Kamakshi Temple, Shiroda

The temple of Shri Kamakshi is located amidst the hills of the picturesque village of Shiroda and was built in the late 16th century. In the village of Shiroda. A  huge Mahadwar or temple gate leads to the Kamakshi temple complex known as 'Sthal' or more commonly called 'Thal'. After passing under the Mahadwar,  one descends the flight of stairs. The temple, crowned by an octagonal, two-storied tower, with a golden Kalash perched on its Shikhar or peak, can be seen prominently. The temple of Shri Kamakshi has a large Sabha Mandap or the traditional open entrance hall. In front of the temple, one can see a tall Deepasthambh or the lamp tower and a holy water tank. The square shaped chowk, Gan is used for conducting the Prasad ritual.

The deity Shri Kamakshi can be seen in the Gabhara or the Sanctum Sanctorum in all its splendor. The Kamakshi temple also has Kshetrapals or affiliated protector deities like Shri Vetal and Shri Kalbhairav. Another shrine in the precinct has deities like Shri Rayeshwar or Lord Shiva, Shri Lakshminarayana or Lord Vishnu with his consort, Goddess Laxmi, and Shri Shantadurga. The palanquin procession of the idol of Shri Kamakshi and Shree Laxmi Narayan is taken around the temple premises, every Amavasya or on the New Moon Day. Thousands of devotees throng the temple for darshan on this day. In addition, the palanquin procession of Shri Rayeshwar is held in the temple premises on Chaturdashi or pre-New Moon Day, and that of Shri Shantadurga on Panchami or fifth day after the New Moon Day.

In addition, the annual festivities are held at the temple during the Navratri/ Dussehra period and at the time of Jatra in spring. The Diya (lamp)  procession held during the Jatra, it offers a spectacular site, where countless married women walk around the temple in the evening, holding Diya or clay lamps.