Shree Mahakali Temple or Pavagadh Temple locates on Pavagadh Hill at an elevation of 800 m above sea level near Champaner, the ancient capital of Gujarat. Shree Kalika Mata temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas and the 3rd in Gujarat because the right leg of our Goddess Sati fell in this place.
Pavagadh Temple
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The name is Pavagadha because part of the paw (leg) fell here. Devata Mahakalika Mandir, Pavagadh, is one of the most famous shrines in Gujarat, attracting millions of tourists and pilgrims throughout the year.
Many details of Shree Mahakali Maa had described in various Holy Scriptures in Sanatan Dharma and Tantric scriptures.
Goddess Kalika Mata is worshipped here as Dakshina Kali with tantric rituals. Mahakali had considered being the wife of Lord Shiva. Kali is the power of our Durga’s anger. Mahakali Maa is a person who destroys evil energy.
Devotees can use the rope route from Manchi – to reach the top of the Pavagadh hill station, but there are still 300 steps to climb to see our Mahakali. The temple complex is part of the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
History of Mahakali Temple
According to mythology, our Pavagadh temple has existed since the 10th century and has been restored many times. The great sage Vishwamitra stayed on the Pavagadh hill and worshipped our Kalika. It had believed that Vishwamitra Maharshi erected our idol of Kali.
According to historical records, Jaisin, a king of the Patai dynasty, ruled the Champaner kingdom at the foot of the Pavagadh hill.
Champaner was a prosperous empire during his reign, and the goddess Mahakali lived happily on the hill of Pavagadh. Navratri, the festival of the sacred nine nights and the worship of Ambe Devi, had celebrated here with pure devotion.
With devotion to the deity, the royal family, as well as the local people, take part in the Garba. Because of their true love and pure devotion, the goddess was so impressed that she decided to disguise herself as a local woman and participate in Garaba with her devotees.
King Jaisingh was pleased with her beauty and made an indecent proposal. Then the goddess warned the king and said she was like his mother. Out of desire, the king insisted on making her his queen. Then the goddess became angry and cursed that his kingdom would fall.
Later, Mughal King Muhammad Begada invaded Champaner and defeated King Jaisinha in battle. Thus the thriving Champaner Empire collapsed due to the curse of the goddess. In the present temple courtyard, the inner sanctum sanctorum housed the head of Mahakali Mata – Mukhvato and had been painted in red.
Adjacent to this is the idol of Mahakali and the Bahucharama machine. Next to the Mahakalima temple is the shrine of the Muslim monk Sadansha, who had believed to have appeased Goddess Mahakali when she angrily decided to destroy the world.
According to local folklore, Vishwamitra Maharshi erected an idol of Kalika Devi at Pavagada. The locals believe the region had been blessed with Vishwamitra Maharshi’s power.
Legend of Mahakali Temple
Pavagadh Temple is the main shrine of the deity and has been worshipped since pre-Vedic times. According to the Markandeya Purana, Sati, the daughter of King Daksh Prajapati, was a great devotee of Lord Shiva and performed intense penance to please Lord Shiva.
Finally, Lord Shiva agreed to her marriage. But Daksha Raju was not happy with this marriage. To insult Shiva, Dakshuda performed Yagya and invited all the gods and famous people except Sati and Shiva. Sati decided to confront her father in Yagya.
Lord Shiva tried to stop her from doing this, but Sati went to Yaga. King Daksh did not welcome her and did not use this occasion to insult her and Shiva in front of God and all the famous people.
Sati Devi could not bear this humiliation and jump into Yagya’s sacred pit. Once Lord Shiva got this information, He was in severe pain and anger over the South. Lord Shiva created Veerabhadra and Bhadrakali with additional general superpowers and command to kill Daksh and his army.
Then Lord Shiva picked up Sati with her fiery body and expressed his anger in the form of the epic Tandava, the dance form of destruction. Other gods and people were concerned about the safety of the entire universe and requested Lord Vishnu to help in this situation.
Vishnu used the Sudarshan Chakra and mutilated the body of our Goddess Sati. According to legend, the heart of Goddess Sati fell at the spot where the Ambaji temple had been located. Thus the temple is one of the main Shaki Peetha and Siddha Peetha of the 51 Shakti Peethas.
Mahakali Temple Timings
Pavagadh Temple timings are from 5 AM to 7 PM.
Best time to visit
Devotees of Goddess Mahakali visit this temple throughout the year, as Pavagadh is one of the important shrines in Gujarat. Best time to visit Chaitra Navratri and Ashwini Navratri; A large fair was organized here on the eighth day of Chaitra Sood. The devotee can perform Navchandi Yaga like other karmas based on their desires.
With thousands of devotees coming from all over India to pay homage to Goddess Mahakali, all the facilities, like hotels, guest houses, hospices, restaurants, etc., are available.
Activities
Sri Mahakalika Trust is coming forward with a state-of-the-art temple complex. The new temple complex, called ‘Bhavyati Bhavya,’ will be built on three levels. The Pavagadh Temple had spread over an area of 30,000 square feet. It is one of the first such projects in India.
Yagnashala: The Mahakalika machine is the most powerful instrument that transmits the divine energy of Mahakalika Devi. The shrine is built here on the principles and design of the Mahakali machine.
Annashetra: The Annashetra complex had built on the principles and design of Sri Yantra. The SR machine has nine interlocked triangles with a dot in the center. These triangles represent the cosmos and the human body.
Garden Complex: The temple complex has a 100K sq ft garden with a combination of flora and fauna.
Multiplex Complex: Located between n flora and fauna of Pavagadh, this complex houses a theatre on the Pavagadh Plateau. The theatre will play a film about the significance of the epic based on Hindu scriptures.
Lake Complex: There had a beautiful lake called Dhudia Talao at Pavagada. In the center of the lake is a 51 feet tall idol of Lord Shiva. It is the first time in the country that both Mahakali and Mahakali live together.
Laser shows with 3D projections and musical performances of Shiva hymns and mantras keep the devotees enthralled. The new dining hall, with a seating capacity of about 500, will provide clean and satvik-free meals and water to all the devotees visiting the Mahakalika Temple.
Online Advance Darshan Booking
For advance Darshan booking, please visit the official website of Pavagadh Mahakali Temple.
Nearby places to visit
- Pavagadh Mahakali Temple
- Manchi Fort
- Jain Temple
- Lakulisa Temple
How to reach?
By Air:
The nearest airport is 150 km from Ahmedabad and 48 km from Vadodara.
By Train:
The Vadodara Western Railway connects Ahmedabad to Mumbai. You can reach Pavagadh by Gujarat State Road Transport buses and private luxury coaches from Vadodara or rent a car.
By Road:
Pavagadh is easily accessible by car, Gujarat State Road Transport Buses, and Private Luxury Coaches from various cities in Gujarat.
Distance to other towns and cities:
- Pavagadh is 6 km from Halol town.
- Pavagadh locates at a distance of 48 km from Vadodara.
- Pavagadh locates at a distance of 150 km from Ahmedabad.
Address & Contact Details
Pavagadh Hill, Pavagadh, Panchmahal, Champaner, Gujarat 389360
02676 228888