Pavagadh Kalika Mata Temple:
Six persons were killed on Saturday after the cable wire of a ropeway meant for material transport at the Kalika Mata temple snapped, causing the cable car to crash to the ground in the Pavagadh area of Gujarat’s Panchmahal district.
- Pavagadh Kalika Mata Temple is a Hindu temple complex and pilgrim centre at the summit of Pavagadh Hill in Panchmahal District, Gujarat.
- The presiding deity is Maa Kali (Kalika Mata), a form of Goddess Durga/Shakti.
- It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas in India.
- It lies at an elevation of 762 meters above sea level. It is located on a cliff surrounded by dense forest cover.
- The temple is believed to be over 1,000 years old, with its origins tracing back to the 10th–11th centuries. Mahakali’s idol was installed here in the 12th century.
- It saw patronage and renovations under the Solanki Rajput dynasty, who ruled large parts of Gujarat.
- During the reign of Sultan Mahmud Begada, Pavagadh and Champaner became key religious and cultural centers.
- Today, the temple is a part of the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.
- Built with stone, the temple structure reflects medieval Hindu temple architecture with intricate carvings, domes, and an inner sanctum (garbhagriha).
- The sanctum houses the black stone idol of Mahakali—the upper part visible to devotees, while the lower part remains underground, symbolizing mystery and divine grounding.
- The temple has been refurbished in recent years, with improved ropeway connectivity and facilities while maintaining its sacred ambiance.
