Famous Temple of Gujarat

Somnath Temple
Dwarkadhish Temple
Ranchhodray Temple Dakor
Shree Shamlaji Vishnu Temple
Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple
Bala Hanuman Temple
Rukmini Temple
Sun Temple, Modhera
Shri Shatrunjaya Temples
Jagannath Temple, Ahmedabad
Ambaji Temple
Pavagadh Temple

1. Somnath Temple

The Somnath temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, the revered temples of Lord Shiva and is believed to be the first Jyotirlinga. The temple has a rich history, which states that it was built by the moon god Somraj out of gold and later rebuilt by Ravana, Krishna and Bhimdev with various other materials. The temple has been rebuilt several times due to destruction by various Muslim invaders and rulers, including Mahmud of Ghaznavi in the 11th century. The present temple was built in the Chalukya style of Hindu temple architecture and was completed in May 1951. The site of Somnath is the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of three rivers and is also believed to be the place where the moon god Som regained his shine after a drunken state.

2.Dwarkadhish Temple

The city of Dwarka in Gujarat has an age-old history and has been mentioned in the epic Mahabharata as the state of Dwaraka. The city, situated on the banks of the Nidhi, is described in the Puranic tales as the capital of Krishna. A stone block with script shows the way the stones were dressed, and examination of anchors found at the site suggests that the port site dates only to historic times, with some underwater structures dating back to the late medieval period. Coastal erosion was probably the cause of the destruction of an ancient port. The king of Dwarka in the 15th century was also a Vaghela who also ruled over the local Vagheer pirates. Once a Maulana named Mahmud Samarqandi was on a sea voyage when a storm drove his ship off the coast of Dwarka. The ship was attacked by Vagheer pirates who looted the ship, kidnapped the women and abandoned Mohammad and his son. Mohammad Samarqandi raised the matter before Sultan Mahmud in his court at Mustafabad. The Sultan thus decided to capture Dwarka and began to sack the city in 1473. King Bhima of Dwarka And his Rajputs fled from the city to the island fort of Bhent, which gave Mohammed Begada the opportunity to plunder Dwarka and destroy the Dwarkadhish temple and destroy its idol. According to Rangarajan, citing a recent Gujarati article by Jayantilal Thakur, he tried his best to protect the temple. The present idol of Dwarkadhish was installed in 1559 by Aniruddha Ashrama Shankaracharya.

3. Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple

Swaminarayan Akshardham in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India is a large Hindu temple complex inspired by Yogiji Maharaj (1892–1971) the fourth spiritual successor of Swaminarayan, and created by Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921–2016), the fifth spiritual successor of Swaminarayan according to the BAPS denomination of Swaminarayan Hinduism. Located in the capital of Gujarat, the complex was built over 13 years and is a tribute to Swaminarayan and his life and teachings.[1] At the center of the 23-acre complex is the Akshardham mandir, which is built from 6,000 metric tons of pink sandstone from Rajasthan.[2] The complex's name refers to the divine abode of Swaminarayan in the BAPS philosophy; followers of Swaminarayan believe that the jiva or soul goes to Akshardham after attaining moksha, or liberation. BAPS followers worship Swaminarayan as God almighty.

4. Bala Hanuman Temple

Bala Hanuman Temple, also known as Shri Balahanuman Sankirtan Mandir is situated at the south east side of Ranmal Lake (or Lakhota Lake) in Jamnagar. Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the temple is separated from the lake by a wide road. The simple looking structure houses the idols of Lord Ram, Lord Lakshman, Goddess Sita and Lord Hanuman.

Since 1st August, 1964, chanting of Ram dhun – 'Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram' goes on in the temple premises, day in and day out. This 24x7 ritual has been acknowledged and listed by the Guinness Book of World Records. Local population has deep faith in the temple and believes that it guards them from natural calamities and other troubles. Arti (ritual of worship) takes place twice in a day (morning and evening). The evening arti is the most awaited event of the day.

The Lakhota Lake is visited by various species of birds, particularly during the period of migration, making the overall atmosphere more special. Lakhota Fort and Museum are located on an island inside the lake and can be reached through two pathways that connect them with the bank. One can enhance the fun by indulging in boating inside the lake.

5. Rukmini Temple

The Rukmini Devi Temple is a temple in Dwarka, 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) away from Dwarka, Gujarat, India. It is dedicated to Goddess Rukmini (Lord Krishna's chief queen, beloved consort and the incarnation of Devi Mahalakshmi in Dvapara Yuga). The temple is believed to date back to the 5th century BC, though its present form is thought to originate from the 12th century.

It is a richly carved temple decorated with sculptures of gods and goddesses on the exterior with the sanctum housing the main image of Rukmini. Carved naratharas (human figures) and carved gajatharas (elephants) are depicted in panels at the base of the tower.

The present structure of temple is inferred to belong to the 19th century.

The temple is also known for its jal daan (water offering) custom where devotees are asked to donate water to temple.

Goddess Rukmini with sankha, chakra and gada

The sanctum of the temple has a beautiful marble idol of Devi Rukmani, with four hands holding Shanka, Chakra, Gada and Padma. The Goddess of the temple is revered as Raj Rajeshwari.

The yatra to Dwarka is said to be completed only after you take darshan of Dwarkeshwari Rukmini Maharani

7. Sun Temple, Modhera

The Sun Temple of Modhera was earlier part of Patan district in 2013 and was later made part of Mehsana district. The main temple of the Sun Temple was built during the reign of Bhisinh I of the Chalukya dynasty. Earlier, during 1024 to 1025, Mahmud of Ghaznavi invaded the kingdom of Ghaznavi and an army of about 20,000 soldiers tried unsuccessfully to stop his advance. AK Majumdar believes that the Sun Temple was built to commemorate this protection. An inverted inscription carelessly engraved in Devanagari script on a block on the western wall of the cella bears the date Vikram Samvat 1083 which corresponds to 10267-027. No other evidence is found. Since the inscription is upside down, it is evidence of the destruction and construction of the cella. The inscription is not considered as the date of construction due to which the date of construction is not known. On the basis of stylised inscriptions, it is known that the tank along with the corner temples was built in the early eleventh century. The inscription is considered to be a case of destruction by Ghaznavi rather than construction. Soon after this, Ghaznavi regained power. Therefore, the temple was built with the main part, a small temple and a tank. The Alha temples were built soon after 1026. The dance hall was added in the third quarter of the 12th century along with the entrance porch and temple porch and room during the reign of Karan. The temple is built on 23 degree inclination. The place was later known locally as Sita Ni Chori and Ramkund. Now no worship is done here. The temple is a monument of national importance and is maintained by the Indian Purushottampur. The temple was included in the local list of UNESCO World Heritage Committee in 2022.

8. Shri Shatrunjaya Temples

Palitana is the only mountain in the world on which there are more than 900 temples. Palitana temple and the entire mountain is considered the most sacred pilgrimage site by the Jain community and it is the largest temple complex in the world. More than 3000 temples are located on Shatrunjaya Hills. Which are carved in marble in an exquisite manner. The temple on the top of the hill is dedicated to the first Tirthankara Rishabh Nath. The temples were built by the Jains in more than 11th century. The temples are managed by Anand Ji Kalyan Ji Trust associated with Kasturbhai Lal Bhai Group. There are about 3 800 stone steps to facilitate climbing from the bottom of the hill to the top. The temples are carved in marble in an exquisite manner. There are real prayers in stone. When seen from a distance, it looks like miniature artifacts of ivory to the surroundings. The most important temple built by master craftsmen is of the first Tirthankara Shri Adishwar. It has light architectural motifs. Its overall plan is simple with four-sided walls. Other notable temples are Kumarpal Vimal Shah and the present king is Kumarpal Solanki a Jain patron built the earliest temple The temple has a splendid collection of gems and can be viewed with special permission The temples date from the 11th to the 20th centuries. It was ruled by Raja Dhanpat from 1865 to 1910.

9. Jagannath Temple, Ahmedabad

The annual Rath Yatra coincides with the Rath Yatra in Puri. As per tradition elephants have the first glimpse of Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra and lead the procession. The Chief Minister of Gujarat performs the 'Pahind Vidhi' or the symbolic cleaning of the path for chariot of Jagannath for the rath yatra, after which the procession begins. The rath yatra entourage passes through different parts of the city of Ahmedabad covering a distance of about 14-km. The yatra halts at Saraspur, where the locals offer 'Maha Bhoj' to the entire entourage of devotees of Lord Jagannath. It is celebrated as 'Lokotsav' or public festival of the state of Gujarat. The Ahmedabad Rath Yatra is known to be the third largest Rath Yatra festival after the Rath Yatra festivals in Puri and Kolkata are celebrated on the same day.

10. Ambaji Temple

The temple of Shri Amba is considered a revered temple by the Shakti sect of Hinduism which attracts lakhs of devotees every year It is believed that the heart of Sati Devi fell here. It is not mentioned in any Purana. The temple, which has the status of a Shaktipeeth, owes its origin to the Daksha Yajna and the suicide of Sati. Shaktipeeths are believed to have been formed when the body parts of Sati Devi fell in different areas when Lord Shiva picked up her corpse in grief after her death The temples are considered highly revered by the Shava sect in Hinduism. Shaktipeeths are worshipped mostly by Tantra sects. Ambaji Mata Temple is a pilgrimage site visited by millions of devotees during the week of Badal Bhi Poonam Mela It is one of the ₹51 Shakti Python It is located about 65 km from Palanpur, 45 km from Mount Abu, 120 km from Bhinmal UP district and 20 km from Abu Road and 185 km from Ahmedabad and 50 km from Kadiadara situated near the border of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The temple of Aṁbājī is of no special archeological interest. In the garbhagr̥ha there is a crevice in the wall of the mother goddess. There is no idol, but clothing, accessories, and facial masks are arranged periodically such that different darśanas can be seen, e.g. the mother goddess riding on a tiger. Nearby are two eternal lamps burning with ghī. Āratī is performed twice a day, and the temple priests are Brahmins. In the town, only ghī is used (never oil) and the chastity of women is strictly maintained. According to Durgāśaṁkara Kevaḷarāma Śāstrī the worship of Aṁbājī at this location dates at least to the 14th century.

11. Pavagadh Temple

Many monks of Achalgachchha like Acharya Mahendra Prabhasuri, Acharya Merutung Suri, Acharya Jayakesh Suri and many monks of Tapagachchha like Acharya Dharma Ratna Suri, Acharya Hemvilmasuri, Acharya Bhuvan Sundar Suri etc. have consecrated Jain temples and idols on the hill. According to many Svetambara scriptures, at one time these temples were considered to be of equal darshan and importance as the temples present on the hill in Palitana. It is believed that there was a big Svetambara temple on the hill earlier which faced invasions and the ruins of the temple have been used by the Digambara community to build three small Digambara temples who have taken over these Svetambara temples. It is said that King Vanraj Chavda founded Champaner at the foot of Pavagadh in memory of his wise minister Champa. Later Pavagadh was ruled by the Patai Rawal family and looked after the border. Local folklore says that Mahakali assumed the form of a woman and danced in the womb during Navaratri. The last Patai Jai Singh looked at her with evil eyes. The deity became angry and cursed him that the city would fall. Finally the Muslim emperor of Gujarat Mahmud Begada attacked Pavagadh in the 15th century and won the border hill. Patai was defeated and killed. In an act of diplomacy Mahmud Begada shifted his capital from Ahmedabad to Champaner for some time. He developed the city by building buildings like Champaner Fort, Uohra Mosque, Mandvi, Kirti Stambh, Shalak Ka Mandir, Jama Masjid and Kevada Masjid. The remains of the Begada palace are still found near the Vad Talav, two kilometers away by road from Champaner. The government has given many concessions and subsidies to new industries coming up in the area. As a result, the towns of Halol and Kalol near Pavagadh have turned into a virtual industrial state. Halol has the added advantage of having a film studio.

13. Ranchhodray Temple Dakor

Ranchhod Rai Ji's temple houses an idol of Vishnu in the form of 3 Vikramas. The idols of Shri Vikram are standing and have four hands. Each hand holds an object, a chakra, a Shankar, a lotus and a donkey in that order, starting from the upper left hand and ending in the upper right hand. The name Ranu Chhod refers to the incident when Krishna fled from the battlefield to Dwaraka to escape from Jarasandha. All Trivikram idols of Vishnu in Gujarat and Rajasthan are known as Run Chhod. The idol of Ranchhod Rai Ji, in particular at Dakor, has a small golden flute held in its lower right hand to signify that Ranchhod and Krishna Gopal are a respected figure. Mallison has noted a widespread devotion in Gujarat where Vishnu idols are considered by locals to be similar to Krishna, such as seen in the Dwarkadhish temple at Dwarka Shamlaji and Tulsi Shyam, which she considers to be a representation of the growing popularity of Krishna Gopal Pant in Gujarat compared to Vishnu Trivikram.

14. Shree Shamlaji Vishnu Temple

Shyamlaji, also spelt as Shyam Lal Ji, is a major Hindu pilgrimage site in Aravalli district of the Indian state of Gujarat. The Shyam Lal Ji temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Several other Hindu temples are located nearby. The Shyam Lal Ji temple and other temples dedicated to Shamlaji, a form of Lord Vishnu, were started in the 11th century in Chalukya style but the present structure dates from the 15th-16th centuries. The idol of Lord Vishnu in the sanctum sanctorum is of the 7th-8th centuries and a smaller temple in front houses a 6th-century idol of Shiva. The oldest and most revered temple is the small Harish Chandrani Chori temple of the 18th century which has an entrance. Several ruins of temples around the place, scattered idols and old idols establish the antiquity of the place. A fourth-century Buddhist monastery and stupa at Devnimori is about two kilometres (1.2 mi) away, but is now under by the waters of the Meshvo Reservoir. This site dates to the Mauryan period, and a much older microlith site known as Dhek-Vadlo locally was found near Shamlaji. Shamlaji was an important Hindu centre in the sixth century, probably the home of a sculpture workshop whose creations are found as far away as Mumbai, where the Parel Relief was found. Most of the ancient sculpture found at Shamlaji, in blueish schist, has now been removed to museums, especially to Mumbai and Vadodara.

Famous Temple of Gujarat