Pavagadh

Site Name: Pavagadh Kalika Mata Temple

Site Type: Hindu temple

Location:  Pavagadh, near Halol, Gujarat state, India

Highlights: One of 51 Shakti Peeth temples; a very popular temple of Goddess

Nearest Railway Station: Ahmedabad, 140 kms away

Nearest Airport: Ahmedabad

How to reach: Well connected by road from Vadodara (45 kms away)

Hotel: Not many options nearby

Restaurants: Very few options are there; not highly dependable

Pavagadh Kalika Mata Temple is a very popular temple in Gujarat state of India. Millions of devotees visit this site every year. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peetha temples. 

Highlights:

• One of the 51 Shakti Peetha temples
• Goddess - Kalika
• The original temple dates back to 10th or 11th century CE
• The toe of Shakti fell on this site 

Legend:

As per the Hindu mythology, as Daksha insulted his son in law Lord Shiva, Shiva's wife and Daksha's daughter Sati sacrificed her life. Shiva became very angry and started dancing Rudra Tandava carrying the corpse of Sati. To protect the universe, Lord Vishnu cut down the body of Sati into many pieces. The body parts fell in different sites on the earth; all of those sites became Shakti Peethas. In Pavagadh, it is believed that the toe of Sati fell in this site.

Temple Layout:

Pavagadh is a hilly area and the temple of Kalika is situated atop the hill at around 762 m above sea level. To reach the temple, one has to trek for 5 kms or take the cable car. 

The small temple, which is heavily crowded, has the idol of Kalika Mata in the sanctum sanctorum. The idol has only the head (called as Mukhwato) in red color. She is flanked by Kali and Bahuchara. Also, the Kali yantra is enshrined in the shrine.

The temple is plain in architecture and is located amidst fortifications. There are two altars in front of the temple used for offering sacrifices and for lighting the lamps. 

Happy travelling.