Famous Temples in Gujarat

Gujarat along the western coastline of the country is a bustling tourist destination with a plethora of exciting visit-able places. The state enjoys the metaphor of being the ‘jewel of the West’ and is often compared to a luminous trident standing pompously along the turquoise Arabian Sea. There are many tourist hotspots in Gujarat and many of these spots are also hotspots for the religiously inclined population. If you want to set out on a pilgrimage Yatra in the true sense of the term, it’s always wise to start your holy journey from the holy land of Gujarat. The major must-visit temples of Gujarat are as follows-

Dwarkadhish Temple

Dwarkadeesh Temple

Dwarkadhish Temple is dedicated to the ‘King of Dwarka’, Lord Krishna for whom Dwarka was his terrestrial kingdom. This temple is highly revered by Vaishnavites and by Hindu pilgrims at large. The other name for Dwarkadhish temple is Jagat Temple. The Shikhar of the temple is 170ft high and flag attached to the Shikhar is changed thrice a day. The Dwarkadhish temple is one of the four sites to be visited during the all-India Chardham circuit Yatra and plays a pivotal role in the overall Gujarat travel itinerary too.

Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple Gandhinagar

Akashardham Temple

Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple covering a sprawling 23 acres is perhaps the largest Hindu Temple in the whole world. It is situated in the state capital of Gandhinagar and enshrines the deity of Bhagawan Swaminarayan. This temple, a superb architectural masterpiece was set up in 1992 under the initiative of Bochasanwasi Akshar-Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha.

Somnath Temple

Somnath Temple

Somnath Temple is an abode of Lord Somnath, the other name of Lord Shiva. This temple is the first of the 12 shrines of Shiva Jyotirlingas. It is an ancient temple that stands on the seashore of Veraval in Saurashtra. Shaivites from all over the country make a bee line to this sacred pilgrimage spot all year round. For pilgrims and tourists embarking on their Gujarat visit, visiting the Somnath temple becomes quite indispensable.

Jalaram Bapa Temple Virpur
This temple of Virpur is built in honor of Jalaram Bapa, a very popular saint of Gujarat. Born in the year 1799, 14th of November this significant spiritual guru made a prominent positive impact on the lives of his disciples. His life span came to an end in the year 1881, 23rd February. Each year lakhs of devout disciples of this saintly figure celebrate ‘Jalaram Jayanti’ on the occasion of his birthday on the Shukla Paksha tithi of Kartika.

Bahuchara Mata Temple

Bahuchara Mata Temple
In the Mehsana district, 110kms from Ahmadabad stands the Bahuchara Mata temple. The temple falls in the Bahucharaji town and is an abode of Bahuchara Mata who is the Goddess worshipped and idolized by the inmates of Hijra community.

Kalika Mata Temple Pavagadh
This temple on the peak of Pavagadh hills in the district of Panchmahal is an ancient temple belonging to the 11th century approximately. This temple of Gujarat is a famed Shakti Peeth and an abode of the Goddess Mahakali whose idol according to myths was installed herein by the great hermit Vishwamitra.

Navlakha Temple Ghumli

Navlakha temple ghumli
This Temple was built in honor of Surya Dev by the Jethwa rulers around 11th century. This magnificent temple is notable for its incredibly large base or Uagati measuring to 45.72 x 30.48m .

Shri hanuman Mandir Sarangpur
The Sarangpur Hanuman Mandir is a world famous Hanuman Ji temple run by Vadtal Gadi of Swaminarayan Sampradaya. The temple’s reputation spreads far and wide as it is considered the seat of special powers of exorcism. Any possessed person can be freed of the evil spirit by just being placed in front of the idol of Hanuman ji as per local belief.

Sun Temple Modhera

Sun Temple Modhera
This Sun Temple in Modhera was constructed around the 11th century and is about 106kms from the city of Ahmadabad. This temple stands on a mound and has an architecture that is uniquely ornate. King Bhimdev I was the one who took the initiative for constructing this temple. The most striking feature about this temple is that when the sun rises in the morning, the first rays invariably shine on Lord Surya’s image that the temple bears.

Bhalka Tirth
Bhalka Tirth falls between Somnath and Veraval and is an auspicious pilgrimage spot for Hindu pilgrims. Legends hold that it is at this spot where Lord Krishna was injured with an arrow being mistaken for deer. This holy site is situated right at the meeting point of three sacred rivers and pilgrims make their way to Bhalka Tirth via the ‘Nana’ which a small confluence or Sangam gate

Palitana Jain Temples

Palitana Jain Temples
The Palitana Jain Temples atop the Shatrunjaya hills consist in some 873 highly ornamented white marble temples constructed around the 11th century. The main temples among these most revered by followers of Jainism are Bhagwan Adishwar Jain Teerth and Digamber Jain Temple.

Pimpleshwar Mahadev (Saldi)
This Shiva temple located in Saldi Village belongs to Lord Shiva but unlike other Shiva temples of Gujarat, instead of an idol what pilgrims get to see here is an underground ceaselessly flowing natural water source or Jaladhari which makes the temple quite a famed one among the pious pilgrims

Ambaji Temple

Ambaji Temple
The Ambaji Temple at a distance of 179kms from the city of Ahmadabad is a gorgeous white marble temple, enshrining the deity of Goddess of the pre-Vedic times, Arasuri Amba. Devout pilgrims frequent this ancient temple in large numbers all year round to experience the spiritual solace that pervades the temple ambience. The waving red flag on the Shikhar of the temple dancing welcomingly to the blowing winds as it wear hails pilgrims heartily to the temple.

Chamunda Mataji Chotila
The temple of Chamunda Mata is on the top of Chotilla Mountains and is an abode of Goddess Chamunda or Mata Rana-Chandi, the other name of Devi Durga who destroyed demons ‘Chanda’, ‘Munda’ as myths have it.

Bhadreshwar Temple

Bhadreshwar Temple
Bhadreshwar Temple is one of the most ancient Jain Temples in the Kutch region of Gujarat. Legends hold it that this temple came into existence in the era of the Mahabharata and thus followers of Jainism embarking on their Gujarat tour make sure to visit this temple descending right from the Puranic times.

Ajit Nath Temple Mehsana
Ajit Nath Temple Mehsana is perched on the hills of the Taranga and was built in honor of Ajit Nath Bhagwan who was the 22nd Jain Tirthankara. The massive pillars and ornately carved ceiling of this beautiful Mehsana Jain temple draws pilgrims and tourists from far and wide.

Nageshwar Mahadev Temple Dwarka

Nageshwar Mahadev Temple Dwarka
This Nageshwar Mahadev Temple, one of the 12 Shiv Jyotirlinga is immensely revered by Hindu pilgrims and Shaivites especially. This auspicious Shiva Shrine falls amid Dwarka and the Dwarka Island and is believed to offer respite to pilgrims from poisons of every kind.

So these are some of the top-rated Gujarat temples which you shouldn’t miss during your Gujarat visit.