Harsiddhi Mata Temple

Getting there

• By train

  Porbandar railway station has daily trains to Rajkot.

• By road

  The temple is about 30 km from Porbandar, on the way to Dwarka.

Why devotees come here

Harsiddhi Mata Temple stands at Miyani, a beach village in Porbandar district, Gujarat, which is a pilgrimage centre for Hindus and Jains. Harsiddhi, also called Harshal Mata, is an aspect of Amba and Kalika, and her ancient temple on Koyla Dungar overlooks the sea.

Harsiddhi is considered an aspect of Amba and Kalika. She is known by several names, including Harshad, Harshal, Sikotar Momai and Vahanvati Mata. Miyani is a pilgrimage centre for Hindus and Jains. Harsiddhi's temples here include an ancient one on Koyla Dungar, which overlooks the sea.

Legend says her gaze fell on ships, and any ship she looked at would burn or be wrecked at sea. Her temple then stood on the hill above the creek. A Jain merchant, Jagadu, fasted for three days to please her, and she agreed to come down the hill so her eyes would not fall on ships.

The main temple was first on a hilltop facing the sea. The present shrine is in the foothills of the mountain, and the site of its worship is said to have been built by Jagadu in the 13th century. Miyani is a beach village on a creek and a fishing centre on the Arabian Sea coast. It lies in Porbandar Taluka, and Porbandar district is on the Kathiawar peninsula.

Tips for your visit

• Miyani has beaches on the Arabian Sea and is a fishing centre on a creek.
• The present shrine is in the foothills, while the older temple on Koyla Dungar overlooks the sea.

Questions people ask