Kalika Mata Temple: Timings, History, & Darshan Guide

99Pandit Ji

Last Updated:August 27, 2025

Kalika Mata Temple in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, is devoted to Goddess Bhadrakali, a powerful form of Maa Durga.

It was formerly built as a Sun Temple in the 8th century, and after an invasion by the Mughals in 1303, the temple was restored as a Kalika Mata Temple in the 14th century.

Since the temple ruins were restored from the Sun Temple to the Kalika Mataji Temple. The history and culture of Rajasthan are very ancient.

The Temples and forts here have miraculous tales that will tell you the bravery of the Rajputs of Rajasthan.

Kalika Mata Mandir in Chittorgarh is one of them. Thousands of pilgrims came here to pay their respects to this temple.

Today, we will discover the untold and hidden facts about this Kalika Mata Temple in Chittorgarh. We will learn about the history of this temple.

You will also learn the timings and the Darshan guide of the temple. Stick to this article to uncover this holy temple with 99Pandit.

Darshan Timing of the Kalika Mata Temple in Chittorgarh

In this section, we will learn about the Darshan and Aarti timings of the Kalika Mata Temple in Chittorgarh. Rajasthan. The Temple is open for all devotees and tourists.

Lakhs of devotees and tourists visited the temple from all over the world. The temple is situated inside the Chittoragrh Fort near Rani Padmini Palace.

The temple is open for darshan from 4:00 am. Mangala Aarti is performed first in the temple. People also come to visit during the Mangala Aarti at 4 am.

There is a divine atmosphere during the Navratri festival. The temple is filled with devotees during Navratri.

The temple remains open till 8 PM daily. Even today, every Sunday, Paati is offered to Maa Kalika.

Devotees come from far and wide to pray to Maa Kalika, offer Paati, offer Prasad, and sacrifice buffaloes and goats.

Darshan Timings

Aarti Timings

Kalika Mata Temple: Darshan Guide

Kalika Mata Mandir is found on the top hills in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. It stands as a symbol of devotion and an architectural marvel.

You will feel a sense of existence while taking in the views presented by nature. If planning on visiting Rajasthan, be sure to add this site to your visit list and enjoy the views.

The Kalika Mataji Mandir architecture combines Rajput and Mughal architectural styles.

The Mandir showcases intricate carvings, ornate domes, and finely detailed sculptures that reflect the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Tips for Kalika Mataji Temple

• To avoid a long wait, visit the temple early in the morning.
• The next advice when visiting any places in the hills is to always wear comfortable shoes. Keeping this in mind, the climb from the gate to the temple and from the temple to the fort can be very tiring. Be sure you are in comfy clothing and shoes that will not bother you when walking.
• Kalika Mata Mandir can get busy with devotees. Be sure to bring your own water bottle. On hot days, the waiting line can make you feel thirstier than you actually are.
• The best time to visit the Kalika Mata Temple, in Chittorgarh, is during cooler times, October to March.
• During this time, the other temperature levels are cooler and much less oppressive, which is perfect for leisurely walking around the temple and its surroundings without the intense heat found in the Rajasthan summer months.
• It is highly advisable to avoid the summer months before the monsoon season (April to June) when Rajasthan is hot and will experience hot temperatures of around 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) or much more. These temperatures for extensive periods make sightseeing, outdoor activities, and exploration almost unbearable.
• Planning the trip to visit the Kalika Mata Temple during a cooler time of the year has many advantages in terms of a pleasurable experience with pleasant conditions during your endeavor.

History of Kalika Mata Temple

Kalika Mata Temple is at the eastern end of Chittorgarh Fort, near Rani Padmini Palace. Previously, it was a temple of Lord Surya, built in the 8th century by Bappa Rawal of the Sisodia dynasty.

The Mughals attacked the fort, smashed the idol of Lord Surya, and destroyed the temple, and it has been in this state for a long time.

Then, in the 14th century, Maharana Hamir Singh and the entire city’s residents built the temple.

With complete carvings, Maharana Hamir installed the idol of Maa Bhadra Kalika after worshipping her with great pomp.

In the 16th century, Maharana Laxman Singh lit the eternal flame that still exists in the sanctorum of the temple.

Maa Kalika apparently appeared in a dream of King Hamir Singh, and King Hamir Singh constructed the idol of Maa Kalika in the same way as Maa Kalika appeared to him.

People also say that the idol of Kalika Maa was taken from a village and installed in the temple. But this is not proven.

Since then, this temple has become famous as Kalika Mataji Temple. Kalika Mata is considered the queen and protector of the entire Mewar.

The Kulswamini of the Sisodia dynasty, Shri Baan Mataji, is also seated in the fort of Chittorgarh.

Kalika Mata is also the Kuldevi of the Parihar dynasty; the entire dynasty was a great devotee of their Ishta Devi Kalika Mataji and Kuldevi Baan Mataji.

Architecture of the Kalika Mata Temple

Kalika Mata Temple was originally constructed in the 8th century by Bappa Rawal to worship the Sun God.

The temple was then inspired by the Gupta period architectural style, a glimpse of which can still be seen in its craftsmanship.

However, the temple suffered extensive damage in the first invasion by Alauddin Khilji in 1303. After this, Rana Hammir rebuilt it in the 14th century, dedicating it to Goddess Kali.

Structure and Key Features

This temple sits on a raised platform and has five chambers, the roofs of which are now in ruins.

The walls of the temple are basic in outline, but the beautifully carved lotus flowers on the cornices are striking to the eye.

The walls of the sanctum sanctorum have images of the Sun God, plastered with Apsaras and his other female companions.

It looks as though the Moon God also has a spot on the walls, indicating that the Sun and the Moon were worshipped in the architecture. The roof of the temple is flat.

The roof supports are quadrangular pillars, having beautiful detail in carved brackets and also carved detail on the flat sections of the pillar.

The door frame of the sanctum sanctorum is extremely magnificent. It has four carved bands, the main theme of which is the Sun God.

Images of other deities are carved in wide panels on both sides of the door, in the center of which the Sun God is again given prominence.

A wonderful balance of beauty and devotion of the Gupta period can be seen in this entire structure.

How to reach Kalika Mata Temple, Chittorgarh

You can easily reach the temple by three modes of transportation. You can come here by flight, train, car, or bus.

Regular flights, trains, and bus services are available from many major cities. You can reach by:

Air

If you want to travel by air, the nearest airport to Chittorgarh is Dabok Airport, Udaipur, which is located at a distance of about 70 km from the temple.

Taxi, cab, or bus facilities are easily available from the airport to Chittorgarh. You can reach Chittorgarh by road in 1.5 to 2 hours.

Train

If you travel by train, you will arrive at Chittorgarh Railway Junction, which is about 8 kilometres from Kalika Mata Temple.

You can find taxi, auto, and local transport methods to reach the temple from the train station. Travel time is 15 to 20 minutes.

Road

Chittorgarh is well connected by road to major cities of the state like Jaipur, Udaipur, Kota, Jodhpur, and neighbouring states.

You can also travel comfortably through private cars, taxis, deluxe buses, and AC coaches.

After reaching Chittorgarh, local transport (auto/taxi) facility is available to the fort and the Kalika Mata Temple.

Places to Visit Near Kalika Mata Temple in Chittorgarh

1. Chittaurgarh Fort

When you are planning to visit Rajasthan, you just can not forget to visit the Chittorgarh fort.

It is the largest and historical fort of India, which reflects the glory of Mewar. This fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

2. Vijay Stambh

The Vijay Stambh is located inside the fort of Chittorgarh. It was built in 1438 by Maharana Kumbha.

This pillar signifies victory; it took nearly 10 years to build. This pillar rises 12 feet high and is located on a square platform of 2 feet x 2 feet.

3. Padmini Palace

This palace is famous for being associated with the saga of the bravery of Queen Padmini. In this palace, Rani Padmini used to recite. You will feel the rebellious energy here.

4. Kirti Stambh

The Kirti Stambh is also situated inside the Chittorgarh fort. This is a wonderful example of Jain architecture.

This huge pillar is dedicated to the Jain Tirthankara and the great scholar Adinathji. A wealthy Jain merchant, Jija Bagherwal, and his son, Punya Singh, built it in the 13th century.

5. Maha Sati

Maha Sati is a major memorial site where the practice of Sati is commemorated. It is not just a place, but it is a symbol of the ultimate sacrifice made by the women of Chittorgarh.

6. Gau Mukh Kund

It is a natural water source located within the fort. The holy Gaumukh Kund situated to the south of the Mahasati compound is also known as Saas-Bahu and Mandakini Kund.

7. Rana Kumbha Palace

The Rana Kumbha Palace is the centre of attraction for history lovers, which was once the residence of the Maharana of Mewar.

It is a unique example of its historical importance and architecture. Due to the changes and additions made in this palace by Maharana Kumbha, it is known as the Kumbha Palace.

8. Menal Shiva Temple

An ancient and serene place, which looks beautiful, especially during the monsoon. People from all corners of the State flock to take it in. The best time to visit the Menal Waterfall is from July to October.

9. Ratan Singh Palace

This palace, with its beautiful lake and architecture, is worth visiting. The royal family used to reside in this palace during the winter season. This palace and the lake situated at a short distance attract tourists a lot.

10. Sanwariyaji Temple

Located at a short distance from Chittaurgarh, it is important for Krishna devotees. The famous Sanwalia Seth temple attracts lakhs of devotees every year due to its beauty and uniqueness.

Conclusion

The Kalika Mata Temple in Chittorgarh is the most important temple of Rajasthan. The temple was formerly a Sun temple; however, after a Muslim invasion, the temple was changed to the Kalika Mata Temple.

The temple was built in the 14th century from the ruins of the Sun Temple. As stated above, the temple was built by Maharana Hamir Singh of Chittorgarh.

The Kalika Mataji Temple is approved under the state delivery of the Devsthan Department of the Succession Government of Rajasthan.

When Aurangzeb attacked the fort, he attacked the whole fort, and the Kalika Mataji temple with the use of big cannons and destroyed the whole fort, but he could not destroy the Kalika Mataji temple, still in its original condition.

The glory of Kalika Mataji is everywhere in Mewar. So, when are you planning to visit this beautiful temple?

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