Navratri 2026: Goddess Whose Cough Allegedly Destroyed An Entire Fort Worshipped At 500-Year-Old Temple In MP's Ratlam

Ratlam district in Madhya Pradesh houses the 500-year-old Gadhkankhai Mataji temple, a revered site among worshippers. Nestled among hills along the Mahi River, the temple complex draws devotees throughout the year, particularly during the Chaitra and Sharadiya Navratri festivals. The temple's origins are steeped in local legend, as villagers recount how a fort once stood in its place, only for it to collapse dramatically upon the goddess's clearing of her throat.

Despite this dramatic event, the temple itself remained standing, giving rise to the name "Gadhkankhai," which translates to "where the fort fell."

The temple is known for its unique representations of the goddess throughout the day - a young child in the morning, a youth in the afternoon, and an elderly woman at night. This deity is considered a "Jagrit Devi," or awakened goddess, by her devotees. Many believers attribute their wishes' fulfillment to Gadhkankhai Mataji, returning to offer a sacred veil, or "Chunri," once their prayers are answered.

Locals also share that mysterious nocturnal visits by wild animals occur during Navratri. A nine-day fair is held during Chaitra Navratri, with villagers often walking to the shrine from nearby villages such as Ratlam, Shivgarh, Bajna, and Sailana. The temple's history is further intertwined with the early days of the Ratlam state, fittingly marking it as Rajapura Mataji.