Gujarat :  First Funicular Coach at Chotila Dungar to Ease Pilgrimage

Surendranagar | Gujarat —  In a first-of-its-kind project in Gujarat, the holy pilgrimage site Chotila Dungar, home to the revered Chamunda Mata Temple, will soon boast a funicular coach system. Once operational, devotees will be able to reach the gates of Maa Chamunda in just five minutes, offering a transformative experience for lakhs of pilgrims who climb the steep hill every year.

The project, which is expected to be completed by the upcoming Chaitra Navratri, has been hailed as a blessing for the elderly, differently-abled, and sick devotees who struggle to make the uphill climb. Chotila Mahant Mansukhgiri Gosai confirmed the progress and added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be invited for the inauguration.

“A gift for lakhs of devotees”

Speaking on the importance of the project, Mahant Mansukhgiri said,“This funicular coach system will be a historic facility for devotees of Chamunda Mata. It will not only help the elderly and sick reach the temple with ease, but also allow temple materials and puja items to be transported without difficulty. By Chaitra Navratri, we aim to have this gift ready for lakhs of devotees.”

The funicular system is being built in a 20-foot area near the foot of Chotila Dungar. It will operate 12 coaches in total—six going uphill and six downhill—each coach accommodating six passengers. Work on the project is currently 30–35% complete. The temple trust has fixed a nominal fare of ₹30 plus GST per ride.

Relief for Trust Volunteers and Devotees

Currently, temple volunteers manually carry heavy puja materials, including stones and ceremonial items, up the hill. Once the system is operational, these goods will also be transported by the funicular, easing the physical burden.

On average, 7,000 to 10,000 devotees visit Chotila daily, while 2 to 2.5 lakh devotees arrive during Chaitra Navratri. From Diwali to Pancham, as many as five lakh devotees make the journey, with an unprecedented rush on Bhai Bij.

Chamunda Mata – A Living Symbol of Faith

The Chamunda Mata Temple at Chotila is not just a religious destination but a living center of faith. Situated on the Ahmedabad–Rajkot highway, the temple attracts devotees from across Gujarat and beyond. Maa Chamunda, one of the 64 incarnations of the divine mother, is believed to remove pain and sorrow.

During Navratri, the temple becomes a sea of faith as devotees throng to seek blessings. The legend of Chamunda Mata traces back thousands of years, when demons Chand and Mund tormented the earth. Sages performed a yagna to invoke divine help, and from the Havan Kund emerged Maa Adyashakti, who took the form of Chamunda and destroyed the demons. Since then, Maa Chamunda has been worshipped at Chotila as the slayer of Chand and Mund.

Poonam Days: A Sea of Devotees

Every Poonam (full moon) day sees an extraordinary rush of pilgrims at Chotila. Among the 12 full moons, Kartik Poonam and Chaitra Poonam witness the largest gatherings. Thousands arrive on foot, forming groups that march along the National Highway from Bagodara and Viramgam to Chotila, carrying Mataji’s chariot.

For these yatris, charitable groups and local farmers set up camps providing food, water, sharbat, and resting spaces. The sight of highways flooded with these faith-driven processions is a reminder of Chotila’s central place in Gujarat’s spiritual map.

A New Era for Pilgrimage Tourism in Gujarat

The introduction of the funicular system will not only reduce hardships for devotees but also mark a milestone in Gujarat’s push for modern pilgrim infrastructure. With similar systems running successfully in other states, Gujarat’s first such project at Chotila is expected to enhance both tourism and faith-based accessibility.