Sundha Mata History :: Under the desert spread far and wide in Rajasthan, Jalore district is in the chain of Aravalli ranges, where the historical and mythological Saugandh mountain is situated. This mountain is also known as Sundha Pahar. The temple of Goddess Chamunda Devi is situated at an altitude of 1220 meters, which is also known as Sundha Mata temple.
It is a religious place for the devotees. This temple is 64 km away from Mount Abu. This 900-year-old temple has been built from the yellow sandstone of Jaisalmer. The waterfall flowing in front of the temple enhances the beauty of this temple. Rajasthan’s first ropeway is also installed here.
Every year many tourists from Gujarat and Rajasthan come to see the beautiful architecture of this temple and Goddess Chamunda Devi. Tourists feel refreshed in the serene and charming environment of this temple. In today’s article, if we will know about the history of this Sundha Mata temple, then definitely read the article till the end.
History and Story of Sundha Mata Temple | Sundha Mata History
Architecture of Sundha Mata Temple
The architecture of Sundha Mata Temple is very beautiful and attractive, due to which it is also a center of attraction for tourists. This temple is made of white marble. A very beautiful idol of Goddess Chamunda Devi is also installed under the huge mountain. This idol of Mahishasura Mardini, holding a knife and trident in hand, looks very alive.
Maternal powers like Vaishnavi, Varahi, Narasimhi, Aindri, Kaumari, Brahmani, Shambhavi are also revered in the mother’s side. The temple complex is divided into two sections. In the front section, there is a Shiva temple of Bhubhurvah Sweshwar Mahadev, where the said Shivling is established. In the second section there is a temple of Sundha Mata.
The idol of Ganesha along with Lord Shiva and Parvati is also installed in the main temple, which is considered very old and extinct. Because here the face of Mahesh, on which Lord Shiva is seated, has a human shape, while Singh is like Mahesh. Lord Shiva has a trident in both hands, veena is held in the hind hands, he is wearing a garland of pearls around his neck. This statue of Lord Shiva is a rare and exquisite artwork.
Here Bhurbhuv Swaveshwar Shivling is also displaced in front of Maa Chamunda. Here the brain of Maa Chamunda is worshipped. It is said that the trunk of Maa Chamunda is installed in Korta and feet in Surpal.
There are also three historical inscriptions in the temple premises, which tell about the history here. The first inscription describing the victory of the Chauhans and the fall of the Parmars dates back to 1262 AD. Whereas the second inscription is of 1326 AD and the third one is from 1727 AD.
The temple of Mata is well connected by road. The entrance of the temple is quite a huge and artistic archway. From there, stairs have been made on the mountains to easily reach the temple of Mother Sundha Devi. On climbing the stairs, one gets to see the grand hall, which rests on giant pillars. There is also a waterfall outside the temple, which enhances the beauty of this temple.
There is a rest facility for tourists in the temple of Sundha Mata
Relaxation facilities have also been made here for the tourists who come to visit the Sundha Mata Mandir. Here a large community hole has been set up by the trust next to the temple, where devotees can rest for the night. Tourists can stay here for a few days to enjoy the view of the temple and the mountains.
Apart from this, 800 meters long ropeway has also been made here so that Sundha Mata’s temple situated at a height of 1220 meters on Saugandh mountain can be easily visited. With the help of ropeway, one can reach the temple situated on the hill in just 6 minutes. The ropeway charges here for two times are ₹ 130, while for senior tourists it is only ₹ 65.
History of Sundha Mata Temple
Sundha Mata Temple was built by Jalore Naresh Chachidev, son of Udai Singh, the majestic ruler of Jalore. In the main part of this temple there is also an ancient Shivling of Lord Shiva, which is famous by the name of Bhurbhuvah Swaveshwar Mahadev.
There is a popular belief about Sundha Mata Temple that Chamunda descended here with his seven powers to kill the demon named Bakasura, whose idols are installed on the side of Chamunda idol.
Mythological belief of Maa Sundha Devi Temple
As we mentioned here in the temple only the brain of Mother Chamunda Devi is worshipped. In such a situation, this temple is also called Aghateshwari, which means bodyless goddess.
According to the old belief, it is said that when he called all the deities except Lord Shiva in the yagya organized by King Daksha, then Mother Sati committed suicide by jumping into the fire pit after going to the place of fire. Then Lord Shiva gets angry and in anger he starts creating an orgy with the dead body of Mother Sati in his hands.
At that time, Lord Vishnu with his Sudarshan Chakra cuts Mother Sati into pieces and wherever that piece falls, a Shakti Peeth is established there. According to this, it is believed that the head of Sati had fallen on the Sundha mountain, due to which it is called Aghateshwari.
Fair is organized in Sundha Mata temple
During Navratri, the Sudha Mata temple attracts a lot of devotees and during this time fairs are also organized here. Tourists come from far and wide to enjoy it. Here the temple opens every morning at 8:00 and then closes at 6:00 in the evening after the evening aarti.
