The Deity at Shree Kheemuch Mataji Temple was allegedly stolen by smugglers specializing in the theft of Idols many years ago. It was subsequently recovered by the Government and returned to the trust at The City Palace, Udaipur. Taking a considered approach, the construction carried out by the Shree Eklingji Trust has been carried out to reflect the values of both religion and tourism.
Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur, Chairman and Managing Trustee, Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation appointed Mr. Mahendra Kumar Nagraj whose experience and sensitivity in this field of work has been commended. The temples were restored according to blueprints from the old structure. A dharmshala (lodge) for visitors has also been built at the back of Shree Neemuch Mataji Temple.
On the 9th March, the idol of Shree Kheemuch Mataji was moved from The City Palace, Udaipur to the temple in a procession and placed in the restored temple of Shree Kheemuch Mataji Temple on the 12th March after performing the religious rituals.
In both the temples, a four-day 'Nav Chandi Mahayagya' concluded with a large institutional ceremony.
There is an interesting history behind the inception of these temples which, as stated by Shree Eklingh Mahatma, goes as follows
"Once 'Yavans' attacked Mewar and because of it there were breaches in the security of Shree Eklinghnath ji. So to overcome the trouble, Goswami Shree Maharaj, prayed to 'Vindhyavasni', and 'Rashtrasen Mata' showed herself and placed three of her strengths viz Shree Aburdaa ji, Shree Kheemuch Mataji and Shree Neemuch Mataji on the mountains covering Shree Eklingnath ji. Later as the time passed by, the temples wrecked."
It is heartening to attend a music concert in New Delhi and be taken by surprise...for one hears the artistes acknowledge the patronage they may have received from the House of Mewar, Udaipur. When Mrs Radhika Surana, a Hindustani classical vocalist and a disciple of Pt Sarathi Chatterjee, was performing at the Habitat Centre in New Delhi on Feb 23rd, 2012, the presenter detailed her past performance at the Shree Eklingji Temple during a special festival held in Kailashpuri, near Udaipur. In Mrs Radhika's words, "her performance at the Shree Eklingji Temple was truly soul uplifting for her." She expressed her gratitude for being given the opportunity to perform at the ancient temple of Mewar. It was probably Mrs Radhika's first major public performance, about five years ago. It was also a pointer to how Mewar, and its intangible heritage, becomes a part of the lives of different people, from different walks of life. In Mrs Radhika's case, it was the fond memory of her music performance and the blessings she received at the temple; in the case of other performing artistes, they openly declare their indebtedness to the House of Mewar and Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar, its 76th Custodian, for supporting their art and providing them access to greater exposure in India and even overseas. Quite clearly, Mewar becomes a part of their lives, and continues to remain prominent in their introductions and bio-datas, wherever and whenever it is given...Patron-age, quite clearly, has the power to be age-less and time-less.