Hidden in the mystic alleys of Mehrauli village stands the 5000 year old historic Yogmaya temple - a temple dedicated to Goddess Yogmaya, sister of Lord Krishna. Many legends are associated with this place of worship. One says that it was originally built by the pandavas of the Mahabharata epic. Mehrauli was also known as yoginipura after this temple, according to 12th century Jain scriptures.
According to another legend, Yogmaya was the sister of Lord Krishna born to his foster mother Yashoda. When the cruel king Kansa tried to kill her, she flew away and predicted that the child who would eventually kill him is born already. She then established a home for herself here at the Aravallis.
Another local legend also says Krishna and Arjun came to pray here during the Mahabharata war after Abhimanyu (Arjun's son) was killed by Jayadrath. Arjun took a vow that he would kill the slayer of his son by next evening. But the following day the Kauravas continued to keep him away from Arjun to protect him from his wrath. Arjun and Krishna came to this temple to pray at such a time to ask for blessing from the Goddess. With her magical powers or 'maya' she created an illusionary eclipse that gave Arjuna the opportunity to kill Jayadrath.
The temple that we see today was constructed in the 19th century during the Mughal rule with support from Lala Sethmal. People living around this temple now are actually taking care of this place of worship. It is said that all these people come from one common ancestor hundreds of years ago and are still carrying on with the traditions and customs of the ancient times, voluntarily and amicably with unflagging devotion even today.
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