Kshemkari Mata Temple Bhinmal

Kshemkari Mata Temple-Bhinmal

Kshemkari Mata Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Mother Goddess Kshemkari, also known as Khimaj Mata. It is located on a mountain in Bhinmal, Jalore District of Rajasthan.

In 1935, the ancient idol of the goddess was replaced with a new one. This idol boasts four arms, each bearing a unique symbol: the eternal flame, a chakra, a trishul, and a sword. The temple’s entrance is adorned with magnificent medieval architecture, and heavy bells grace its threshold.

Legend has it that the Pratihara rulers of Kashmir were plagued by a severe skin disease. Seeking a cure, they brought the Shrimaal Patan idol on a pilgrimage. It was during their rest in the garden of Naga Baba, located south of Shrimaal Patan, that a fortuitous event occurred. A dog stirred up a commotion, causing wet mud to fall on the king’s feet. To their astonishment, wherever the mud touched, the king’s skin ailment vanished, and his body turned golden. Kshemkari Mata became the family deity of the Pratiharas, thanks to this miraculous transformation.

The region once suffered under the reign of a demon named Uttamauja who terrorized the people at night. Desperate for respite, the residents, along with Brahmins, sought the aid of Rishi Gautam. In response, the sage invoked Goddess Kshemkari through a sacrificial fire. She emerged from the flames and lifted the hill to imprison Uttamauja beneath it, as he was invulnerable to conventional weapons. The goddess’s temple was established at this location, ensuring the demon remained buried.