Mata no Madh Bhuj

The Ashapura Devi Mata Temple, also known as Mata no Madh, is located in the district of Kutch in the state of Gujarat. The temple is dedicated to the Goddess Ashapura Mata and is the Kuldevi of the Kuldevi of Jadeja and is situated to the west of Kakkadbhit. The original 1200-year-old temple was damaged many times due to an earthquake. The temple that stands strong today was built by Sunderji Saudagar and its structure is being constructed with more glory and better dimensions. Also, many other religious festivals like Diwali, Navratri and Holi are celebrated. For more details, one can check the blog on Mata no Madh Kutch temple and Darshan timing.

History of Mata no Madh Bhuj

In terms of its beginnings, this temple, also known as Ashapura, has a long history.  This goddess is mentioned in the Puranas, Rudrayamal Tantra, and other texts, all of which are supposed to refer to this Kutch sanctuary. However, among the records now in the trust's possession, there is no evidence of any old texts or records that provide any clues as to when devotion at this shrine first commenced. When the Samma clan of Rajputs from Sindh first arrived in western, or more accurately, north-western Kutch in the ninth century AD, this god was definitely present. More generations or this clan soon followed them in succeeding centuries, establishing them in the area. At the start of the 16th century, one of their lineages took control of the whole state of Kutch. The son of Jam Hamirji, who had been killed by Jam Rawal previously, was Khegarji I.  Both Jams (a Raja or Chieftain was referred to as a "Jam" in Sindh) were ardent followers of Ma Ashapuraji.

There is a long history and tradition around Mata-no-Madh's goddess, Ashapura Mata. About 1500 years ago, the goddess told a Marwar-based devotee named Devchand (Karad Vania), who was looking for a child, in a dream to construct a shrine where he had spent Navratri. He discovered a coconut and a red rag as evidence after following her instructions. Devchand observed the deity in her current kneeling position when he opened the temple doors early, despite the fact that they were supposed to stay closed for six months. It's possible that the location was once a naturally occurring rock formation that was revered; centuries later, the temple was rebuilt because of earthquake damage.

Shrine sites for Lord Shiva, Hinglaj Mata, Chachra Bhawani, Khatla Bhawani, and Jagora Bhawani are all part of the temple complex.  The celibate Kapadi order is led by the Mahant, also known as Raja, who has historically had a large following in Madh. Ashapura Mata has long been regarded as the guardian deity of the Jadeja dynasty of Kutch.

 The shrine attracts Jains, Muslims, and Hindus all year long.  Miracles and a strong sensation of divine presence are reported by many.  Ashapura Mata, which stands for nurturing, protection, and plenty, symbolises the worldwide respect for female divinity (also known as "shakti").

Other Temples around Ashapura Mata no Madh, Bhuj

Hinglaj Maa Temple, Kutch

Maharao Shri Deshalji II constructed the Hinglaj Mataji temple at Mata na Madh, Kutch, after Mahant Raja Shri Tejsinh counselled him against making the perilous trek to the original shrine in Makran, Baluchistan. The temple, which was built by Sompura architects and opened to the public in Vikram Samvat 1912, contains an idol of Hinglaj Mata with eight arms made of white marble.

Chachra Bhavani

The deity at the Chachra Bhavani temple, which is set into a hillside west of Chachra Kund, faces east. The Bhopaleshwar Shiva temple, constructed about Vikram Samvat 1870, is also located inside the enclosure. It is estimated that the Chachra Bhavani temple is almost three hundred years old.

Khatla Bhavani

The deity appears on a bed-shaped seat, or "khatla," in the Khatla Bhavani temple, which was constructed about Vikram Samvat 1800. Easily accessible by donation-funded cement stairs, the serene location is perched on a tiny hill west of Mata-na-Madh.

Shitla Mata Temple

This temple was built in 1902, the year of Vikram Samvat. This temple faces east as well. It is enclosed by other temples, such as Raghunathji and Lakshminarayan, because it is situated in a large garden.

Shri. Jagora Bhavani

The Jagora Bhavani temple is located between two enormous black stones on Jagora Hill, two miles north of Mata-na-Madh. The Mahashwari people, who perform yearly bhajan rituals, are the primary worshippers of the red sindoor-coated figure of Jagora Mataji that is housed in the cave.

How to Reach Mata no Madh

The Ashapura Mata Mandir can be easily reached by taking the given quick ways of transportation.

By Rail

The nearest railway station to Mata no Madh is Bhuj Railway Station, about 101 kilometres away. From Bhuj, you can take a taxi or bus to reach Mata no Madh, which takes around 2 to 2.5 hours by road.

By Air

The nearest airport to Mata no Madh is Bhuj Airport, located around 100 kilometres away. From the airport, you can take a taxi or bus to reach Mata no Madh. The journey by road typically takes about 2 hours.

By Road

The road connectivity of all of Gujarat is excellent. You can reach Shri Mata no Madh Temple from any part of Gujarat. The nearest bus stand is the Mata no Madh Bus Stand and the temple is 5 km away from the bus stand. Direct autos are available from the bus stand to Ashapura Mata Temple, Kutch.

Best Time to Visit Ashapura Mata Mandir

The best time to visit Mata no Madh in Kutch is from October to March, when the weather is cool and pleasant. This period avoids the extreme heat of summer and offers a comfortable experience for sightseeing and visiting the temple. The Kutch Rann Utsav, held from November to February, also adds to the appeal of the region during this time.