In Ratlam, the ancient Maa Satarunda Temple witnesses a massive influx of devotees during Chaitra Navratri. Perched atop a solitary hill, this temple stands as a striking marvel of nature, surrounded by vast stretches of flat land. This lone hill not only showcases the unique beauty of the landscape but also lends credence to a popular tale that echoes through time. Legend has it that during the Pandava era, Bhima, while in exile, visited this spot. When his cow went missing, he sculpted this towering hill to search for it, a story that still captivates the imagination.
The goddess is offered liquor as a sacred offering, a tradition upheld by devotees. During Navratri, throngs of faithful from far and wide flock to this temple. Even on ordinary days, devotees present liquor as an offering to the deity. The Chaitra Navratri fair draws thousands of worshippers from Ratlam district and neighboring regions like Ujjain, Dhar, Jhabua, Dewas, and Indore, all eager to seek blessings from Maa Kalka.
The Goddess in Three Forms
Situated about 35 kilometers from Ratlam, the Satarunda Mataji hill is home to this historic Pandava-era temple, where Maa Kalka reigns supreme. It is believed that the goddess reveals herself in three distinct forms: as a child in the morning, a youthful figure at noon, and an elderly woman by evening, blessing her devotees in each phase of the day.
Tales and Beliefs Surrounding the Temple
One haunting legend recounts a dark chapter from 200 years ago. Thieves, lured by rumors of hidden treasure, infiltrated the temple with malicious intent and hanged the priest’s son to death. In her divine grace, Maa Kalka blessed the grieving priest, Bhuvani Giri, promising him three sons in place of the one he lost. She foretold that the first son would bear the mark of the noose around his neck. True to her word, when Bhuvani Giri’s eldest son, Pratap Giri, was born, he carried the telltale sign. Alongside his younger brothers, Shankar Giri and Shiv Giri, their lineage continues to serve the goddess. Today, Ramesh Giri Goswami and his family uphold the sacred rituals of worship.
A Ritual for Childbirth
The temple is renowned for fulfilling the prayers of those seeking offspring. Women craft a reverse swastika from cow dung on the western side of the temple, beseeching the goddess for a child. Once their wish is granted, they return to create a forward swastika with vermilion and offer a cradlemade of wood, iron, steel, or silver to the sacred banyan tree. Every year, during both Navratri celebrations, the temple teems with devotees.
Echoes of the Pandavas
Folklore ties this sacred site to the Pandavas’ time in exile. Though no inscribed evidence exists, it’s said they spent part of their hidden years here. The story goes that when their grazing cows wandered off, Bhima fashioned six small mounds to locate them. When the cows remained elusive, he added a fistful of earth to create this grand hill. From its peak, he spotted the herd in Mandav and hurled a massive stone to corral them—a pillar now famed as the “Bhima Lat” in Mandav. The region, dotted with these smaller mounds, earned the name “Satarunda,” meaning “seven mounds.”
This temple, steeped in myth and devotion, remains a beacon of faith, drawing pilgrims to its hallowed hilltop year after year.