Modheshwari Mata Temple - An Ancient Temple of Gujarat

 

Modheshwari Mata Temple is dedicated to Modheshwari Mata. Goddess Modheshwari is Kuldevi (chief deity) of Modh community of Gujarat. Among the ancient temples of Modheshwari, one is located at Modhera near the world famous and heritage Modhera Sun temple which gets its name from the goddess. Goddess was worshiped by great saint Matanga Mooni so is called Matangi Modheshwari also.

 

According to the Hindu mythology, there was a demon Karnat that was creating havoc in the village and torture the Brahmans during their prayers in this region. Seeking protection from the demon, all the saints went to the goddess Parvati mata. Goddess blessed him and started throwing fire from her mouth, which gave birth to an aspect of her known as Modheshwarimata. This incarnation of the goddess has eighteen arms and each having a weapon including a trishula, khaḍga, talwar, kamandala, shankha, gada, pash, danda, damaru. Goddess Maatangi killed the demon and release saints and people from demon’s pain.

 

She is the clan deity of the Modh community, which consists of four groups Brahmin Modh Brahmin's, Modh Vaishya and Modh Kshatriya Patel Modh Patidar all of whom were residents of the Modheswara region presently known as Modhera. During Chaitra Navaratri and on the Purnima of every month, special Pooja – rituals and religious activities are organised in the temple. Matangi Modheshwari Mata Temple open at 07:00 AM to 07:30 PM.

 

 

Among the ancient temples of Modheshwari, one is located at Modhera, which gets its name from the goddess. The temple is located near the ruins of famous Sun Temple, where another original place of worship is situated below the step-well. Another ancient temple is located at Chanasama in Patan taluka of Gujarat.

 

Shree Modheshwari Mata Temple is one of the top Tourist Attraction in Modhera. The holy temple is 25 km from Mehsana. There are notable temples of the devi in Ahmedabad, Bharuch, Bhavnagar, Bhuj, Kapadwanj, Jhabua, Khedbrahma, Sinhore, Tera, Ujjain and Vadodara.