Moniya Nagbai Mata Mandir is located in the village of Moniya, in Visavadar Taluk of Junagadh district, Gujarat.
This temple is dedicated to Nagbai Mata, a manifestation of the Mother Goddess, who is deeply venerated by the local communities, including the Ahir and Rabari groups.
The temple is dedicated to Nagbai Mataji, a powerful and protective goddess the local people worship. Nagbai Mataji is considered a guardian deity who protects her devotees from evil forces and blesses them with health, prosperity, and happiness. She is often depicted as a fierce yet compassionate mother figure who safeguards her followers.
The temple’s architecture reflects traditional Gujarati village temple styles. It is modest but beautifully maintained, featuring a sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha) housing the idol of Nagbai Mataji. The temple has a simple yet elegant design with a small dome and an open courtyard where devotees gather for prayers and festivals. The walls are adorned with colorful paintings and carvings that depict the Goddess and scenes from local legends.
A long time ago, a very respected and pure-hearted Charan woman named Nagbai lived in the region of Junagadh. She was known for her strong character, devotion, and deep faith in the Goddess. Nagbai was married, and her family was considered very noble and saintly among the local people.
At that time, the ruler of Junagadh was Raa Mandalik III, a king from the Chudasama dynasty. He was powerful but had a flaw—he was attracted to the beauty of women, which sometimes led him to behave wrongly.
One day, Raa Mandalik heard about the beauty of Nagbai’s daughter-in-law. Curious and eager, the king came to Moniya village under the pretense of hunting. When he saw Nagbai’s daughter-in-law, he was captivated by her charm. Without thinking about respect or boundaries, he inappropriately touched her by placing his hand on her chest.
Nagbai, being a woman of great honor and dignity, was deeply insulted by the king’s action. She could not tolerate this disrespect towards her family. In her sorrow and anger, she decided to curse the king.
She turned away from the king and spoke a powerful curse, which meant that the king’s luck and prosperity would end. His family and rule would suffer because of his wrongdoing.
According to the story, this curse came true. Soon after, Sultan Mahmud Begada, a Muslim ruler, attacked and defeated the kingdom of Junagadh. The fall of the Chudasama dynasty marked the end of Raa Mandalik’s reign.
Because of her bravery and the power of her curse, Nagbai Mata is remembered as a symbol of strength, honor, and justice. The temple in Moniya honors her as a divine mother who protects her people and upholds righteousness.
