Sundha Mata Temple
| Sundha Mata Temple | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Sundha Mata Temple Location in Rajasthan  Sundha Mata Temple Location in Rajasthan | |
| Name | |
| Proper name | Sundha Mata temple |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 24°49′59″N 72°22′01″E / 24.833°N 72.367°ECoordinates: 24°49′59″N 72°22′01″E / 24.833°N 72.367°E |
| Country | India |
| State | Rajasthan |
| Location | Sundha, Bhinmal |
| Culture | |
| Primary deity | Chamunda Devi |
| History and governance | |
| Date built | unknown |
| Creator | unknown |
| Website | http://sundhamatatemple.in/ |
Sundha Mata temple is a nearly 900-year-old temple of Mother goddess situated on a hilltop called Sundha, located at Longitude 72.367°E and Latitude 24.833°N, in Jalore District of Rajasthan. It is 64 km from Mount Abu and 20 km from the town of Bhinmal.
Geography
At 1220 m height in the Aravalli ranges there on Sundha mountain is temple of goddesses Chamunda Devi, a very sacred place for devotees. It is 105 km from district headquarters and 35 km. from sub divisional Bhinmal. This place lies in Raniwara Teshil in the mid-east of Malwara to Jaswantpura Road near Dantlawas village.
Many tourists from Gujarat and Rajasthan visit it. The environment here is fresh and attractive. The waterfalls flows year-round and the hotel at the valley made of yellow sandstone of Jaisalmer attracts everyone.
Architecture
Sundha temple is made up of white marble, the pillars reminds of the art of Abus’s Dilwara temple pillars. A very beautiful idol of goddess Chamunda stands under the huge stone. Here Chamunda’s head is worshipped. It is said that the trunk of mother Chamunda are established in Korta and legs in Sundarla Pal (Jalore). In front of mother Chamunda a BhurBhuva Swaweshwar Shivling is established. In the main temple a duo idol of Shiva and Parvati Ganesh’s idol are considered very old and extinct.
History
In the temple premises there are three historically significant inscriptions that highlight the history of the region. First inscription is from AD 1262, which describes victory of Chauhans and downfall of Parmaras. The second inscription is from 1326, and the third one is from 1727.
The Sundha inscriptions are of peculiar importance in historical sense—like the Harishen inscription or Delhi’s Mehrulli pillar inscription. Sundha inscriptions throw light on the history of India.
In ancient days worship in this temple was done by "Nath Yogi's". Emperor of the Sirohi district gave land of the "Sonani" , "Dedol" and "Sundha ki dhani" villages to one of the Nath Yogi Rabad Nath Ji, who worshiped in Sundha Mata Temple at that time. After the death of one of the Nath yogi Ajay Nath ji, no one was there to do the worship so Ram Nath ji (Aayas of Mengalwa that time) was taken there to take the responsibility. The land of Mengalwa and Chitrodi villages were given to these Nath Yogi's in ancient days by king of Jodhpur Maharaja Jaswant Singh. So Nath yogi of Mengalwa were called as "Aayas". After the death of Ram Nath ji, Badri Nath ji, pupil of Ram nath Ji became Aayas at Sundha Mata temple and took the responsibility of worship. He also looked after land of "Sonani" , "Dedol" ,"Mengalwa" and "Chitrodi". As the time passed, no one was there to do all the management, so a trust (Sundha Mata Trust) was created to look after temple and manage tourism.
Wildlife sanctuary
There is a wildlife sanctuary nearby covering an area of 107 square kilometers. Nearest Khodeswar Mhadev in Jawiya forest area also has wildlife and natural spots in the sanctuary Solth Bear Blue-bull, jungle cat, desert fox, striped hyena, hanuman langoor, Vulture, owl, Indian porcupine, rock and jungle bush, quail, spotted dove, and 120 species of birds.
Fairs
During Navratri tourists from Gujarat and nearby areas come in a large numbers. Regular buses are run by Gujarat roadways from Palanpur, Deesa and elsewhere during that time.
Amenities
In the climbing area a big hotel is made by the Trust that is quite a destination for visitors to rest during the night and enjoy the scenery of the mountain.
Recently, a ropeway service has been started to climb Sundha Mountain, to make the journey easier for pilgrims, making it a memorable experience. Ropeway (Udan Khatola) to the temple—first in Rajasthan—is ready, Rs 75 for both ways.