History and Significance of Ancient Ashapura Ma Temple, Mata no Madh, Kutch, Gujarat
Maa Ashapura temple of Kutch is one of the most sacred shrine of Gujarat and specifically of Kutch from ancient time. Ashapura Ma is believed to be chief deity of Jadeja the rulers of Kutch state and now well known as Mata No Madh. Thousands of devotee of Goddess visit here around the year and especially during the Navratri when many people reach here on feet. As name of Goddess Ashapura mean the deity who fulfil all the wishes of devotee.
Many tales behind this holy shrine, one of the most popular and authentic one is, around 1500 years ago Devchand Vaniya of Rajathan reached here in Kutch for selling his wares. He spent nine days here at present shrine as he was great devotee of Goddess Ambe with wish of child. During this stay, Goddess came in his dream and asked to build temple here and instructed that after completion of construction just close the door for six month. During this time Goddess would establish herself therein. As Devchand started hearing the sounds of celestial music after sunset and during the night he could not be patient and opened the door before six months. He found that deity stands on her knees in the pose in the midst of her attempts to stand up as goddess appears today. Then Devchand built temple over this and goddess fulfil his wish to have child. Over the time may be temple was damaged many times and also renovated or rebuilt over the period by various rules of Kutch, Gujarat. Every year during both major Navratri, many people from all around Gujarat, comes to the temple, and many people from Kutch go by there feet By walking. The Mahant or Raja observed fast during Navratri and arranged the Yagya at midnight of the seventh Saptami day. On the next day the main ritual is performed by the Maharao or any other member of the former ruling family of Kutch.
As thousands of devotee and tourist visits Mata no Madh with great faith in goddess Ashapura around the year. Temple trust manages various facilities like accommodation, food and rituals for devotee. Shri. Matana Madh Jagir Trust also manages the Gaushala and various education related activities. This is how devotee and tourist must have to visit Mata No Madh, near Bhuj and Lakhpat of Kutch Gujarat and get blessings of goddess Ashapura Mata. Tourist also can plan to visit Rann Utsav – festival of white desert of Kutch held during the November to February month every year by Gujarat Government.
