A Visit to Nagnechiya Mata
Khamma and hello to all :)
I hope your months of 2024 are going beautifully and that you’re finding joy in the little moments. As for me, the last couple of months have been quite busy, and before I knew it, June had already arrived.
This past week, I had the chance to visit my Kuldevi's temple, Nagnechiya Mata, for the first time. The experience was profoundly moving, bringing to life the stories Dadosa (grandfather) used to tell us.
The Nagnechiya Mata temple, dedicated to the Rathore dynasty’s Kuldevi, also known as Chakreshwari, Ratheswari, Naganechi, or Nagnechiya Mata, is located in Nagana village in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
The History of Nagnechiya Mata Temple (The Story):
As a child, Rao Dhuhad ji visited his maternal home. He noticed his uncle’s large stomach and couldn't help but laugh. Angered, his uncle retorted, "You laugh at my stomach, but the world laughs at your family for not having a Kuldevi." These words struck deep, prompting young Dhuhad ji to determine to find his family's Kuldevi.
Uncertain of who their Kuldevi was or where her idol could be found, Rao Dhuhad ji decided to perform austerities to seek her guidance. He went into the forest, sacrificing food and water, until the goddess, pleased by his devotion, appeared. She revealed herself as Chakreshwari and instructed him to wait until he was older to retrieve her idol from Kannauj.
Years later, after the death of his father, Rao Dhuhad ji became the ruler of Khed. He traveled to Kannauj with his Rajpurohit Pithad ji, where Guru Lumba Rishi showed him the idol of Chakreshwari Mata.
When Rao Dhuhad Ji began to take the statue of the Goddess with him, he suddenly heard the voice of devi, "Stop, son! I will not go with you like this. I will go with you as a ‘Pankhini’ (Bird)." Rao Dhuhad Ji asked, “O mother, how can I believe that you are with me?” The goddess replied, “you will see me flying with you in the form of a bird, you should understand that your Kuldevi is with you. But be aware of one thing, do not stop anywhere on the way before reaching your destination. ”
Following Kuldevi’s instructions, Rao Dhuhad Ji continued his journey. When he reached near Nagana mountain, he was so tired that he sat down under a neem tree to rest. Exhausted, he fell asleep. When he awoke, he saw the Pankhini sitting on the neem tree. Rao Dhuhad Ji quickly got up to resume his journey. Kuldevi then said, "I had already told you that wherever you stop, I will also stop and will not move forward. Now I will not go ahead."
Rao Dhuhad Ji asked, "What is your command for me now, mother?" Kuldevi instructed, "In the morning, run your horse as far as possible before noon in all four directions. The land covered by your horse will be my ‘Oran’, and I will appear there in the form of an idol. But remember, when I appear, tell the herdsman not to call the cows, otherwise my idol will stop in the middle."
The next morning, Rao Dhuhad Ji did as Devi commanded. He ran his horse in four directions and instructed the herdsman to remain silent and not call the cows. Soon, thunder rumbled from the mountain and lightning flashed. The statue of Kuldevi began to emerge from the ground. However, the cows started screaming in fear, and the herdsman instinctively called out to them. As a result, the idol that was emerging stopped halfway.
The idol could only come out up to the waist. Accepting his fate, Rao Dhuhad Ji constructed a temple in 1305 for the semi-emerged idol. Because Chakreshwari appeared as an idol in Nagana, she became known as Nagnechi Mata.
Here’s a pictures from the day!
Reflecting on this experience, I cherish the deep connection to my roots and the stories passed down through generations. Until next time, take care and embrace the moments that connect us to our heritage.