Bahuchara Mata Shaktipeeth of Mehsana Gujarat

Bahuchara Mata Shaktipeeth of Mehsana Gujarat

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Bahuchara ji is one among three foremost Shaktipeethas in Gujarat. Different two being Amba ji close to Mt Abu and Kalika Devi on Pavagadh hill. I’ve been to Champaner Pavagadh, so this time after I had a chance to go to Ahmedabad, I took a detour to go to Bahuchara ji.

Who’s Bahuchara Mata?

Bahuchara Mata is the patron goddess of the Mehsana area of Gujarat. She bestows many blessings on her devotees and guests. Folks notably go to her to get blessings of getting a son. Ladies come to her with their home issues be it a tiff with the husband or troubles with in-laws.

Bahuchara Mata and the metalbody parts offered to her.Bahuchara Mata and the metalbody parts offered to her.
Bahuchara Mata and the metalbody elements supplied to her.

Most significantly, Eunuchs worship her. You’ll be able to see them sitting underneath a tree in her temple.

Kuldevi

She is the Kuldevi of many communities together with the Solanki Rajputs who dominated this area for a very long time, Kolis, Charans, Bhils and Eunuchs. Solanki kings had rooster, her automobile on their flag as nicely. They arrive to her for the Mundan or tonsure ceremony of their kids. Whenever you go to her temple, you may see many tiny-tots with their heads shaven. A swastik in crimson Kumkum is drawn on their freshly shaven heads.

She can be believed to be a Swaroop or manifestation of Hinglaj Mata of Sindh as nicely Bala Tripursundari who’s the patron goddess of performing artists. Keep in mind Kuchipudi additionally has a temple devoted to Tripursundari. Web tells me that there’s a Bala Yantra in Sphatik or crystal within the garbhagriha however I couldn’t see it.

Choices

Small metallic items with totally different physique elements carved on them are supplied to the Devi. In actual fact, these items being offered within the small metal bins is the very first thing you discover even earlier than getting into the temple. If you’re affected by any illness in any a part of the physique, you provide that to Devi and she’s going to treatment that half for you.

Contained in the temple we noticed so many devotees providing these, specifically on the Adi Bahuchara temple. These are additionally supplied for progeny, as many ladies as nicely households come right here to hunt kids.

Historical past of Bahuchara Mata

It’s believed that Bahucharaji was an actual girl who lived within the 14th CE similar to Karni Mata of Deshnoke. She got here from Maru desh or area round present-day Jaisalmer. Her father was awarded a Jagir or land in Saurashtra. As soon as whereas touring to Saurashtra she alongside together with her sisters have been attacked by a bandit. She gave up her life however cursed the bandit to turn out to be a Eunuch.

Bahuchara Mata Temple - Mehsana GujaratBahuchara Mata Temple - Mehsana Gujarat
Bahuchara Mata Temple – Mehsana Gujarat

Bandit realized his mistake and profusely apologized. Bahuchara ji then requested him to construct a temple to her on the identical place. It was then referred to as Chunawal however now it’s referred to as Becharaji after the Devi herself. She additionally mentioned that if Eunuchs would worship her dressed as ladies, they might get her blessings and a spot at toes after dying.

Bandit duly constructed the temple underneath a Shami tree. You’ll be able to nonetheless see it within the temple premises even immediately.

Gaikwads of Vadodara

Within the current historical past, Gaikwads of Vadodara constructed the temple within the 18th CE, after one of many kings acquired cured after praying on the temple. Within the nineteenth CE, they introduced a South Indian Brahmin because the priest of the temple who leads the each day worship together with many others.

When Gujarats Baroda state railway was began by Gaikwads of Baroda, they used to pay 50 paise per passenger to the temple belief. In addition they used to present funds from the Taluka income for the upkeep of the temple. I’m not positive if it nonetheless continues put up independence.

Iconography of Bahuchara Ji

Bahuchara Devi rides a rooster. A colourful rooster as her Vahan or automobile stands proper in entrance of her temple.

Rooster - the Vahan of Bahuchara DeviRooster - the Vahan of Bahuchara Devi
Colourful Rooster

She has 4 arms. Her higher proper arm carries a sword like Durga, the higher left carried scriptures like Saraswati, her decrease left has a Trishul or Trident like Maheshwari and the decrease proper hand is in Abhay or fearless mudra like Lakshmi.

This manner she encompasses the traits of all the key manifestations of Devi.

Legends of Bhaucharaji

Pandit ji on the Adi temple of Bahucharaji beneath the Shami tree, tells me two fascinating tales.

Islamic Invaders

As soon as when the Islamic invaders have been destroying Hindu temples on their method to destroying the Somnath temple. After they reached Siddhpur, the place the place the well-known Rudra Mahalya was, a Brahmin instructed the invading forces to attempt to destroy the temple of Bahucharaji. His robust perception was that the Devi is Jagrut or lively and would shield them underneath any circumstances.

It was night by the point invading armies reached right here. They noticed plenty of roosters, the automobiles of Mata ji, roaming throughout. They have been tempted they usually made luxurious dinner from them. Within the morning one rooster from the temple gave a name and all of the roosters that have been consumed at night time broke open the stomachs of the troopers and got here out. All of them got here out alive annihilating the military.

Since then, the Devi is seen because the protector of the followers of Dharma.

Solanki and Chavada Kings

As soon as upon a time, in all probability in 18th CE, there have been two finest mates. One was Solanki King of Kalri village and different was Chavada king of Patan. They have been very shut to one another and made a promise that if one among them has a daughter and the opposite a son, they might marry them. This might convert their friendship right into a household relationship. As luck would have it, each had daughters. Solanki king publicizes his daughter as a son.

It’s not straightforward to maintain these items underneath wraps for too lengthy. The information reached the king of Patan and he urged his good friend to ship his future son-in0law to his place on the pretext of a ritual.

Sacred, the princess ran away on her mare and reaches Bahucharaji. If her secret is out, there could be a warfare between two cans resulting in lot of bloodshed. She prays to her to kind out the scenario with none violence.

There was an enormous pond right here referred to as Mansarovar. The princess sat subsequent to the pond after praying and noticed a bitch take dip within the pond and are available out as a canine. Bewildered, she made her mare take a dip within the pond and it got here out as a horse. Deciphering the Devi’s message to her, she too took a dip within the pond, she got here out as a good-looking younger boy.

She then proceeded to Patan and was welcomed warmly earlier than being wedded to the princess of Patan.

Different Legends

One other legend says that Bahucharaji killed Dandasur – an asur who used to rule Daityarajpur which is now referred to as Daitro. This falls in keeping with most Devi khsteras the place some Asura was killed. For instance, Mahishasur in Mysore by Chamundeshwari or Kolasur by Kolhapur Mahalakshmi.

One more legend says {that a} king as soon as prayed right here for a son. Certainly, a son was born to him, however an impotent one. The Devi then appeared within the newborns dream and instructed him to worship her dressed as a girl. This was the start of males dressing a ladies to worship mom.

Visiting Bahuchara Ji Temple

We reached the temple within the morning. After parking the automobile, we met numerous distributors however probably the most intriguing ones have been the one promoting steel sheets with physique elements. We entered by a big arch that has a small temple devoted to Ganesh on one finish.

Bahuchara Ji TempleBahuchara Ji Temple
Bahuchara Ji Temple

A crowded and chaotic lane results in the temple. As quickly as you enter the temple premises, you see a pristine white construction welcoming you. Its exudes purity and energy. As you stroll in direction of the temple entrance, you move by two small temples in your both aspect. One belongs to Shiva and different to Ganapati.

Then bang reverse the temple, you meet the automobile or vahan of Devi – a colourful rooster. Its colours stand out in full distinction to the white temple.

White torans of the temple lead you to the pretty giant mandapa. Contained in the garbhagriha you see a beautiful Murti of Bahuchara Devi, precisely how her iconography defines her. We paid our respects after which sat for some time within the mandapa. We stepped out to the sound of music enjoying in its Yagna mandapa.

Round Temple

An anushthan yagna was happening on this mandapa with many individuals studying Durga Saptashati in Gujarati.

On the opposite aspect of the temple are small temples of Narsingh Veer, who rides a horse. Keep in mind Golu Devata or Kumaon and Khandoba of Maharashtra additionally trip horses.

There’s a pretty triple storey deepstambh, once more in white marble.

Devotees have been distributing Sukhadi – a candy made from milk and gud, as prasad to everybody.

Sukhadi PrasadSukhadi Prasad
Sukhadi Prasad

As we speaking across the temple to take Parikrama, we handed by the stunning Gargoyle within the form of an elephant. It falls right into a bucket being held by a woman in stone.

A pillared corridor has colourful stands holding clay pots. One other pillared hall across the temple had a Jhula the place many ladies come asking for sons. Right here you see many giant pictures of Bahuchara ji. One among them exhibits her driving on a chariot drawn by roosters.

Simply behind the temple, you see a pair of toes in marble with lot of Sindoor on it. Folks take it to use on their foreheads and to make a swatik on the wall in entrance. I noticed an identical follow in temples of Mathura.

You see the stunning carvings throughout the temple.

Adyasthan

It is a small temple proper behind the principle large temple. That is the unique place the place the Devi first appeared underneath a Shami or Varkhadi tree.

Each devotee visits this temple and gives the steel elements. That is the place the Pandit ji instructed me the legends of the Bahuchara ji.

Temple Tank

A path behind the temple results in a small tank. Many small temples encompass the Tank. Water from this tank is used for ritual functions.  We might see many Mundan ceremonies being carried out right here.

Temple Tank Temple Tank
Temple Tank

I learn someplace that Arjuna took a dip on this sarovar or tank to take the type of Brihanalla earlier than getting into the Virat Nagari to dwell incognito. In addition they say that Shikhandi of the Mahabharata additionally prayed right here earlier than combating Dronacharya. Keep in mind he was an incarnation of Amba, and was born a lady however modified his gender.

Assembly Eunuchs

As I walked across the temple, I noticed a gaggle of Eunuchs wearing brilliant colourful Saris and sporting plenty of gold ornaments seated underneath a tree. Devotees who had come for Mundan ceremony would take their youngsters to them for blessings. Generally they might rise up and do a Garba in a circle.

Sonu Masi and Anuradha GoyalSonu Masi and Anuradha Goyal
Sonu Masi and Anuradha Goyal

After observing them for someday, I went and spoke to them. I used to be directed to Sonu Masi, probably the most senior of them. She had enamel of all gold and wore plenty of gold. I sat and chatted with them they usually instructed me in regards to the annual festivals they’ve after Labh Panchami that falls 5 days after Diwali and lasts for about 8-9 days. She confirmed me the movies of them dancing on the competition.

After I requested them about their relationship with the temple, she mentioned we do the japa of the title of Ma and she or he takes care of us. She additionally instructed me that many individuals depart their eunuch kids right here and they’re adopted by the neighborhood. Web tells me that many grown up additionally come to this temple to hitch this neighborhood.

She blessed me with a coin that she first touched together with her bangle after which gave it to me. They are saying their blessings have plenty of energy. I’m grateful to have obtained it and that too on the Shaktipeetha of Bahuchara ji. It’s nearly just like the Devi blessing by these particular beings.

Festivals

On Full moon day, the Palki of Bahucharaji goes across the temple.

On the Full moon days of Chaitra and Ashwin months that falls after the 2 Navaratras on the onset on summers and winters, the competition of Bahucharaji takes place. Her palki visits the Shankhalpur village that’s about 3 kms away from her temple.

Shami tree is worshipped on Dussehra.

Vallabh Bhatt Ni Vav

Situated simply 1-2 km away from the Bahuchara ji temple is Vallabh Bhatt ni Vav. Story goes that Vallabh Bhatt was an ardent devotee of Devi. He used to go to her with out consuming or ingesting something. As soon as on method to the temple, he was very thirsty however refused to drink water. Devi appeared earlier than him and dug a Vav to get him water. The Vav or the stepwell got here to be recognized after the devotee.

As of the now, it’s extra of a vacationer type of place with a small temple of Bahuchara Mata. The stepwell is closed and may solely be seen although a mesh.

Journey Suggestions

Becharaji or Bahuchar Mata temple is positioned about 80 kms from Ahmedabad. One can simply do it as a day journey from town. Ahmedabad is nicely related by air, rail and highway. There’s a devoted parking exterior the temple.

The temple attracts enormous crowds throughout Navaratri, Purnima or full moon day and on particular ceremonial days. I visited on a Thursday; the gang was there however not an excessive amount of.

You’ll be able to spend anyplace from 30 minutes onwards on the temple.

No pictures is allowed contained in the temple, you may click on exterior.

You’ll be able to mix the go to to incorporate Modhera Solar Temple, Rani Ki Vav Stepwell in Patan, Siddhpur and Unjha that has Umiya Mata temple.

It is a vital Devi temple of Gujarat. Go to it.

There are services to remain within the city or in Mehsana as nicely.

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