Legend of Khodiyar Mata Temple, Rajpara, near Bhavnagar, Gujarat
Khodiyar Ma Mandir located on Bhavnagar – Rajkot Highway in small village Rajpara in Shihor Taluka, Bhavnagar District, Gujarat. Devotee of Ma Khodiyar across the Gujarat visit Rajpara Khodiyar Mandir for worship throughout the year and especially during the festival, Navratri and Weekends. Bhavnagar to Rajpara Khodiyar Mandir distance is just 15 km so devotee used to reach temple by walk in. The story of this holy place is related to Thakur Sahib Wakhatsinhji Akherji Gohil, ruler of Bhavnagar state during 17th – 18th century.
He was the great devotee of Ma Khodiyar and frequently visit Khodiyar Ma temple at far distance for blessings. He insisted goddess to relocate to Shihor, then capital of Bhavnagar. Ma Khodiyar agreed to follow him with one condition that King not turns around during entire way. When Shihor was just near, he could not hear the tinkling of goddess’s anklets and turn back to check. Thus at this place Ma Khodiyar stop here journey along with her seven sister at Rajapara. This is how the Khodiyar Mata shrine came to Rajpara and lots of pilgrims visit this holy shrine Bhavnagar Khodiyar Mandir.
Facilities at Khodiyar Ma Mandir Rajpara Dham, near Bhavnagar
Khodiyar Mandir trust manages the Bhojanalaya and provide free of cost food to all the devotee and tourist in Morning and Evening time. As lots of devotee across the India came here so Temple trust has built a huge Dharmashala in campus of Rajpara Khodiyar Mandir to accommodate the devotee. Medical service is also here for emergency situation. Apart from this, Khodiyar Ma temple is located on bank of small lake name Tataniya Dharo, small garden in campus and small rope way also designed for old age person and children.Lots of devotee of Bhavnagar starts walkin towards the Khodiyar Temple on Saturday and attends the Sunday morning Mangla Aarti at 5 AM.
