Ashapura Mata is the presiding deity or the Adhishtatri Devi of Kutch. So, I needed to go to her on my first ever journey o Kutch. Regardless of all of the rains and warnings of nature, I managed to succeed in her abode simply in time to have her darshan and expertise her grace. Residing actually to her title the fulfiller of hopes, she fulfilled my hope and want to have her darshan.

Ashapura Mata Temple at Mata Na Madh actually lies within the coronary heart of Kutch, nestled amidst light hills. The world is finest recognized for its wealthy minerals – alum, gypsum, bauxite, and lignite. The present temple appears very latest however it’s custom of residing temples to repeatedly renew temples. Kutch being liable to earthquakes, the buildings right here want rebuilding from time to time.

Historical past of Ashapura Mata at Mata Na Madh

As per temple website, the Devi is talked about in historic texts like Puranas and particularly Rudrayamal Tantra. Oldest recognized data recommend that Samma Rajputs got here to Kutch from its north-western borders and settled right here over subsequent few centuries. They had been the followers of Ashapura Mataji. This clan later took the title of Jadeja and their struggle cry was Jai Ashapura. When the capital of Kutch moved to Bhuj, the royal household made it a degree to go to Mata Na Madh each Navaratri. They carry out puja at each Ashapura Mandir in addition to Chachara Bhawani Mandir.

Story of Ashapura Murti

In style story goes that someday within the 15^th CE a Karad Vaniya from Marwar was passing by this area. He stopped right here for 9 days, I assume throughout Navaratri, and prayed to Ashapura Devi. He needed to have progeny by means of his worship.

Devi appeared in his dream and instructed him to construct her a temple proper at that spot. She additionally instructed him to shut the door of the temple as soon as its is constructed for six months throughout which era she would set up herself there. To confirm his dream, the service provider discovered a coconut and a pink chunari on the spot he had prayed. He constructed the temple and closed the door. After about 4 months, he began listening to sounds from contained in the temple at night time. Out of curiosity, he opened the door and noticed the murti of Devi until her knees as if she is making an attempt to face up. That is how the picture froze and continues to be.

It’s attainable that the murti is a pure formation as a result of tectonic shifts within the space and the service provider acquired a temple constructed over it.

There are legends that inform that after a king of Sindh attacked the temple and his troopers went blind. They solely regained sight when the king respectfully supplied a bell on the temple.

Temple confronted injury throughout 1819 CE earthquake and was rebuilt by 1823 CE by the then rulers of Kutch. 2001 earthquake once more left its marks however the devotees once more repaired it for his or her Isha Devi. Ashapura Mata is the kuldevi of the Jadeja Rajputs and kshetra Devi of Kutch.

Visiting Mata Na Madh

A tall deepstambha welcomes you to the Ashapura Mata temple as you get off the primary street to go to temple. Ashta Matrikas are current round this deepstambha within the type of Murtis. Simply as we reached, it began drizzling and the temple compound had water throughout. The temple mirrored within the recent rainwater and it appeared superb, reminding me of an identical expertise at Darasuram.

Temple is inbuilt a typical Sompura architects’ fashion – Garbhagriha with a tall shikhara and an connected mandapa in sandstone. The sanctum has a golden doorjamb and the self-manifested Murti in vibrant pink stone of Ashapura Mata is properly framed by it. She wears a golden crown. Her seven pairs of eyes command consideration making her presence each fierce and nurturing on the identical time. These seven pair of eyes are her distinctive iconography. They let you know that you’re at all times below watch. She’s going to defend you from any risks however she may also punish you when you don’t observe the dharma.

Kapadi, in all probability derived from Kapali, order of sadhus preside over the temple rituals. They’re brahmacharis and it’s mentioned that after lots of Kapadi sadhus lived right here. Conventional Guru Parampara is adopted to decide on the following Mahant and hint their descent from Vira Raja.

Ashapura Mata Navaratri at Mata Na Madh

Navaratri is an important temple on this temple, similar to in any Devi temple across the nation. What makes it particular is that devotees from throughout Kutch and even Gujarat and past stroll from lengthy distances to go to her throughout Navaratri. Strolling to the temple of your Kula Devi or Ishta Devi can also be a form of Tirtha Yatra, a kind of Sadhana.

Each Chaitra and Sharad Navaratri are celebrated with nice fervour, however the later is grander. Priest fasts for 9 days and a homa is carried out on the night time of Saptami. On Ashtami, the royal household performs the puja. Kutch royals used to do a bali or sacrifice of buffaloes to Mata ji, however this apply has been stopped. They provide recent chamars each Navaratri with Jagarias singing devi stutis or glories of the goddess.

The temple engages in lots of social initiatives in schooling, well being and rural growth – actually utilizing the choices of devotees to make life higher for Mata’s youngsters.

Different temples in Mata No Madh

Being a Tirtha Kshetra, there are a lot of temples surrounding the primary Ashapura Mata temple.

Hinglaj Mata Temple

Hinglaj Mata Temple is positioned proper reverse the town facet entrance to the Ashapura Mata temple. It’s a small however historic temple dedicated to the celebrated Devi of Balochistan. Story goes that Deshal ji, a devotee of Hinglaj mata needed to go to Balochistan and on the Ashapura temple he was suggested to not go and the journey was arduous and probabilities of survival very low. He listened and determined to construct a temple for Hinglaj Mata in Mata Na Mad itself. It was constructed by Sompura temple architects. As soon as the temple was full, an ashtabhuja or 8 armed Murti of

Chhachara Bhavani Mata Temple

This temple is positioned about 500 meters from the primary temple. It’s mendacity largely deserted however that’s what makes it very peaceable. The temple stands subsequent to an attractive temple tank, a form of stepwell. Surrounded by outdated and tall timber, all you hear is the chirping of birds throughout. I noticed a Hanuman temple, a Shiva temple known as Bhupaleshwara and a small Devi temple devoted to Chhachara Bhavani. It could have been a cave temple carved into the hillock at a while. One cave like temple had a vivid orange elephant formed Murti on which a Devi is driving or it’s a girls with an elephant trunk – tough to make out.

Properly worshipped however appears hardly visited. I discovered this temple very peaceable and ideal for anybody who needs to meditate in peace. The compound has many stones with trishulas carved on them. My guess is these are Sati stones

Khatla Bhavani temple

This temple is positioned on the highest of a hill very near the city. The automotive goes on high however you continue to must climb 200 odd steps.

The temple is easy with a robust picture of Khalta Bhavani, because the murti of the Devi is on a mattress, it’s known as Khatla. The outer partitions of the temple have Murtis of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati giving an impression of the temple being dedicated to Adi Parashakti. The view of Kutch from this temple is sort of a vantage level to get an aerial view of the area with trendy windmills part of the panorama now.

An enormous pure lake known as Rupray lake is positioned between the three Devi temples.

Temples of Shitala Mata and Jagora Bhawani are additionally within the neighborhood however I couldn’t go to them.

Journey Ideas

Mata No Madh is about 100 kms from Bhuj, essentially the most linked level of Kutch.

You are able to do Mata Na Madh as a day journey from Bhuj or you’ll be able to mix it with Narayana Sarovar and keep both at Mata Na Madh or Narayan Sarovar. Each locations have lodging out there.

You want 1-3 hours to discover the entire city. Most individuals simply go to the primary temple, which ought to take 10-30 minutes relying on the gang on the day you go to.

You possibly can eat on the temple kitchen that provides easy but scrumptious meals.