Mata No Madh Desh Devi Maa Ashapura, Rann Of Kutch - Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

About Mata No Madh Desh Devi Maa Ashapura Temple

At a distance of 77 Km from Rann of Kutch and 101 Km from Bhuj, Desh Devi Maa Ashapura is a popular Hindu temple located in Mata No Madh town of Kutch district, Gujarat. Mata No Madh Temple is dedicated to Maa Ashapura, the household deity of former Jadeja rulers of Kutch State and she is also considered the patron deity of Kutch. The goddess is also referred to as Desh Devi, meaning the Goddess of the people. It is one of the significant temples in Kutch region and among the popular places to visit as part of the Rann of Kutch tour packages.

History of Mata No Madh Desh Devi Maa Ashapura Temple

The Mata No Madh Temple, constructed in the 14th century by Ajo and Anagor, who were ministers of Lakho Phulani from the Bania caste, suffered damage during the earthquake of 1819. It was subsequently reconstructed in 1823 by Sundarji Shivji and Mehta Vallabhaji, members of the Brahma Kshatriya community. The temple experienced further damage during the earthquake of 2001, but it was restored once more and reopened for worshippers.

Mythology of Mata No Madh Desh Devi Maa Ashapura Temple

According to a legend, Devchand, a Bania, was passing by the temple region to sell his manufactured items during Navratri. He decided to stay at Mata no Madh to celebrate Navratri as he was a devotee of the Goddess. He never wished for anything but a child because he had enough to live a decent life. One night, he dreamt of Maa Ashapura instructing him to construct a temple at that very location. She revealed that upon waking, he would discover a coconut and a red cloth (Chundri) beside him. The goddess also told him that once the temple was constructed, its doors must remain closed for six months, during which she would establish herself therein. Devchand would hear music and celestial sounds coming from inside the temple. Unable to contain his anticipation, he eventually opened the doors and beheld a stone idol of the goddess, depicted in a posture that suggests she is about to rise, as she is represented today.

Architecture of Mata No Madh Desh Devi Maa Ashapura Temple

Mata no Madh is a good illustration of traditional Indian architecture with elaborate carvings. The image of Ashapura Mata in the shrine is a red-painted stone, about six feet high and six feet broad at the base, narrowing to a point in a shape, with some rough likeness to a human form. The unique thing about the idol of Ashapura Mata is that it has 7 pairs of eyes. As the name indicates, she is the Goddess who fulfills the wish & desires of all those who trust and believe her. One can also see a huge bell presented by Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro of Sindh along with deepmala weighing 2 kg silver offered by Jamadar Fateh Muhammad in the temple premises.

Festivals of Mata No Madh Desh Devi Maa Ashapura Temple

Navratri is a significant festival celebrated annually in October/November, marked by grandeur and fervor over nine days at the Mata No Madh Temple in honor of Maa Ashapura. Each year, thousands of devotees from Gujarat and other states flock to the temple during the auspicious days of Navratri. Special folk singers are invited to perform each night, allowing both locals and tourists to dance in harmony to their melodies. Additionally, camps and relief facilities are established along the road leading to Mata No Madh to support this pilgrimage.

Dress Code & Other Restrictions of Mata No Madh Desh Devi Maa Ashapura Temple

Mata No Madh Desh Devi Maa Ashapura in Kutch does not enforce a strict dress code; however, it is advisable to wear modest attire that covers the upper arms and legs as a mark of respect. Men are encouraged to don a dhoti or pajama along with an appropriate upper garment, or to wear formal trousers and shirts. Women may choose to wear a saree, half saree, or chudidhars. It is recommended to avoid modern clothing such as mini-skirts, shorts, and sleeveless tops while visiting the temple.

Non-Hindus are generally allowed to walk around the temple grounds and explore the architectural beauty. However, there may be some restrictions on entering the inner sanctum, where the deity is enshrined.

Mata No Madh Desh Devi Maa Ashapura Temple Timings

Monday: 5 AM - 1 PM & 3 PM - 8:30 PM
Tuesday: 5 AM - 1 PM & 3 PM - 8:30 PM
Wednesday: 5 AM - 1 PM & 3 PM - 8:30 PM
Thursday: 5 AM - 1 PM & 3 PM - 8:30 PM
Friday: 5 AM - 1 PM & 3 PM - 8:30 PM
Saturday: 5 AM - 1 PM & 3 PM - 8:30 PM
Sunday: 5 AM - 1 PM & 3 PM - 8:30 PM

Mata No Madh Desh Devi Maa Ashapura Temple Entry Fee

Entry is Free

Best Time to Visit Mata No Madh Desh Devi Maa Ashapura Temple

The ideal period to visit Mata No Madh Temple is from October to February, when the weather is mild, and suitable for exploring the temple. For those wishing to partake in the celebrations, planning a visit during Navratri is highly recommended. This festival is marked by vibrant celebrations, attracting a large number of devotees. However, visitors should be aware that this is also the peak season, resulting in larger crowds. Alternatively, for a more peaceful experience, the months of September and October, following the monsoon, offer a beautiful, verdant landscape. It is best to avoid visiting during the summer months due to the extreme heat.

How to Reach Mata No Madh Desh Devi Maa Ashapura Temple

About 99 Km from Mata No Madh Desh Devi Maa Ashapura, Rudramata Airport in Bhuj is the nearest airport and is well connected by flights with Mumbai while Ahmedabad Airport is the nearest international airport which is about 438 Km from Mata No Madh. Bhuj Railway station is the nearest major railhead and is well connected by trains with Palanpur, Pune, Dadar, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Shalimar, and Mumbai. Bhuj is well connected with buses from Mumbai, Dwarka, Ahmedabad, Mount Abu, Surat, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Porbandar, Amreli, and Mandvi. Travellers can take state transport buses, private buses or tourist cabs to reach the temple complex from Bhuj.