Becharaji Bahuchara Mata Temple

The Temple is located in the Mehsana district of Gujarat state, India. The name of the town is derived from Bahuchar Mata or Bahucharaji, a Hindu goddess. The region around the town is known as Chunwal. The Bechar village is located 1 km south of the temple while Sankhalpur village is located 2 km north of the temple. The modern town developed around the temple between these two villages

History

According to Tantra Chudamani, the left hand of the Goddess fell in the Boruvan when the Shiva performed the Tandava dance. The temple was constructed on the place.

According to a legend, the goddess has appeared to assist the saints who were harassed by Bhundasur or Dandhasur devil.

Alexander Kinloch Forbes provided an account of the origin of the temple in Ras Mala: According to the custom, some Charan ladies were taking a trip from Sankhalpur a neighboring town when the Kolis assaulted and plundered. Among the females whose name was Bahuchara snatched a sword from a kid who attended her and with it cut off both her breasts.

She passed away and her sisters But and Bulal also committed suicide. They reincarnated as goddesses. Bahuchara is worshiped in the Chunwal.
Another legend reveals that the shepherd boys had prepared rice in a little earthen pot which came to be limitless and fed the entire army of a skeptic king with the grace of the goddess.

Shri Balatripura Sundari Bahucharamba, a Gujarati book released by the temple trust in 1968, mentions a legend that a Solanki princess Tejpal became a prince. The story is also mentioned in one Garba song

According to the legend, Manaji Rao Gaekwad of the Baroda State was suffering from a carbuncle. If he was treated by the grace of the goddess, he went to the shrine in 1781 and swore to invest 1.25 lakh rupees to develop the temple. He was treated and, as promised, the construction of the big stone temple started in Samvat 1839 or 1783 CE which is mentioned in the engraving among the halls of the temple.

Was an installation event was held on Shravan Sud 9th in Samvat 1847 or 1791 CE. He gave Bechar, Dodiwada, and Sankhalpur towns for the maintenance of the temple. These towns were consequently taken over by the Baroda State and the yearly allowance of Rs. 10,500 was paid.

The temple is now handled by the state government. The initial temple is refurbished just recently. The raised platform in the temple has a niche behind it where a Balayantra (things of worship) is kept with a golden cover that is worshiped.

Architecture

The temple measured 50 feet by 30 feet with 2 domes and aspire (shikhara). The temple outdoors area is secured by the fort with 3 gates. The primary south gate integrated in sandstone is 2 storeyed, 100 feet in length, and 50 feet in height. He also constructed the lamp-post (deep mala) in front of the temple along with a Dharamshala (rest home).

Idol

Becharaji Mata

Festivals

The Kamalias, the Solanki Rajputs of Kalari, and the Pavaiyas (eunuchs) claim themselves the genetic worshipers of the deity. The eunuchs are well appreciated in the area and one lakh of them gather throughout the fairs.

If a eunuch kid is born in a household, their parents leave them in the temple where the eunuchs adopt and bless them as a eunuch after a surgical ritual and confinement period of 45 days. On average, around 20,000 devotees go to the temple every day. It was visited by around 2,00,000 devotees on the moon days and around 20 lakh devotees throughout the unique fairs.

The devotees offer presents of gold and silver precious jewelry, clothes, and money to the goddess. Numerous conducts tonsorial events of their children at the Mansarovar lake near the temple. A significant fair is held on the moon day of Chaitra month of the Hindu calendar.

Parents desirous of children and parents of brand-new born kids having a physical disability or for their well-being offer several offerings to the goddess.

Nearby Attractions

• Taranga Hills Jain Temple is 118 km from Becharaji
• Modhera Sun temple is just 15 km from Becharaji
• Kirti Toran in Vadnagar is 72 km from Becharaji
• Shankeshwar is 30 km from Becharaji
• Rani ki Vav in Patan is 50 km from Bechara

How to Reach

• By Air: The nearby Airport is Ahmedabad Airport and it is 103 km from the temple.
• By Train: The nearby Railway Station is Mehsana Junction and it is 38 km from the temple
• By Road: Buses are easily available from many cities in Gujarat.

Distances from Becharaji

• Shankheshwar – 30 km
• Patan – 49 km
• Siddhapur – 77 km
• Unjha – 63 km
• Gandhinagar – 80 km
• Ahmedabad – 90 km

Temple Timings

Darshan Timing

7:00 AM To 7:00 PM