SHREE UMIYA MATAJI MANDIR ,KENTUCKY
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The temple society, Shree Umiya Mataji Temple Inc., was officially established in 2017 as a registered nonprofit in Richmond, KY –United States
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Built to serve the growing Gujarati and Kadva Patidar diaspora, the temple serves as a cultural “anchor” and faith center for the community.
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The idea reportedly took root between 2015 and 2019: the temple was conceived in 2015, with active construction starting circa 2019.
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Traditional design elements from India—like teakwood carvings—have been integrated alongside local Kentucky labor, spanning artisans from both regions
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A grand inauguration ceremony in June 2023 attracted over 20,000 visitors—a testament to its importance
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The temple is more than a place of worship—it hosts religious classes, cultural events, community meals, youth programs, and even functions as a venue for celebrations like weddings and birthdays.
Umiya Mataji
Umiya Mataji is a powerful and compassionate Hindu goddess worshipped as the kuldevi (clan deity) of the Kadva Patidar community, primarily in Gujarat, India. She is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga or Parvati, symbolizing Shakti (divine feminine energy).
Significance in Daily Life
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Umiya Mataji represents strength, protection, motherhood, and justice.
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She is invoked during major life events like weddings, childbirths, and festivals.
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The “Umiya Dham Mahotsav” is celebrated grandly, attracting lakhs of devotees.
Mahakali Mataji – The Fierce Form of Shakti
Mahakali Mataji is the supreme form of Goddess Kali, representing time (Kaal), destruction of evil, and the ultimate power of transformation. She is worshipped as a fierce form of Adi Shakti (primordial energy) and is often associated with Durga and Parvati in her most powerful form.
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Mahakali appears in many Hindu scriptures like the Devi Mahatmya (part of the Markandeya Purana), where she defeats powerful demons that no other deity could stop.
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According to mythology, when the demon Raktabija was terrorizing the universe, Mahakali emerged from the forehead of Goddess Durga to destroy him.
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Every time Raktabija’s blood dropped on the ground, a new demon would be born. Mahakali drank his blood before it touched the ground, ensuring complete destruction of evil.
Ambaji Mataji (Amba Mata)
Ambaji Mataji (also known as Arasuri Amba Mata) is one of the forms of Durga / Shakti, worshipped as the Supreme Mother Goddess. She is considered the source of energy (Shakti) and the protector of dharma (righteousness).
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According to Hindu scriptures, Sati, wife of Lord Shiva, immolated herself in the fire of humiliation at her father Daksha’s yagna.
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Grief-stricken, Lord Shiva carried her body and roamed the universe. To stop this, Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra to cut Sati’s body into 51 parts, which fell at different places—each becoming a Shakti Peetha.
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In Ambaji, the heart of Sati is believed to have fallen.
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That is why Ambaji is not only a goddess of power but also a divine symbol of motherly love and strength.
Famous Temples
Umiya Mataji Temple,Unja & Other Temples
The most famous Umiya Mataji Temple is located in Unjha, Gujarat, India.This is the main and most revered temple of Umiya Mataji, the kuldevi (family deity) of the Kadva Patidar community.
Umiya Dham Jaspur is a major spiritual, cultural, and social complex dedicated to Maa Umiya, the kuldevi of the Kadva Patidar community. Located near Ahmedabad, this temple serves as a central religious and community hub for thousands of Patidars from across Gujarat and beyond.
Umiya Mataji Temple in Sidsar is a prominent spiritual and cultural hub for the Leuva Patidar community in Gujarat. It serves as the kuldevi temple for many Leuva Patidars, just as Unjha serves Kadva Patidars.
Umiya Dham USA is a grand temple and cultural center built by the Kadva Patidar community in North America. It is dedicated to Maa Umiya, the kuldevi (clan goddess) of the Kadva Patidars, a prominent group of Indian origin, mainly from Gujarat.
