Nandni Mata Temple is located near Barodia village, about 15–20 km from Banswara town in southern Rajasthan. The temple stands on a 1,500-foot-high hill in the Vagad region and is surrounded by scenic hills and forests. Devotees climb 375–376 stone steps from different sides of the hill to reach the shrine.
The presiding deity is Nandni Mata, a powerful form of Durga / Adi Shakti. The name “Nandni” means “daughter,” and in Vagad she is lovingly called Nandore Ma. According to legend, she is the divine child born to Yashoda, who was miraculously saved from the cruel king Kamsa. Devotees see her as the goddess of protection, courage, and blessings for family prosperity. Tribal and non-tribal communities of this region worship her with equal devotion.
There is no exact historical record for the age of the temple. Local tradition says that a black stone idol of Nandni Mata existed here centuries ago, but it was destroyed during invasions. The present idol and structure were established later by devotees. Renovations and rebuilding have been carried out in recent years with contributions from villagers and pilgrims. This makes the temple both ancient in belief and tradition, but also modern in its current physical form.
The temple architecture is simple but striking. Built on a hilltop, the shrine has a garbhagriha (sanctum) with the idol of Nandni Mata, and a small mandapa (hall) for rituals. The current temple is being rebuilt with modern materials, designed to be around 40 feet long, 28 feet wide, and 32 feet high. The steps leading to the temple are cut neatly into the hillside, making it easier for pilgrims to climb. From the top, devotees get a beautiful panoramic view of the Banswara region. Behind the temple, rocks produce musical metallic sounds when struck — believed to be a divine miracle.
Long ago, during the time of Lord Krishna’s birth, the cruel king Kamsa was told that the eighth child of his sister Devaki would kill him. Fearing this, Kamsa tried to destroy every child connected to Krishna’s family.
When Krishna was born in Mathura, he was secretly taken to Gokul and exchanged with the baby girl born to Yashoda, the foster mother of Krishna. Kamsa, thinking this baby was the dangerous child, tried to kill her by smashing her against a rock.
But this baby was no ordinary girl. She slipped out of his hands, rose into the sky, and revealed her divine form as a goddess. She warned Kamsa that his enemy was already safe elsewhere. This divine girl is believed to be Nandni Mata, also known as Durga in child form.
According to local tradition in Banswara, after escaping Kamsa’s hands, the goddess descended upon this hill in the Vagad region. She chose to reside here to bless the people and protect them from evil forces. Since then, this hill has been considered her holy abode.
Devotees believe that Nandni Mata has been the guardian goddess of Vagad, watching over villages, protecting cattle, ensuring good harvests, and blessing her devotees with health and prosperity. Over centuries, people of all communities — both tribal and non-tribal — have worshipped her here.
Because of her miraculous escape and her settlement on the hill, she is remembered as the daughter (Nandni / Nandore) of Yashoda, and worshipped as a powerful Shakti who can never be destroyed.
Even today, locals say that the rocks near the temple produce musical metallic sounds when struck, which they see as proof of her divine presence. This wonder strengthens the belief that the goddess herself resides in this hill.
The most important festival at the temple is Navratri, when thousands of devotees climb the hill to offer prayers, sing bhajans, and take part in special rituals. The temple glows with lights and devotional energy during these nine nights. Other important observances include Shivratri and the annual temple fair (jatra), which draws pilgrims from Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. During these times, the entire hill comes alive with music, dance, and community feasts.
