Kalika Mata Temple, Chittorgarh

The Chittorgarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India besides being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once the capital of Mewar, it houses several monuments which astound onlookers with their sheer brilliance. One among those is Kalika Mata Temple in Chittorgarh. Situated just across Padmini Palace, this temple was built under the reign of Pratihara Rajput dynasty. Dedicated to Goddess Kali, it is situated on an elevated rock and accessible via a flight of stairs. Apart from its historic importance, this temple also stands out for its thick pillars, huge domes and mandapas (porch like structure). A ratri jagran is also held in the temple complex in the evenings.

Kalika Mata Temple is an 8th-century[1] Hindu temple located within the Chittor Fort in the Chittorgarh municipality of Rajasthan state in India. It was originally a Sun temple which was partly destroyed in sack of Chittor, it was rebuilt during the time of Rana Kumbha. In the 14th-century Maharana Lakshman Singh lighted a lamp called ” Akhanda Jyoti “. The goddess worshipped at this temple is an aspect of goddess Bhadrakali, also Known with a regional name “Chittodeshwari & Suryabharnini”. clan goddess of Panwar (Mori Panwar) clan, The Mori Panwar Clan are the descendants of Chitrangna Mori, who built Chittorgarh. Bhadrakali Is also Worshipped as Isthdevi Of Sisodiya’s and Purohit’s. The upper part of the structure is relatively more recent. It is visited by thousands of visitors every day. worship of goddess Is mainly done under the supervision of the Saints Of Akhada Shri Niranjani (Responsibility given by Maharana). Currently temple is managed by Devasthan Vibhag. In year 2020 a new religious organisation “Chittor Bhakti Seva Trust” has been founded by Naveen Purohit with Co-founder Suryajeet Singh, for devotees of Bhadrakali. Chittor Bhakti Seva Trust started a informative page of temple on Instagram/@kalikamatachittor & Yashpal Singh Shaktawat is Currently Serving as President at Chittor Bhakti Seva Trust.