Chotila is the hill that rises beside the Rajkot–Ahmedabad highway in Surendranagar district, with the temple of Chamunda Mata at its summit. For many families in Saurashtra she is the kuldevi, and a visit to Chotila marks weddings, new vehicles and new beginnings.
The hill stands roughly 1,200 feet high, and the only way up is on foot: a stepped path of roughly 600 to 700 steps, depending on whose count you trust. There is no ropeway.
Because it sits right on the Ahmedabad road, it is as easy to visit on the way to Ahmedabad as it is on a short trip of its own.
The climb
At a steady pace with a few stops, most people take 30 to 45 minutes to reach the top. Carry water, and buy prasad at the stalls by the base before you start.
Go early in the morning or late in the afternoon, outside the heat of the day. Elderly travellers should take it slowly; the view from the top over the plains is the reward.
Leave footwear at the base, and keep bags light — everything you take up, you carry.
On the way to Ahmedabad
Chotila is on the national highway between Rajkot and Ahmedabad, so a stop adds only the time of the climb to an Ahmedabad trip. Tell us when you book and the driver will plan for it.
As a trip of its own from Rajkot, it fits comfortably into a morning or an afternoon.
When to go
- October to MarchBest timeThe best time for the climb — cool mornings and clear views from the top.
- Navratri (March–April and September–October)FestivalThe temple’s biggest festivals. Very crowded; start early.
- April to JuneHotHot on the steps by mid-morning. Climb at sunrise or late afternoon only.
- MonsoonMonsoonThe hill turns green, but the steps can be slippery. Wear shoes with grip to the base.
Getting there · Plan this trip
Chotila by car, with a driver
One-way or round trip from Rajkot, in a clean air-conditioned car. Tell us your date and we will send the fare.
