Kalika Mata Temple – Pavagadh

About

Kalika Mata temple was located at this place during the 10th or 11th century. The name of this temple comes from Shakti Peeth. In this temple, Three idols are installed. Kali Mata is on the right and Bahuchara Mata on the left and Kalika Mata is enshrined in the center. The temple is situated on a hill, devotees walk through the stairs to the temple. Ropeways are also available.

History

Kalika Mata was initially worshipped by the local Lewa Patidar and king / Sardar is Sadashiv Patel until she was later invoked and installed by Vishvamitra Maharshi on Pavagadh Hill summit, where she is worshipped as a form of Durga or Chandi.

Once during the festival of Navratri, the temple had organized a traditional dance called Garba, where hundreds of devotees got together and danced out of devotion towards the Goddess. Seeing such unconditional devotion, Goddess Mahakali herself came amidst the devotees disguised as a local woman and danced with them. Meanwhile, the king of that kingdom Patai Jaisinh who was also dancing with the devotees happened to see the woman and was enchanted with her beauty. Filled with lust, the King held her hand and made an inappropriate proposal. The Goddess warned him three times to leave her hand and apologize, but the king was too overwhelmed with lust to understand anything. Thus the Goddess cursed that his empire would fall.

Soon a Muslim invader Mahmud Begada invaded the kingdom. Patai Jaisinh lost the battle and was killed by Mahmud Begada. Pavagadh’s Kalika Mata is also worshipped by the Adivasi. The temple was described in Gangadas Pratap Vilasa Natakam, a 15th-century drama.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, as the symbolic toe of the goddess Sati is said to have fallen here.

Important days to visit

Chaitra Masa, Navratri, followed by Dussehra.

Temple Timings

05:00 AM to 07:00 PM

Aarti Timings

Morning Aarti – 05:00 am Evening Aarti – 06:30 pm.

How to Reach kalika Mata Temple ?

By Road: Vadodara – 45 km, bus or private vehicles are available to Champaner-Pavagadh. Halol town to Pavagadh is 6 Kms. Vadodara to Pavagadh is 48 Kms. Ahmedabad to Pavagadh is 150 Kms By Train: Vadodara Railway Station- 45km By Air: Vadodara Airport – 45km from Kalika Mata Temple