The temple of Goddess Ashapura is situated in the village of ”Matanamadh”, in Lakpath taluka of Kutch district in the State of Gujarat in India. According to the Gujarati calendar it is now the time of the nine day festival known as “Navratri” or “Navratra” which in english means nine nights. This navratri festval is dedicated to Mataji or Goddess [ Goddess Amba ]. During this navratri festival dance known as “Garba” take place for nine nights in which both men and women take part to dance to the tunes of traditional music and songs dedicated to the Goddess. During this nine days navratra festival many religious activities take place and people bring small earthen pots to their home and light diva and do puja of Goddess at sunrise and sunset and at night do “Ras-Garba” dance to show devotion the Goddess.
During this nine days people also show their devotion to ‘Mataji” or Goddess by visiting various famous shrine of Goddess’s. It is during this nine day navratra festival that the road going towards the ancient and revered shrine of Goddess Ashapura in Matanamadh comes to life. 2,00,000/3,00,000 people start walking towards the temple. People walk a distance of 350 KM. to show their devotion towards the Goddess. They go on foot from their cities and villages on food, walking for days. They cover on an average about 50 km per day. Starting at a distance of about 200 KM. from the Shrine of Goddess Ashapura, camps are set up on the roads at every 50 km or so by the volunteers to cater all the needs of devotees who come walking by, like food, sleeping tents, tea & snacks. and provide doctors and warm water for massaging tired Padyatri [ people travelling on foot ]. Devotees claim that lots of miracles happen. There have been reported incidents which claim the a person had come to Goddess Ashapura for darshan in wheel-chair and after the darsan of Goddess he was completely cured. He came for the darsan of Goddess Ashapura next year in Navratra walking all the way to shrine. To know more about the Holy ancient shrine of Goddess Ashapura click the link below.
Click here to go to website of Goddess Ashapura.
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