Overview
The Chauth Mata Temple, at Chauth Ka Barwara in Sawai Madhopur district, Rajasthan, is widely cited as the oldest and most prominent temple dedicated to Chauth Mata (also called Karva Mata), the folk goddess most closely associated with the Karva Chauth fasting tradition observed by married Hindu women across North India.
History
The temple is recorded as having been built in 1451 by King Bhim Singh. It sits roughly 1,100 feet above the surrounding town on Shaktigiri hill, built in white marble in a traditional Rajput architectural style, with an adjoining shrine housing images of Ganesha and Bhairav alongside the main sanctum.
Spiritual Significance
Chauth Mata (Karva Mata) is worshipped as a manifestation of Goddess Parvati. Karva Chauth, the temple's associated annual festival, is observed by married Hindu women who fast from sunrise until moonrise, praying for the health and long life of their husbands; a related observance, Til Chauth, is also marked at the same site. Large fairs are organised at the temple during both festivals, drawing substantial numbers of devotees.
Scriptures & Texts
Editorial note: Scripture references below are based on widely cited scholarly and traditional sources. Specific verse citations should be independently verified before publication.
Karva Mata's worship and the Karva Chauth vrat katha (fasting legend) are documented primarily through regional oral and devotional tradition rather than classical Puranic scripture. Specific textual citation requires expert verification before publication.
Prayers at Chauth Mata Temple, Chauth Ka Barwara
सुखकर्ता दुखहर्ता वार्ता विघ्नाची
जय गणेश जय गणेश जय गणेश देवा
जय गणपति सदगुण सदन,कविवर बदन कृपाल। विघ्न हरण मंगल करण,जय जय गिरिजालाल॥
ॐ भद्रं कर्णेभिः शृणुयामदेवाः भद्रं पश्येमाक्षभिर्यजत्राः। स्थिरैरङ्गैस्तुष्टुवाꣳसस्तनूभिः व्यशेम देवहितं यदायुः॥
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय
मुदाकरात्तमोदकं सदा विमुक्तिसाधकं कलाधरावतंसकं विलासिलोकरक्षकम्
Pilgrimage Information
When to visit: October to February offers the most comfortable weather; Karva Chauth and Til Chauth are the temple's most significant annual observances, each drawing large fairs.
Getting there: Chauth Ka Barwara is reached by road from Sawai Madhopur, which has its own railway station on the Delhi-Mumbai line.
Family Suitability
Well suited to families able to manage the hillside ascent; the Karva Chauth period draws very large crowds.
Accommodation
Modest local accommodation is available in Sawai Madhopur; fuller options are available via Jaipur.
Local Services
Reasonable local pilgrim services are available, expanding substantially during the Karva Chauth and Til Chauth fairs.
Do’s & Don’ts
Do
- Plan for the hillside ascent to the main shrine, and for very large crowds during Karva Chauth.
- Consider combining a visit with Sawai Madhopur's other attractions, including Ranthambore National Park nearby.
Don’t
- Don't confuse this temple with other Rajasthan sites also popularly called "Chauth Mata Temple"; confirm the specific location before travelling.
Preservation
Specific current conservation programme details were not found in the sources consulted for this page.
Giving Back
Support the temple through its own local trust donation channels where available.
Sources
Last reviewed: 2026-07-11. Scaffolding content: This page was seeded with well-known public information for development purposes and is pending full editorial review before publication.