When I first heard the story of Shree Baai Mata, I thought it was just the tale of a goddess. But as I began to understand it deeply, I realized that it is not merely the story of a divine life, but an immortal saga of true devotion, faith, and righteousness. No matter how many difficulties arise in life, if the mind remains devoted to God, darkness itself turns into light. Shree Baai Mata lived by this truth and lit the lamp of devotion and dharma for every follower of the Prajapati community. Even today, her story fills the hearts of devotees with faith and spiritual inspiration.
Various Names of Shree Bai Mata
In the Prajapati community, Shree Baai Mata is known by different names in various regions. In Gujarat, she is called Bai Mata or Baysa Mata, while in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, she is known as Yaade Mata. In Maharashtra, she is popularly known as Bai Mata, and in North India, devotees worship her with reverence as Yaade Mai. She is also known as Shri Sariyadevi Mata Ji. Although her names vary from place to place, the devotion and faith towards her remain the same everywhere.
Shree Bai Mata: The Kuldevi of the Prajapati Community
The Kumhar community, also known as the Prajapati community, has been an important pillar of Indian civilization and culture. The word “Kumhar” is derived from “Kumbh,” meaning pot, referring to those who make earthen pots. Closely connected with soil and earth, this community has not been limited to pottery alone but has also formed the foundation of religious rituals, traditions, and culture.
Since ancient times, the Prajapati community has been renowned for making earthen vessels, idols, and handicrafts. They are considered the sons of Mother Earth because they create living art from clay. Ancient scriptures also mention that Daksha Prajapati, the mind-born son of Lord Brahma, is regarded as the ancestral forefather of this community.
The Kuldevi of this glorious community is Shree Bai Mata, who is also known as Shree Yaade Mata.
Shree Bai Mata is not only a goddess but also the spiritual guide of devotee Prahlad and a source of inspiration for devotion.
The Divine Appearance of Shree Bai Mata
This story is truly miraculous. The divine appearance of Shree Bai Mata is connected to ancient and timeless eras.
Brahma’s Penance and the Manifestation of the Name “Shree”
Once, Lord Vishnu Narayan instructed Lord Brahma to perform penance. Following Lord Vishnu’s command, Brahma undertook intense meditation for many ages.
One day, suddenly, the chant “Om Shree Om” began to emerge from his lips. Brahma was in such deep meditation that he himself was unaware of how this chanting was happening. At that moment, Lord Shiva awakened him and asked, “O Brahmadev, whose name are you chanting?”
Brahma replied, “O Lord, even I do not know how I am chanting the name ‘Shree.’” Then, through Brahma’s divine power, the word “Shree” became conscious, and from the lotus emerging from his navel, a divine maiden named “Shree” was born. Brahma offered her in the service of Lord Vishnu Narayan.
The Episode of the Sanakadi Sages and Jaya–Vijaya
Once, the four sages — Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana, and Sanatkumara — known as the Sanakadi Rishis and regarded as the ancestors of the gods, renounced worldly attachments and went to Vaikuntha, the abode of Lord Vishnu, seeking peace of mind and divine vision.
At the gates of Vaikuntha stood the gatekeepers Jaya and Vijaya. They stopped the sages from entering.
The sages said, “O foolish ones! We are devoted followers of Lord Vishnu. Allow us to have His darshan. You serve the Lord, so you should be impartial and humble.”
But Jaya and Vijaya did not agree. Angered, the sages said, “Despite living close to the Lord, you are arrogant. The arrogant have no place in Vaikuntha. Therefore, we curse you to be born in demonic forms and suffer the consequences of your actions.”
Frightened, Jaya and Vijaya fell at the sages’ feet and begged for forgiveness.
Then Lord Vishnu Himself appeared and said, “O revered sages! These are My attendants. Due to pride, they disrespected you. Your curse is justified. Even if My servants commit a fault, I accept responsibility for it.”
The sages calmed down and said, “O Lord, in anger we have cursed these innocent attendants. If You find it appropriate, please free them from this curse.”
Lord Vishnu replied, “O sages! Even though I am all-powerful, I cannot invalidate the words of Brahmins. They will take three births in demonic forms, and in each birth, I will personally destroy them. After that, they will return to this divine abode.”
Due to this curse, in the Satya Yuga, Jaya and Vijaya were born as Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha.
The Birth of Shree Bai Mata Ji
Lord Vishnu instructed the divine maiden known as “Shree” to take birth on Earth. She was born in a small village named “Muhu,” located in the present-day region of Pakistan in the Indian subcontinent.
In this village lived three or four families of the Prajapati community. Among them was a righteous and virtuous devotee named Duda Bhagat, who had no children. His devoted wife, Hirabai, was a sincere worshipper of Lord Shiva. By the command of Lord Vishnu, Shri Bai Mata was born into this noble couple’s household. At the time of her birth, the village priest named her “Shree Bai.”
From childhood, Shree Bai Mata remained deeply immersed in devotion and was completely dedicated to Lord Vishnu. She grew up absorbed in divine worship. When she reached maturity, she was married to Udan Bhagat (also known as Udan Keshari), a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu who lived in Rajasthan.
At that time, in the present-day Gir-Talala region of Saurashtra, there was a city known as Sonalpari Nagari. It was ruled by the demon Hiranyakashipu, who was actually the incarnation of Jaya, the gatekeeper of Lord Vishnu.
Lord Vishnu instructed Shree Bai Mata to travel to Sonalpari Nagari, where Hiranyakashipu ruled and where chanting the name of Lord Rama was prohibited and sages were harassed. He told her to establish righteousness there and spread the light of devotion. He also assured her, “Whenever you face any difficulty, remember Me. I will always be with you.”
The Miracle of Shree Bai Mata: Protecting Kittens and Guiding Prahlad on the Spiritual Path
Shree Bai Mata and Udan Bhagat were traveling toward Sonalpari city. On the way, they built a small hut near the banks of the Targhadiya River, close to present-day Rajkot in Kathiawar, and stayed there.
Shree Bai Mata followed a strict rule: every evening after meals, she would read the Ramayana and sing praises of Lord Hari.
One night at midnight, two celestial maidens of Lord Vishnu—Rajalde and Sajalade—and Indra’s Gandharva Rajveer would travel through the sky to the land of Targhadiya to worship Lord Shiva daily.
Rajveer deeply loved Rajalde. To meet her, he created a city named “Amaravati” in the underworld (Patala). There, they would regularly worship the Shiva Lingam.
After completing their worship, when Rajveer, Rajalde, and Sajalade returned to Earth, they met Shreebai Mata, who was performing her early morning prayers during Brahma Muhurta. Recognizing each other, they were filled with joy.
Shree Bai Mata said,
“Today, let us share prasad and spend time together in the afternoon.”
The three honored her invitation and joined her for lunch.
She then said,
“It is my daily rule to read the Ramayana at night. You three should come and listen every day. But remember, we are going to Sonalpari, where Hiranyakashipu rules and chanting Lord Rama’s name is forbidden. So, come only after careful thought.”
After this discussion, everyone went their own way.
Later, Shree Bai Mata reached Sonalpari city. There, she built a small hut on the banks of the Hiran River and began living there.
Since chanting the name of Rama was prohibited in Sonalpari, she constructed secret underground chambers where she recited the Ramayana daily.
To listen to her recitations, Rajalde would come disguised as a cat, and Rajveer would appear as a tomcat and sit in her courtyard.
At that time, Hiranyakashipu had gone away for twelve years of intense spiritual austerities (Siddhi Yoga). His son Prahlad was ruling Sonalpari in his absence.
Prahlad’s mother, Kayadhu, was a serpent princess from the underworld (Patala Loka), and Sajalade lived in the city as her attendant, Humli.
Every night, when Shree Bai Mata recited the Ramayana, she placed a lamp on a cat’s head for light and continued her reading. Rajalde, in the form of a cat, would listen to the Ramayana. This became a daily routine.
Once, in order to guide Prahlad onto the path of righteousness, Shree Bai Mata and Rajalde asked the maid Humli to convey this message to him.
At that time, Prahlad was sleeping in his royal palace. Humli woke him and said,
“O King Prahlad! Although chanting Lord Rama’s name is forbidden in our kingdom, in Sonalpari, on the banks of the Hiran River, Prajapati Shreebai Mata recites the Ramayana every night and sings praises of Lord Hari.”
Hearing this, Prahlad was astonished. That very night, he hid behind Shree Bai Mata’s hut with his soldiers, intending to punish her as soon as she began reciting.
At that moment, Rajveer and Rajalde arrived through the sky and immediately assumed the forms of small cats. Rajveer sat in the courtyard, while Rajalde went into the underground chamber to listen to the Ramayana.
Shree Bai Mata began reciting with a lamp placed on the cat’s head. After some time, the lamp fell, and the cat began to cry.
Soon, the cat started searching desperately for her kittens, crying out in pain. Seeing her suffering, Shreebai (Shriyade) Mata’s heart melted with compassion.
She asked her husband, Shri Udan Keshari Ji,
“Where is the unbaked pot in which this cat gave birth to her kittens?”
Udan Bhagat replied,
“By mistake, I placed that pot in the kiln for firing, and the fire has already been lit. More than half the vessels have been baked now.”
Hearing this, Shreebai Mata took the cat in her lap and gently consoled her:
“O cat, do not worry. My Lord Rama, Shri Hari Vishnu Narayan, will protect your children.”
These words reached Prahlad’s ears. He immediately stepped forward and said,
“O Mother! Tell me, who is Rama? Otherwise, you will be punished by the state.”
Shreebai Mata replied,
“Prahlad, my Rama dwells in every particle of creation. If you wish to see Him, come tomorrow morning.”
Prahlad posted guards around the hut.
That night, Shreebai Mata, Udan Bhagat, Rajveer, and Rajalde together worshipped Lord Vishnu Narayan.
At dawn, Prahlad came into the courtyard and said,
“Show me your Rama, or you will be sentenced to death by hanging.”
Remembering Lord Vishnu, Shreebai Mata opened the kiln and began removing the vessels one by one. When it was time to take out the pot that contained the kittens, the prince saw that it was still completely unbaked.
At that very moment, the kittens joyfully emerged alive from the pot.
Witnessing this miraculous sight, Prahlad fell at Shreebai Mata’s feet and accepted her as his spiritual teacher. She made him a rightful follower of supreme righteousness.
Pleased with her devotion, Lord Vishnu Narayan blessed her, saying:
“Blessed is your devotion. From now on, the word ‘Shri’ shall be added before the name of every deity.”
Thus, the great divine manifestation of Shreebai Mata took place.
The Revered Goddess of the Prajapati Community: Shree Bai Mata ji Jayanti
The Prajapati community celebrates the Jayanti of their revered goddess, the embodiment of compassion, Pujya Shree Shriyade Mataji, with joy and devotion. This festival is observed every year on the Shukla Dvitiya of the month of Magh, in remembrance of the divine manifestation and blessings of the Mother, with special devotion and enthusiasm.
The tradition of celebrating the Jayanti varies slightly across different regions. In Rajasthan and Gujarat, it is celebrated as a festival on Magh Shukla Dvitiya, whereas in some parts of Madhya Pradesh, it is observed as Mata Smaran Divas on Sheetala Saptami, seven days after Holika Dahan.
On Sheetala Saptami, devotees perform puja in memory of the Mother, follow her ideals, and recall the instructive episodes of her life. In some communities, it is also celebrated as a Jayanti, making this festival not just a celebration, but a living symbol of devotion and reverence.
Talala Shree Bai Mata ji Dham: Magnificent Panchdhatu Bell and Temple Construction
In Talala Gir, the newly constructed Shree Bai Mataji Temple (Shree Bai Dham) held a grand three-day Pran Pratishtha festival from 20th to 22nd February 2024. As part of the installation ceremony of the Mother in this divine temple, a grand procession was held on 20th February, followed by a major assembly on 22nd February.
The Pran Pratishtha at Talala Dham took place on 22nd February, exactly one month after the installation of Ram Lalla at the Ayodhya Ram Temple, marking a special occasion. On this day, the temple was filled with a festive atmosphere for devotees and the local community.
For this occasion, a massive 4000-kilogram Panchdhatu bell was installed in the Dham, which was crafted in Rajkot. The bell measures approximately 7 to 8 feet in length and width and was made without using any cement or iron. Its exquisite craftsmanship reflects the true tradition of temple construction and it has been recorded in the World Golden Book of Records.
The main inauguration of this magnificent bell and temple was conducted digitally. Approximately ₹16 crore was invested in the development of the Dham. This investment included the construction of facilities such as an exhibition hall, Shreebai Kund, Bhajan Hall, Gaushala, and Dharmshala.
Talala Dham is not only a religious site but also a symbol of preserving our cultural heritage and spiritual pride. Through this Dham and the Panchdhatu bell, Gujarat is achieving new heights in religious tourism and spiritual activities.
