The Chotila Chamunda Mandir is at the top of Chotila hill. The top of the hill is 1,173 feet above sea level. About 700 steps lead up to the top. Chamunda Mataji is the kuldevi of many communities in Gujarat (family Goddess). Most Mataji temples in India are built on top of hills. Chotila is a small town in Gujarat with about 22,000 people. It is the taluka headquarters for the Rajkot district and the taluka headquarters of Chotila taluka.
The Chotila Chamunda Mandir is at the top of Chotila Mountain, on the peak and it’s about 50 miles from Rajkot and 40 miles from Ahmedabad. In Gujarat, a well-known temple is on a mountain peak called Chotila. Chamunda Mata, also known as Rann-chandi, is a form of Durga and the goddess of force. Since Mata is also called Chandi-Chamunda Mata, her illusion looks like a twin’s.
Temple Name | Shree Chamunda Mata Temple Chotila |
Shrine is also known as | Chotila Chamunda Mandir |
Deity | Chamunda Maa |
Shrine Timing | 5.00 AM to 7:30 PM |
Aarti | |
Darshan Fee | Free Entry |
VIP Entry | Not available |
Live Darshan | Not available |
Important Festivals | Maha Shivratri |
Address | Chamunda Rd, Chotila, Gujarat 363520 |
Official Website | https://surendranagar.nic.in/tourist-place/chamunda-mataji-temple-chotila/ |
Contact Number | +91-079-4710 7134 |
Official Email ID | Not available |
About Chotila Chamunda Mandir, Gujarat, India
Chotila Chamunda Mandir is a Hindu temple town and the head of Chotila Taluka in the Surendranagar district of India. It is close to the city of Rajkot.
Chotila is a small town in Gujarat with about 20,000 people. It is the head office of a taluka in the Surendranagar district. On the top of Chotila Mountain is where the Mataji temple. About 1250 feet is how high Chotila Mountain is.
Every year, thousands of people from all over India visit the Chotila Chamunda Mandir. Chamunda Mata is the Kuldevi of many groups in Gujarat, so people come here to see Mataji. Navarati is a special time to come here because every temple of Ma Devi Shakti in India celebrates these nine days with great devotion.
Aside from Navratri, many devotees come here every Sunday and on holidays. During the month of Kartik, thousands of people came here to see ma devi and be blessed by her.
The Chotila Chamunda Mandir trust does many things, such as running the Bhojanalaya, Guest Room, and Festivals. A devotee can also do rituals like Navchandi Yagya, Chaul Kriya, and other Yagya, depending on their desire. There are a lot of private hotels, guest houses, Dharm Shala, restaurants, and Bhojanalaya in Chotila to help devotees.
The Chotila Chamunda Mandir is on National Highway No. 8 in Taleti Chotila, which makes it easy for people who have never been there before to find it.
The late Zaverchand Meghani, Saurashtra’s most famous author, poet, journalist, freedom fighter, and journalist, was also born in Chotila. The house where Zaverchand Meghani was born was in bad shape for a long time, but now some people are trying to fix it.
No one, not even the pujaris, is allowed to stay near the temple after the evening of Aarti. This can start with the story of a man who spent the night sleeping outside the temple. He was at the bottom of the hill when he woke up the next morning. People think that a lion keeps the Maa safe. So, there is a lion statue close to the mataji Temple.
The Nagarpalika is in charge of running the town.
Other Famous Temples in Gujarat | Other Famous Chamunda Mataji Temples in India |
Gabbar Ambaji Mata Mandir | |
Shri Sarangpur Hanuman Mandir | |
Somnath Temple |
Chotila Chamunda Devi Mandir Architecture
A set of steps reaches a Chamunda temple at the top of the mountain. The temple’s steep, cone-shaped roof, or shikara, is white and red, and a red flag flies from the top of its dome. The Chamunda Mata idol, which has flowers and jewellery, is kept in the sanctum.
Chotila Temple History
Chotila used to be called Chotgadh in ancient times. The Sodha Parmars once owned it, but the Khachar Kathis took it from Jagsio Parmar and made it one of their main seats. Most Khachar Kathis can say that they came from the Chotila house. In 1566 AD, the Kathis took over Chotgadh. It was the headquarters of an agency thana during the British period.
The story is about when the demons Chand and Mund tried to take over Devi Mahakali. In the fight that followed, Devi Mahakali cut off their heads and gave them to Maa Ambika. Maa Ambika then told Mahakali that they would be worshipped as Chamunda Devi.
The idol in the Temple comes from itself. Mata once came to his bhakt in a dream. He told him to dig in a certain spot and find her idol. He did this, and that’s how he found the Chamunda Maa idol. The temple was built in the same spot. Today, the temple is still in the same place, but there have been many changes, such as making the hall bigger and putting carpet on the steps for the comfort of the pilgrims.
The Maa’s twin statues come to an end in the following way. Chamunda Maa’s bhakt was Kario Bhil. He has promised Chamunda Maa that he will build another statue of her at Temple if he has a child. After he had a child, he forgot about his wish and went about his daily life.
Maa also gave him the shawl to let him fly when he sat on it. This man was told to save the jewels and money the British took and give them to the poor. But once, he was caught doing this and sent to jail. He dreamt of Maa while sleeping, and Maa reminded him of his promise. Kario Bhil saw what he had done wrong and promised to make another statue of Maa. But Maa was dayalu, and she made herself into another idol. This is why Chamunda Maa has two statues.
Chamunda Mataji Mandir Total Steps
The Chamund or Chotgadh hill, on top of which is the Chotila Chamunda Mandir, is 1173 feet high. To get to the temple, you have to climb 620 steps.
Anil Ambani and Mukesh Ambani made it easier for you to climb by putting carpets on the steps and putting shades over the steps. You’ll have a beautiful view of the area when you get to the top of the Chamunda Shakti Peeth.
Chamunda Mataji Temple Timings
The Chamunda Mata Temple is open from 5 AM to 7:30 PM for people who want to worship there.
Aside from Navratri, many devotees come here every Sunday and on holidays. During the month of Kartik, too, many people came to see Ma Devi Chamunda and were blessed by her.
Darshan Dress code
Followers are told to dress cleanly and modestly.
Best Time to Visit Chotila Mandir
January to March and November and December are the best times to visit the temple of Chamunda in Gujarat. During this time, it’s hot, and it doesn’t rain or snow very often. In Chotgadh, the average high temperature in May is 42°C, and the average low temperature in January is 21°C.
How to Reach Chotila Chamunda Mandir?
By Rail
The Chamunda Mandir is only 47 Km from the city of Rajkot. So, to get to Chotgadh by train, you must stop at Rajkot Railway Station. Then, take a taxi or any public bus to Chotila.
By Road
Taking a bus to Chotila is the easiest way to get to the Chotila Chamunda Mandir. From Gujarat’s biggest cities, it’s easy to get a GSRTC bus. The bus stop for Chotgadh is only 700 metres away from the temple.
By Air
The airport that is closest to the Chotila Chamunda Mandir is Rajkot Airport. Get out of the plane and take a taxi to the temple. Chotgadh is about 50 kilometres away from the temple.
Chamunda Mandir Location Map
Chamunda Temple – Nearest Hotel, Restaurant, Medical Store, ATM
Nearest Restaurant | Nearest Hotel | Nearest Medical Store | Nearest ATM |
Mahadev Hotel (800 m) | Shree Nagin Hotel (1.0 km) | Shree Mahakali Medical Store (1.1 km) | Axis Bank ATM (650 m) |