On the bank of the Kalisil river at Karauli in Rajasthan stands the Kaila Devi temple, one of the most revered Shakti shrines of the region, dedicated to the Goddess Kaila Devi — a form of Mahalakshmi, revered in tradition as Yogamaya, the divine sister of Krishna who eluded the tyrant Kansa. She is honoured as the family deity of the former rulers of Karauli.
The temple draws immense crowds, above all during its great fortnight-long Chaitra fair, when pilgrims come from across Rajasthan and beyond, many singing the traditional laangurdiya. Kaila Devi of Karauli is among the most beloved Mother-goddess shrines of the desert land.
