Dating from the 10th-11th centuries, Kalika Mata Mandir is the oldest temple in the area. According to historians, Devi Kalika Mata was initially worshipped by the local Bhil 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. The temple is believed to be the Kali Mata’s residence and is one of the Shakti Peethas, as the symbolic toe of the Devi Sati is said to have fallen here. In the 15th century, Mahmood Begda, captured Pavagadh and destroyed the temple. Begda had completely destroyed the Shikhara. To further insult the Hindus, right where the Shikhara was in the garbhagruh (sanctum sanctorum), a Dargah of one Sadanshah Peer was constructed. After the attack, for over 500 years, no Dhwaja was unfurled at the Mandir.
Restoration work
In June 2022, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated development works worth Rs 121 crores at Shree Mahakali Mataji Temple, one of the 51 Shakti Peeths located at Pavgarh. The foundation of a large campus was laid by widening the top of Pavagadh Hill, then ancillary facilities were erected on the first and second floor of the campus. The original sanctum has been kept intact and the entire temple has been rebuilt. The main temple and the open area have been widened. In the old temple of Mataji, there was a dargah in place of the “Shikhar”. The Dargah has been relocated in an amicable settlement, and a new “Shikhar” has been constructed, on which the flagpole has been restored, and the flag will be unfurled there.
The government had planned the overall development of Pavagadh in two phases. In Phase 1, various facilities have been developed, including the widening of the pathway, construction of a toilet block, police booth, water hut, sitting pavilion, chowk, otla, food court, water supply, drainage, signage, and more. The pathway has been expanded to a total length of 3.01 km, divided into 25 stretches with a total of 2374 steps.
In Phase 2, the expansion of the temple premises was carried out. The existing temple premises, which covered an area of 545 sq.m, have been expanded across three levels. Level 1 encompasses 400 sq.m, Level 2 covers 1395 sq.m, and Level 3 extends over 1185 sq.m, resulting in a total expansion of 2980 sq.m.
Phase 3 involves the construction of an Office Block at Manchi Chowk to accommodate pilgrims arriving at Pavagadh Yatragham. Additionally, stone flooring of Chachar Chowk, a multi-level parking facility, toilets, an entrance gate, signages, fire-fighting systems, water supply, drainage, and electrification works are planned, with an estimated cost of Rs 13 crores.
Significance
The Kalika Mata Temple is an important pilgrimage site for lakhs of devotees across Gujarat who flock to the temple to mark the festival of Navaratri. It is a Chodhri tradition to make a pilgrimage here at least once in a lifetime. Devotees of Kalika Mata visiting the temple “worshipped by beating bell-metal symbols”. A fair is held each year on the full moon of Chaitra, in April, and at Dasara, in October, there are large meetings of Hindus of all classes.
