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Temples / Pilgrimages / Places of Worship in Gujarat |
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Dwarkadhish Temple
Gujarat has been a gateway of commerce and culture between the East
and the West and is one of the oldest civilizations on the earth. Dwarka
is one of four most scared pilgrimage centers (Chardham) of Hindu faith
and is associated with Lord Krishna's life. The main giant ornate shrine
is situated on the western most tip of saurastra. According to the epic
Mahabharata, the city in due course was submerged by the sea. The
submergence of Dwarka and the cause of submergence are of historical and
oceanographic interest because of historic Dwarka is likely to throw light
on the Dark Age of Indian history.
Ornate, exquisite and majestic, Dwarkadhish Temple (Jagat Mandir) is one
of the most imposing five- storied structures of Hindu architecture in
Gujarat on the confluence of river Gomti and Arabian sea. The five-storey
high temple is built on seventy-two pillars. The temple spire is 78.3m
high. From the temple dome waves an eighty-four foot long multicolored
flag decorated with the symbols of the sun and moon. Lord Krishna's
grandson, Vajranabha, is said to have built the original temple of
Dwarkadhish over the hari-griha (Lord Krishna's residential place).
The sanctum of the temple is formed by the Jagat Mandir, or Nija Mandir,
which dates back at least 2500 years. The Jagat Mandir has a tall tower
and a hall of audience. There are two entrances to the temple. The main
entrance (north entrance) is called "Moksha Dwara" (Door to Salvation).
This entrance leads to the main market. The south entrance is called "Swarga
Dwara" (Gate to Heaven). Outside this doorway are 56 steps that lead to
the Gomati River.
Somnath Temple
The temple of Somnath, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva is
situated 79 Kms. from Junagadh and 25 Kms. from Chorwad. According to the
legend, Somnath is as old as creation, built by none other than the Moon
God himself. The remains of the temple of Somanath "withstood the shocks
of time and survived the attacks of destroyers. The temple has imposing
architecture and is a beautiful sight facing the blue expanse of the
Arabian Sea. A short distance from the Somnath temple is Bakhla Tirth,
where Lord Krishna was said to have been struck by the stray arrow of a
Bhil tribal. The Present Temple, Kailash Mahameru Prasada is built in the
chalukya style of temple architecture and reflects the inherent skill of
Sompuras, Gujarat's master masons. Sun Temple
Modhera is famous for the Sun Temple, which is one of the finest
examples of Indian temple architecture of its period. Built in 1026AD the
temple is dedicated to the Sun-God, Surya and stands high on a plinth
overlooking a deep stone- steeped tank.
As in the Sun Temple at Konark, this temple was so designed that the rays
of the Sun would fall on the image of Surya at the time of the equnoxes.
Whatever remains of this temple is grand; the shikharas are notaby absent
but the Toranas in the frontal halls, and the intricate carvings in the
exterior speak of the splendour of this shrine, which still is home to the
Modhera dance festival featuring dance celebrities in performance in a
natural setting. Ruins of the sun temple at Modhera in Gujarat show a lot
of Magha influence. The walls of the temple have representations of the
sun god wearing a peculiar West Asian belt and boots as in the Sun temple
at Gaya. Mention must also be made of the huge tank in front of the temple
with its multitude of images.
Hatheesing Jain Hatheesing Jain Temple is also
called by the name of the Hathee Singh Jain Temple for past many years
this confusion over name has continued, this place was built outside the
Delhi Gate in Ahmedabad in 1848 by a rich Jain merchant, Seth Shri
Kesarisimha Hatheesing Shah. This is one of the best known temples in
Ahmedabad plays host to many Jain temples still none of them are as good
as the Hatheesing temple. This temple was built of pure and expensive
white marbles and was decorated with rich carvings of various gods, this
temple is dedicated to Dharamanath, the 15th Jina or Jain apposite.
Hathee Singh temple hosts 52 shrines, each with an image of a Jain
Tirthankar of the Jain apposite, this beautiful temple is one of the must
visit places when visiting Ahmedabad. TA spacious courtyard and a huge
towering Kirti Stambha surround the 52 small shrines. This marble temple
looks absolutely mesmerizing in the moonlight. This is one of the most
holy place for followers of Jain cast but is visited regularly by people
of every cast and creed to appreciate the beauty of this place.
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