10 Most Famous Temples in Gujarat

Gujarat is one of the most vibrant states and cultural capital of India. The state is the birth place of Lord Krishna and Gandhiji. Also, it is the home for Asiatic lions at the Sasan Gir National Park. But most importantly, this beautiful state has some of the famous temples where you will find large crowd of devotees almost whole year. The temples are not just meant for worship but are embraced for their architecture, which depicts the grand past of the state. The temples not only have a majestic appeal but also hold a great significance for the Hindus. To know about 10 most famous temples of Gujarat, read on-

List of 10 Most Famous Temples in Gujarat

1. Somnath Temple

The legendary Somnath temple is among one of the seven Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the most beautiful temples of Gujarat, located in Somnath. Locally the temple is known as ‘Somnath Pattan’. Historians say that the temple was originally built with gold by Chandra dev, was rebuilt using silver by the demon Ravana, then with wood by Lord Krishna and later on by King Bhimdev with stone. The temple had been damaged badly and looted by the Mahmud of Ghazni in 1024 AD. The present day monument had been renovated and restructured by the support of then Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the year 1950. Now, the whole temple and its management is looked after by the Shree Somnath Trust. The temple structure belongs to Chalukya dynasty style of architecture and possess mesmerising surroundings of the sea. For reaching the temple premises, Keshod is the nearest airport and Veraval is the nearest railway station. You can plan a temple tour to Gujarat by opting for Dwarka Somnath religious trip any time over the year. Visiting the temple can be done between 06:00 AM to 09:30 PM.

2. Dwarkadhish Temple

The Dwarkadhish temple is better known as part of the sacred Chardham yatra and is located in Dwarka. Dedicated to Lord Krishna, the temple is also locally called as ‘Jagat Mandir’. The temple is over 2500 years old and attracts devotees from all around India and the world. The temple is placed over the confluence of Gomati River and Arabian sea. The temple structure is made up of sandstone and has 5 floors, supported by beautiful carvings. The original monument was founded nearly between 15th and 16th century. The main door has a north facing entrance which is regarded as ‘Moksha Dwara’ and another backside door has a south facing entrance which is regarded as ‘Swarga Dwara’. On the south facing door, there are 56 steps which go down towards river Gomati. To get to the temple, the nearest airport is at Jamnagar and nearest railway station is at Dwarka. Temple timings for your visit are- morning between 06:30 AM to 01:00 PM and evening between 05:00 PM to 09:30 PM.

3. Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple

The Akshardham temple is one of the biggest temple of Gujarat which is located at Gandhinagar. The temple is managed by the Hindu Swaminarayan trust and is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan. The gold-plated idol of Lord Swaminarayan is seven feet in height. It was founded in the year 1992, and is spread in around 23 acres of land. This pink sandstone temple is a perfect picture of fine work of craftsmanship and is the holy place of worship. The prime highlights of the temple include a 45-minute water show, organized after sunset at 7:00 PM, the Sahajanand van, a children’s park, a waterfall, a beautiful lake and a special herbal garden. During your Gujarat tour just do not miss to spend a day in exploring this wonderful spot. The nearest airport is at Ahmedabad and the railway station is at Gandhinagar. Temple timings are between 09:30 AM to 06:30 PM.

4. Bala Hanuman Mandir

Bal Hanuman Mandir of Gujarat is located in Jamnagar towards the south-eastern side of the Ranmal Lake. The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman where large number of devotees makes a visit every year. This beautiful structure was established by Prem Bhikshuji between 1963 and 1964. As the temple’s name has been recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records for continuous chants of ‘Shri Ram’, this place is a must visit in Gujarat. To reach the temple, the nearest airport as well as railway station is at Jamnagar. You can visit the temple between 06:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

5. Rukmini Devi Temple

Rukmini Devi Temple is another small temple located in Dwarka. The temple is dedicated to goddess Rukmini and is popular for its beautiful carvings on the walls in the form of extremely remarkable paintings that showcase the life of goddess Rukmini with Lord Krishna. The temple infrastructure also has two splendidly-designed panels on which there are human sculptures and elephants carved on them. Historians say that the temple was constructed around 12th century. Jamnagar is the nearest airport and Dwarka is the nearest railway station to reach the temple. You can visit the temple during morning between 05:00 AM to 12:00 PM or at evening between 04:00 PM to 09:00 PM.

6. Sun Temple

The Sun temple is among one of the most auspicious temples of Gujarat and is a must visit. It is located on a hillock in Modhera, on the north-west of Ahmedabad. The temple is located on the banks of river Pushpavati and is dedicated to Sun God. It is said that the temple was founded in the 11th century by King Bhimdev I of Solanki dynasty. The temple structure is built in such a way that the sun rays fall on the image of Surya chakra all day long. Unlike other Sun temples of India, this temple infrastructure is complex and is divided into Surya Kund, Sabha Mandap and Guda Mandap. There are also present many step-wells inside the temple. You can reach the temple through the nearest airport located at Ahmedabad or nearest railway station located at Mehsana. The timing of the temple is between 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM.

7. Bhalka Tirtha

Bhalka Tirth is yet another must visit site when it comes to major temples and pilgrimages of Gujarat. This beautiful temple is located between Somnath and Veraval. The site lies over the confluence of Hiran, Kapila and Saraswati rivers, called as ‘Sangam’. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is locally known as ‘Mahaprabhuji’s Beithak’. The temple highlights the mythological history of Lord Krishna when he was mistaken for a deer during meditation and was wounded by a hunter after which he left for heavenly abode. You can see an old banyan tree during your visit to temple that witnesses the past era. You may find the nearest airport at Keshod or the nearest railway station at Veraval. The temple timings are between 06:00 AM to 09:00 PM.

8. Hanumanji Mandir

Shri Hanumanji Mandir is one of the most famous temples of Gujarat and is located in Sarangpur lying near to Ahmedabad. The temple is solely dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The holy temple is managed by the Swaminarayan Sampraday. As told by many devotees, the temple has got its name worldwide for expelling evil spirits and ghosts from the possessed bodies. Belief or superstition, but many people come here all around the year to pay a visit to their deity. The nearest airport to the temple is located at Ahmedabad and railway station is at Botad. The temple timings are between 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM in morning and 03:00 PM to 09:00 PM in evening.

9. Shri Jalaram Bapa Mandir

Shri Jalaram Bapa Mandir is again one of the must visit temples located at Virpur in Rajkot district. The temple is named so on behalf of the most popular Hindu saint of Gujarat called ‘Jalaram’ who was born on 14 November, 1799 and died on 23 February, 1881.Large number of followers of Shri Jalaram Bapa visit the temple every year to celebrate ‘Jalaram Jayanti’ which comes on the 7th day of Shukla Paksha on the Hindu month of Kartika. The temple is the actual place where the saint lived and spent his lifetime. You can reach the temple through the nearest airport and railway station located at Rajkot. The temple is open from 07:00 AM to 12:00 PM in morning and from 04:00 PM to 08:30 PM in evening.

10. Bahuchara Mata

Bahuchara Mata temple is the most visited temple among the Hindus which is located in the town of Becharaji in Mehsana district and is few hours away from Ahmedabad. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bahuchara also known as ‘Bala’ who is worshipped as a patroness of the Enunch or transgender community of the country. The temple is regarded as one of the Shakti Peeth of Gujarat as Sati mata’s hands had fallen here, the other two are Pavagarh and Ambaji. Because of all this the temple got its name and fame. The nearest airport to get to the temple lies in Ahmedabad and nearest railway station is at Mehsana. The temple is open between 05:00 AM to 09:00 PM.