Aavo Padharo, words of welcome in the language of Gujarat because it is here that these words ring truly and the guest is 'God' and the people of Gujarat are gregariously friendly, inviting and will entice you to come again and again. Gujarat is a state on the western coast of India with a coastline of 1,600 km most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula – and a population of 60.4 million. It is renowned for its beaches, temple towns and historic capitals. Wildlife sanctuaries, hill resorts and natural grandeur are gifts of Gujarat. Sculpture, handicrafts, arts, festivals also make the state rich. Gujarat is also among the most technologically advanced, housing the largest petrochemical complex in the country.
Gujarat is the land of Legends and lions with number of tourist attractions such as picturesque landscapes,historical monuments and long stretches of Coastlines. Some of the must see places in Gujarat also includes Dwarkadhish Temple, Akshardham Complex, Laxmi Vilas Palace, Palitana temples, Sardar Sarovar Dam, Naramad River Bridge, Statue of Unity, Porbandar, Kutch, Dwarka and Sidhpur.
# Ambaji TempleAmbaji is an important temple town with millions of devotees visiting the Ambaji temple every year. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. Ambaji Mata temple is a major Shakti Peeth of India. It is situated at a distance of approximately 65 kilometres from Palanpur, 45 kilometres from Mount Abu, and 20 kilometres from Abu Road, and 185 kilometres from Ahmedabad, 50 kilometers from Kadiyadra near the Gujarat and Rajasthan border. In the holy temple of Arasuri Ambaji, there is no image or statue of goddess the holy Shree Visa Yantra is worshiped as the main deity. No one can see the Yantra with naked eye. The photography of the Yantra is prohibited. The Arasuri Ambe Mata or Arbuda Mataji is kuldevi of Barad Parmaras. The one Parmar state is located near the ambaji town I.e.Danta and which also serves as capital of whole parmar clan.
The original seat of Ambaji Mata is on Gabbar hilltop in the town. A large number of devotees visit the temple every year especially on Purnima days. A large mela on Bhadarvi poornima (full moon day) is held. Every Year from all over the country people come here walking all over from their native place just to worship MAA AMBE in September. The whole Ambaji town is lit up as the nation celebrates the festive time of Diwali. The temple is open from 6.00 am to 11.30 am, 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm and 6.30 pm to 9.00 pm.
# Somnath JyotirlingaSomnath Jyotirlinga Temple is located in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, near Veraval on the western coast. It is first Jyotirlinga among the 12 Jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva, dedicated to Someshwara the Lord Shiva with moon on his head and an important pilgrimage and tourist spot. It is believed that the temple was eventually built by the Moon God in gold, recreated by Ravana in silver and then by Lord Krishna in wood and then King Bhimdev in stone. The temple was badly spoiled and robbed of its riches by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1024 AD. It is also known as Deo Pattan, Prabhas Pattan, and Somnath Pattan. The present structure was established by the maintenance of Sardar Vallabhabhai Patel in the year 1950. Now, it is being managed by Shree Somnath Trust. The seven-story structure of the temple is in Chalukya style of construction and claims of wonderful surroundings as it is right on its original site, by the sea. September to March is the best months to visit Somnath, as the winters are quite cold.
# Dwarkadhish TempleThe Dwarkadhish temple, also known as the Jagat Mandir and occasionally spelled Dwarakadheesh, is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Krishna, who is worshiped here by the name Dwarkadhish, or 'King of Dwarka'. The temple is located at Dwarka, Gujarat, India, one of the destinations of Char Dham, a Hindu pilgrimage circuit. Many people call this temple as Trilok Sundar Mandir. Dwarkadhish temple is a part of the admired Chardham yatra in the Hindu religion.
Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, the temple is more than 2500 years old and appeals devotees from all across the globe. The main door is known as ‘Moksha Dwara’ which means Door to Salvation is the North entrance, on the other hand, the south door is known as ‘Swarga Dwara’ which means Gate to Heaven. On the backside of the door, there are 56 steps, which leads to prominent River Gomati.
The temple is also the location of Dvaraka Pitha, one of the four peeths (religious centers) established by Adi Shankaracharya (686-717) who pioneered unification of Hindu religious beliefs in the country. It is a four storied structure representing four peeths established by Shankaracharya in different parts of the country. There are paintings on the walls here depicting the life history of Shankaracharya while the dome has carvings of Shiva in different postures.
# Modhera Sun TempleThe Sun Temple of Modhera is the most important of all sun-temples in India, situated on the bank of the river Pushpavati in Mehsana. Architecture of Modhera Sun temple is very unique with three separate elements Surya Kund, Sabha Mandap and Guda Mandap. It is built in such a way that the sun shines on the image of Surya chakra, from sunrise to sunset.
This Temple was founded in the 11th century by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty, Sun temple is placed on a small hill in Modhera, around 106 km north-westwards of Ahmedabad. The main hall and the shrine are braced by exquisitely carved pillars with statues of gods and demons. Its interior hall has 12 niches that epitomize the monthly displays of God.
One of the few Sun temples in India, this temple multifaceted is divided into three parts- Surya Kund, Sabha Mandap, and Guda Mandap. Do not miss visiting this step-well in the Sun temple of Modhera. Temple Also has a dedicated spot to Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, and Sitala Mata.
# Rukmini TempleRukmini Temple is dedicated to Idol Rukmini, the partner of Lord Krishna. Rukmini Devi Temple is a trivial temple, which is relatively popular for its beautiful artifacts and two of its beautifully -designed panels. On one panel, there are Naratharas or human sculptures and the other one has Gajatharas or elephants on the vile. The innermost sanctum of the temple has the idol of the Goddess along with the Lord. It is said that the temple was built around the12th century. The partitions of the Rukmini temple are decorated with stunning paintings, portraying various events of Goddess Rukmini with the Lord. It is round 1.5 km northwards of the town.
# Bhalka TirthBhalka Tirth at near Veraval in Saurashtra is located 4 kilometers away from the Somnath temple and a must-visit place in Veraval. Bhalka’s Tirth is the place where Lord Krishna was fallacious for a deer, while he was ruminating in the jungle, and was hurt by an arrow by a hunter. Placed within Somnath and Veraval. This is the site where he left the earth for his blissful place. The spot is on the meeting of three rivers- Hiran, Kapila and Saraswati, called Sangam. Also nearby is the temple named Mahaprabhuji’s Bethak, devoted to Lord Krishna along with an old Banyan tree.
# Shri Shatrunjaya TemplesSituated at Shatrunjaya in Palitana, this temple is one of the holiest places to visit by the Jain community. They are situated on the banks of the Shetrunji River at an elevation 164 feet (50 m) above sea level. These hills have similarities to other hills where Jain temples have been built in Bihar, Gwalior, Mount Abu and Girnar. Shikharji and this place hold utmost importance and is considered to be built by an abode of the divine. The Jains believe that visiting these temples will offer them Nirvana or salvation. Carved with around 863 marbles, this temple is dedicated to Rishabha.
# Jagannath TempleThe Jagannath Temple is a temple dedicated to the Hindu God Jagannath in the city of Ahmedabad in the Gujarat state of India. The temple located in the Jamalpur locality was established by Sadhu Sarangdasji about 450 years ago. The temple is famous for its annual chariot festival, the Rath Yatra, which is the third most important and largest after the Ratha Yatra at Puri. The temple remains open for devotees from 4:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM daily. 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.
# Nishkalank Mahadev TempleAt a distance of 28 km from Bhavnagar Railway Station, Nishkalank Mahadev Temple is a Hindu temple located at Koliyak near Bhavnagar, Gujarat. Situated in Koliyak Beach, it is one of the rarest sea temples in India you must include in your Gujarat trip and among the most visited places of pilgrimage in Bhavnagar. This temple is submerged during high tides in the sea and emerges during low tides to reveal itself majestically, promising its devotees to wash away all sins. During the high tide, the idol of the lord is submerged and all that can be seen are the flag and a pillar. The temple was built with special care to withstand high tides and is truly remains an unsolved mystery to modern engineers and technology experts.
The temple is believed to be built by the Pandavas after the Kurukshetra War. Legend says that after killing all the Kauravas, Pandavas began to feel guilty for their sins. To discover reclamation for their sins, Pandavas consulted Krishna who handed them a black flag and a black cow and asked them to trail and said when both the flag and the cow turn white, they will all be forgiven. Lord Krishna also asked them to apologize to Lord Shiva after that. They followed the cow everywhere it took them and acknowledged the flag for many years to various places, yet the shades did not change. Finally, when they reached the Koliyak Beach, both turned white and soon the Pandavas meditated on Lord Shiva and apologized for the sins committed by them.
Lord Shiva impressed by their prayers, showed up in lingam form to each brother. Hence, they named it as Nishkalank Mahadev which means being spotless, clean, and innocent. The devotees visit the temple by walking barefooted from the shore during the low tide. Devotees first wash their hands and legs in a pond called Pandavas pond, upon reaching the temple and then visit the shrine. The tides are active especially during no moon and full moon days and devotees eagerly wait for the tides to disappear on these days. So, kindly note the schedule of high tides and low tides of the sea before visiting the shrine as the entire visit of the Mandir depends on it.
# Bhadkeshwar Mahadev TempleThis is an abode of Lord Shiva where the Shivalinga was found in the Arabian sea around five thousand years ago. The temple gets submerged in the ocean for a short period in each year which is said that the ocean performs Abhishekham of the Linga. At this place Shivratri is performed with much vigour and joy at a grand scale. This place is also a major spot to enjoy a beautiful sunset and sunrise in the ocean.
# Hutheesing Jain TempleBuilt-in the year 1848, this temple is considered to be one of the prominent temples of India which is located in Ahmedabad. This famous Jain temple is funded by a rich Gujarati trader and managed by the Hutheesing family trust. Despite the famine, this temple was beautifully built by the artisans in two years and boasts intricate carvings.
# Sandipani TempleThis beautiful temple is located in Porbandar and is dedicated to the pure friendship of Sudama and Krishna. This is one of the only places in the world which still holds the loyalty and devotion of Sudama. It is also called the Shri Hari Mandir which took almost 13 years to build. Boasting one of the grandest structures among all the temples in Gujarat, this temple is visited by both Indian and foreign tourists. This temple Held up by 66 pillars, measuring 105 feet and, capped by beautifully carved domes and being one of the largest temples in Gujarat, India, it is located between the two famous temples of Dwarka and Somnath. The temple is set amidst a sprawling garden, lush with the delicate smell of flowers.