Kalika Mata Temple in Pavagadh

Today, I’m going to take you to one of the Shakti Peethas. Its the Kalika Mata temple in Pavagadh, a place in the northern state of Gujarat. This temple was built in the 10 or 11th century and is said to be the place where the toe of goddess Sati fell. This was the place were people of the Bhil and Koli tribes started worshiping the goddess as Kalika Mata. Later on, it is said that Vishwamitra installed and invoked Kalika Mata at Pavagadh. He worshiped her as Durga or Chandi. This temple has another unique and lengthy name. Its sometimes called Gangadas Pratap Vilasa Natakam. This is the neme given to the Kalika Mata temple, by a 15th century drama. This temple is located within the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park complex which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It can be reached through a pathway heading into the forest and leading to the temple or you can take the popular ropeway. This path was created only in 1986. The uniqueness of this ropeway lies in the fact that it can carry as many as 1,200 people per hour. It also has the privilege of being India’s highest ropeway. If you want to see the major celebrations at this temple, you should visit during Chaitra Sud 8. A full moon day of this month is considered most auspicious by the devotees of Kalika Mata. The other day that has a large number of people coming to this temple is during Dussera. This is the time when people here get into a festive moon. If you want to join the celebration, you must visit the Kalika Mata temple during this time.

- Kruti Beesam