Chamunda Mata

History

Surendranagar district tourism places the shrine at the hill summit, making Chotila a major Saurashtra Devi stop between Ahmedabad and Rajkot corridors.

Navaratri and regional Sundays draw large footfall; the paved hill path and temple precinct are maintained for continuous darshan.

Stories

How Chamunda got her name

According to the Devi Mahatmya tradition, the goddess slew the demon generals Chanda and Munda, and was therefore called Chamunda. The Surendranagar district page tells it this way: Chanda and Mund came to conquer Mahakali, she cut off their heads and offered them to Ambika, who said she would be worshipped as Chamunda. The temple crowns Chotila hill, which stands about 1,200 feet high, with differing figures of 1,173 and 1,250 feet given in different sources.

Chotgadh, the fort of the Parmars and Kathis

Chotila was known in ancient times as Chotgadh. According to the 1884 Bombay Gazetteer for Kathiawar, it was originally held by the Sodha Parmars and was then seized by Nag Khachar, a Khachar chieftain.

The Kathis made it one of their principal seats, and the gazetteer records that it came into their hands in 1566 CE. The town today is the headquarters of Chotila taluka in Surendranagar district.

The town of a famed folklorist

Jhaverchand Meghani, a major figure of Gujarati literature known for collecting and writing about Saurashtra's folk tradition, was born in Chotila. A government college in the town is named after him. The town lies on the road between Ahmedabad and Rajkot, and is the base for the climb to the hilltop shrine.

Good to know

Hilltop Chamunda Mata in Surendranagar district

District NIC tourist-place listing with transport details

Popular Saurashtra Devi pilgrimage

Getting there

Nearest airport Rajkot (~48 km). Than junction railway (~21 km). Buses from Surendranagar central stand (~72 km).