Kalika Mata Temple or Mahakali Mata Temple is a Hindu temple complex and pilgrim centre at the summit of Pavagadh Hill in Panchmahal District, Gujrat, India, within the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park. The temple was first found during the tenth or eleventh centuries. The temple contains three goddess images: Mahakali Mata in the centre, Kali on the right, and Bahucharamata on the left.

Kalika Mata Temple is located in the Indian state of Gujarat, near Halol, at an elevation of 762 meters above sea level. The temple complex is part of the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located on a cliff surrounded by dense forest cover. A pathway from the roadhead through the forest leads to the temple, which is 5 kilometres (3.1 miles away). The path leads past the ruins of Patai Raval’s palace. Alternatively, there is a Pavagadh ropeway, which was inaugurated in 1986.

Significance of Kalika Mata Temple Pavagadh

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.

The story behind Kalika Mata Temple Pavagadh

There is a legend associated with this temple. During the Navratri festival, the temple organised a traditional dance known as Garba, in which hundreds of devotees gathered and danced in devotion to the Goddess. Seeing such unwavering devotion, Goddess Mahakali disguised herself as a local woman and joined the devotees in dance. Meanwhile, the king of that kingdom, Patai Jai Singh, who was also dancing with the devotees, happened to notice the woman and was captivated by her beauty. The King, overcome with lust, held her hand and made an inappropriate proposal.

The Goddess warned him three times to leave her hand and apologise, but the king was too consumed with lust to comprehend anything. Thus, the Goddess cursed his empire to fall. Soon after, a Muslim invader named Mahmud Begada invaded the Kingdom. Patai Jai Singh lost the battle and was killed by Mahmud Begada. The Adivasis also worship Pavagadh’s Kalika Mata. The temple is mentioned in Gangadas Pratap Vilasa Natakam, a 15th-century drama. Named in honour of the Goddess Kali, the temple is believed to be the Kali Mata’s residence and is one of the Shakti Peethas, as the right leg toe of the goddess Sati fell here.

History of Kalika Mata Temple Pavagadh

Kalika Mata is the area’s oldest temple, dating back to the tenth and eleventh centuries. According to R. K. Trivedi in Fairs and Festivals of Gujarat (1961), the goddess Kalika Mata was originally worshipped by the local Bhil and Koli people. When the Shaktipeeth of Devi Sati fell at the highest point of Pavagadh, Maa Mahakali self-installed here, where she has remained since and will continue to sit until eternity. Maa Mahakali is Adi Parashakti. Even Vishvamitra meditated on the summit of Pavagadh Hill.

According to historians, Devi Kalika Mata was first worshipped by the local Bhil and Koli people before being invoked and installed by Vishvamitra on the summit of Pavagadh Hill, where she is revered as a form of Durga or Chandi. The temple is thought to be Kali Mata’s home and one of the Shakti Peethas, as the symbolic toe of Devi Sati is said to have fallen there.

In the 15th century, Mahmood Begda captured Pavagadh and destroyed the temple. Begda had destroyed Shikhara. To further insult the Hindus, a Dargah of one Sadanshah Peer was built directly next to the Shikhara in the garbhagrih (sanctum sanctorum). After the attack, the Temple did not have a Dhwaja for over 500 years.

In June 2022, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated Rs 121 crore in development works at Shree Mahakali Mataji Temple, one of Pavgarh’s Shakti Peeths. The foundation of a large campus was laid by widening the top of Pavagadh Hill, and ancillary facilities were built on the first and second floors of the campus. The original sanctum, as well as the entire temple, remains intact.

The architecture of Kalika Mata Temple Pavagadh

The small and plain temple is set amidst fortifications, with an open garden in front, and is open for extended hours to accommodate the influx of pilgrims. There are two altars in front of the temple where people can offer sacrifices to the Goddess, but animal sacrifice has been strictly prohibited for nearly two to three centuries. The Kali yantra is worshipped at the temple.

The complex is very vast and the ground floor contains Hindu shrines and the main temple. The chief shrine on the ground floor houses three divine images: Kalika Mata in the centre (depicted as a head, known as mukhwato, and red in colour), Bhadrakali to her right, and Bahuchara Mata to her left. The restored marble floor dates back to around 1859 and was given to Kathiawar by the minister of Limbdi.

Facts about Kalika Mata Temple Pavagadh

• Kalika Mata Temple, also known as Pavagadh Temple, is located at the top of Pavagadh Hill in Panchmahal District, Gujarat.
• This temple is 800 meters above sea level. Maa Kalika translates to ‘Great Black Mother’. This tiny temple is located in a dense forest surrounded by a cliff.
• Pavagadh Temple takes pride in being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s considered a ShaktiPeeth.
• The presiding deity, Shakti Swarup Jagatajanani Maa Kalika, resides on the highest peak of this scenic mountain.
• A large number of devotees go to the Pavagadh Temple to worship Maa Kalika every day.
• According to local legend, Sage Vishwamitra constructed an idol of Maa Kalika at the Pavagadh Temple. Locals believe that Vishwamitra’s power brought abundant blessings to the region.
• At the Pavagadh Temple, devotees worship the Kali Yantra. There’s an open courtyard. There are two altars in front of the temple for sacrifice. However, animal sacrifice has been completely abolished here.
• The Dargah was relocated peacefully nearby, and the Pavagadh Temple underwent renovations in 2022. A new Shikhara was also constructed.
• The temple is easily reached via ropeway or stairs. It takes about an hour by steps and no more than 15 minutes by ropeway.
• It is located on a rock in the middle of a dense forest. The views from the ropeway are breathtaking. At the foot of the hill, there are two ponds, Doodh Talab and Talai, as well as an ancient Digambar Jain temple.

Famous Festivals In Kalika Mata Temple Pavagadh

Millions of people visit this temple every year to celebrate all of the festivals that are held here. Some major festivals held here are

• Durga Puja. (Winter) – Devotees celebrate Navaratri at this temple in the month of Ashwin (Sep-Oct) and celebrate the triumph of the Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon (Mahishasura).
• Navaratri. (Summer) – They celebrate other Navaratri in the fortnight of the Chaitra (March-April). Every nine days they worship Navadurga (nine Durgas).
• Mahashivaratri is a fasting ritual that takes place in the last week of February. It is reminiscent of Lord Shiva bringing Goddess Parvati with him. A Grand Celebration is arranged by priests and the temple committee.

How To reach Kalika Mata Temple Pavagadh

Kalika Mata Temple is located near Halol in Gujarat. You can visit here if you are in Gujarat or the surrounding areas of Vadodara city.

By Air: The nearest airport to Kalika Mata Temple Pavagadh is Vadodara Airport which is 48 kilometres from the Pavagadh Temple.

By Rail: The nearest train station is Vadodara railway Station which is 45 km away from the Kalika Mata Temple Pavagadh.

By Road: The nearest bus stop is Halol, which is 6 kilometres away. To get to the hilltop, devotees can use rope cars.

Also Read – Kalighat Kali Adi Shaktipeeth