Bahuchara Mata adorns Rs. 250 crore necklace every Dussehra

Mehsana: Every year, on Dussehra, the idol of Goddess Bahuchara at the Bahucharaji Temple here is adorned with a priceless diamond necklace valued in crores of rupees. This tradition, deeply ingrained in the temple’s history, occurs on the evening of Vijayadashmi.

The necklace, known as “Navlakha Haar,” is 177 years old and was a gift from the Gaekwad king during their dynasty. While the goddess wears various pieces of jewelry, the centerpiece is the “Navlakha Haar” necklace, estimated by jewelers eight years ago to be worth over Rs 250 crore. The necklace boasts six precious sapphires, topaz jewels, and over 150 diamonds, with each sapphire alone valued in crores of rupees. This underscores the necessity for stringent security and vigilance by temple authorities.

The police presence ensures the smooth unfolding of the procession, including the Palki Yatra, during which they honor Goddess Bahuchara. This centuries-old tradition, spanning over 300 years, is faithfully preserved.

The sacred ritual is conducted with reverence and tradition under the watchful eyes of three senior temple officials. The origin of this priceless necklace is steeped in folklore. Subedar Manaji Rao Gaekwad, afflicted by a severe and seemingly incurable ailment, turned to Goddess Bahuchara in prayer, resulting in his miraculous recovery. In gratitude, he presented the remarkable diamond necklace to the goddess, marking the commencement of this beloved annual tradition. DeshGujarat