Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh

Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh

Kali Mata Temple with pathway of steps, Gujarat
Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh
Location in Gujarat
Name
Proper name Kalika Mata Temple
Geography
Coordinates 22°27′40″N 73°30′42″E / 22.46111°N 73.51167°E / 22.46111; 73.51167Coordinates: 22°27′40″N 73°30′42″E / 22.46111°N 73.51167°E / 22.46111; 73.51167
Country India
State Gujarat
Location Pavagadh Hill
Elevation 800 m (2,625 ft)
Culture
Primary deity Kalika Mata
Important festivals Navaratri
Architecture
Architectural styles Nagara architecture
History and governance
Date built 10-11th centuries
Creator Vishvamitra Rishi

Kālikā Mata Temple (or Kalikamata; meaning "the great black Mother")[1] is a Hindu goddess temple complex and pilgrim centre at the summit of Pavagadh Hill in Panchmahal district, India, within the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park. It dates from the 10th or 11th centuries. The temple has three images of goddesses: the central image is of Kalika Mata, flanked by Kali on the right and Bahucharamata on the left. On Chitra sud 8, a fair is held at the temple which is attended by thousands of devotees. The temple is the site of one of the Great holy Shakti Peethas. One can reach easily to temple by ropeway.

Geography

Kalika Mata Temple is situated in the Indian state of Gujarat, near Halol,[2] at 762 metres (2,500 ft) above sea level.[3] The temple complex is part of the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[4] It is set amidst a dense forest cover on a cliff.

The temple can be accessed by a pathway from the road head through the forest over a distance of 5 kilometres (3.1 mi).[3] The path passes the ruins of Patai Raval's palace ruins. Alternatively, there is a ropeway access, which was commissioned in 1986.[5] The ropeway, 740 metres (2,430 ft) in length, is of mono-cable and can carry 1,200 people per hour; it is said to be the country's highest.[6]

History

The Kali yantra is worshipped at Pavagadh's Kalika Mata Temple.

Dating from the 10th-11th centuries, Kalika Mata is the oldest temple in the area.[3] According to R. K. Trivedi in Fairs and Festivals of Gujarat (1961), the goddess Kalika Mata was initially worshipped by the local Bhil people and Koli people, until she was later invoked and installed by Vishvamitra on Pavagadh Hill summit, where she is worshipped as a form of Durga or Chandi.[7] Pavagadh's Kalika Mata is also worshipped by the Adivasi.[1] The temple was described in Gangadas Pratap Vilasa Natakam, a 15th-century drama.[8] Named in honor of the Goddess Kali, the temple is believed to be the Kali Mata's residence, and is one of the Shakti Peethas,[9] as the symbolic toe of the goddess Sati is said to have fallen here.[10]

Architecture and fittings

The small and plain[11] temple is set amidst fortifications with an open yard in the front, and is open for long hours to cater to the rush of pilgrims.[3] There are two altars in front of the temple for offering sacrifices to the Kalika Mata, as well as a row of lights that are lit on festive occasions. The Kali yantra is worshipped at the temple.[12]

The complex is divided into two parts, the ground floor containing Hindu shrines, while the temple spire is domed with a Muslim shrine.[2][13] The chief shrine on the ground floor contains three divine images: in the centre Kalika Mata in the centre (depicted in the form of a head, known as mukhwato and red in colour[3]), while Mahakali is situated to her right and Bahuchara Mata to her left. The restored marble floor dates to about 1859 and was presented by the minister of Limbdi in Kathiawar.[11] The domed temple spire contains a Muslim shrine and mausoleum to Sadan Shah Pir, a Sufi saint.[11][13]

Festivals

The temple is one of the biggest tourist and pilgrimage centers in Gujarat, attracting large numbers of people every year.[14][15] It is a Chodhri tradition to make a pilgrimage here at least once in a lifetime.[16] Devotees of Kalika Mata visiting the temple "worshipped by beating bell-metal symbols".[17] A fair is held each year at the temple on Chaitra Sud 8.[2] Especially on the full moon of Chaitra, in April, and at Dasara, in October, there are large meetings of Hindus of all classes.[11]

Travel info

The Temple can be easily accessible by Ropeway. Ropeway facility is for all whether senior citizen or not. This facility helped many tourists as there are too many stairs leading to the temple.

The Temple is situated on a hill with Great pride. The Mahakali Mandir is about 140 km from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This is the dominant Attraction of the city. The city is also the home of Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Stiglmayr, Elisabeth (1968). Acta ethnologica et linguistica. Universität Wien. Institut für Völkerkunde. pp. 25, 111. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 Sajnani, Manohar (1 September 2003). Encyclopaedia of Tourism Resources in India. Gyan Publishing House. pp. 102–. ISBN 978-81-7835-018-9. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Pavagadh Hill/Kalika Mata Temple". The Official Website of Gujarat Tourism, Govt. of Gujarat. September 22, 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  4. ↑ "Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park". UNESCO. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  5. ↑ "Usha Breco Limited | Maa Kalidevi".
  6. ↑ Limca Book of Records. Bisleri Beverages Ltd. 1990. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  7. ↑ Burman, J. J. Roy (2005). Gujarat Unknown: Hindu-Muslim Syncretism and Humanistic Forays. Mittal Publications. pp. 79, 206–. ISBN 978-81-8324-052-9. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  8. ↑ Śivānanda, Vi; Bhargava, Atul (2009). Champaner Pavagadh. Archaeological Survey of India. p. 33. ISBN 978-81-904866-2-0. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  9. ↑ Srivastava, Vinod Chandra (2 January 2008). History of Agriculture in India, Up to C. 1200 A.D. Concept Publishing Company. pp. 702–. ISBN 978-81-8069-521-6. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  10. ↑ "Pavagadh". Government of Gujarat. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Bombay (India: State) (1879). Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Kaira and Panch Maháls (Public domain ed.). Printed at the Government Central Press. pp. 193–. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  12. ↑ Bhargava, Gopal K.; Bhatt, Shankarlal C. (2006). Land and people of Indian states and union territories. 33. Daman & Diu. Gyan Publishing House. pp. 170–. ISBN 978-81-7835-389-0. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  13. 1 2 Ruggles, D. Fairchild; Silverman, Helaine (15 June 2009). Intangible Heritage Embodied. Springer. pp. 85–. ISBN 978-1-4419-0071-5. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  14. ↑ Unesco (30 September 2009). The world's heritage: a complete guide to the most extraordinary places. Collins. p. 730. ISBN 978-92-3-104122-8. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  15. ↑ Srivastava, Mahesh Chandra Prasad (1978). Mother goddess in Indian art, archaeology & literature. Agam. p. 140. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  16. ↑ Glatter, Augusta (1969). Contributions to the ethnography of the Chodhris, Surat District, Gujarat. Engelbert Stiglmayr. p. 25. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  17. ↑ Gujarat State Gazetteers: Kheda. Directorate of Government Print., Stationery and Publications, Gujarat State. 1977. p. 163.

External links

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