Lots of ancient god Temples of Gujarat which is full of lovely architecture reminiscent of the royal styles of an era gone by. Gujarat has been constantly in the limelight for its beautiful temples. The temple is mostly old in age.
Akshardham Temple, Gandhinagar
Akshardham Temple is one of the largest Hindu temples in India and the World which is located at Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat. Bhagwan Swaminarayan is the primary deity worshipped inside the temple. Besides the idol visit inside the temple, there are exhibitions, research, architectural buildings in the total 23 acres of land. This beautiful temple is located just 28 kilometers from Ahmedabad at J Road, Sector 20, and Gandhinagar.
Ambaji Temple, Banaskantha
Ambaji is a major sacred place in Gujarat and the temple is associated with Goddess Amba and Lord Krishna. Ambaji Temple is one of the most popular Hindu pilgrim spots. This beautiful temple is located some 179 kilometers from Ahmedabad.
Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwarka
One of the Char Dhams of India, Dwarka has a special place in the hearts of Hindu pilgrims and spiritual seekers. The other three Dhams are Badrinath-Kedarnath, Puri, and Rameswaram. Dwarka was the city ruled by the Hindu God and Avatar of Lord Vishnu…shree Krishna and its home to some of the most splendid Hindu temples all dedicated to Lord Krishna…the Dwarkadhish. The religious hub of Dwarka is 441 km from Ahmedabad. Some great temples to see here are Shri Dwarkadhish Temple, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Rukshamanee temple etc.
Mount Girnar
A mountain peak that’s dotted all over with magnificent Hindu temples and Jain temples…Mt Girnar is about 3600 feet high and a famous pilgrimage spot in India. It’s situated just 330 km away from Ahmedabad. Bhavanath Shiva temple, Dattatreya temple, Lambe Hanuman temple at Junagadh nearby is some of the places you should not miss!!
Somnath Temple, Saurashtra
One of the oldest temples in India and one of the most important of the 12 jyotirlingas, Somnath Temple is near the ancient city of Veravat in Saurashtra on the west coast of Gujarat. The temple is representing the glorious Chuka architectural style. The city of Veraval is about 412 km from Ahmedabad and most tourists visit Somnath temple from Rajkot. Check out the Triveni Sangam Temple and the Pancha Pandava Gufa while you are there in Somnath along with Parashurama temple and Suraj temple.
Hanuman Temple, Salangpur
Shri Hanuman Ji Temple in Sarangpur is world famous for its beauty and spiritual importance. Swaminarayan Sampraday’s Vadtal Gadi controls the upkeep and maintenance of this temple. It’s said that a visit to this temple will cleanse the body and mind of the devotees of evil spirits. In Hinduism Hanuman Ji is known as Sankat Mochan or the destroyer of all problems.
Jalarambapa Temple, Rajkot
The beautiful town of Rajkot is home to the famous Jalaram Bapa Mandir of Gujarat. Jalaram Bapa was one of the famous Hindu saints, who were born back in 14th November 1799 and he has a huge religious following all across the world.
The Jay Jalaram Mandir, Jalaram Prarthana temple, and the Sri Jalaram Seva Mandir are just some of the temples you should see while you are in Rajkot. The Chamunda Mataji Temple in Chotila is also a good place to visit. These temples are not merely religious…there is a unique spiritual feel to them which will bring you peace and inner joy.
Bahuchar Mata Temple, Becharaji
Bahuchar Mata Mandir is dedicated to Bahuchara Mata…a goddess who carries a sword, a text of scriptures and is seated on a rooster.
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The goddess symbolizes the rise of Kundalini who ultimately leads to Moksha. The Mandir is in Mehsana that’s 110 km from Ahmedabad and it’s a gorgeous temple with beautiful stone carvings
Bala Hanuman Temple, Jamnagar
The Bala Hanuman Temple in Jamnagar enjoys a unique distinction. The Chant of Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram has been resonating in the temple hall since 1st August 1964 without a break. It has earned a place for the temple in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The temple was established by Shri Prembhikshuji Maharaj in 1963-64 at which time the chanting started and it has not stopped for a single moment. This inspired the Maharaj to set up similar temples with non-chanting at Muzaffarpur in Bihar, Junagadh, Mahuva and Porbandar. The temple abuts the Ranmal Lake also known as the Lakhota Lake close to the royal palace.
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Dwarka
If Kedarnath is a much revered Jyotirlingam, then Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is of no less importance. It is believed to be the first of the 12 jyotirlingas in India. Nageshwar is located close to Dwarka in Saurashtra in Gujarat. It is believed that the demon Daaruka imprisoned Shiva devotees who then started to chant the Shiv mantra as a result of which Shiva appeared and killed the demon. He decided to reside here in the form of a jyotirlinga. A pilgrimage to this site is just as meritorious as a pilgrimage to Kedarnath but with none of the difficulties of navigating the rough mountainous terrain.
Hutheesing Jain Temple, Ahmedabad
The Delhi Darwaja area is a busy commercial area of Ahmedabad chock full of traffic and the road leading to Shahibaug is no less full of vehicles creating a ruckus. On this road, you will find a small gate leading to a courtyard that is home to the Hatheesingh Jain Temple. Sheth Hathisingh Kesrisingh, a trader of Ahmedabad, funded the construction of the temple in order to feed workers during the famine period. Unfortunately, he passed away and the work was continued by his wife, Shethani Harkunvar. The Hutheesing Jain temple is a quiet haven in the busy commercial area of Ahmedabad. The main idol is that of Lord Dharamnath, the 15th Tirthankara. In addition, there are 11 other Tirthankaras in the main temple building that is surrounded by a courtyard and colonnaded gallery that has 52 smaller shrines dedicated to other Jain Tirthankaras. Each is exquisitely carved in white marble. There is a tower or kirti stambh in the large courtyard of the temple.
Navlakha Temple, Ghumli
45 km from Porbandar, in the foothills of Barda, you will come across the tiny hamlet of Ghumli. At one time it was the capital of the Saindhava dynasty that rules the region from 8th to 10th century and then it became the capital of the Jethwa dynasty. Rana Bhanji Jethwa lost a war in 1313 when Jadeja Ram Unaji of Sindh attached him and he then went away to Ranpur and Ghumli fell into ruin. The Jethwas, however, left behind a beautiful temple which is the Navlakha temple dedicated to Surya or Sun God. The temple measures 30.48 metres x 45.72 metres and it has a beautifully carved entrance besides carved walls and pillars on all sides. It does rival the Modhera Sun temple in its intricate carving and complex architecture and gives the Somnath temple a run for its money.
Sun Temple, Modhera
Located 25 km near Mehsana, the Sun Temple, Modhera is one of its kind, dedicated to Surya deva. King Bhima I of the Chalukyan dynasty is credited with its construction during 1026 to 1027 AD.
The temple has intricately carved pillars depicting various gods and goddesses. The temple has the usual hall, the assembly hall and the garbha griha that housed the deity of Surya deva which is now missing and the chamber is closed. Unlike other temples the assembly hall is a separate building with its own dome and intricately carved pillars. Both the inner hall and outer hall domes have rich carvings. Apart from the main temple, there is a large water tank with steps on all sides leading down to the water body. There are tiny shrines along the steps dedicated to various gods.
In addition there is a small stepwell close to the premises, which is now in a state of disrepair but it indicates the royalty of those days with richly decorated mandap. The temple comes alive in the third week of January when a three day dance festival, the Uttarardh Mahotsav, takes place.
Bhadreshwar Jain Temple, Kutch
Bhadreshwar is located in Mundra Taluka in Kutch and it is home to one of the oldest Jain temples, the Bhadreshwar Vasai Jain temple. It is just 69 km from Mandvi, a fine beach and port city. A commoner, Devchandra laid the foundation of this temple which was further developed by King Sidhsen in 449 BC and later on renovated by Jagdusha in 1125 AD. Some say the temple dates back to 516 BC. This temple resembles the Jain temples at Dilwara with a courtyard measuring 85 ft x 48 ft surrounded by a gallery of forty-four shrines. The main deity is Ajitnath, the second Tirthankar and he is flanked by Parshwanath and Shantinath. The original temples were damaged by earthquakes but each time it was rebuilt.
Other wonderful temples you can see in the land Temples of Gujarat are the famous Iskcon temple in Ahmedabad, large Jain temples in Sankeshwar, Tauranga, and Mahudi, Vadnagar and Shamalji are home to many beautiful temples. It’s very important to know the temple timings before you visit. Usually, these temples open at 8 a.m. in early morning and close at 6 p.m. in evening.
Embark on a spiritual tour to Gujarat to find everlasting happiness of body, mind and soul. Some even say that journey to these Hindu temples of Gujarat is a lifetime achievement that endows pilgrimage with peace of mind and mental strength.
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