however, in the reign of fanatic Muslim Emperor Aurangzeb, many were razed to the ground.
The literal meaning of word ‘Vindhyachal’ (Vindhya + Achal) is ‘Mountain (Achal) named Vindhya’, and literal meaning of ‘Vindhyavasini’ is ‘Goddess having dwelling in Vindhya Mountains’.
The uniqueness of this divine place is derived from the fact that this is the only place in the world, where ‘Devi’ (Goddess) is worshipped as per tenets of ‘Vaam maarg’ as well as ‘Dakshina Maarg’ of ‘Shakti’ cult of Hinduism.
Furthermore, in the ‘Shakti’ cult of Hinduism, Goddess transforms herself into three forms, Lakshmi, Kali, and Saraswati. Vindhyachal is the only place in the world, where all these three forms of Goddesses have specific temples dedicated to them, strategically located for creating highly energetic and spiritually very potent ‘Trikona’ (Trine).
As described in the ancient scriptures, the surrounding area of Vindhyachal was engulfed with thick forests, which were inhabited by Lions, Elephants and other animals. However, in the present time, all the forests have eloped with the passage of time; and except areas of Kali Khoh, Sita Kund and Ashta Bhuja, where you can see remnants of ancient Jungles, the entire Vindhyachal zone has converted into a modern mid Size Township.
In the middle ages, notorious and murderous Pindari thugs, Hindus as well as Muslims, as described in the memoirs of Col. Sleeman, used to worship Goddess ‘Vindhyavasini’ of Vindhyachal.
Although, the idol of Goddess ‘Vindhyavasini’ in the ‘Vindhyavasini’ temple is very ancient; however, the structure of the Vindhyachal temple does not appear to be from time immemorial.
Interestingly, Current Indian Standard TimeLine, which decides time zone of whole India, passes through idol of Goddess ‘Vindhyavasini’.