Nagnechiya Maa
Encyclopedia
Nagnechiya Maa (Hindi: नागनेचिया माँ/ नाग्नेची माँ) is the kuldevi of Rathore
, a Suryavanshi Rajput
clan of India
. Nagnechiya Maa's history dates back to antiquity. Rao Doohad
(grandson of Rao Sheoji
) went to Kannauj (where the Rathore originated) and returned with Nagnechiya Maa's auspicious flame, founding her temple in Nagana, Barmer district
. She is worshiped not only by Rajputs, but by nearly every Hindu; people of Rathore ancestry visit her temple.
(where his ancestors ruled) to establish a temple at Khed, Rajasthan
to expand the empire
. Rao Doohad went to Kannauj with a few loyal soldiers, and was told by Lumb Rishi that if Nagnechiya Maa's auspicious flame touched the ground, she would not move from that place. When Rao Doohad and his men were returning, an eagle (thought to be the incarnation of the god of the Rathore) followed them from Kannauj. At night they stopped to rest near Pachpadra
, a village in the Barmer district of Rajasthan. For some reason, the flame touched the ground; Nagnechiya Maa refused to move, and a temple was built at Nagana.
It was said that when the Rathore kings went into battle after receiving Nagnechiya Maa’s blessing, they remained unconquered. People visit her temple for answers to their prayers, great and small. Although the temple is located in a remote area, it attracts visitors from around the world.
The temple is well-connected by road from Jodhpur
, which in turn may be reached by air, rail or road. In Jodhpur, transportation exists by bus or taxi to Barmer at Barwi Road. The village of Nagana (in Pachpadra tehsil
) is one hour by road from Jodhpur.
Rathore
The Rathore is a Suryavanshi Rajput clan same caste as Lohana. Their Kuldevi is Nagnechiya Mata and "Karani Mata". Rathores are originally from Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh. Rathores are historically considered the samurais of India...
, a Suryavanshi Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
clan of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Nagnechiya Maa's history dates back to antiquity. Rao Doohad
Rao Doohad
Rao Doohad was a rajput chieftain belonging to the Rathore clan. Between 1291 and 1309 AD, he ruled a small principality in a part of the present-day Indian state of Rajasthan. Rao Doohad is said to have constructed the Nagnechiya Maa temple at the village of Nagane in Rajasthan.-History:Doohad was...
(grandson of Rao Sheoji
Rao Sheoji
Rao Seoji was a Rajput belonging to the Rathore clan. His father was Setram Rathore.-History:Rao Sheoji fought many battles against his own relatives and was responsible for killing many of them. This prompted him to undertake a pilgrimage to Dwarka. On the way to Dwarka, he received customary...
) went to Kannauj (where the Rathore originated) and returned with Nagnechiya Maa's auspicious flame, founding her temple in Nagana, Barmer district
Barmer district
Barmer is a district of Rajasthan state, India. Barmer is the district headquarters. Balotra, Guda Malani, Baytoo, Siwana, Jasol and Chohatan are other major towns.-Geography:...
. She is worshiped not only by Rajputs, but by nearly every Hindu; people of Rathore ancestry visit her temple.
History
In 1200 AD, Rao Doohad believed that Nagnechiya Maa was the mother goddess of the Rathore, and it was necessary to bring her auspicious flame from KannaujKannauj
Kannauj , also spelt Kanauj, is a city, administrative headquarters and a municipal board or Nagar Palika Parishad in Kannauj district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The city's name is traditionally derived from the term Kanyakubja . Kannauj is an ancient city, in earlier times the capital...
(where his ancestors ruled) to establish a temple at Khed, Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
to expand the empire
Rajputana
Rājputāna was the pre-1949 name of the present-day Indian state of Rājasthān, the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area. George Thomas was the first in 1800 A.D., to term this region as Rajputana...
. Rao Doohad went to Kannauj with a few loyal soldiers, and was told by Lumb Rishi that if Nagnechiya Maa's auspicious flame touched the ground, she would not move from that place. When Rao Doohad and his men were returning, an eagle (thought to be the incarnation of the god of the Rathore) followed them from Kannauj. At night they stopped to rest near Pachpadra
Pachpadra
Pachpadra is a village in Barmer district in Indian state of Rajasthan. It is a tehsil headquarters with the same name.One of the famous attractions in the city is the Pachpadra Lake, which is known for salt collection around it...
, a village in the Barmer district of Rajasthan. For some reason, the flame touched the ground; Nagnechiya Maa refused to move, and a temple was built at Nagana.
Temple
Although Nagnechiya Maa's temple is well-attended all year it is most crowded during the Navratri season, with worshipers from around the world. Pilgrims from throughout India finish their months-long walk during Navratri, and newlyweds come to obtain Maa's blessing. Newborn babies are brought by their parents for the ceremony known as Kesh Mundan (Jadula/Jarula). The temple is located in a desert area; however, it offers a variety of services.It was said that when the Rathore kings went into battle after receiving Nagnechiya Maa’s blessing, they remained unconquered. People visit her temple for answers to their prayers, great and small. Although the temple is located in a remote area, it attracts visitors from around the world.
Jodhpur
Jodhpur , is the second largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is located west from the state capital, Jaipur and from the city of Ajmer. It was formerly the seat of a princely state of the same name, the capital of the kingdom known as Marwar...
, which in turn may be reached by air, rail or road. In Jodhpur, transportation exists by bus or taxi to Barmer at Barwi Road. The village of Nagana (in Pachpadra tehsil
Tehsil
A Tehsil or Tahsil/Tahasil , also known as Taluk and Mandal, is an administrative division of some country/countries of South Asia....
) is one hour by road from Jodhpur.