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 achieve her abode simply in time to have her darshan and expertise her grace. Dwelling really to her title the fulfiller of hopes, she fulfilled my hope and need to have her darshan.
Ashapura Mata Temple at Mata Na Madh actually lies within the coronary heart of Kutch, nestled amidst mild hills. The world is finest identified for its wealthy minerals – alum, gypsum, bauxite, and lignite. The present temple seems very current however it’s custom of residing temples to repeatedly renew temples. Kutch being liable to earthquakes, the buildings right here want rebuilding every so often.
Historical past of Ashapura Mata at Mata Na Madh
As per temple web site, the Devi is talked about in historic texts like Puranas and particularly Rudrayamal Tantra. Oldest identified information counsel that Samma Rajputs got here to Kutch from its north-western borders and settled right here over subsequent few centuries. They have been the followers of Ashapura Mataji. This clan later took the title of Jadeja and their battle cry was Jai Ashapura. When the capital of Kutch moved to Bhuj, the royal household made it some extent 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
Common story goes that someday within the 15th 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 wished 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 crimson 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 evening. 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 principle 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 the same expertise at Darasuram.
Temple is in-built a typical Sompura architects’ fashion – Garbhagriha with a tall shikhara and an hooked up mandapa in sandstone. The sanctum has a golden doorjamb and the self-manifested Murti in vibrant crimson stone of Ashapura Mata is nicely framed by it. She wears a golden crown. Her seven pairs of eyes command consideration making her presence each fierce and nurturing on the similar time. These seven pair of eyes are her distinctive iconography. They inform you that you’re all the time underneath watch. She is going to shield you from any risks however she may even punish you when you don’t comply with the dharma.
Kapadi, most likely derived from Kapali, order of sadhus preside over the temple rituals. They’re brahmacharis and it’s stated 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 crucial temple on this temple, identical 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 be a sort 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 evening 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 – really 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 principle Ashapura Mata temple.
Hinglaj Mata Temple
Hinglaj Mata Temple is positioned proper reverse town aspect 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 wished 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 principle temple. It’s mendacity largely deserted however that’s what makes it very peaceable. The temple stands subsequent to a stupendous temple tank, a sort of stepwell. Surrounded by previous and tall bushes, all you hear is the chirping of birds throughout. I noticed a Hanuman temple, a Shiva temple referred to 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 brilliant orange elephant formed Murti on which a Devi is using or it’s a ladies with an elephant trunk – tough to make out.
Nicely worshipped however appears hardly visited. I discovered this temple very peaceable and excellent 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 prime however you continue to must climb 200 odd steps.
The temple is straightforward with a robust picture of Khalta Bhavani, because the murti of the Devi is on a mattress, it’s referred to 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 fashionable windmills part of the panorama now.
An enormous pure lake referred to 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, probably the most related 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 obtainable.
You want 1-3 hours to discover the entire city. Most individuals simply go to the principle temple, which ought to take 10-30 minutes relying on the gang on the day you go to.
You may eat on the temple kitchen that gives easy but scrumptious meals.
