Sundha Mata Temple, Jalore
About Sundha Mata Temple
History
In the temple premises there are three historically significant inscriptions that highlight the history of the region. The first inscription is from AD 1262, which describes victory of Chauhans and the downfall of Parmaras. The second inscription is from 1326, and the third one is from 1727. The Sundha inscriptions are of particular importance in historical sense—like the Harishen inscription or Delhi's Mehrulli pillar inscription. Sundha inscriptions throw light on the history of India. In ancient days worship in this temple was done by "Nath Yogi's". Emperor of the Sirohi district gave land of the "Sonani" , "Dedol" and "Sundha ki dhani" villages to one of the Nath Yogi Rabad Nath Ji, who worshiped in Sundha Mata Temple at that time. After the death of one of the Nath yogi Ajay Nath ji, no one was there to do the worship so Ram Nath ji (Aayas of Mengalwa that time) was taken there to take the responsibility. The land of Mengalwa and Chitrodi villages were given to these Nath Yogi's in ancient days by king of Jodhpur Maharaja Jaswant Singh. So Nath yogi of Mengalwa were called as "Aayas". After the death of Ram Nath ji, Badri Nath ji, pupil of Ram nath Ji became Aayas at Sundha Mata temple and took the responsibility of worship. He also looked after land of "Sonani", "Dedol" ,"Mengalwa" and "Chitrodi". As the time passed, no one was there to do all the management, so a trust (Sundha Mata Trust) was created to look after temple and manage tourism. Shri Nath Ji Soni Sahib of Jaisalmer, the royal jewellers of the Jaisalmer State was also one of the prominent devotee of Sundhamata, is another form Mahalakshmi in Bhinmal, Sirohi. Mata is the Kuldevi of the Shrimali Brahman Sonar of Lahecha Gotra i.e. Nathani Sonar.
Architecture
Sundha temple is made up of white marble, the pillars reminds of the art of Abus's Dilwara temple pillars. A very beautiful idol of goddess Chamunda stands under the huge stone. Here Chamunda's head is worshipped. It is said that the trunk of mother Chamunda are established in Korta and legs in Sundarla Pal (Jalore). In front of mother Chamunda a BhurBhuva Swaweshwar Shivling is established. In the main temple a duo idol of Shiva and Parvati Ganesh's idol are considered very old and extinct.