Shri Kailadevi ji temple is situated around 23 km. away from Karauli town in district Karauli. It is believed that the temple came into existence around 1100 A.D. This temple is of Shri Kaila Devi ji which is reigning diety of millions of people of eastern Rajasthan, M.P. and U.P. Around 60 lacs pilgrims flock to this place every year. This temple is regarded as one of the 9 Shakti peeths of goddess Durga.
In chaitra Navratra virtually the entire area of eastern Rajasthan, western U.P. and western M.P. congregate at the feet of goddess . 1000 of buses, cars and other vehicles bring these people here. Lacs of devotees come on foot also. A real sea of humanity engulfs the surrounding area for around 15 days. Such a large assemblage of devotees require tremendous efforts for provision and maintenance of basic civic amenities and services.
The Govt. Deploys a whole array of officers and staff from various Govt deptt. for proper management of Chaitra fair.
History
The temple is dedicated to the tutelary deity, goddess Kaila Devi, of the erstwhile princely Jadaun Rajput rulers of the Karauli state. It is a marble structure with a large courtyard of a checkered floor. In one place are a number of red flags planted by devotees.
These Red flags existing in the Kaila devi mandir are placed by the devotees. Devotees used to put the bhog along with these flags there in kaila devi mandir on each day of the year. The Jagran by the bhagat ji is the most attractive thing here happens every night at 09:00 PM IST in the temple. Devotees used to come there by foot from different areas of Rajasthan in the month of Chaitra.
Festival or Fair
The annual fair of Kaila Devi, (Mahalakshmi or the goddess of wealth), is held at the village Kaila in the month of Chaitra (Mar-Apr), lasting for a fortnight. Another attraction is the small temple dedicated to Bhairon, situated in the courtyard and facing the shrine of Kaila Devi is a temple of Hanuman locally called 'Languriya'.
Approximately 200,000 devotees gather during the fair. The ritual of Kanak-Dandotis is observed by staunch devotees. They cover a distance of 15 to 20 km to reach the temple, not on foot but by lying prostrate, making lines with their hands in that position, advancing up to the line drawn and repeating this procedure till they reach the temple.
While some eat food and take rest during the journey, others endure the rigors of the ritual without these.
Groups of Mina tribesmen arrive in a spirit of gaiety dancing, singing and creating a lively atmosphere. The spacious courtyard becomes the venue for dances and songs sung in praise of the guardian deity.
Getting There
The nearest rail-head is Hindaun at a distance of about 48 km. Shri Mahavirji is another rail-head of the Western Railway near Kaila. The site is approachable by well maintained roads from Karauli, Hindaun and Mahavirji. During the fair, the State Transport as well as private operators provide bus services keeping in mind the huge inflow of pilgrims.
The Katare's is a very respected clan in Hindus. They are the descendants of Maharishi Vasisth who was the guru of Lord Rama. They regards Kaila mata as their Kul Devi. The Jadaun Thakur's (Rajputs) {The Jadaun (also spelled as Jadon) are a clan (gotra) of Chandravanshi (Yaduvanshi) Rajputs [Thakur]'s found in North India and Pakistan} regard the goddess as their Kul Devi.
There are two statues in the temple, one is of Kaila Devi and one is of Chamunda Devi both are sitting together.Bigger one is of Kaila Devi and head of statue is slightly bent.people come here from across the country especially during Navratre(period of 9 days).
This temple consist of the palace of the Raja in its background. Raja and his family used to come here on the big occasions.