The Prime Minister inaugurated the redeveloped temple of Shree Kalika Mata at Pavagadh Hill on June 18. It is one of the oldest temples in the area and attracts pilgrims in large numbers. The redevelopment of the temple has been done in 2 phases.
- The temple is part of the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (2004) and is visited by lakhs of devotees every year.
- The inauguration of the first phase of redevelopment was done by the Prime Minister in April 2022. The foundation stone of the redevelopment of the second phase, which was inaugurated in today’s program, was laid by the Prime Minister in 2017.
About Pavagadh temple
- The temple was destroyed by the 15th century Gujarat ruler Mahmud Begda.
- The 11th century temple has been redeveloped with a new spire and flag atop after a dargah, or a shrine which stood atop the temple for nearly 500 years, was shifted with the consent of its caretakers.
- As per historical details, the temple is said to have been destroyed by 15th century Gujarat ruler Sultan Mahmud Begda (1458 to 1511), who had set up his capital in Champaner near Pavagadh after defeating the Rajput rulers.
- Begda was the most prominent ruler of the Gujarat Sultanate and had earned title Begda after conquering two main forts of Gujarat: Junagadh and Pavagadh.
- It is said that during Begda’s reign, the Sadanshah Pir Dargah was built after the spire of the temple was destroyed.
- Now, the shrine has been shifted “amicably” paving the way for redevelopment of the temple with a spire and flag atop.
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park is a UNESCO heritage site (Date of Inscription: 2004). It is located in the Panchmahal District of Gujarat State in north-western India, features a concentration of archaeological, historical, and living cultural heritage properties cradled in an impressive landscape. The Kalikamata Temple on top of Pavagadh Hill is considered to be an important shrine, attracting large numbers of pilgrims throughout the year. The site is the only complete and unchanged Islamic pre-Mughal city.
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