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OTHER PILGRIMAGE SPOTS

Shamlaji

The ancient Hindu temple of Shamlaji, built during the Solanki Rajput period, is a splendid work of architecture with fine carvings and an aura of devotion. Some of the shrines here date from the 1`st century BC or even ealier. The main aarti attracts numerous pilgrims. During the Kartik Poornima period, Shamlaji is the site for a massive fair. Shamlaji is believed to have been an important site for Buddhism in Gujarat before the Solanki rule.

Vasan

13 kms from Gandhinagar, Vasan village is known for it’s Shiva temple, believed to date from before Christ. The 24 Shivlingas are of considerable importance. The coins and bricks ratify the ancient origin of the temple. The 19th century ceiling paintings are worth a glimpse.

Siddhpur

The Rudramalaya of Sidhpur, dated from the 12th century, was one of the most magnificent temples in Gujarat, like the Modhera Sun temple. Today, the beautiful torana gateway and the carvings are reminders of it’s great architecture. It is said that when Raja Siddhraj w anted to built a temple here, the preist threw a javeline at the spot he said Shesh Naag rested. As the king pulled out the javeline, refusing to believe the preist, blood began to flow and the temple was cursed that it would not remain extant for very long.

Vadnagar

The Vadnagar is a city of considerable importance in Gujarati history. It is the c enter of the Naggar Brahmin community that has provided Gujarat with some of her best administrators, poets, writers and musicians. When Akbar’s court poet and singer, Tansen was affected by the burns of the Deepak raag, he came to Vadnagar, and was cured by the Raag Maldaar sung by Tana and Riri. When Akhbar asked the two girls to sing in his court, something they could not do as Brahmins, they committed suicide rather than refuse. Their joint shrine can be seen at Vadnagar.

The highlight of Vadnagar is the Kirti mandir, with it’s fabulous 12th century Torana gateways. Beautifully carved 12th century gates mark the entrance to the town. The 17th century Hatkeshwar temple in Vadnagar is a major pilgrimage for believers in Lord Shiva.

Bahucharraji

Famous for the three temples of Goddess Bahuchraji for whom it is named, the town features the Varkhadi tree from where Goddess is said to have appeared. The temples date from the 12th to the 18th century. The temple attracts innumerable pilgrims on full moon nights.

Chanasma

Chanasma is an important place for Jain pilgrimage. The temple is finely carved.

Delmal and Mira Datar

Delmal and Unava in north Gujarat, comprise an important pilgrimage for Bohra Muslims. The Roza of Hasan pir in Delmal and dargah of Mira Datar in Unava are visited by a good number of Muslims. People of various faiths and religions visit Mira Datar’s shrine to evoke blessings for mentally challenged relatives.

Unjha

The Umia mata temple of Unjha is an important pilgrimage for Patels, specially those of the Kadwa sect. The temple is dated to 1858 AD. Unjha is also known for it’s herbal medicines.

Serisa

The temple, probably dated to the 12th century, is a Jain pilgrimage for followers of lord Parshwanath. It is 5 minutes drive from Kalol

Mahudi

Mahudi is an important Jain and Baniya pilgrimage. The Jain temple is dedicated to Vir Ghantakarna and is known for the long penance of Muni Buddhisagarji. The Sun temple is important for the Banias, and has idols believed to date back to the 5th century..

Sankeshwar

A famous Jain pilgrimage, the temple has some ancient idols, though the architecture is more recent. The temple is the site for major fairs during full moon nights.

The holy temples along the river Narmada

Chandod, Nareshwar, Garudeshwar and other towns along the river Narmada are famous places of pilgrimage. The Narmada is one of the seven holy rivers of Hinduism, and it’s confluence with two other rivers at Chandod makes it an important place for emersion of ashes and Pitrushradha. Some of the temples at Chandod are good works of architecture. Nareshwar is known for it’s ashram. Hotel Sarita offers a/c and non a/c rooms near Chandod in an old haveli.

The Parsee pilgrimage in South Gujarat

Navsari was an important Parsee settlement from 1142 AD. The sanotorium, fire temple, tower of silence and agiaries of Navsari are major pilgrimages for Parsees visiting Gujarat. Udwada is one of the most important Parsee pilgrimages with the original fire temple of the early Zaorashtrain settlers. Sanjan was one of the first landing points of the Parsees with an important fire temple.

Sihor

An ancient city, Sihore has been a place of importance for centuries. In the 12th century, Raja Sidhraj built the Brahma kund, a stepped tank surrounded by idols of Hindu dieties. The Shiva temple in Sihore is an important pilgrimage. Between Sihor and Bhavnagar is the Khodiar mata temple, a very important pilgrimage spot. The Sihore mata temple on a hill offering panaromic views over Gautameshwar lake to the surounding hills is another important place of pilgrimage.

Beside the temples, the old fort of Sihor with it’s wall art is worth a visit. Sihor is on the way from Bhavnagar to Gondal and Palitana.

Talaja

A small cluster of temples on a 160 ft high hill, Talaja is sacred for Jain pilgrims. Ancient caves, believed to be Buddhist origin, are carved iunto the hills. Narsinh Mehta was born in Talaja.

Sarangpur/Salangpur

Sarangpur is well known for it’s Hanuman temples, which is visited by a number of devotees to pray for the handicapped relatives, and the Swaminarayan temple.

Gadhada

Gadhada is an important town for a Swaminarayan pilgrimage. The temple here dates from 1829 AD. It is the site for the Jal Jilani Ekadasha fair.

Virpur

Virpur is well known for the temple of lord Jalaram and attracts thousands of pilgrims daily. Nearby at Khambalida are some Buddhist relics.

Kutiyana

Kutiyana has the well known Miskinsha pir which attracts Muslim pilgrims, specially during the Urs.

Gondal

Gondal has some important temples, such as the Swaminarayan temple, the Bhuvaneshwari temple, one of the few in India dedicated to this Goddess, and the Ashapura mata temple.

Jamnagar

Jamnagar is often called Chotta Kashi, for it’s innumerable temples. It has plenty of Hindu temples, Jain temples and a Muslim dargah.

Kutch

Narayan Sarovar in Kutch is one of the five most important lakes for Hindu pilgrimage, alongside Pushkar, Mansarovar, Bhuvaneshwar and Pampa sarovar. There are some important t emples facing the lake. The Koteshwar temple, facing the sea, is an important temple. The Ashapura temple in the heartlands of Kutch district is another important place of pilgrimage.