Umerkote, 21st July 2025: Devotees have unwavering faith that Goddess Pendrani fulfills all heartfelt wishes. It is widely believed that if someone sincerely calls out to her as “Ma” (Mother), she removes their sorrows, just as a mother would for her child. Through the ages, it has been proven time and again that the Mother Goddess manifests in various forms for her devotees. One such divine manifestation of that supreme feminine energy is Ma Pendrani, who is worshipped as the presiding deity of Umerkote in Nabarangpur district.
According to local legend, Goddess Pendrani was born in the village of Pendarang Gandh in present-day Chhattisgarh’s Bishrampur area. Based on tribal customs and traditions, once a marriage is arranged for a girl, the bridegroom stays at the bride’s house — a practice where the groom becomes the resident son-in-law, not just a visiting one. It is said that after Ma Pendrani’s marriage was fixed, there was excessive rainfall that year, and the water would not stay in the agricultural embankments. The repeated breaking of the embankment caused great distress. Influenced by superstition, Pendrani’s brothers offered her future husband as a human sacrifice and buried him in the field. To join her deceased husband in the afterlife, she too sacrificed herself, becoming a Sati (a woman who self-immolates on her husband’s pyre).
Later, Ma Pendrani appeared in a dream to her parents, instructing them to perform her worship beneath a Pendara tree, where she would be reborn. Since then, she became known as “Ma Pendrani.” Over time, a temple was established for her in Umerkote, and every year, on the first Monday of the holy Shravan month, a grand religious procession is held in her honor.
Initially, worship of the Goddess began in Bharandi village under Umerkote block of Nabarangpur district. Another legend suggests that the establishment of the present-day temple in Umerkote occurred when King Vikram Dev of Jeypore visited the area. During his visit, the king lost his horse. Wanting to test the power of the Goddess, he vowed that if his horse was found, he would build a temple in her honor in Umerkote. Soon after, his horse returned and was seen roaming near his campsite. In fulfillment of his promise, the king constructed the temple at the very spot where the horse was found. Since then, worship has continued uninterrupted.
Gradually, the fame and glory of Ma Pendrani spread far and wide. Even today, during Dussehra, the idol of the goddess is taken to Jeypore as part of a ritual, where the celebration takes place in the royal courtyard. The Goddess now resides in a newly built temple, where regular worship is conducted. Sunday is considered the special day of worship for Ma Pendrani. On this day, devotees from far and wide throng the temple to seek her blessings. It is widely believed that countless devotees’ desires have been fulfilled by praying to her.
As the village’s presiding deity, during Ratha Yatra (Chariot Festival), the grand chariot cannot begin its journey until Ma Pendrani is placed in her designated seat. After Bahuda Yatra (the return journey of the chariot), on the following Monday, Ma Pendrani’s annual festival is celebrated with great devotion and grandeur. Thousands of devotees from distant places visit her shrine for darshan (holy sight). People believe that no one remains hungry or destitute in the land blessed by Ma Pendrani. It is said that whoever seeks refuge in her soil gains prosperity and peace. The land of Ma Pendrani is sacred, and people firmly believe that anyone who surrenders to her will never suffer. The Goddess lovingly keeps her sons and daughters protected under her divine shelter.