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PILGRIM · CHAMUNDA MATA · CHOTILAChotila Yatra
On the Ahmedabad–Rajkot highway, a thousand steps climb to the hilltop shrine of Chamunda Mata at Chotila — one of Saurashtra’s most-visited pilgrimages, thronged by travellers and devotees.
A hilltop shrine of the goddess
Chotila is a small town on the busy Ahmedabad–Rajkot highway, crowned by a steep hill whose summit holds the temple of Chamunda Mata. Reaching the goddess means climbing more than a thousand stone steps, a pilgrimage that thousands make each week. Set right on the main road across Saurashtra, the shrine has become one of the region’s most popular stops for travellers and devotees alike.
The goddess on the hill
Chotila hill rises abruptly from the flat Saurashtra plain, visible for a long way in every direction and unmistakable from the highway below.
The summit holds the temple of Chamunda Mata, a form of the goddess widely worshipped across Saurashtra and the kuldevi of many families here.
The only way up is on foot, by a stepped path of more than a thousand stone steps cut into the hillside.
Its position on the Ahmedabad-Rajkot highway means it has become one of the most-visited shrines in the region, with thousands climbing every week.
Why come
Chamunda Mata
The temple sits right on the summit, so the shrine and the view arrive at the same moment.
The climb
More than a thousand steps, steep in stretches, with shaded rest points and stalls along the way.
Summit views
From the top the Saurashtra plain runs flat to the horizon in every direction — the hill is the only high ground for miles.
Easy stop
It stands directly on the Ahmedabad-Rajkot highway, which is why so many travellers stop here rather than making a special trip.
Living faith
Numbers are heavy year-round and become enormous during Navratri, when Chamunda Mata is at the centre of the festival.
Evening aarti
Lamps lit along the steps and at the summit after dark are the image people remember from an evening climb.
What to see
THE SHRINEChamunda
The Chamunda Mata temple on the summit, the destination for every climb.
THE CLIMBThe steps
The stepped ascent — over a thousand stone steps from the base to the shrine.
How to experience it
Reach Chotila
Stop here on the Ahmedabad-Rajkot road; the hill is unmissable and the turn-off is signposted.
Start the climb
Allow proper time for the climb. Over a thousand steps takes most people 30 to 45 minutes going up.
Reach the shrine
Take darshan at the Chamunda Mata shrine, kuldevi to a great many Saurashtra families.
Take the darshan
Pause at the top before heading down — the summit is small and the crowd moves through steadily.
Enjoy the view
Look out over the plain, which runs flat to the horizon from the only hill for miles.
Stay for aarti
Come at dusk if you can, when the steps and summit are lit and the climb is cooler.
A wayside pilgrimage of Saurashtra
Chotila’s power lies partly in its setting: a lone hill rising beside the road that links Ahmedabad to Rajkot and the Kathiawar coast, impossible to pass without noticing. Countless travellers break their journey to make the climb, and the goddess of Chotila has become a familiar guardian of the highway. Dusk, when the aarti lamps are lit on the summit, is the shrine’s most stirring hour.
The rest of the district is covered in our Surendranagar travel guide.
Timing
Navratri in September or October is the peak, when Chamunda Mata is central to the festival and the steps are packed day and night.
November to February is the best time for the climb itself — cool enough to go up without suffering.
April to June makes for a punishing ascent on exposed stone; go at first light or after sunset only.
⏰ Chotila is open year-round; it is busiest at Navratri and pleasant to climb in the cooler winter months.
Getting there
By Air
Rajkot (~55 km).
By Rail
Surendranagar / Rajkot.
By Road
On AHD–Rajkot NH.
More in Surendranagar
AUG – SEP
Tarnetar Fair
Folk fair & music Explore →
CRAFT
Tangaliya Weave
A 700-year-old handloom of the Dangasia community, Tangaliya builds geometric designs from tiny raised dots twisted into the cloth by hand — a GI-tagged craft unique to Surendranagar. Explore →
FOLK
Dayro & Bhavai
The living folk arts of Saurashtra — the dayro, an evening of song and storytelling, and Bhavai, the old Gujarati folk theatre of music, satire and stock characters. Explore →
What to eat
PRASADTemple Prasad
A blessed offering.
THALIKathiyawadi Thali
A hearty spread.
ROTLOBajra Rotlo
With white butter.
CHAASChaas
Spiced buttermilk.
Chotila Yatra FAQ
What is the Chotila Yatra?
A pilgrimage to the Chamunda Mata temple atop Chotila hill in Surendranagar district.
How do you reach the temple?
By climbing more than a thousand stone steps up the hill.
Where is Chotila?
On the Ahmedabad–Rajkot highway, about 55 km from Rajkot.
Who is worshipped there?
Chamunda Mata, the hilltop goddess of Chotila.
When is it busiest?
During Navratri, when devotion to the goddess peaks.
Is the climb hard?
It is steep but well-stepped; the cooler months make it easier.
Across Gujarat
Hastagiri Jain Tirth
A serene Jain pilgrimage nearby
WILDLIFEJambughoda Sanctuary
Teak forests, lakes & leopards
COASTMadhavpur Beach
A serene beach famed for its spring fair
Damodar Kund
Vaishnav temple beside Damodar Kund
OLD CITYSurat Old City
Bazaars, havelis & the textile quarters
COUNTRYSIDECharotar Villages
Lush dairy & farming country
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 3 July 2026