Location
- Town: chotila
- District: surendranagar
- State: gujarat
- Coordinates: 22.4196° n, 71.2100° e
- Nearby cities: rajkot (approx. 50 km), ahmedabad (approx. 100 km)
- Nearest railway station: rajkot railway station (approx. 47 km)
- Nearest airport: rajkot airport (approx. 53 km)
2. History & Mythology
Chotila, anciently known as chotgadh, was ruled by the sodha parmars before being conquered by the khachar kathis in 1566 ce. The Temple’s origin traces to a devotee who dreamt Of Maa Chamunda Devi, Who Revealed the spot beneath the hill where Her Swayambhu (self-manifested) Idol Lay Buried. He dug and found The Idol, and The Temple was built at that very spot.
The Name “Maa Chamunda” Comes From The Goddess Slaying the demons chand and mund — their severed heads were Offered To Maa Ambika, Who Then Named Her Maa Chamunda Devi.
How To Reach
Here’s how a visitor can reach The Maa Chamunda Mataji Temple at chotila:
By road
- On the ahmedabad–rajkot national highway (nh-47). Well connected by gsrtc buses from ahmedabad, rajkot, surat, vadodara. The bus stop is just ~700 metres from The Temple base.
By rail
- Nearest major railway station is rajkot (~47 km). Nearby station is than junction (~21 km from chotila).
By air
- Rajkot airport is the nearest airport, approximately 53 km away. From there, hire a taxi or take a bus to chotila.
On foot / hill climb
- From the base of the hill to The Shrine: ~620 to ~700 steps (various sources differ — some say 620, some ~700, some ~920) to reach the top.
- The climb is steep in parts, but the steps have been improved with shade, railings, water taps etc.