Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh

Mahakali Mata Temple, Pavagadh
Mahakali Mata Temple, Pavagarh
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictPanchmahal
DeityMahakali Mata
FestivalsNavaratri
Location
LocationPavagadh Hill
StateGujarat
CountryIndia
Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh is located in Gujarat
Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh
Location in Gujarat
Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh is located in India
Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh
Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh (India)
Geographic coordinates22°27′40″N 73°30′42″E / 22.46111°N 73.51167°E / 22.46111; 73.51167
Architecture
TypeNagara architecture
CreatorVishvamitra Rishi
Completed10–11th centuries
Elevation827–832 m (2,713–2,730 ft)

Mahakali Mata Temple (or Mahakalimata; lit. 'the great black Mother')[1] is a Hindu goddess temple complex and pilgrim centre at the summit of Pavagadh Hill in Panchmahal District, India, with in the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park.

The Goddess Kalika Mata was being initially worshipped by local Bhil and Koli people, until She was later invoked and installed by Vishvamitra on the top of Pavagadh Hill. [citation needed]

Here, She is worshipped in the form of Durga or Chandi.[2] In the temple, the Kali Yantra is worshipped which dates to 10th or 11th century.[citation needed] The temple has three images of goddesses: the central image is of Mahakali Mata, flanked by Kali on the right and Bahucharamata on the left.

The idol of Mahakali originally belonged to the Achalgacch of Svetambara sect of Jains that was established on the hill in the 12th century, installing the Mahakali devi as the Adishtayika of the newly formed Achalgacch.[3][4] Pavagadh was an ancient Jain pilgrimage centre.[5]

On Chitra sud 8, a fair is held at the temple which is attended by thousands of devotees.[citation needed] The temple is the site of one of the 51 Great holy Shakti Peethas. One can easily reach the temple by ropeway.

  1. ^ Stiglmayr, Elisabeth (1968). Acta ethnologica et linguistica. Universität Wien. Institut für Völkerkunde. pp. 25, 111. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  2. ^ GANGASHETTY, RAMESH (30 October 2019). THIRTHA YATRA: A GUIDE TO HOLY TEMPLES AND THIRTHA KSHETRAS IN INDIA. Notion Press. ISBN 978-1-68466-134-3.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).