Information of Bahuchar Mata Temple (Bahucharaji Temple), Mehsana, Gujarat

Bahucharaji Temple is situated in Bahucharaji city in Mehsana district of Gujarat. The original temple compound of Bahucharaji Temple was created in the year 1783 CE. Bahucharaji Temple is regarded as one of three key Shakti temples in Gujarat. Every year considerable number of Hindu devotees arrive at the temple. The temple is dedicated to goddess Bahuchara. In Gujarat, there are three temples of goddess Bahucharaji, out of which, two are termed as Adyasthan and one is termed as Madhyasthan.

Bahuchar Mata Temple (Bahucharaji Temple) Religious Significance

Mother Bahuchar is a Hindu divinity and it is beloved that she was a daughter of a charan. Charan is a social order which is based on genealogy. A charan consider the same kinds as equal footings and possesses fundamentally diverse economic and religious status. It was a common practice among charan not to surrender before an enemy, rather than to die. Furthermore, shedding the blood of a charan was regarded as an atrocious sin. At present, mother Bahuchara is regarded as patroness of charan and worshipped mostly by the Hijra community of India. The followers of Bahucharaji believe in pacifism and consider killing of animals or other beings as a sinful act. Factually, mother Bahuchara, unlike other goddesses is considered as the addressee of yearly animal sacrifices. Several devotees believe that impossible feat can be accomplished by worshiping in Bahucharaji Temple. Moreover, there is also a tale that dipping in the lake of Bahucharaji Temple can assist in transforming the gender. On an average, about 20,000 devotees worship in this temple each day. However, throughout full moon days, the number of devotees increases. Fair is organised by Bahucharaji Temple twice in a year where lakhs devotees gather. These fairs are characterised by prayers and religious songs among others. Many devotees stated that goddess Bahuchara has assisted in overcoming their various life problems.

Bahuchar Mata Temple (Bahucharaji Temple) Mythology & History

There is a myth regarding Bahucharaji Temple which states that during Agyatvaas of Pandavas, one Pandav named Arjun put on the dress of eunuch in Bahucharaji Temple and presumed the character of Brihanalla. Since that time, immemorial eunuchs have been arriving in this temple. They sit in the courtyard in a chosen place of Bahucharaji Temple and do not enter in the main temple ground. About 40 to 50 eunuchs can be observed each day at morning in Bahucharaji Temple. Legend states that before putting on eunuch's dress, Arjun shrouded his bow and arrow in Sami tree inside Bahucharaji Temple. Since then, in every Dussehra festival, Sami tress is worshipped by devotees.

According to Hindu mythology, goddess Bahucharaji is the manifestation of Ambadevi who desired to marry Bhishma, on the basis of the customs of Swayamwar. Nevertheless, Bhishma declined to marry her and gave Ambadevi's hand to his brother. As a result, Ambadevi became very angry with Bhishma and sworn to become his reason for death. In Mahabharata epic, she was reincarnated as a eunuch named Shikhandi who convoyed Arjun in order to win war against Bhishma. Bhishma comprehended that Shikhandi was actually Ambadevi and therefore did not strike back as he would not take up weapons against a female. Hence, Bhishma was killed in the battle and Ambadevi's promise was satisfied.

Bahuchar Mata Temple (Bahucharaji Temple) Architectural Significance

Bahucharaji Temple is stunningly designed with ancient artefacts and images in the wall. Adyasthan is regarded as the original location of the temple and Madhysthan is the middle portion of the temple. Bahucharaji Temple encircles Varkhadi tree from where mother Bahuchara is thought to have appeared. The southern and northern entrances of Bahucharaji Temple are designed with carved and ornamented stones. There is also a large assembly gallery in Bahucharaji Temple where meetings are organised and other religious activities are conducted.