Khodiyar Mata Temple is located on the Bhavnagar-Rajkot highway in the small village of Rajpara in the Shihore taluka of the Bhavnagar district of Gujarat. Devotees of Maa Khodiyar all over India visit Rajpara Khodiyar Temple for worship throughout the year, especially during festivals, Navratri and weekends.
The distance of Rajpara Khodiyar Mandir from Bhavnagar is only 18 km, many devotees used to reach the temple on foot. The story of this holy place is related to Maharaja Wakhatsinhji Gohil, the ruler of Bhavnagar state during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Khodiyar Maa is a form of Adi Shakti Devi. There are many temples dedicated to Khodiyar Maa in Gujarat. There are five temples that are considered the most important.
- Matel (Morbi)
- Khodaldham (Kagvad)
- Galdhara (Dhari)
- Rajpara Khodiyar Maa Temple (Rajpara, Bhavnagar)
- Khodiyar maa temple Aiyavej ( Near Palitana)
Khodiyar Mandir Rajpara History
Maharaja Wakhatsinhji Gohil was a great devotee of Maa Khodiyar and often visited the distant temple Galdhara (Matel Temple) of Maa Khodiyar for darshan and blessings. One day Wakhatsinhji urged Maa Khodiyar to come down to Shihor (at that time the capital of Bhavnagar) from Galdhara temple.
Maa Khodiyar agreed to go along with them, with the condition that the Maharaja Wakhatsinhji would not turn around the entire way. Maharaja agrees with the condition of Maa Khodiyar.
To see whether Maharaja Wakhatsinhji could trust Khodiyar Maa’s words. When Shihore was nearby, he could not hear Mataji’s footsteps or the tinkling sound of Devi’s anklets. He turned back and broke the promise to see whether Mataji was following him or not.
Mataji decided to end her journey because Maharaja Wakhatsinhji broke the condition (Vachan). Thus, at this place, Mother Khodiyar and her seven sisters end their journey to Rajpara.
This is how Khodiyar Mata Temple came to Rajpara and many pilgrims come to this holy temple. Khodiyar Mandir Rajpara is a must-visit place for devotees, as its spiritual and religious atmosphere will make your heart and mind pure. a peaceful and religious place to visit once.
Khodiyar Mandir Bhavnagar Aarti Timings
Here we provided the details of Khodiyar Mandir Bhavnagar Darshan and Aarti timings.
Days | Morning | Evening |
---|---|---|
Mon To Sat | 5:30 AM | 7:00 PM |
Sunday | 5:00 AM | 7:00 PM |
On Purnima | 5:00 AM | 7:00 PM |
The temple is open for Darshan from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. for the devotees of Khodiyar Mataji.
Khodiyar Mandir Rajpara Opening and Closing Time
Temple Timings | Time |
---|---|
Opening | 5:00 AM |
Closing | 10:00 PM |
The Birth Story of Khodiyar Maa
It begins in a village called Roishala. Roishala was a part of the Vallabhipur region near Bhavnagar city in Saurashtra, Gujarat.
Mamiya Gadhvi was on very good terms with the then Maharaja of Bhavnagar, Shilbhadra. Due to anger and jealousy in the royal court, Mamadiya Gadhvi was removed from the court because Mamaniya and his wife were ‘baanj’ as they didn’t have a child for years after being married.
Sad and depressed, Mamadiya prayed to Lord Shiva and decided to perform Kamal Puja by sacrificing his life. Just when he was about to prepare to offer his last sacrifice, Lord Shiv appeared and took Mamadiya Gadhvi to Nag Loka for a solution. Nag Devta had seven daughters and a son.
They asked Mamadiya Gadhvi to go home and prepare eight cradles. Soon after that, Mamadiya Gadvi’s wife was blessed with seven daughters and a son, even though she was not pregnant.
Khodiyar Mata appeared as the daughter of a Charan warrior called Mamadiya Gadhvi of Roishala in about 700 CE. One of seven sisters is Janbai (Khodiyar Maa) and a brother, Mamadiya Gadhvi, names their daughters Aaval, Jogal, Togal, Janbai, Holbai, Beejbai, Sosai and the sonbai, Mehrak (Mehrakiya).
Khodiyar Mata also Known as Janbai
One day, Mehrakiya was bitten by a snake. Aaval suggests bringing “Ami” from the “Naglok”. It had to be brought before the sunset in order to save Mehrak’s life. Janbai saved her brother’s life by travelling underwater to Nag Loka and bringing the “Ami”.
While returning, Janbai injured her leg and travelled on a crocodile to get back home. She walks with a limp (Khodi) and Aaval decides to name her Khodiyar and declares that she will be known and worshipped as Khodiyar Maa in the future. Ever since then, Khodiyar Mata temples have come up in various places where Mataji continues to bless devotees.
Dharamshala Booking at Khodiyar Mandir, Rajpara Bhavnagar
Khodiyar Mandir Trust has started two Dharmashala for the devotees who visit the temple from a long distance. You can contact Khodiyar Mandir Temple Trust for Dharamshala booking.
Also, there are many other options to stay near Khodiyar Mandir, Bhavnagar. Visit the YatraDham.Org website for more details.
YatraDham.org provides the best Dharamshala and hotel booking facilities at affordable prices. You can book Dharamshala as per your requirements at any time before planning your journey.
Facilities at Khodiyar Mandir, Rajpara
1. Amusement
The Khodiyar Mandir is located at the bank of Tataniya Dharo Lake, a popular picnic spot.
Besides, there is a pond on the premises of the temple. There is also a garden with a ride for children to play on.
For the people of old age and handicapped who cannot walk up to the upper temple of Khodiyar Mataji, they can reach it through the ropeway and for children’s entertainment, the ropeway ride is created.
2. Food
It is a belief of the Khodiyar Mandir Trust people that any individual should not return hungry from the temple.
So Trust provides food for people free of charge at their Bhojanalaya. They have a place that can feed 3,000 people at a time.
3. Accommodation
As Khodiyar Mandir Rajpara is famous all over India, there is a high rush of goddess devotees and for the devotees of the goddess, the Khodiyar Mandir Trust has started two Dharmashala for the devotees who visit the temple from a long distance.
Book your Dharamshala at Khodiyar Mandir Rajpara. So you can stay there and feel relaxed. Khodiyar Mandir in Dharamshala has the best facilities for staying.
Dharamshala has around 4 large halls, which can accommodate a total of 100 beds and around 50 rooms with AC and non-AC.
4. Shops
The temple has installed small shops for the guests if they don’t buy prasad for the goddess. Many attractive handicrafts are also available in shops for buying.
Toys for small children are sold on the temple premises. The famous food of Khodiyar Mandir Rajpara, “Laapsi,” is sold in the temple shop.
5. Medical
The temple has a hospital and doctors on the premises only for devotees who need medical treatment urgently. The temple also has an ambulance and ramps for the handicapped.
Places to Visit Near Khodiyar Mandir Rajpara
1. Sihor
Sihor is one of the talukas of Bhavnagar. There are many ancient places that can be visited during a visit to Khodiyar Mandir Rajpara.
There is a beautiful piece of architecture, a 12th-century Brahma Kund built by the king Sidhraj Jaisinh and Vijay Vilas Palace, made by the Maharajahs, with beautiful paintings and wooden cravings.
The distance from Khodiyar Mandir to Sihor is just about 7.4 km.
2. Palitana
Palitana is one of the holy places for Jain. It is located in the Bhavnagar District. Many Jain devotees all over India come to visit this place during parikrama.
There is a mountain in Palitana that has around 1300 temples of the Jain Saints, which are must-visit temples and all the temples have a different architecture, which is their speciality.
The distance from Khodiyar Mandir Rajpara to Palitana is about 39.4 km.
3. Bhavnagar
Bhavnagar is the central city of Bhavnagar District. There are many places to visit in Bhavnagar, like Bortalav lakefront, Gandhi Smruti, Nilambag Palace, Akshardham Temple, Victoria Park (The Forest between the City), Asia’s Biggest shipbreaking yard, etc.
Khodiyar Mandir Rajpara Contact Detail
Address: Khodiyar Mata Mandir Rajpara Dham, Bhavnagar-Rajkot Highway, Bhavnagar.
Phone No: 9662202020
How to Reach Khodiyar Mandir Rajpara
By Train
Khodiyar Mandir railway station is about 3 km from the temple.
By Air
Bhavnagar Airport is about 22 kilometres from the temple.
By Road
If you come from a different city or district, first you have to reach Bhavnagar bus station. From there, you can get rickshaws frequently to reach Khodiyar Mandir. You can also get a vehicle from Nari Chokdi if you are coming from Ahmedabad.
Distatance of Khodiyar Mandir Rajpara
City | Distance |
---|---|
Bhavnagar | 18 km |
Ahmedabad | 178 km |
Rajkot | 159 km |
Gandhinagar | 200 km |
Junagadh | 193 km |
Want to read more interesting and spiritual blog, visit YatraDham.Org for more information.
FAQs
Rajpara, famous for the Khodiyar Mata Temple, is one of the oldest and largest temples in Gujarat.
The temple is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. for Darshan of Khodiyar Mataji.
The second name of Khodiyar Maa is Janbai.
The birthplace of Khodiyar Mata is Rohishala Village, Botad Taluka, Bhavanagar.
The distance between Bhavnagar and Rajpara Khodiyar Mandir is 18 km.
Seven sisters and one brother are named as follows: Aaval, Jogal, Togal, Janbai, Holbai, Beejbai, Sosai and the sonai, Mehrak (Mehrakiya).