Harsidhhi

Harsidhhi Mataji Idol at Rajpipla, where the original Parmara rulers of Rajpipla, who migrated from Ujjain had brought her as their Kuladevi.

Harsidhhi, a contracted form or, at its very least, a form of "Harshad Amba" - The Happy Mother, is considered one of the aspect of Amba and Kalika, the Hindu Devi. She is also known by the names like Harshal, Harshad, Harshat, Shikotar, Sikotar, Dasha, Momai and Vahanvati Mata. She is also known as Sindhoi Mata or Goddess of Sands, in Sindh in Pakistan, where her temple is located.

Kuldevi

She is worshiped as Kuldevi by many Kshatriya Brahmin Panchariya and Rajput communities. The Chandrana clan of Lohanas, Brahmakshatriyas, many Jain castes as well Brahmin and Vaishya communities also worship her as their Kuldevi. She is also religiously worshiped by fishermen and other sea-faring tribes and people of Gujarat.

Temples

Harshidhhi Mata Temple also known as Harshal Mata Temple located at a place called Miani, some 30 km away from Porbandar en route to Dwarka. The main temple was originally located on a hill top facing the sea. It is said Lord Krishna had worshiped her during his lifetime and has since been living atop hill called Koyla Dungar. The original temple atop the hill is said to be have been build by Lord Krishna himself. Lord Krishna wanted to defeat the asuras and Jarasandha so he prayed to Amba Mata for power. With the blessings of the goddess, Krishna was able to defeat the Asuras. After this success, he built the temple. When Jarasandha was killed, all Yadavas over overjoyed (harshit) and they celebrated their success here. Hence the name Harshad Mata or Harsiddhi Mata. She has since been worshiped as kuldevi of Yadavs.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Seth Jagdu Shah of Kutch, a Jain merchant, was saved by Harsidhhi Mata, when his ships were sinking near the sea where her temple on the hill stood. He is accredited to have built the existing temple of Goddess Harsiddhi located, in 1300 AD. It was believed that if the eyesight of Goddess Harsidhhi fell on the ship, whose original temple was top of the hill, it would be burnt or wrecked. Incidentally, Jagdu Shah happened to travel in the sea, which fell within goddess's territory. Six of the fleet of seven ships of Jagdu Shah got submerged into sea facing the temple. Jagdu Shah then prayed to deity for his safety and his ship reached shore safely. Apprehensive of the deity's curse, Jagdusha went to the temple and observed fast for three days to propitiate the goddess. She was pleased with Jagdu Shah and gave him darshana. He then implored her to come down the hill, so that her eyes would not fall on in coming ships. He promised the goddess that he would build a new temple for her. As the legend goes, the deity agreed to acceded to his request if he would sacrifice a buffalo each on the 108 steps leading down the hill. Jagdu Shah was perplexed as being follower of Jainism, he believed in ahimsa. However, a man of his words, he decided to give sacrifice of buffaloes but to his surprise 108 buffaloes he had brought fell short. So he decided to sacrifice himself and his family to fulfill his words. At this point Goddess Harsidhhi was pleased and bestowed upon him the boon that this will be his last birth and he will get moksha after his death and his idol will also be worshiped alongside hers at Harsidhhi temple. You can accordingly see an idol of Jagdu Shah at Harsiddhi temple, which is placed at right side of main idol of goddess in temple.[1][4] Upon this, Jagdu Shah also asked Goddess to bring back to life the buffaloes he had sacrificed.

Another famous temple is located at Ujjain, which is said to have been built by famous King Vikramāditya. Vikramaditya is said to have visited Miyani, then known as Minalpur, a port city ruled by Prabhatsen Chavda of Chawda dynasty. Vikramadiya was blessed by the Devi. He requested Harsidhhi Mata, to come to his kingdom at Ujjain, where he would worship her daily.^[5] She is also known as Vahanvati Mata.

One more famous temple is located in Rajpipla, where she is worshiped as Kuldevi by former princely State of Rajpipla, where she had come from Ujjain.^[6][7]

Her temples are found in Gujarat, Rajasthan - ( Jodhpur Dist. Aoustra Village, Nagour Dist. Lampolai Village and Dousha Dist. Abhaneri Village Located in chand Baori ) , Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Some of her noted temples are located in Porbandar, Indore, Jabalpur, Ladol, Dwarka, Wadhwan, Aurangabad, Badod, Varvala, Lunavada, Chand Baori, Haripura, Kutch, Rangir Rahli District Sagar Madhya Pradesh, etc.

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  Ancient temple of Harsidhhi also known as Harshad atop Koyala hill near Miyani, Gujarat

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  Harsidhhi Mata Temple at Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

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  Carvings on ancient temple of Harshad on Koyla Hill

References

2. Harsidhi Maa, Miyani
6. Rajpipla
7. Further, Rajpipla State in Gujarat was also founded by the Parmar Rajputs, descendants of Vikramaditya of Ujjain. They are believed to have brought idols of Harsidhhi Mata from Ujjain and worship her as their Kuldevi.