PM Modi to inaugurate Kalika Mata temple tomorrow, Temple trust says dargah was relocated
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The 11th-century complex Kalika Mata temple in the Panchmahal district in Gujarat is ready for inauguration after renovation. The engineering marvel set atop the Pavagadh hill is known for being an example of the harmony of various faiths. It will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 18.
A red and golden flag will be hoisted as part of the inauguration ceremony. The temple was closed to the public ahead of the PM's visit on Thursday. The NDRF conducted a mock drill to ensure the temporary ropeway installed to take PM Modi to the temple is secure.
The temple trust said the complex will have a shikhara (superstructure and spire) for the first time in its history. The Hazrat Sadanshah Wali Peer dargah which was in place before is now relocated to a nearby space in an "amicable settlement" during redevelopment.
Devotees climb around 3,000 steps to pray at the shrine.
Some used to go to the corner of the courtyard where a shrine hosting the dargah stood. The structure had an unmarked grave-like structure covered with flowers and a tray of amulets. The temple was known for having the dargah of Hazrat Sadanshah Wali Peer in place of the traditional Hindu superstructure. Now, the dargah has been moved to a spot a few metres away from the main temple structure.
Around 3,600 cubic feet of Bansi Pahadpur red sandstone from Rajasthan were used in the redevelopment. The dargah was also rebuilt using the same stone.
The temple trust says the Champaner town used to be a kingdom ruled by Rajputs descended from Emperor Prithviraj Chauhan. UNESCO has designated Champaner-Pavagadh as a World Heritage Site calling it the "only complete and unchanged Islamic pre-Mughal city".
According to the temple trust, Sultan Mahmud Begda conquered Champaner in the 15th century, and he made it his capital. The note from the temple officials says the Sultan destroyed the shikhara of the temple, and the dargah was built around the same time.
A trustee told The Indian Express the dargah was rebuilt as part of the settlement, and relocating it was the most challenging part of the project. Both the temple and the dargah were rebuilt by Ahmedabad-based architect Ashish Sompura. He is also in charge of rebuilding the Ram temple in Ayodhya.