Quick answer: Chotila, in Gujarat’s Surendranagar district, is reached most easily by road, because the town sits on the busy Ahmedabad–Rajkot highway. Than Junction, about 21 km away, is the nearest railway station, and the nearest airport is Rajkot International Airport at Hirasar, near Chotila, which took over Rajkot’s commercial flights in 2023. Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) and private buses link Chotila with Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Surendranagar and other towns.
Chotila is a temple town and the headquarters of Chotila taluka in Surendranagar district, in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Most visitors come for the Chamunda Mata temple (Chamunda Mataji Mandir), which stands on top of Chotila hill. The Surendranagar district administration describes the hill as about 1,250 feet high, and pilgrims reach the shrine by a long flight of stone steps. The town is also the birthplace of the Gujarati poet and writer Zaverchand Meghani.
Chotila travel options at a glance
| Mode | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Road | Chotila is on the Ahmedabad–Rajkot highway; GSRTC and private buses stop in the town | Most visitors, including pilgrims from within Gujarat |
| Train | Train to Than Junction (about 21 km), or to Rajkot Junction, then by road | Travellers from outside Gujarat |
| Air | Fly to Rajkot International Airport at Hirasar, or to Ahmedabad, then by road | Long-distance travellers short on time |
How to reach Chotila by road and bus
Chotila lies on the highway that links Ahmedabad with Rajkot, so road travel is the simplest option. The Surendranagar district administration puts the temple at about 40 miles (roughly 65 km) from Rajkot and about 72 km from the Surendranagar central bus stand.
- GSRTC buses: Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation buses on routes between Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surendranagar, Limbdi and other Saurashtra towns serve Chotila. Check current timetables and book on GSRTC’s official website or app.
- Private buses: Private operators also run services from Rajkot and Ahmedabad. Book through a recognised operator, and confirm the boarding and drop-off point in Chotila before you travel.
- Car or taxi: A car gives you the most flexibility, especially if you want to combine the temple with other places in Saurashtra.
Read also: Chotila Bus Stand Phone Number by Contact Numbers Details
An earlier version of this article named the road as “National Highway 8-A”. India’s national highways were renumbered in 2010, and recent sources list the Ahmedabad–Rajkot road under a new number, so follow the highway by its route (Ahmedabad–Rajkot) or use a map app rather than the old number.
How to reach Chotila by train
Chotila is not on a main railway line. The nearest major station is Than Junction, about 21 km away according to the Surendranagar district administration. Than is on the line between Surendranagar and Rajkot, but not every train stops there.
- Check whether your train stops at Than Junction. If it does, get off there and take a bus, taxi or auto-rickshaw to Chotila.
- If your train does not stop at Than, travel to Rajkot Junction or Surendranagar, which are served by many more trains, and continue to Chotila by bus or taxi.
- Check train timings and stops on Indian Railways’ official enquiry and booking services before you travel.
How to reach Chotila by air
Chotila has no airport of its own. The nearest is Rajkot International Airport at Hirasar, which was built near Chotila on the Rajkot–Ahmedabad side of Rajkot. It was inaugurated on 27 July 2023, and Rajkot’s scheduled flights moved there from the old city airport in September 2023.
An earlier version of this article said Rajkot airport was about 50 km from Chotila. That figure referred to the old airport inside Rajkot city, which no longer handles scheduled passenger flights. The new airport at Hirasar lies between Rajkot and Chotila, so the drive is shorter; check the exact distance on a map app for your route.
Travellers from further away can also fly to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, which has many more flights, and then drive or take a bus to Chotila.
Visiting the Chamunda Mata temple
- The climb: The shrine is at the top of the hill and is reached by steps. Sources give different step counts, so plan for a steady climb of several hundred steps, carry water and wear comfortable footwear. Elderly visitors should allow extra time.
- Timings: Darshan timings vary through the day and on festival days, and we could not confirm current timings from an official temple source. Check locally or with the temple before you go.
- Crowds: The temple is busiest during Navratri, when a large festival is held, and on weekends and holidays. Go early in the day if you want a quieter visit.
- Weather: Saurashtra gets very hot from about March to June. The cooler winter months are more comfortable for the climb.
Places near Chotila
Chotila is a convenient stop on the way between Ahmedabad and Rajkot, and it combines well with other towns in the region. See our guides on how to reach Surendranagar, how to reach Wankaner and how to reach Morbi. If you are starting from Ahmedabad, our list of places to visit near Ahmedabad has more ideas for a road trip.
Frequently asked questions
Does Chotila have a railway station?
Chotila is not served by main-line trains. The nearest major station is Than Junction, about 21 km away. Rajkot Junction and Surendranagar are bigger stations with many more trains, and both are connected to Chotila by road.
Which is the nearest airport to Chotila?
Rajkot International Airport at Hirasar, which opened in 2023 near Chotila, is the nearest. Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is further away but has more flights.
How do I get from Rajkot to Chotila?
Take a GSRTC or private bus, or drive along the Ahmedabad–Rajkot highway. The district administration gives the distance as about 40 miles (roughly 65 km).
How high is Chotila hill?
The Surendranagar district administration gives it as about 1,250 feet. The temple is at the top and is reached by a long flight of steps.
When is Chotila most crowded?
During Navratri, and on weekends and public holidays. Visit early in the morning on a weekday for the shortest queues.
Details checked in October 2026 against the Surendranagar district administration’s page on Chotila, airport records for Rajkot International Airport (Hirasar) and Indian Railways station information. Bus and train timings change, so check GSRTC and Indian Railways before you travel.
