Travel

Vahanvati Sikotar Mata Khambhat – Photo Tour, Story and History

By
on
March 25, 2016

Vahanvati Sikotar Mata temple is located 7 km from Khambhat town in Ralej village. Built few meter from seashore, Sikotar Mata temple is a scenic holy place. I’ll talk about history of the place, Sikotar Mata story and will take you to a photo tour.

How We Ended Up At Sikotar Mata

We visited Sikotar Mata without any prior planning.

In 7th semester of B. Tech in Computer Engineering from DDIT, Nadiad, I hadn’t spent any weekend sitting in room watching movies! 🙂
It was one bright Sunday morning. So I thought of going somewhere..

I had visited all places nearby Nadiad and Anand. All of a sudden, I had a thought of Khambhat.  I called Smit Patel, asked him if he’s ready. He is always ready!

Within an hour, we were seen biking on Anand – Khambhat road. I liked the road. On the both sides of road, you’d find row of trees. Breezing air coming over from fields is an add on.

Vahanvati Sikotar Mata Khambhat - Photo Tour, Story and History 3

Oh! I still haven’t told you how we ended up visiting Sikotar Mata!

So, we were in Khambhat city. Now what?! We asked a shopkeeper, what are some places to visit in Khambhat city.

He told us to visit Vahanvati Sikotar Mata Temple, saying that sea is nearby temple and we’d enjoy the views. That’s it! All we needed was one hint and we set off for Vahanvati Mata.

Entrance at Sikotar MaaVahanvati Sikotar Mata Khambhat - Maa Story, Mataji History, Photo, Image, MP3, Photo Story

Location of Sikotar Maa Temple and How to Reach

Vahanvati Maa temple is situated near Arabian seashore in Ralej village, which is 10 minutes drive from Khambhat. As I mentioned above, the location is quite scenic.

Distance Matrix:

From To Distance in km / Time in hr
Khambhat Sikotar Maa 10 km / 20 minutes
Anand Sikotar Mata 60 km / 1.5 hour
Nadiad Sikotar Maa 60 km / 1.5 hour
Vadodara Sikotar Maa 70 km / 1.5 hour
Ahmedabad Sikotar Mata 100 km / 2.5 hour

Plenty of GSRTC buses run to-from Khambhat.

Food stalls outside Sikotar Maa campusVahanvati Sikotar Mata Khambhat - Maa Story, Mataji History, Photo, Image, MP3, Photo Story

 

Nearest railway station is Khambhat. Demu trains run every two hour between Anand – Khambhat. See Khambhat Railway Station Timetable

From Khambhat, rickshaws will take you direct to Vahanvati temple.

Parking space
Vahanvati Sikotar Mata Khambhat - Maa Story, Mataji History, Photo, Image, MP3, Photo Story

Sikotar Maa History

Temple has mapping with 950 year old history.

In name Sikotar,

Si = Laxmi
Kotar = Goddess living in ravine.

Sikotar Maa is also known as Goddess of sea.

Sikotar Maa Photo: http://www.templetravel.net/

Years ago when Khambhat was known as Trambavati nagari, Vahanvati Maa is believed to be inhabiting in Khambhat.

Maa Sikotara Vahanvati is Kulvardhini of Rabari Samaj.

Story time now!

Vahanvati Sikotar Mata Khambhat - Maa Story, Mataji History, Photo, Image, MP3, Photo Story

Vahanvati Sikotar Mata Story

Sikotar maa has many stories. Let’s list each story one by one:

-> A. On the back side of Vahanvati temple, there’s a copper pillar.

Legend says that back in time when ships would lost from their way, they would pray for Vahanvati Mata. Soon after, a lamp will be lightened up on the copper pillar and taking directions, ships would their destination safely.

 

-> B. Another tale is that, during Navratri time, Mata would come to Sikotar to play Garba. Sound of Mata’s anklet was so powerful that farmers in nearby villages could easily hear.

Huge Shivalinga sideby templeVahanvati Sikotar Mata Khambhat - Maa Story, Mataji History, Photo, Image, MP3, Photo Story

 

-> C. There’s one popular story of Sikotar Mata and Jagdusa. It explains how Sikotar Mata started to know as Vahanvati.

When drought took over Saurashtra region, a merchant named Jagdusa came to Khambhat and entrapped his ships. He was true devotee of Maa Sikotar and soon his business grown full fledged.

He became so rich. Wondering what to do with the money he had, he bought a gold chain for Sikotar Maa. Though, being a merchant, his thoughts were changed after he saw gleaming gold. Instead of devoting to Sikotar Maa, he kept chain for his wife.

That night, in his dream, Sikotar Maa appeared and told Jagdusa to see positions of his ships. Hastily, Jagdusa came out only to see his ships sinking in sea.

He realized the grave mistake he made and immediately apologised Sikotar Maa. Kind Maa accepted his apologies and saved his ships from sinking.

From this incident, Goddess is regarded as Vahanvati.

Vahanvati Sikotar Mata Khambhat - Maa Story, Mataji History, Photo, Image, MP3, Photo Story

 

-> D. Vahanvati Maa is also known to solve infertility issues of devotees. There have been many examples of devotees pledging to Maa and Sikotar Maa helping to come over their situations.

Courtesy: http://panchalshailesh.blogspot.in/2011/11/ralej-ni-sikotar-mataji-ane-jagdusa.html

View of Arabian sea from temple platformVahanvati Sikotar Mata Khambhat - Maa Story, Mataji History, Photo, Image, MP3, Photo Story

Photos of Vahanvati Temple Campus

The grand campus has,

  • Chachar Chok
  • Garba Mandap
  • Cultural Hall
  • Bench for Rest

Vahanvati Sikotar Mata Khambhat - Maa Story, Mataji History, Photo, Image, MP3, Photo Story

  • Garden for Kids
  • Dinner Hall
  • Dharamshala
  • Food Storage Room

I didn’t take photos inside temple as photography wasn’t allowed inside temple. Following are photos from: http://www.templetravel.net/2015/11/sikotarvahanvati-mata-temple-in.html

Vahanvati Sikotar Mata Khambhat - Maa Story, Mataji History, Photo, Image, MP3, Photo Story

Festival and Events

During Navratri, a huge celebration is held at Maa Sikotar.

Annakshetra is run on every Sunday and Poornima.

During Navratri time. Photo: http://www.templetravel.net

Silhouette Photography!

We completed tour of temple in a couple of hours. The sight infilled vibes.

Now what, we thought again.

To the sea!

Arabian sea is 10 minutes from the temple. Upon reaching there, I looked around. We were the only ones out there!

We didn’t want to leave the place without capturing sunset. We were 2 hours from sunset.

Camera! Action! And we started photography sessions!

Vahanvati Sikotar Mata Khambhat - Photo Tour, Story and History 2

I’d always remember trip to Khambhat and Sikotar Mata for these photos! It was one of the finest photography sessions I ever had!

Vahanvati Sikotar Mata Khambhat - Photo Tour, Story and History 1


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35 Comments
  1. Reply

    Ramchandra damor

    November 9, 2022

    जय वहाणवटी मां सिकोतर तमने जाजी खम्मा तमारा आशिर्वाद अमारा उपर कायम राखजु अने आ सुचना देनारा भाई ने उजलु फल आपने मां जय जय मां सिकोतर

  2. Reply

    Pooja

    June 27, 2021

    Superb information, I’m making video on this.. In my channel
    https://youtube.com/channel/UCghLQrL0aS-rsI3MwPhgMUw

    Kindly have a look..

  3. Reply

    Sanghani B L

    December 30, 2020

    Shitotar mataji (vahanvati maa) temple is also situated at village Gigasan, Taluka Dhari, District Amreli Gujarat. Sanghani family (Thakkar/Lohana). Trusted goddess of the family and regular pooja, aarti, nivedan, yagna etc. taking place every year. Mobile no.

  4. Reply

    Vanraj Dangar

    August 19, 2018

    Very interesting & informative:)
    I used to find information any place whenerver i think to visit any place nearby nadiad:D i never disappointed!

    • Reply

      Darpan Dodiya

      August 19, 2018

      Thank you! Glad to hear that 😇

  5. Reply

    K udh

    November 6, 2017

    Hii.. very nice description… Can u tell me wether there is proper clean beach there to move around??

    • Reply

      Darpan Dodiya

      November 6, 2017

      Hey, not really. There’s no proper beach as such.

  6. Reply

    LÈENA

    December 26, 2016

    Hi
    Do u have any chalisa / stuti of ma sikotar …

    • Reply

      Darpan Dodiya

      December 27, 2016

      Right now, I don’t have any.

      I will try to get it for you and will email you..

    • Reply

      Fulesh Desai

      March 29, 2017

      Jay Sikotar Maa

  7. Reply

    Solanki Komal

    December 17, 2016

    Jay ma sikotar amri kurni Devi Jay mataji badhani raksha karjo

  8. Reply

    Bhate

    December 11, 2016

    Thankyou for the information. Have desire to visit since 2010. We visited our village near jamnagar where we have sikotar mata mandir as well.
    We were blessed with a daughter ,a companion four our son.
    Hope mata no bulavo ave and darshan na labh male.
    Thanks.

    • Reply

      Darpan Dodiya

      December 12, 2016

      Hope your wishes come true.. 🙂

  9. Reply

    uday solanki

    October 13, 2016

    Maa sikotra bless every one of m family

  10. Reply

    Ashwini Solanki

    October 8, 2016

    Thank u for d information…maa sikotara isy kuldevi as well Bt haven’t visited the place yet…will visit..N this stuff is really useful !!

    • Reply

      Darpan Dodiya

      October 8, 2016

      You’re welcome! 🙂

      Do share some photos of the place whenever you visit.

    • Reply

      uday solanki

      October 13, 2016

      Yes

  11. Reply

    uday solanki

    October 7, 2016

    Maa sikotar tara mahima khup che jai maa

  12. Reply

    uday solanki

    October 7, 2016

    Jai maa sikotar

  13. Reply

    Dashrath Desai

    July 25, 2016

    MA SIKOTAR TANE GHANI KHAMMA, MA TU NA MALE ENO AVTAR NAKAMO KEHAVY

  14. Reply

    Shubham Panchal

    July 23, 2016

    Jay ma shikotar

  15. Reply

    Paresh Solanki

    June 6, 2016

    Jai Vahanvati Maa

  16. Reply

    Mansi

    May 25, 2016

    thanks for the information,it is good to know about our motherland and inheritance and historical stories

    • Reply

      Darpan Dodiya

      May 25, 2016

      🙂

  17. Reply

    Falguni

    April 28, 2016

    Thanks for info… shikoter ma is my kuldevi so i m syor that we are going to khmbhat 1 time thank u so much..

    • Reply

      Darpan Dodiya

      May 14, 2016

      Nice to know that!

      Yes, it’s worth the visit 🙂

  18. Reply

    sandip

    April 21, 2016

    Thanks for this information.

    • Reply

      Darpan Dodiya

      May 14, 2016

      You’re welcome. 🙂

  19. Reply

    Dr. Anil Gajjar

    April 13, 2016

    Thanks for the information.
    My father Shree Kantibhai Mistry has supervised the renovation of mata temple.
    And one more thing in BIG shivling behind mata temple is India’s map in the centre with all 12 shivlings shown.

    • Reply

      Darpan Dodiya

      May 14, 2016

      I didn’t notice the 12 Shivalinga’s map on my visit. I shall update my article stating the fact.

      Thanks for info!

  20. Reply

    Vikas

    March 1, 2016

    Thanks for knowledge, my birth place is Khambhat.

    • Reply

      Darpan Dodiya

      May 14, 2016

      Nice! Khambhat is beautiful city. 🙂

  21. Reply

    Smit

    February 29, 2016

    We had captured approximately 2k pictures that day!

    • Reply

      Darpan Dodiya

      May 14, 2016

      Haha yeah!

      Like every other tour of us!

      • Reply

        Shambhu R. Solanki

        June 28, 2017

        Jai Sikotar Mataji,

        We hope that sea water will flow till your temple earlier, Your worshipers wish you fullfill earlier that’s our preyer.

        Shambhu Reva Solanki

        Asodar Ta. Ankalav, Di. Anand

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Seattle WA, USA

Hello 👋 I'm a Software Engineer based out of Seattle, WA. This is my internet backyard to share things that I do and stuff that I find interesting. I started this blog back in 2014 to share my travels stories. Glad to see you here, have a look around the website, you'll enjoy. Feel free to drop a comment or say hello. Have a beautiful day! :)