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Shila Mata Temple
Shila Devi (Durga/Kali) • Amer, Jaipur, Rajasthan
॥ ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः ॥
The Shila Mata temple sits within the ramparts of Amer (Amber) Fort near Jaipur, enshrining a black-stone image of the goddess in a form of Kali and Durga. Raja Man Singh I is said to have brought the image from Jessore in Bengal in 1604 after a vow, and she became the kuladevi, or family goddess, of the Kachhwaha rulers. Navaratri is the great season at the shrine.
The goddess of the Kachhwahas
The shrine houses a black-stone image of the goddess, worshipped as a form of Kali and Durga. By tradition Raja Man Singh I, the celebrated Kachhwaha general, brought the image from Jessore in Bengal in 1604, fulfilling a vow made to the goddess.
From then she was honoured as the kuladevi, the family deity, of the Kachhwaha line who ruled from Amer and later Jaipur. Generations of the dynasty looked to Shila Mata as their guardian.
Within the walls of Amer Fort
The temple lies inside the fort precinct of Amer, the hilltop citadel of golden sandstone and marble above Maota lake. Reaching the shrine means entering the fort itself, so worship and the visit to a great monument are bound together.
Silver doors and fine marble carving mark the shrine, in keeping with its royal patronage and its standing as the dynastic goddess’s seat.
The Jagat Shiromani temple nearby
The fort precinct also holds the Jagat Shiromani temple, dedicated to Krishna, a richly carved structure of the same era. It is linked in tradition to the saint-poet Meera Bai, whose image of Krishna is said to be associated with it.
Together the two shrines make the Amer precinct a place of both Shakta and Vaishnava devotion within a single fortified hill.
- Black-stone goddess brought from Jessore, Bengal
- Installed in 1604 by Raja Man Singh I
- Kuladevi of the Kachhwaha rulers
Navaratri at the shrine
Navaratri is the foremost occasion at Shila Mata, when devotion to the goddess reaches its height and worshippers throng the fort to seek her blessing. The nine nights of the Devi turn the shrine into a focus of intense activity.
As the dynastic goddess of a ruling house, Shila Mata carries a long ceremonial association with the rites of Navaratri, observed here with particular care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which goddess is worshipped at the Shila Mata temple?
The shrine enshrines a black-stone image of the goddess in a form of Kali and Durga, known as Shila Devi or Shila Mata. She was the kuladevi, or family deity, of the Kachhwaha rulers of Amer and Jaipur.
Where is the Shila Mata temple located?
The temple stands within Amer (Amber) Fort, the hilltop citadel near Jaipur in Rajasthan. Visiting the shrine means entering the fort precinct itself.
Who brought the Shila Mata image to Amer?
Raja Man Singh I, the Kachhwaha general, is said to have brought the black-stone image from Jessore in Bengal in 1604 after fulfilling a vow to the goddess. She then became the family deity of his dynasty.
What other temple is in the Amer Fort precinct?
The fort also holds the Jagat Shiromani temple, dedicated to Krishna and richly carved. It is linked in tradition to the saint-poet Meera Bai.
What is the main festival at Shila Mata?
Navaratri is the great occasion, when the nine nights of the Devi draw the largest crowds to the shrine. As a dynastic goddess, Shila Mata has a long ceremonial link with the festival.
What marks the shrine itself?
Silver doors and fine marble carving distinguish the shrine, reflecting its royal patronage and its status as the seat of the Kachhwaha family goddess.
॥ जय माता दी ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Primary Deity | Shila Devi (Durga / Kali) |
| Brought From | Jessore, Bengal |
| Installed | 1604, by Raja Man Singh I |
| Role | Kuladevi of the Kachhwahas |
| Location | Amer (Amber) Fort |
| Nearby Shrine | Jagat Shiromani (Krishna) |
| Main Festival | Navaratri |
| State | Rajasthan |