Holy Pilgrimage – Gujarat State –(Pimpleswar Mahadev, Sri Swamynarayana Mandir, Keshavraiji temple, Sun Temple, Utkanteswara Mahadev, Santram Mandir and Shamlaji) -3 at 1:29 PM

Holy Pilgrimage – Temples in Gujarat  State

 Pimpleshwar Mahadev (Saldi)

 

Pimpleshwar Mahadev is a historical Hindu temple of Lord Shiva located in the village of Saldi (District of Mehsana), Gujarat, India. In Hinduism, Lord Shiva is also called "Mahadev" - The God of all Gods. Pimpleshwar Mahadev is famous for its annual traditional carnival "Saladi no Melo" (Fun Fare) on the last Monday of the holy month of Shraavan (August) in the Hindu calendar. Most temples of lord Shiva have a unique structure called the Shiv Linga which is considered to be a sacred symbol of Lord Shiva. The Pimpleshwar Mahadev in Saldi does not have the usual Shiv linga. Instead it has a Jaladhari - a continuous flow of water from an aquifer below the ground. This natural water flow is considered to be a sacred sign by the worshipers and another indication of the presence of Lord Shiva at this site.

 

Geography

Saldi is located about 60 km northwest of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Saldi is reachable by car, bus or public transportation. Ahmedabad International Airport (AMD) is the nearest airport with domestic and international flights. This temple is famous for its surrounding rural landscape and Pimpal trees, Bili Trees and Vakhada trees of historic age in the surrounding area of the temple. Pimpal trees are particularly attractive and important for Hindu pilgrims to the temple because the decades old trees are considered sacred and symbolize happiness, prosperity, longevity and good luck. The temple has not been renovated for at least 100 years, and therefore it portrays an old style outlook that is attractive to pilgrims for reasons of nostalgia and a reminder of a by-gone era.

History

Salvabhai Patel, son of Teja Patel, migrated from Champaner, Gujarat and raised his family in the area which ultimately came to be known as Saldi. Approximately 200 years or seven generations following the founding of Saldi village, one of the cows of a herder named Petha Patel was found to be regularly releasing her milk over one location under a Pimpal tree, where the Jaladhari water source was ultimately found. In the Hindu tradition, worshipers of Shiva pay homage to the Shiv linga by pouring milk over it. Thus, the cow's offering of her milk at this site without any assistance, led to the people of Saldi to attribute this phenomenon to the presence of Lord Shiva. Since then, the current site of Pimpleshwar Mahadev is considered to be very sacred by the pilgrams and villagers alike, and it has become famous throughout the state of Gujarat over the years.
The first temple or shrine was put in place by Petha Patel of Saldi at this site, dating back to the Hindu Year Sanvat 1143 (approximately 924 years ago). In the following centuries, Pimpleshwar Mahadev gained more popularity as a place of pilgrimage and worship for Hindus across the state of Gujarat. The current building was constructed and renovated by Sayajirao Gaekwad, the ruler of the state Baroda in 1895 during the British colonial era in India.

Campus & guest house

The entire campus for Mahadev is spread over 50 acres. It includes the temples of Umiya,^[1] Amba, Lakshmi Mata and Nag-Devta. The Hindu temple has images of Ganesha, Parvati and Hanuman carved in stone and also houses a natural spring that is considered holy. Additionally facilities include an exhibition hall, a meeting room, guest rooms, and a lodging (Bhojanalay). This historical temple awaits renovation to include several additional buildings and creative parks. A move for major renovation is underway and expected to start in near future.

Daily Activities

This beautiful Temple is offering Daily Prayer, traditional rituals, Dhoon, Meditation and Aarti to all. Devotees from nearby villages walk to Mahadev regularly....carrying milk, Diya, Dhoop and water in hand and offer to Pimpleshwar Mahadev during Darshan. Many of them being seen walking barefoot! Priest smeared hand made sandalwood paste on forehead of devotees and blessed. Devotees do pradakshina around sacred Pipal Tree ( Fig Tree) and continue meditation and chanting as they do walk. Pimpleshwar Mahadev attracts large number of tourist and pilgrims from all over India, Canada, England and United states of America throughout the year.

Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivratri is dedicated to the worship of Pimpleshwar Mahadev. Devotees celebrate Maha Shivaratri with observing fasting, singing bhajans and Dhoon , maha puja, recital of Sanskrit sholaks, offering of prayers, flowers, fruits, Shreefal ( coconut ), and special food that is prepared in honor of the deity. Brahmin priests performs Ladhu-Rudra Yagna and char prahar ni PUJA in different time of the day and night. Worshiping Pimpleshwar Mahadev or Lord Shiva on Maha Shivratri is believed to bestow one with happiness and prosperity.

Shravan Month Special POOJA

In holy month of Shravan month thousands of devotees visit this Mahadev for prayer and get blessed. Thousands of pilgrim walk to this temple in groups chanting Shiva Mantra and Dhoon, playing traditional musical and dancing. They participate the Darshan of Idol Nandi and Shiva and performed 1-5 rounds of Pradakshina. Devotees Chant Shiva mantra with great shraddha as they offer Milk, water, Dhoop and Bili Patra to Lord Shiva.

Annual Carnival - Saladi no Melo

Very Special annual celebration of Religious carnival known as "SALADI no MELO" on last Monday of Shravan month is famous worldwide.About quarter million Devotees of all age ,religion and casts get to gather and enjoy the traditional celebration.

Bili Patra Pooja

Special puja with offering of Bili Patra to lord Shiva is unique tradition. Many Devotee with help of local Brahmin priest offer 108, 1008 or one Lakh Bili patra to Pimpleshwar Mahadev along with mantra recitation. Approximately 10 million Bili Patras offers to MAHADEV reciting "Om Namah Shivay" and Bilvastakam - Shiva mantra chanting during shravan month every year. Volunteers proud to collect these leaves from holy BILI TREE from forest of panchmahal and across the state and get blessed for great contribution.
Bili Patra are leaves of Bili ^[2](Bilva, Bel, Bael, Vilvam or English - wood apple tree ) and offer to Mahadev - મહાદેવ seeking good health, prosperity, satisfaction in current life and to destroys all sins committed during past three lives and attain Moksha - salvation

Mundan ceremony

Mundan or Chudakarma is the ceremony in which a child's head is shaved for the first time, leaving a tuft or shikha on the crown. It is said that birth hair carries undesirable ideas and traits from past, so they need to be removed and new ideas full of eminence should be grown instead.^[3] Mundan is one of the rituals performed at Pimpleshwar Mahadev.^[4] People come to Pimpleshwar from far and wide to have this ceremony performed for their child

 

 

 Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Ahmedabad

 

Shri Swaminarayan Temple, Ahmedabad (Gujarati: શ્રી સ્વામીનારાયણ મંદિર, અમદાવાદ,is  the first temple of the Swaminarayan Sampraday, a Hindu sect. It is located in Kalupur area of Ahmedabad, the largest city in Gujarat, India. It was built on the instructions of Swaminarayan, the founder of the sect.^[1]
As per the will of Swaminarayan, the administration of the Swaminarayan Sampraday is divided into two Gadis (seats) - NarNarayan Dev Gadi and LaxmiNarayan Dev Gadi. This temple is the headquarters of the NarNarayan Dev Gadi.^[2] Green and yellow sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses, their bodies fitted in opulent dress, cover the structure of this nineteenth-century temple.^[3]
With its architecture based on Burma teak wood, every coloured arch and bracket is a bright different shade, something that stands out in most Swaminarayan temples.^[4] According to Anjali Desai, author of India Guide Gujarat, the temple resembles a fairytale with all its colours and opulent carvings that profusely embellish every wooden bracket, column and arch.^[5] The temple attracts a million people on the day after Diwali.^[6] The temple has a multi-story guesthouse that is air conditioned and has a fully equipped medical clinic within its compound

History

The land for construction of this first shrine of Swaminarayan Sampraday, was gifted by the British Imperial Government in India to Swaminarayan. The task of constructing this temple was entrusted personally by Swaminarayan to Ananandanand Swami (a paramhansa of the sect).^[6][8] The installation ceremony of the murti (images) in the temple was celebrated in the presence about 50,000 of pilgrims representing many parts of India.^[2]

Relations with the British Government

A British officer, Sir Dunlop was so impressed with activities of Swaminarayan and his followers, that on behalf of the government he gifted 5,000 acres (20 km²) of land in Kalupur area of Ahmedabad to build this temple. When the temple was completed, the officer was so impressed by the temple that he commanded a 101 gun salute to the temple.^[6]
When the British government wanted to build a railway station in Kalupur, the temple returned part of the land, where Kalupur Railway Station stands today. The government compensated the temple by granting it 1,000 acres (4.0 km²) of land in the Narayannagar village. Although the temple had very good relations with the British government, part of the wooden carvings in the temple depict the 1857 uprising, which is often referred to as India's first war of Independence.^[6]

Deities

The primary deities of the temple are NarNarayan Dev.^[9][10]

Architecture

Central Gateway

The central gateway of the temple is artistic. It blends local, regional and British styles of architecture and sculpture. Marathi and Rajasthani folk cultures and costumes are evident on the gateway sculptors. The columns are engraved with vertical lining in Corinthian order. The top of the projected pavilions are ruminants of Mughal architecture. Statues of the women wearing frilled blouses and petticoats, carrying their kids on their waist depict the Gujarati women.^[11]

Nar Narayan Temple

This is the heart of the temple complex. The temple was constructed as per scriptural norms with intricate carving in pure Burma-teak and constructed with sculptural art by depicting deities' episodes, auspicious symbols and religious icons representing axiomatic religion and Indian culture. The temple is believed to be a valuable cultural heritage in the socio-religious history of Gujarat and India.^[12] The images in this temple are of Narnarayan Dev in the centre, Radhakrishna Dev on the right, Dharmadev, BhaktiMata and Harikrishna on the left of the central hall. The images were made in Dungarpur and stone came from quarries in Himmatnagar and Dhrangadhra.^[6] The temple is also known for the attractive dresses that drape the deities. Dresses for the central Narnarayan as well as RadhaKrishna images are changed seven times a day and are never repeated.^[5]

Akshar Bhavan

Besides the gods in the main temple, an idol in the form of a child, Ghanshyam Maharaj in white marble has been installed on the ground floor. Personal items of Swaminarayan have been displayed for viewing by the visitors on the ground as well as first floor. The southern side of this building is known as Shree Tejendra Bhuvan and houses visiting pilgrims.^[11]

Rang Mahol

An idol of Ghanshyam Maharaj has been installed in a place called the Rang Mahol in the temple where Swaminarayan stayed during his visits to Ahmedabad. A wood carved life-size idol of Swaminarayan in standing sambhang position, was installed here fifty years after the construction of the temple. It is one of the finest specimens of wooden art sculpting in Gujarat.^[11]

Temple for women (West)

The Haveli (Mansion) to the west of the temple used to be the official residence of Acharya of the Narnarayan Dev Gadi. Now, the ground floor of the front side, houses the offices and the inner portion accommodates the residency of the Samkhya Yogi women (ladies who have taken celibacy vows and devoted their life to the temple). In the inner temple, the Gadiwalla (the Acharya Maharajshri's wife & spiritual leader of the women in the Swaminarayan Sampraday) holds religious assemblies solely for the benefit of the women. An idol of Ghanshyam Maharaj has been installed in this temple and is served by the Sankhya Yogi women devotees.^[11]
This mansion is decorated with chandeliers, suspended lamps and large mirrors as it was supposed to be the residence of the Acharya. The brackets of the pillars in the portico as well as arches have been adorned with carvings in geometrical designs and a variety of flower and creeper motifs

Haveli (North)

This three-storey mansion was constructed by Acharya Maharjshree Keshavprasadji Maharaj in 1871.
The mansion itself rests on octagonal and square wooden pillars on which Ardh-murt relief sculpture of flowers and creepers is engraved. Angles of wooden pillars, carved in free hand design and the shapely Bharnai, which balconies rest on. The Sabha mandap, an extensive Central Hall, has been constructed on sixty pillars. There are giant size madal-shilp sculptures on twelve high pillars in the front row on which rest the portico of the first floor, capture our attention with its great artistic appeal. These sculptors include a flying Hanuman lifting the Devgiri mountain in his palm; a pot bellied Ghanesha wearing a scarlet turban in the South Indian style, miniature sculptures of several soldiers armed and dressed in Marathi turbans and costumes and herds of monkeys have been created on the religious tradition in the wooden sculptors. Interestingly, some sculptors depict the 1857 uprising, with the Rani of Jhansi and other heroes narrated in carvings of these pillars.^[11] There are a total of 12 such pillars, which depict scenes such as a Maratha warrior fighting under the Rani of Jhansi in guise of Durga the Hindu goddess, Indian leader Tatya Tope in the guise of Narsimha, the lion headed form of Vishnu and that of parrots which tell the mood of the times.^[13]
Sculptures of lions and elephants, birds like peacocks and parrots and perfectly engraved leaves and flowers decorate the panels. The beams, ceilings, and lower sections are adorned with engravings, artistic sculptures and free-hand designs. In this mansion, Acharya sits on the wooden seat once used by Swaminarayan in the Congregation Hall. A new residence of the saints, Vrajendraprasad Mahal and a dining hall for the devotees are also situated in this mansion.^[11]

Haveli (East)

This mansion is two storeyed. Sculptures of animal heads, flowers and creepers are carved on the wooden pillars of the portico on the ground floor. Items relating to NarNarayan Dev on the ground floor. The first and second floors house a Sanskrit and music school as well as residence for saints. The backyard hosts the residence for brahmchari (celibate) students. A well where Swaminarayan used to bathe under a dome is also part of the backyard

 

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Bhuj

 

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Bhuj is a Hindu temple in Bhuj. This temple (mandir) that was constructed by Swaminarayan, founder of the Swaminarayan Sampraday

History

This mandir comes under the Narnarayan Dev Gadi. Senior devotees Gangarambhai, Sundarjibhai and others from the Bhuj region of Kutch went to Gadhada where Swaminarayan was attending a Fuldol festival. In that festival, the devotees of Bhuj met Swaminarayan and requested him to construct a temple in Bhuj.^[3]
Swaminarayan asked Vaishnavananand Swami to proceed with a team of the saints to Bhuj and construct a temple. Vaishnavanand Swami and the accompanying saints went to Bhuj in 1822, camped at the place neighbouring the land of temple drew plans of the temple, complex, executed the plans with minute details and within a short span of one year, they built a temple abode of NarNarayan Dev.^[3]
Satsang in the Kutch region was spread by Late Guru Ramanand Swami. He constantly visited Bhuj and other places in Kutch.
Swaminarayan had graced this temple in the western belt of India and had himself installed the idols of Narnarayan dev and his own form - Harikrishna Maharaj in central sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Besides these manifestations of God at the central dome there under the eastern dome, are seated RadhaKrishna Dev, Harikrishna Maharaj and in the western dome Ghanshyam Maharaj. Roop Chowki - the main square of the inner temple-houses the images of Ganapati and Hanuman.
Akshar Bhavan in the temple treasures the personal items of Swaminarayan.

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Dholera

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Dholera is a Hindu temple in Dholera. This temple was built by Swaminarayan himself. It is one of the six temples built by him.

About the Mandir

Dholera itself is an ancient port-city, 30 k.m. away from Dhandhuka of Ahmedabad district.
The making this temple with three domes was supervised and planned by Nishkulanand Swami, Atmanand Swami, Akshardanand Swami and Dharmprasad Swami.
The land for this abode of Gods, was gifted by Darbar Punjabhai. Swaminarayan, when camping in Kamiala, was requested by the devotees Shri Punjabhai and others, to go to Dholera to install the idols of God in the new temple in Dholera. Swaminarayan asked Brahmin priests to find out an auspicious time for the installation ceremony.
Swaminarayan graced Dholera on the request from Punjabhai and other devotees, and on May 19, 1826 and installed the idols of Madan Mohan dev and his own form Harikrishna Maharaj at the Principal seat of the temple and invoked Gods amidst Vedic hymns.
Besides the Gods in the inner temple and sanctum sanctorum, Hanuman and Ganapati grace Roop Chowki near the main stairway of the temple. On the west, near the steps, there are the idols of Sheshashayi, Suryanarayan, Dharm-Bhakti and Ghanshyam Maharaj. The idols of Shankar and Parvati are on the right hand side.

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Gadhada

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Gadhada is a Hindu temple in Gadhada. This Mandir was built by Swaminarayan himself.

About this Mandir

The land for constructing this temple in Gadhada, was donated by the court of Dada Khachar in Gadhada. Dada Khachar and his family were devotees of Swaminarayan. The temple was made in the courtyard of his own residence.^[2] The temple work was planned and executed directly under the consultation and guidance of Swaminarayan. Swaminarayan over viewed the construction in and also helped with the manual service in the construction of the temple, by lifting stones and mortar. This shrine has two stories and three domes. It is adorned with carvings. The temple is placed on a high plinth is a spacious square and has an assembly hall with large dharamshalas and kitchens for ascetics and pilgrims.^[1]
Swaminarayan had installed the idols in this temple on the October 9, 1828 . Gopinath and Hari krishna in the middle, Dharma and Bhakti and Vasudeva on the western side and Revti-Baldevji, Shri Krishna and Suryanarayan in the eastern temple.

Other information

Besides the idols installed by Swaminarayan himself, the temple is a place of many memories of Swaminarayan. On the path of the worship circuit of the inner temple, there is the idol of Ghanshyam facing northward. This prasadi temple has prasadi items of Swaminarayan displayed in a museum at the temple.
On the southern side of the temple, there is a big neem tree and the chamber of Vasudeva. Swaminarayan gave several discourses at that place. The court of Dada Khachar has been preserved in its original form.
On the backside, there is the Akshar Oradi temple and Gangajalio well. Lakshmi wadi (place of cremation of Swaminarayan) is situated a little away from the town. At Lakshmi wadi, a single dome temple has been constructed at the place of the funeral rituals of Swaminarayan's mortal remains. A little ahead, there is one canopy where Swaminarayan used to sit and deliver the discourses, and just a little ahead, there is the room of Nishkulanand Swami, where he placed the palanquin prepared by him for Swaminarayan's last journey. A neem tree faces this place, and on its western side, there is one more canopy where Swaminarayan celebrated ‘Sharadotsava’.
Swaminarayan and his saints used to take a bath in the River Ghelo.^[1] This river flows in the south side of the temple. There are prasadi river-beds - Narayan Dharo and Sahasra Dharo which Swaminarayan visited frequently.^[1] There are small temples of Neelkanth and Hanuman on the bank of the river.
In May 2012, the temple's spires were plated with gold, making it the first temple in Gujarat to have golden spires. This exercise cost the temple

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Junagadh

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Junagadh is  a Hindu temple in Junagadh, Gujarat, India. This temple was built by Swaminarayan himself.

History of this temple

The city of Junagadh is nestled in the lap of Mt Girnar. The temple here has five domes and sculptures. The construction of this temple was supervised by Brahmanand Swami. The land for this shrine was gifted by King Hemantsinh(Jinabhai, Darbar of Panchala), and memories of him have been maintained here.^[3]
The temple has a circumference on 278 feet and is in the centre of the town.^[4]
Invocation ceremony of the Gods lasted for two full days with the festivities of the auspicious events. On May 1, 1828 A.D., Swaminarayan himself installed Shri Ranchhodrai and Trikamrai in the seat of the principal Gods of the temple.^[1] In the eastern temple he installed Radharaman Dev and Harikrishna Maharaj and in the western side he installed Siddheswar Mahadev, Parvatiji, Ganapatiji and Nandishwar. The Mughal Subba Bahadur Khan paid a personal visit to the place and Swaminarayan. Swaminarayan blessed the provincial head of the Mughal empire and honoured the king Hemantsinh for his gift of the land for the temple

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Vadtal

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Vadtal headquarters of the Shri LaxmiNarayan Dev Gadi are located in this temple in Vadtal.^[1][2] There are three main shrines in the temple the central shirne of this temple is that of Lakshmi Narayan. On the right there is an image of Radha Krishna with Swaminarayan in the form of Hari Krishna and the left has Vasudev, Dharma and Bhakti.^[3] The wooden pillars of the temple bear colourful wood carvings. There is a dharamsala within the temple premises. Gnanbaug is a garden to the northwest of the temple gate that has four memorials dedicated to Swaminarayan..

History

 The town of Vadtal is also known as Vadtal Swaminarayan. The temple here is in the shape of a lotus, with nine domes in the inner temple. The land for this shrine was donated by Joban Pagi, a dacoit converted into a devotee by Swaminarayan. The temple was constructed under the supervision of S.G. Brahmanand Swami.
Devotees from Vadtal had gone to Shreeji Maharaj on the day of Nirjala Ekadashi to meet him in Gadhada. On the next day - the twelfth day of the bright half of Jyestha - they requested to Swaminarayan to construct a Shri Krishna Mandir in Vadtal. Shreeji Maharaj commanded his disciple Brahmanand Swami to temporarily leave the construction of the Muli temple and proceed with a team of saints to plan and supervise the construction of a temple. The construction of this temple was completed within 15 months and the idols of Laxminarayan Dev were installed by Swaminarayan himself on the 3rd of November 1824, amidst chants of vedic hymns and devotional fervour of the installation ceremony. In the middle of the temple, he installed the idols of Laxminarayan dev and Ranchhodji. In the north, there are the idols of Dharmdev and Bhaktimata and his own form Harikrishna Maharaj. And in the south, Swaminarayan installed the idols of RadhaKrishna Dev and Harikrishna Maharaj.
Besides the Gods sitting in the central temple, in the south of the middle temple, were installed the form of Dakshinavart Shankh (Southern-sea conch) and Shaligrama (icon of Vishnu). In the inner dome, there are the stone-idols of the ten incarnations of god, besides the idols of Vishnu resting on the seat of Sheshnaag (heavenly snake).

Influence

Farmers in and around Vadtal made a fortune by cultivating tobacco. The temple played an important role in influencing these farmers to move to other agricultural options.^[4] To benefit pilgrims visiting the temple, a railway terminus was opened in Vadtal in 1929. A 14 mile long broad gauge line was built, connecting it with Anand and Boriavi.^[5]
During the independence movement, national leaders gave speechs at the temple. In January 1921 Mahatma Gandhi gave a speech at a the temple, speaking of the relevance of non-cooperation to Hindu Dharma, "At this holy place, I declare, if you want to protect your 'Hindu Dharma', non-cooperation is first as well as the last lesson you must learn up.".^[6]
Vallabhbhai Patel (freedom fighter and first Home Minister of India) was influenced by the Swaminarayan philosophy, since he was brought up in a family of Swaminarayan followers.^[7] His father used to visit Vadtal in pilgrimage every full moon day and often used to take young Patel with him.^[8] It is claimed that since Gandhi's doctrine was similar to that of the reforms teaching of Swaminarayan,^[9] Patel was attracted to him.^[7]
The Swaminarayan temple in Vadtal is a member of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and is considered to be part of the inner management circle of the organisation.^[10] The VHP held its 11th Dharma Sansad (Religious parliament) in Vadtal at the Swaminarayan Temple in 2006.^[11][12]

Headquarters

The temple is the highest seat of the Acharya and preceptor of the dakshin desh (Laxminarayan Dev Gadi). On the south end of the main temple, there is a place called the Akshar Bhavan. Its first floor has standing idols of Ghanshyam Maharaj. On the second floor, there is the idol of Ghanshyam Maharaj in sitting posture. Personal objects of Swaminarayan are kept here. On the west there is a place called the Hari Mandap where Swaminarayan wrote the Shikshapatri.

Town of Vadtal

In the east of the town, there is a mango garden where Swaminarayan ignited Holi and played with colours. A canopy has been constructed at this place. On the south side of this place, Swaminarayan had swung on a swing of twelve doors. A marble seat has been constructed at that place. The Gomati lake which was dug by Swaminarayan is in the north of the town. In the middle of the lake is a shelter and a canopy is built on the west of it. Swaminarayan used to sit there at the place of the present canopy when the lake was being excavated. Swaminarayan had preached Vachanamrit under a mango tree next to the lake.

Shri Keshavraiji Temple, Bet Dwarka

Shri Keshavraiji Temple is located in Bet Dwarka, Gujarat, India. It is dedicated to Lord Shri Keshavraiji (Samasth Pushkarna Brahmin Gyati Ishtdev). Bet Dwarka is famous for its temples dedicated to Lord Krishna and is of great importance in the ancient Hindu tradition.

Lord Shri Keshavraiji

Lord Shri Keshavraiji is Ishtdev of Samasth Pushkarna Gyati. This ancient temple is located in Bet-Dwarka, near Mahaprabhuji Bethak, which is 30 km away from Dwarka, on the seashore. Pushkarna Brahmin along with Bhatia devotees, mostly from Sindh, Rajasthan, Kutch, Gujarat and Punjab, visited Bet Dwarka to worship Lord Keshavraiji most often. Registers witness the forename and family name of all pushkarna devotees, hand-written as long ago as 250 years. To reach Bet-Dwarka one has to travel to Okha, and then proceed by motorboat to Bet Dwarka. Okha is connected by rail and is the last railway station. There is a direct train to Okha from Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Gorakhpur, Guwahati, Eranakulam Junction, Rameshwaram, Puri, Deharadun, Varanasi Junction

Shri Nathjidada Ni Jagya

Shri Nathjidada's jagya - Danidhar is a temple complex located just off the Kalavad-Junagadh road in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
The temple complex includes the following temples:

• Shri Nathjidada's Samathi Place
• Shri Gangarambapu's Duno
• Shri Ramji Temple
• Shri Shiv Temple
• Shri Khodiyar Mataji Temple
• Shri Upvasibapu's Temple
• Shri Hanuman Temple
• Shri Nagdevta

Saints of Danidhar Jagya include:

• Shri Pyarerambapu - Junagagh
• Shri Nathjidada
• Shri Gangarambapu
• Shri Upvasibapu

Mahants of Danidhar Jagya include:

• Shri Nathjidada Guru Shri Pyarerambapu (Junagadh)
• Shri Balakdasaji Guru Shri Sevadasaji
• Shri Khodidasaji Guru Shri
• Shri Narbheramji Guru Shri
• Shri Ramdasaji Guru Shri Narbheramji
• Shri Jivandasaji Guru Shri
• Shri Upvasibapu (Shri Chatrabhujdasaji) Guru Shri Ramlakhandasaji)

Other nearby temples include Nana Ranuja Temple, Shri Varudi Mataji Temple, and Shri Shitla Mataji Temple

Sun Temple, Modhera

The Sun Temple, Modhera, at Modhera in Gujarat, is a temple dedicated to the Hindu Sun-God, Surya. It was built in 1026 AD by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty.
Other Sun Temples in India are as follows :

• Konark in Orissa
• Martand in Jammu and Kashmir near Almora in Uttarakhand
• Dakshinaarka temple in Gaya, Bihar
• Punark and Deo Barunark in Bihar
• Bhramanya Dev Temple at Unao, Balaji in Madhya Pradesh
• Sun Temple at Sri Surya Pahar in Assam
• Suryanaar Temple at Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu
• Surya Narayana Swamy temple at Arasavalli in Andhra Pradesh
• Further, the Sun Temple of Multan, which is no more, is considered to be oldest Sun temple.

The Modhera sun temple is situated on the bank of the river Pushpavati, 25 km from Mehsana and 102 km from Ahmedabad.

History

According to the Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana, the areas near Modhera were known during ancient days as Dharmaranya (literally meaning the forest of righteousness). According to these Puranas, Lord Rama, after defeating Ravana, asked sage Vasistha to show him a place of pilgrimage where he could go and purify himself from the sin of Brahma-hatya (the sin of killing a Brahmin, because Ravana was a Brahmin by birth). Sage Vasistha showed him Dharmaranya, which was near the modern town of Modhera. In the Dharmaranya, he settled at a village Modherak and performed a yagna there. Thereafter he established a village and named it Sitapur. This village is about 15 km from Becharaji Modherak village and it subsequently came to be known as Modhera.
The Sun Temple was built by Rushabh Bhimdev I of Solanki Dynasty in AD 1026. This was the time when Somnath and the adjoining area was plundered by Mahmud Ghazni and reeled under the effects of his invasion. The Solankis, however, regained much of their lost power and splendour. Anahilvad Patan, the Solanki capital, was restored to glory. Royalty and traders jointly contributed to build grand temples.
Solankis were considered to be Suryavanshi, Gurjar or descendants of Sun god. The temple was so designed that the first rays of the sun fell on the image of Surya, the Sun God, at the time equinoxes.
The temple is partially in ruins after it was also finally destroyed by the Allauddin Khilji.
However, enough has remained of the temple to convey its grandeur.

Architecture

The Sun temple is of a unique architecture.
The temple comprises three separate, axially aligned and integrated elements: Surya Kund, Sabha Mandap and Guda Mandap.

Surya Kund

This Suryakunda, also known as Ramakunda, is a large rectangular stepped tank measuring 53.6 x 36.6 meters under the east face of sabhamandap used to store pure water. Devotees were required to perform ceremonial ablutions here before worshiping the Sun God.
The Suryakund is a finest example of geometry. The organization of stone into composition gives shape to a dazzling pattern of art. It is proportioned with innumerable stone steps leading devotees down to its base. 108 miniature shrines are carved in between the steps inside the tank. Also number 108 considered to be auspicious by Hindus as Hindu rosary has same number of beads.

Reservoir deities

There are four terraces to descend to reach the bottom of the tank. Small pyramid-shaped steps are for each terrace. God and Goddess depicted in immortalized stone unfold the sculpture wealth: Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesh, Lord Natraj, Sitlamata's presence a marvel created during Solanki era.
Two huge ornamental arches called Toran forms a gateway to the Sabha Mandap (assembly hall)/{aztaca}.

Sabha Mandap

This hall of religious gatherings is a magnificent pillared hall. It is open from all sides and has 52 intricately carved pillars representing 52 weeks in a year. The carvings depict episodes from the Hindu epics of Ramayan, Mahabharat and Krishna Lila (i.e., story of Lord Krishna).
Between the Sabha Mandapa and the sanctum sanctorum is a beautiful hall with pillars and arches, whose facade has been renovated and partially redone. The walls have 12 niches showing the different aspects of the Sun God in each month.

Sanctum sanctorum

This is called the main temple or the sanctum sanctorum. Lotuses open with sunrise and close itself with sunset; it is considered to be the sun's flower. The entire temple is therefore based on an inverted lotus-base plinth. It was designed so that the rays of the rising and setting sun on the day of equinox (20 March and 21 September generally) fell on the bejeweled pure gold idol of Sun riding on his chariot driven by Saarthi Arun. Sun's chariot has seven horses and Saarthi Arun sits on the fourth. The entire gold idol (including the charioteer, chariot and horses) was placed on a pit that was 15 feet deep and filled with gold coins. It was built by the Solankis in honour of their ancestral God. It was plundered by Mahmud Gazni. The entire gold idol was taken away by him.

Exterior

The exterior of the temple walls has 12 different postures of Adityas - Sun God along with eight Dikpals, Lord Vishwakarma - who constructed Golden Dwarka city for Shri Krishna, Varundev - God of Water, Agnidev - God of Fire, Ganesh - God for starting, Mata Saraswati - Goddess of Education & Wisdom. Also seen Samundramanthan.

Erotic sculptures

All important religious sects of India like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism have presented erotic motifs in their art. In the days when temple was built, sex was neither suppressed nor moralized. It was seen as an act that brought about fertility. Hence at this temple a most profound depiction of sexual iconography is displayed, at the exterior walls of the main temple itself.

Modhera dance festival

To create the enchantment and splendor of ancient history and rich cultural traditions, Modhera dance festival is scheduled to be held during the third week of January every year, after the festival of Uttarayan for three days in the backdrop of the Sun temple. Renowned Indian artist perform here and enthrall the audience.
The objective is to present classical dance forms in an atmosphere they were originally presented in. The festival is organised by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat.

Utkanteshwar Mahadev

Utkanteshwar Mahadev is a Shiva Temple in the Kheda district of Gujarat, India. The temple is 2000 year old and is located on the bank of Vatrak.

Recent Development

Galaxy Mall Private Limited unveiled their mega project in march 2011, which comprises 500 plots on the Vatrak River right around Temple. The scheme is spread across 175 acres of area, and has 500 plots of varying sizes beginning at 500 square yards. The minimum price of a non-premium plot will be around Rs50 lakh, which will gradually increase as per the plot's proximity to the Vatrak River. The scheme is far from any big city and so it will have its own temples, club house, resort and restaurant. It will also have 7 lakes around it with boating facility. Highlight of the scheme is its picturesque surrounding. The promoters have planted almost 40,000 trees around the site. According Galaxy Group, government is also planning to build small check dams across the Vatrak River in near future.
A host of exclusive features attached with the project, aimed at developing Gujarat's first riverfront luxury villas, make it first of its kind in several ways. DR. SAM PATRICK FOOS, Chairman and CEO of ENMARCON AG, Germany, known as 'consultant of consultants' within the construction industry across the Europe, will look after the design aspects of the project as a consultant. While this will make all the amenities in line with the international standards, association of Mr. Lavkumar Khachar, an eminent naturalist & environment educator who doesn't need any introduction, as another consultant will ensure nature-friendly ambience - the most sought after quality in the 21st century.

Santram Mandir

Santram Mandir is a famous temple situated in Nadiad, Gujarat, India. It is home to Santram Maharaj who is a holy figure in Gujarat. It is very famous for other social activities for the needy too. The Santram mandir trust runs a physiotherapy centre, an eye clinic as well as various other charitable organizations. It also carries out various cultural activities. There are other "santram mandir"s located in Vadodara, Karamsad and other places.
Many people offer fast on Thursdays in reverence to Santram Maharaj.
Santram Mandir is located in the cities of Umreth, Karamsad, Koyli, Vadodra, Rhadhu, Pachegam, Padra and Narsanda in Gujarat.

History

The original Santram Maharaj was a great Saint of the Avadhoot category. He came to Nadiad from Girnar, so he was also called Girnari Bava, Videhi Bava, or Sukha-Sagarji. He came here in Samvat 1872, lived for the spiritual good of People for the 15 years, and took Jivat-Samadhi on the full-moon-day of the month Magha of Samvat 1887. At the first he was dwelled in a hollow of the Rayan-tree, situated where the Deri is located today.

Miracles

There were two miracles that happened; first, a laborer from the neighboring field came to fetch water from the well near the Rayan-tree. He had brought with him a rope and a bucket. The Maharaj asked him to keep the rope and bucket there for some time, as he wished to take his bath, but the laborer turned a deaf ear to the words of the Maharaj. He had to come again to fetch more water after a few minutes and he saw the Maharaj taking his bath, sitting on the Thala of the well by means of a gourd. The water of the well had come to the surface by the attraction-power of the Great Yogi, who had full control over the five great elements. The second miracle was this: A Kanbi used to come for darshan to the Maharaj every day and he wised to give supper to the Maharaj in the evening. The Maharaj said, "I will take only Milk today evening". The face of the Kanbi fell in dejection. He said that his she-buffalo had stopped giving any milk. The Maharaj said, " Take this gourd with you and bring for the Maharaj the milk that your she-buffalo gives". That evening the Kanbi’s she-buffalo filled the Maharaj’s gourd with sweet luckwarm milk. The Maharaj took that milk.
Due to these two miracle people began to come to the Maharaj in great numbers. He thought of going away to some other place, but Poojabhai Patel of Lakhawad stopped him, saying "If you go away from here the good luck of Nadiad would leave the town and go away". To test Poojabhai the Maharaj said: "I would stay here on condition that you will render service to me till I stay". Poojabhai said: "What greater luck could there be for me than that".
In accordance with this condition the Maharaj took his Jivat-Samadhi on the full-day of the Month of Magha Samvat 1887 instead of the full-moon-day of Posha of that year. When the Maharaj took Jivat-Samadhi, luster came out of his Brahmie aperture at the top of the head. The lamp of ghee was lighted with that luster. The lamp of ghee has been burning for the last 147 years. In fact, Shree Santram Maharaj is the eternal flame of light of the Divine.
During his lifetime and thereafter there became many devotees of the Maharaj, such as: Haridas, Hariram, Jetho, Adesang, Narayandas of Vankaner, Raghav-Muni, Mugat-Ramji and others. All of them have written Padas and Bhajans, except the last devotee. They have been published in ‘Pada-Sangraha’. Most of the devotee are farmers, laborers, and workmen of the villages.
The Nadiad Temple has its branches in Baroda, Umreth, Padra, Karamsad, Koyali, and Radhu. They carry on their work in accordance with the behests of the main temple in Nadiad. One devotee had the Darshan of Santram Maharaj at Benaras after he took Jivat-Samadhi. A manuscript book on Yoga is kept in the Kalasha (the top circular vessel) of the Nadiad Temple.
Laxmandasji was the main disciple of the Santram Maharaj. He has laid down the rules for the Mahants of the main Nadiad temple. For example, the Maharaj shall not step out of the vicinity of the temple, he shall never ask for anything from anybody, and depend only on the will of the Divine.

Brief history of AVDHUT SHREE SANTRAM MAHARAJ (Maharaj Shree)

There are no historical books/manuscripts exemplifying the life and work of Maharaj Shree. Whatever is known or written about Maharaj Shree is transferred by word of mouth from one generation to other.
The origin or lineage of Maharaj Shree is not known but the devotees strongly believe that He was avatar (incarnation) of Lord Guru Dattatraya and has materialised in the mountains of Girnar, Gujarat. It is believed that He has wandered from Girnar to South Gujarat and than to Nadiad. Along the way, He had enlightened many devotees with His preaching and interpretation of religion and servings to humanity.
An incident in Varad, a small village near Surat, compelled Shree Lakshmandasji - principal devotee and successor to Maharaj Shree - to embark on a search of Maharaj Shree. Once, Shree Lakshmandasji and other devotees were worshiping Lord Krishna when suddenly this Avdhut appeared and on request of the devotees, joined them in their worship. One of the devotees suggested that it would be an exceptional experience if Lord Krishna himself would play his divine flute while the devotees were worshiping. Seeing the eagerness on faces of the devotees, the Avdhut asked the devotees to close their eyes and continue their worship. The devotees did as instructed by the Avdhut and then a musical tune on flute was heard by the devotees. Everyone present there was spellbound by the heavenly music of the flute. After a while, the music ceased and the devotees opened their eyes. The Avdhut was nowhere to be found. Shree Lakshmandasji left the village and began the search for the Avdhut which later brought him to Nadiad.
Maharaj Shree has traveled from Varad to Nadiad via Vadodara, Padra, Umreth, Khambhat and Radhu. In Nadiad, Maharaj Shree opted to stay in the laps of nature. A hollow trunk of an ancient Rayana tree, in the farm of Poojabhai Patel, became his dwelling for a long period. Here, in the trunk of Rayana tree, Maharaj Shree used to meditate most of the time, thereby, reducing all the needs of the material world. One day a farmer came to fetch water from a nearby well. Maharaj Shree wanted to have a bath and therefore requested the farmer to leave the rope and bucket behind. But the farmer took no notice of the Avdhut’s request and left with his rope and bucket. Later that day when the farmer came to fetch some more water he was astounded to see the well overflowing with water and the Avdhut bathing there. The farmer ran to his companions and informed them about his magical experience with the Avdhut. Slowly the word started to spread across Nadiad and surrounding areas about the divine soul dwelling in the trunk of tree.
Devotees started to visit the Avdhut regularly and occasionally would leave behind some offerings to this Holy Spirit. One such devotee, a Kanabi (peasant caste), once invited Maharaj Shree to dinner but Maharaj Shree refused him saying that He wont be taking any food that day but the Kanabi can bring him some milk from his buffalo. Kanabi felt deep sorrow as his buffalo was not giving any milk. He explained his situation to Maharaj Shree and apologized as he won’t be able to bring the milk. Maharaj Shree gave Kanabi his vessel and advised him to milk his buffalo. To Kanabi’s surprise, the buffalo did give milk and filled the vessel. After the words of this spread out, more and more devotees started to drop by to bow down to and worship the Avdhut.
With crowds of devotees always surrounding him and lack of seclusion for meditation, Maharaj Shree decided it was time to move on. When Poojabhai Patel came to know about Maharaj Shree’s decision, he requested Maharaj Shree to stay there forever and enlighten the people of Nadiad. Maharaj Shree would not that easily be convinced but Poojabhai wont let him leave the place. Poojabhai promised his service and even offered his farm to Maharaj Shree to make an Ashram to impart spiritual wisdom of the people of Nadiad. Maharaj Shree was obliged with Poojabhai’s offering and asked him to demand anything he wished. Poojabhai still insisted that Maharaj Shree should stay there and give the people of Nadiad a divine opportunity to serve Maharaj Shree which would enlighten their lives. Maharaj Shree was pleased with Poojabhai’s unselfish and benevolent answer and promised him that He will establish an Ashram and that He won’t leave the Ashram without informing Poojabhai.
People of Nadiad cherished the idea of Ashram and took the responsibility to make the Ashram and a temple. While the work was in progress, a man in torn and dirty clothes, exhausted from long run, came and fell down near the Ashram. Everyone present around was curious to know from where this stranger has wandered from and who was he. Maharaj Shree came to the stranger and helped Shree Lakshmandasji to get up. A new life source dashed across Lakshmandasji’s body. Maharaj Shree explained Shree Lakshmandasji about the Ashram and that He will need help of pious and pure souls like Shree Lakshmandasji in construction and management of Ashram and for the upliftment of the humanity. Shree Lakshmandasji promised to serve Maharaj Shree for the rest of his life and thus, with the union of two divine souls Santram Ashram was to become centre of pilgrimage in Charotar region. Knowledge, devotion, faith in Yoga, helping the poor and distressed were the founding ideology of the Ashram.
After 15 years of his service to humanity, it was time for Maharaj Shree to move on. In Shree Lakshmandasji he had found an eligible successor who will nurture the Ashram. Maharaj Shree decided the full moon day of Posha (3rd month of Hindu calendar) of Vikram Samvat 1887 (A.D. 1830-31) as day for his departure from material world - Samadhi. Obliged by his promise to Poojabhai, a messenger was sent to Poojabhai’s grandson - Bapubhai (Poojabhai and his sons has passed away) seeking his permission for Maharaj Shree to leave for his final journey. Bapubhai, being government servant, would not be able to come to Nadiad and so he requested Maharaj Shree to postpone his Samadhi for few days and thus full moon day of Maha ( 4th month of Hindu calendar) was decided when Maharaj Shree would take his Jivat Samadhi (buried alive). As the day of his Samadhi came closer, more and more devotees started to pour in Nadiad to get one last chance to be in vicinity of the divine soul. Bapubhai was in service of Maharaj Shree on the day of Samadhi with heavy heart. Devotees from far came down to pay their homage. An unlighted earthen lamp with wick and ghee was kept ready by the Samadhi as ordered by Maharaj Shree. The devotees poured out their hearts as Maharaj Shree slowly started moving towards his Samadhi. Slowly Maharaj Shree started descending in the burial place and soon the mortal body was buried alive freeing the divine and immortal soul. The departing soul lit the lamp (Jyot) kept near the Samadhi and soon sugar candy/cubes started falling from the skies as if the Gods were welcoming the divine soul to the heaven.
Shree Lakshmandasji immediately took the Jyot and placed it in the temple where it is kept burning day and night, till this very day, guiding and blessing the devotees. It is now know as Akhand (everlasting) Jyot.

Shamlaji

Shamlaji is one of the largest pilgrim temples of the Sabarkantha district in Gujarat, India. It is more commonly known among locals as "Dhodi Dhwaja Wada" because it always has a white silk flag flittering on top of temple. Its unique designs on the outer part of temple is one of its greatest attractions; the image becomes more interesting with the mountains in the background. The temple has a beautiful sculpture of Lord Krishna as Shamdiya bhagwan, with a piece of real diamond embossed on his chin. Shamlaji is also known for "Shyamalvan", a theme based garden developed by Social Forestry Wing of Gujarat Forest Department. Shyamalvan was inaugurated by Hon'ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, Sh. Narendra Modi on 18th July, 2009 and is now fast picking up as a tourist spot on the strategic Udaipur-Ahmedabad highway.

History

The Shamlaji Temple stands in honour of Lord Vishnu. The magnificence of the temple is enhanced by exquisite stone carvings, idols of gods, nymphs, musicians and celestial dancers, beautiful domed ceilings and a toweing spire. Scenes from the epic stories "Mahabharata" and "Ramayana" grace the walls of this 11th- century temple. According to local lore, the temple originated when surrounding tribes began worshipping an idol in a makeshift space at a riverside field. Soon they referred to the idol as Kaliyo Dev or "Dark Divinity". A local merchant built a more permanent structure to house the deity which was later beautified by the Idar rulers.
Years ago the Idar rulers gave the Jagiri of Shamlaji temple to the Modhari Raoji with other villages like Revdar, Devdar, Napada, Khalsa, Sunsar, Modhari etc. At present The Raoji of Modhari holding a part in Shamlaji Temple and they also take care of theire lord Shamliya.

Connect

The Shamlaji is around 20 K.M. away from Bhiloda and 29 K.M. away from Modasa. Nr. Meswo Sarowaer and Near By At Godh-Adhera Place Located off the National Highway 8, Shamlaji is frequented by state transport buses from Himmatnagar and Ahmedabad

 

Om Tat Sat

                                                        

(Continued...)                                                                                                                              

(My humble  salutations to the great devotees ,  wikisources  and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the collection )