Medli Mata is a local, folk goddess of Gujarat, mainly worshipped in Saurashtra, western Gujarat, as the protector of farmlands and peoples. Her name means- “goddess or Mata who is formed by dirt or mel”.
The Legend of Meldi Mata
According to popular belief, a demon named Amruva was threatening the people of Saurashtra. Goddess Uma appeared to protect them from the menaces. Seeing her, the demon ran and hid in the skin of a dead cow, which is considered impure. Goddess Uma could not touch the skin and in anger, started rubbing her hands, which caused some “mel” or dirt to fall from her hands.
The particles from the goddess’s body took the form of a young girl, who was named Meldi (born from dirt) who effortlessly killed the demon. Goddess Uma was pleased by her act and sent Meldi Mata to goddess Chamunda ji. To test Meldi Mata, Chamunda sent her to Kamarupa, the sacred place that was under the attack of various dark powers. Upon reaching Kamarupa, Meldi Mata saw an army of evil forces, preparing to battle with her.
With her powers, Meldi Mata transformed all the negative energies into a black goat, which she then made her mount, as a symbol of her ultimate sovereignty over the darkness it represents. Maa Chamunda was happy with the victory and wisdom of Meldi Mata and crowned her the protector of devotees in Kaliyuga. She was blessed by Nava Durgas, and resides in Anand district of Gujarat, guarding her devotees.
The iconography of Meldi Mata
Based on her legends, Meldi Mata is represented in icons and paintings as a young, divine female. She is riding a goat and has eight hands. The goddess is adorned with traditional saree and ornaments and faces the devotees, with a blissful smile. In her hands, Meldi Mata carries Trishula (trident), Talwar (sword), Kamala (lotus), Chakra (discus), Khanjar (knife), Gada (mace) and bottle in which she captured the Tantric forces in Kamarupa. One of her hands is raised in Abhaya, the gesture of removing fears, directing her devotees to trust her for their protection and guidance.
Temples of Meldi Mata
Across the villages and cities of Gujarat, there are numerous temples of Meldi Mata.
☛ Meldi Mata Temple in Mehasana, Ahmedabad, Ananda, and Surat are popular temples of the goddess, where a huge number of devotees gather during Navratri and other festivals. Devotees also seek blessings of Meldi Mata and offer coconut as a tradition, after fulfilment of the wish.
☛ The Temple of Meldi Maa is also located outside Gujarat, for example, the Meldi Mata Temple in Borivali, Maharashtra.
Worshipping Meldi Mata for a U.S. Visa
There is a local tradition in Gujarat according to which, worshipping Meldi Mata helps people successfully get a visa to the U.S. Travelling abroad for study and work is an aspiration for many of the Gujaratis, a community that has a history of traveling across continents. Families gather and offer ritual gifts to Meldi Mata before and after getting a visa to the U.S. to seek her blessings and protection during their time overseas.
Meldi Mata in Mata ni Pachedi
Besides her temples in the localities of Gujarat, Meldi Mata is most popularly seen on the handpainted artworks of the Devi Pujak or goddess worshippers of Gujarat, known as “Mata Ni Pachedi”. As the name suggests, Mata ni Pachedi is an art form developed around the goddess or Mata, meant to hang behind (pacche) the goddess. These paintings also serve as a moving shrine for the communities who were not allowed to enter the temples.
Among the many powerful and intriguing goddesses of Mata ni Pachedi, is Meldi Maa, who is shown seated on her goat, inside a foliage of trees and vegetation that symbolize fertility and auspiciousness that the goddess bestows on the land and people.
Conclusion
Like any other folk deity, Meldi Mata is more popular in folklore and rituals than in any written sources. Due to this reason, very little is known about the unique goddess of Gujarat. However, one does not need to look very far, to experience the powers and popularity of Meldi Mata. From promising an abundant crop production in the village to protecting a local travelling miles away to a different country, Meldi Mata is the all-powerful guardian, who governs her devotees all over the world, from thousands of her temples in Western India.
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References
https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/zee-hindustan/religion-astro/gujrat-famous-devi-temple-meldi-mata-story/807582
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meldi_Mata
https://kdhadvisor.com/meldi-mata-mandir-surat/
https://theprint.in/ground-reports/oh-meldi-mata-help-our-children-stay-in-us-gujarat-village-prays-as-trump-strikes-fear/2467463/
