Temple Profile

Temple Profile: Mandir Shri Dad Devi Mata Ji

Location:	Ummed Ganj	God Worshipped:	Mother Goddess Durga in the form of Shri Dadh Devi is enshrined in this temple.
District:	Kota	Road Distance from Jaipur:	268 Kms
Built in the year:	10th century	Nearest Airport:	Kota (15 km)
By	Tanwar Rajputs of Kaithoon	Nearest Rly. Station:	Dad Devi Station (3 km)

Cause of Establishment:
The Tanwar Rajputs hold Mother Goddess Shri Dadh Devi as their clan goddess. It is they who built this temple. In due course of time, the Maharaja of Kota Shri Ummed Shinghji Hada built one more temple near the principal temple and he wanted the idol to be shifted to this new temple, but despite all his efforts, the idol could not be moved and the idol did not buzz. The Hada kings perform their Navratras of Ashwin at this temple and on the fifth Navratra, a big fair is also held.

Brief of the Diety:

The Goddess is seated on a lion. She is ten armed and each arm holds a weapon. This idol is in stone.In her ten arms who holds reymitar,discus, mace,lance,arrow,and bow Bludgeon, bhushundi,skull and conch. The three-eyed goddess, well-clad does glow with splenderous tinge of sapphire glean .Ten headed , ten froted mahakali, I venerate To kill madhu and Kaitabha when Hari was asleep whom lotus born Brahma too did propitiate.

Religious sect to which the temple belongs:
Although the temple belongs to the Shakta cult but all Hindus worship the goddess irrespective of caste, creed and community.

Architecture of the Temple:

Important Architectural Characteristics:

The temple is built in the Nagar style of architecture. The temple has been built on a square platform and its roof is supported by 12 pillars which give the temple a square shape. Infront of the temple is a holy water kund which is filled with water coming from under the inner temple. The sanctum sanctorum is also square. The dome of the temple is round shaped and on the top is built a lotus flower.

Important Architectural Characteristics:

The goddess is seated on a lion. Within the campus of the temple, there are 10 kundas. On every pillar, pictographs of lion and floral patterns have been en carved. To the left of the temple is a garden.

Material of Construction:

Locally available building stone and lime mortar have been used.

Religious aspects of temple:
The sole aim is to hold the worship of the goddess and to offer sacrifice for the suffering huminity; to pray for divine remedy. Indirectly, this disseminates the shakta doctrine of shakti pooja.
Unique features of the temple:
This is a very beautiful temple of the Hadoti area. 20 kms away from the city of Kota in a jungle, the temple is built. The surroundings are idyllic and charming which would win the heart of any visitor. In front of the inner temple, there is holy water kund, the water of which is held to be very efficacious to save the diseased crops, sprawling water, plants etc.
Festivals & Fairs in Temple (Main Events):
Although all Hindu festivals are celebrated here but the principal festivals are Navratras of Ashwin and Chaitra. During Navratras of Chaitra and Ashwin crowds of visitors are attracted to the temple. Sometimes as many as 50000 persons are present. They have only one ambition – the darshan of the mother goddess.

Timings:
Morning Time:	7.00 am	Evening Time:	8.00 pm
Custom & Traditions of Temple:
During Navratras for all the nine days Shahnai and Nagaraj (pipe and diums) are played. On Ashtami, a havan (yajna) is performed on the fifth Navratra of Ashwin, the Ex-Maharaja of Kota with his retinue comes in a precession. People from all sides and local areas come in large numbers. Mundan Ceremony and first visit of the newly wedded couples are held here. So much so that the local people bring their newly purchased vehicle for pooja.
Details of Temple:
Sanctrum:(Sanctorum)	The sanctum sanctorum is in square shape.
Rasoi:	1 near Temple
Others:	The temple is in the Nagar style of Architecture and has a square shape. The ten armed Goddess rides the lion as the idol shows. Shiv Temple, Kal Bhairav Temple, Hawan Kund, Smadhi Sthal
Vandana (If any particular) in text:
Usual Aarati and Durga Hymns are sung during Mangla Aarati in the morning at 9.00 AM and Shayan Aarati in the evening at 7.30 PM.
Issues requiring global attention for conservation, protection and improvement of the temple:
The temple requires more of land for which forest department should come forward. Road of the temple in the city of Kota must be built. To attract the tourists from places nearby and other countries, the temple should be given wide publicity. Recently, D.C.M. Kota has spent about Rs. 15.00 lacs in construction of Rasois, Garden and toilets. More care should be taken of clean surroundings.