MP: Devotees throng fair at Shivpuri's Balari Mata Temple; why a pair of dark sunglasses is placed over the eyes of Goddess?
Shivpuri: A grand fair marking the occasion of Chaitra Navratri is underway at the historic Balari Mata Temple, situated within the Madhav National Park in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh. In 2026, this fair is being held from March 19 to March 27, with heavy crowds anticipated between March 23 and March 25. It is believed that the Goddess here changes her form three times a day.
The renowned fair, held during Navratri at the ancient Balari Mata Temple—nestled amidst the forests of the Madhav Tiger Reserve in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh—is attracting large number of devotees.
In view of this, the Forest Department, the District Administration, and the Police have made special arrangements to ensure the safety and security of the devotees.
According to age-old beliefs, a massive fair is held at the Balari Mata Temple during Chaitra Navratri, lasting until the Saptami (seventh) day of the festival; during this time, devotees from both rural and urban areas arrive in large numbers.
At this fair, villagers bring and sell unique, old-fashioned items of daily utility—typically found only in rural settings—which visitors eagerly purchase and take home.
Goddess changes her divine form three times within a single day
There is an ancient legend regarding Balari Maiya (Mother Balari) that, during Chaitra Navratri, she changes her divine form three times within a single day. She appears as a young girl in the morning, as a young woman in the afternoon, and as an elderly woman in the evening.
A pair of dark sunglasses is placed over the eyes of Goddess
A pair of dark sunglasses is invariably placed over the eyes of her idol. The belief behind this practice is that such intense radiance emanates from her eyes that it is difficult for mortal beings to withstand it; hence, the dark glasses are placed over her eyes to shield them.
Merchant was transporting the idol of Balari Mata
Another very ancient legend recounts the tale of a merchant named Lakha Banjara from bygone times, who was transporting the idol of Balari Mata. As he carried the idol, he was bound by a strict condition: he was not to turn back and look at the Goddess. However, he eventually broke this condition midway through his journey, and consequently, the idol of the Goddess became permanently established at this very spot.
Situated amidst dense forests, this temple was originally located within the Madhav National Park; it now falls within the jurisdiction of the Tiger Reserve. Consequently, there remains a potential risk posed by wild animals—such as tigers and leopards—in the area; taking this into account, the Forest Department, the District Administration, and the Police have implemented necessary safety and security measures.