Pavagadh Temple : Gujarat

LOCATION

At the summit of Pavagadh slope, 800 m above ocean level, is the temple of Maa Kali, dating from the tenth eleventh century. The sanctuary has three pictures of goddesses: the focal picture is of Kalika Mata, flanked by Kali on the right and Bahucharamata on the left. On Chaitra sudi paksha 8th, a fair is held at the sanctuary which is visited by many enthusiasts. The sanctuary is the site of one of the Great blessed Shakti Peethas. One can reach comfortably to sanctuary by ropeway.

The sanctuary complex is part for the Champaner-Pavagadh Archeological Park, an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

HISTORY

The goddess Kalika Mata was at first worshipped by the nearby locals [Lewa Patidar and ruler/sardar is Sadashiv Patel] , until she was subsequently invoked and introduced by Vishvamitra on Pavagadh Hill summit, where she is worshipped as a type of Durga or Chandi. Legend says that once during the celebration of Navratri, the temple had coordinated a conventional dance called Garba, where many enthusiasts got together and moved out of commitment towards the Goddess. Seeing such unequivocal dedication, Goddess Mahakali herself came in the midst of the enthusiasts masked as a neighborhood lady and danced with them. In the mean time, the ruler of that realm Patai Jaisinh who was likewise dancing with the enthusiasts ended up seeing the lady and was captivated with her excellence. Loaded up with desire, the King held her hand and made an unseemly proposition. The Goddess warned him threefold to leave her hand and apologize, yet the king was excessively overpowered with desire to get anything. Consequently, the Goddess cursed that his empire would fall. Soon a Muslim invader Mahmud Begada attacked and captured his empire. Patai Jaisinh lost the fight and was killed by Mahmud Begada. Pavagadh’s Kalika Mata is also worshipped by the Vanvasis. The sanctuary was portrayed in Gangadas Pratap Vilasa Natakam, a fifteenth century drama. Named out of appreciation for the Goddess Kali, the temple is accepted to be the Kali Mata’s home, and is one of the Shakti Peethas, as the representative toe of the goddess Sati is said to have fallen here.

Architecture

The little and plain sanctuary is set in the midst of forests with an open yard toward the front, and is open for extended periods to take into account the surge of pilgrims. There are two raised areas before the sanctuary for offering penances to the Goddess, however any sort of animal penance is totally restricted since almost a few centuries now. The Kali yantra is worshipped at the sanctuary.

The complex is separated into two sections, the ground floor containing Hindu temple, while the temple tower is domed with a Muslim shrine. The central sanctum on the ground floor contains three heavenly pictures: in the middle Kalika Mata in the middle (portrayed as a head, known as mukhwato and red in colour), while Mahakali is arranged on her right side and Bahuchara Mata on her left side. The re-established marble floor dates to around 1859 and was introduced by the pastor of Limbdi in Kathiawar. The domed sanctuary tower contains a Muslim hallowed place and mausoleum to Sadan Shah Pir, a Sufi saint.

FESTIVALS

The sanctuary is one of the greatest tourist and holy place in Gujarat, drawing in enormous quantities people each year. It is a Chodhri custom to make a journey here once in a lifetime. Devotees of Kalika Mata visiting the temple “worshipped by beating ringer metal symbols”. A fair is held every year at the sanctuary on Chaitra Sud 8. Especially on the full moon of Chaitra, in April, and at Dasara, in October, there are huge gatherings of Hindus of all classes. Consistently in September and October during Navratri (multi day dedication of all shakti goddess) an enormous quantity of devotees gather and celebrate.