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Home / Gujarat / Bahucharaji Temple (Bahuchar Mata, Becharaji)
Mehsana district, Gujarat

Bahucharaji: the Shakti Peeth that adopted India's third gender

One of the three great Shakti Peeths of Gujarat, Bahuchar Mata rides a rooster at Becharaji and holds a singular place in Indian faith: she is the patron goddess of the hijra and transgender community, who travel here from across the country to seek her blessing. The shrine sits inside an 18th-century fort on the flat Chunval plains, an easy day trip from Ahmedabad, Mehsana and the Modhera Sun Temple.

The Bahuchara Mata temple complex at Becharaji in Mehsana district, Gujarat, seen within its walled compoundPhoto: Sumita Roy Dutta
Darshan hours
Approx. 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily
Entry fee
Free (no ticket for darshan)
Nearest station
Becharaji (approx. 1 km); Mehsana Jn approx. 35 km
Significance
One of only 3 Shakti Peeths in Gujarat
TimingsHow to reachAartiDress & rulesBest timeNearbyWhere to stayFAQ

Darshan timings at Bahucharaji

Darshan timings by season
SeasonOpensDarshanClosesStatus
All year (typical)5:00 AM5:00 AM to 8:00 PM8:00 PMOpen
Navratri (Chaitra & Ashwin)Early morningExtended hours, heavy crowdsLate nightOpen
Verify before you travel. Published hours vary by source between roughly 5:00 AM and 8:00 PM, with some listing up to 10:00 PM and others a 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM window; a short midday interval around the afternoon bhog is common at large Gujarat temples. Aarti timings at this temple have been officially revised in the past, so confirm the current schedule with the temple office (approx. +91 2734 286421) before a long journey.

Read the full Timings & Darshan Hours →

How to reach Bahucharaji Temple (Bahuchar Mata, Becharaji)

Becharaji sits on the Chunval plain about 35 km west of Mehsana and roughly 105-110 km from Ahmedabad, well linked by state highway. Most pilgrims arrive by road; the town has its own small railway station, but Mehsana Junction is the practical rail head.

Reaching by rail, road and air
ModePointDistanceNotes
By airSardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabadapprox. 105-110 kmNearest airport. Hire a taxi or take a bus onward to Becharaji, roughly 2.5 to 3 hours.
By trainBecharaji railway stationapprox. 1 kmA small station very close to the temple, but with limited services; check current connectivity.
By train (main)Mehsana Junctionapprox. 35 kmThe practical rail head with frequent trains from Ahmedabad and beyond; taxis and buses run to Becharaji.
By roadFrom Ahmedabad via Mehsana / Kadiapprox. 105-110 kmGSRTC and private buses run frequently; self-drive via the Ahmedabad-Mehsana highway is straightforward.
By roadFrom Modhera Sun Templeapprox. 25 kmCommonly combined into one day trip with Modhera.

Read the full How to Reach →

Puja & aarti schedule

  • Morning aarti (Mangala / Prabhat aarti), after the deity is bathed and adornedApprox. 6:00-7:00 AM
  • Rajbhog / afternoon bhog offering, followed by a short rest periodMidday
  • Evening aarti (Sandhya aarti), the most attended of the dayApprox. 7:00 PM
The temple holds two principal aartis, morning and evening, with the famed Bahuchar Mata aarti composed by the poet-devotee Vallabh Bhatt sung by the congregation. Exact clock times have been revised by the trust in the past; treat the times above as approximate and confirm on arrival.

Read the full Aarti & Puja Schedule →

Dress code & temple rules

Dress modestly: cover shoulders and knees, traditional Indian wear is ideal for the sanctum.

Remove footwear before entering the temple complex; leather items are best left outside.

Photography and mobile phones are not permitted inside the inner sanctum (garbhagruh).

Maintain silence and queue discipline during aarti and on Purnima and Navratri when crowds swell.

The hijra and transgender community are welcomed here as the goddess's own devotees; treat all worshippers with respect.

Read the full Dress Code & Temple Rules →

Best time to visit & festivals

October to March brings the coolest, most comfortable weather for the open temple complex. The spiritual peaks are the two Navratris, when the shrine draws its largest crowds and its deepest devotional energy. Full-moon (Purnima) days each month are also considered especially auspicious to visit Bahuchar Mata.

Major festivals
FestivalWhenSignificance
Chaitra NavratriMarch-AprilNine nights of the Divine Feminine; a major fair and continuous worship at the shrine, drawing pilgrims from across Gujarat. Peak
Ashwin (Sharad) NavratriSeptember-OctoberThe grandest festival here, with garba, folk performance and thousands of devotees; celebrated as a state Navratri Mahotsav. Peak
Purnima (full moon)Every monthConsidered a specially auspicious day to seek the goddess; regular monthly footfall rises sharply.
Dussehra & DiwaliOctober-NovemberCelebrated with special decoration and worship following the autumn Navratri.

Read the full Best Time to Visit & Festivals →

Nearby temples & tirths

Modhera Sun Temple

Modhera Sun Temple

The 11th-century Solanki-era Surya temple and stepwell, one of Gujarat's finest monuments.

approx. 25 km from Bahucharaji →
Ambaji

Ambaji

Another of Gujarat's great Shakti Peeths, in the Aravalli hills near the Rajasthan border.

approx. 150 km from Bahucharaji →
Pavagadh Mahakali

Pavagadh Mahakali

Hilltop Shakti Peeth above Champaner, reachable by steps or ropeway.

approx. 190 km from Bahucharaji →

Read the full Nearby Temples & Tirths →

Where to stay

Becharaji town has ample pilgrim lodging within walking distance of the temple. Popat Vasa Yatrik Bhavan sits about 200 m from the shrine; Shree Khatri Samaj Dharamshala (about 400 m from the GSRTC bus stand) offers 2, 3 and 6-bed AC and non-AC rooms with hot water and CCTV; Samarpan Atithi Gruh provides budget rooms and dormitories; and Hotel Krishna Palace offers AC classic and deluxe rooms. Rooms at the community dharamshalas can be booked online through aggregators such as YatraDham.org. Many pilgrims prefer to visit on a day trip from Ahmedabad or Mehsana and combine it with Modhera.

Read the full Where to Stay →

Frequently asked questions

What are the darshan timings at Bahucharaji temple?
The temple is generally open from about 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily, though listings vary (some cite up to 10:00 PM, others a 7 AM to 7 PM window). There are two main aartis, morning and evening. Confirm current times with the temple office before a long trip.
Which is the nearest railway station to Bahucharaji temple?
Becharaji has a small station about 1 km away, but Mehsana Junction, roughly 35 km away, is the practical rail head with frequent trains from Ahmedabad.
How far is Bahucharaji from Ahmedabad?
About 105 to 110 km by road via Mehsana or Kadi, roughly a 2.5 to 3 hour drive. GSRTC and private buses run frequently.
Why is Bahucharaji temple important to the transgender community?
Bahuchar Mata is the patron goddess of India's hijra and transgender community. They revere her as their protector and travel from across the country to seek her blessing, making the shrine a rare space of religious belonging for them.
Is photography allowed inside Bahucharaji temple?
No. Photography and mobile phones are not permitted inside the inner sanctum. You may photograph the outer complex, but respect signage and other worshippers.
What is the best time to visit Bahucharaji temple?
October to March for pleasant weather, and the two Navratris (March-April and September-October) for the biggest festivals. Monthly Purnima days are also considered especially auspicious.

Compiled from public sources including Wikipedia: Bahuchar Mata Temple, Becharaji · Gujarat Darshan Guide: Becharaji Bahuchara Mata Temple · TFIPost: Bahucharaji Mandir Mehsana timings and travel guide · YatraDham.org: Becharaji dharamshala and room booking. Timings and seasonal closures change; confirm with the temple trust before travelling.