Pavagadh: Devotees visiting the renowned religious site of Pavagadh will soon be able to enjoy new facilities by Navratri. These include accommodation, a large food court (Anna Kshetra), a Yagna Kund, and a new parking space.

Development projects in Pavagadh have been ongoing for some time. The first phase involved the temple’s renovation. After completion, the temple hoisted its flag for the first time in 500 years, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising the flag to mark the occasion.

The temple is a revered site for devotees who come from all over Gujarat, as well as adjoining Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Previously, it was difficult to find accommodation near the temple. This problem will soon be solved with the new dormitory facilities, allowing those visiting at night a place to sleep, and providing rest areas for daytime visitors. Similarly, a large Anna Kshetra (food court) is being built and will have a seating capacity for 600 people at a time.

The food court and dormitory are being built near Dudhiya Talav at a cost of around 12-14 crore rupees. According to Patel Kismatarai Chunilal Company of Vadodara, which is handling the construction, despite the rainy season, 80% of the work has been completed, and the facilities are expected to be ready by Navratri.

The food court, known as the Annakshetra, spans 150 feet in length and 75 feet in width. It is estimated that between 2,000 and 4,000 people will be able to dine there daily. The two-story building will house a dormitory on the lower floor, accommodating up to 1,000 devotees at once.

Regarding the construction’s structural integrity, Patel emphasized that the building is designed for seismic zone 5, making it highly resistant to earthquakes. The building’s foundation consists of 60 footings, each measuring 3 meters, along with two large rafts to ensure stability during natural disasters. The architectural design of the dormitory and food court will reflect the temple’s heritage theme, using special stone sourced from Dholpur, Rajasthan, for its finishing touches.

Approximately 100 to 150 people, including 4 to 5 engineers, are working on the project. Patel also revealed plans to install solar panels on the building, enabling it to harness solar energy for its operations.

In addition to these developments, a Yagya Kund is being constructed to meet the wishes of devotees who have long sought a place for performing religious rituals like Navchandi, Lakschandi, and Satchandi Yajnas. A Yajna Shala is being built to facilitate these ceremonies.

The area surrounding Dudhiya Lake will also undergo transformation. Replicas of 51 Shaktipeeths will be installed around the lake, allowing devotees to offer prayers to all the Shaktipeeths in one place. A three-meter-wide circumambulation path is being built around the temples, providing devotees with the opportunity to perform a Parikrama. Only 10 percent of this project has been completed, but work is expected to accelerate after Diwali.

With these extensive developments, Pavagadh is on its way to becoming a fully equipped religious destination, offering improved facilities and an enhanced spiritual experience for its visitors.