Pavitra Meldi Mata Temple Valasan

The Meldi Mata Temple at Valasan, situated along the Anand-Sojitra road in the Anand district, is revered by devotees as an exceptionally ‘Jagrut’ (awakened and responsive) seat of faith. Thousands of pilgrims offer ‘Maanta’ (solemn vows) to this folk deity with profound devotion, seeking the fulfilment of desires such as the blessing of progeny, the attainment of wealth and the successful acquisition of visas for overseas travel. Upon the fruition of their prayers, it is customary to offer the Mother coconuts, jaggery, red cloth and incense. The original abode of the Goddess is located near a ‘Sinduriya Kerda’ tree within the temple precincts. Every Sunday, the shrine witnesses a vast concourse of devotees gathering for ‘Darshan’ (sacred viewing).

Local lore recounts that approximately 250 years ago, members of the Vanjari community – nomadic builders of wells and ‘Baravs’ (stepwells) – travelled from village to village. During their travels, they arrived at the village of Valasan. While encamped beneath a ‘Sinduriya Kerda’ tree, they performed worship of the idol and ‘Padukas’ (sacred footprints) of the Goddess they carried with them. The following morning, in their haste to depart, the travellers inadvertently left the idol and footprints behind. Upon realising their oversight during evening prayers, they hurried back to Valasan. Despite their most strenuous efforts to lift the idol and take it with them, it remained immoveable. At that very moment, the Goddess manifested herself and granted a ‘Drishtant’ (divine vision), declaring, ‘Henceforth, I shall reside here to dispel the sorrows of the people.’ As decades passed, the surrounding area grew into a dense forest and the idol beneath the tree became interred within the earth. Eventually, a villager named Bhagwandas Patel discovered this ancient idol while excavating the ground. Subsequently, Bhagwandas and the villagers united to consecrate the idol of Meldi Mata at this site and erected her temple.

According to the scriptures, in ancient times, Goddess Uma manifested upon the earth to slay a most cruel demon named Amruva in the Saurashtra region. Terrified by the radiant effulgence of the Goddess, the demon sought refuge within the impure hide of a dead cow. Enraged by this act, Goddess Uma rubbed her palms together and from the ‘Mal’ (impurity or dirt) that fell, a most luminous divine maiden was born. Being birthed from ‘Mal’, the maiden was named ‘Meldi’. Meldi Mata subsequently slew Amruva, liberating Saurashtra from his reign of terror. Following this victory, Goddess Uma sent Meldi Mata to Goddess Chamunda, who, to test her prowess, dispatched her to the Kamrup region. There, employing her divine powers, Meldi Mata transformed malevolent ‘Tantric’ (occult) forces into a black goat and imprisoned their energies within a bottle. She adopted this black goat, a symbol of vanquished evil, as her permanent ‘Vahana’ (divine vehicle). According to ‘Murtishastra’ (iconography), Meldi Mata appears as a young woman clad in a traditional red saree and tribal ornaments. Seated upon the black goat, this eight-armed Goddess wields a ‘Trishula’ (trident), sword, lotus, ‘Chakra’ (discus), dagger and mace, while holding the bottle containing captured occult powers. Her one hand remains in the ‘Abhaya Mudra’ (the gesture of fearlessness).

The temple of Meldi Mata stands amidst a verdant and picturesque landscape. A grand three-storey gateway adjacent to the road leads into a vast, paved courtyard. This entrance is flanked by sculptures of ‘Dwarpalas’ (gatekeepers) and ‘Gajarajas’ (elephant kings). The second floor of the gateway houses a ‘Nagarkhana’ (drum house), while a tower-like structure at the summit features a large clock. The courtyard includes a parking area on one side and a large ‘Bhojanalaya’ (dining hall) on the other, established to distribute ‘Mahaprasad’ (sanctified food) to thousands of devotees on Sundays and during festivals. The main temple is elevated upon a high plinth. The Meldi Mata Temple Trust has erected a magnificent edifice on the site of the original shrine. The current structure reached completion following a ‘Jirnoddhara’ (restoration and consecration) on 8th May 2022. The temple architecture comprises three ‘Darshanmandapas’ (viewing halls), a ‘Sabhamandap’ (assembly hall), an ‘Antarala’ (vestibule) and three ‘Garbhagrihas’ (sanctum sanctorums). One enters the ‘Mukhamandap’ (entrance porch) by ascending approximately fifteen steps. This semi-open porch features exquisite craftsmanship on its pillars, walls and ‘Shikhara’ (spire). The assembly hall is flanked by viewing galleries and supported by pillars adorned with beautiful carvings and sculptures of women in dance and musical postures. Within the vestibule, niches house idols of Lord Ganesha and various other deities. The entrance to the sanctum is framed by intricately carved ‘Dwarashakhas’ (doorframe layers) featuring gatekeepers at the base and ‘Torana’ (garland) motifs above. Enshrined within a beautiful golden ‘Makhara’ (ornate niche) upon a ‘Vajrapitha’ (stone pedestal) resides the idol of Meldi Mata. The temple is topped by three spires. Behind the temple, along the ‘Pradakshina’ (circumambulation) path, stands the ancient ‘Sinduriya Kerda’ tree. A small shrine has been built near this tree, the original site of the Goddess, for the veneration of pilgrims.

The Navratri festivals in the months of Chaitra and Ashvin are celebrated with great fervour. During the Ashvin Navratri, a ‘Suvarna Navratri Mahotsav’ is organised, where devotees in traditional attire perform ‘Ras-Garba’ and ‘Dandiya’. In the evenings, a ‘Maha-Aarti’ is performed with numerous lamps lit in earthen pitchers. The second day of the bright fortnight of Vaishakh is celebrated as the anniversary of the day the Goddess manifested near the ‘Sinduriya Kerda’ tree.

Every Sunday, the temple is crowded with seekers. A unique handmade offering called ‘Jagara’, prepared from wheat flour, jaggery and oil, is distributed as ‘Prasad’.

There exists a widespread belief that worshipping Meldi Mata ensures success in overcoming obstacles related to obtaining American visas. Upon receiving a visa, devotees offer the Mother coconuts, jaggery, red cloth and incense.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.

Sacred Darshan Gallery