Ahmedabad, the largest city in Gujarat houses some of the most prominent monuments of India. Situated on the banks of river Sabarmati, this beautiful city was originally ruled by many dynasties including the Delhi Sultanate, Mughals, Marathas and even the British. Thus, Ahmedabad has a rich cultural history and has many important temples and monuments which can be considered as footprints of the then rulers. The Marathas showed a visible influence in the city, whose constructions can be now seen even today. There are also many ancient temples which existed even before these rulers dominated the location. In this article, we shall explore these famous temples in Ahmedabad.
Must-Visit Temples In Ahmedabad:
In this article, we shall explore some of the most famous temples in Ahmedabad, known for this history and cultural significance.
TABLE OF CONTENT:
- Akshardam Temple.
- Modhera Sun Temple.
- Hathisingh Jain Temple.
- Swami Narayan Mandir.
- Shri Hanumanji Temple.
- Shree Jagannath Mandir.
- Bhadrakali Maa Temple.
- Devendrashwar Mahadev Temple.
- Vaishno Devi Temple.
1. Akshardam Temple:
This is the most popular worship Ahmedabad temple and is visited by worshipers every now and then. The temple is situated at a distance of about 25km from the city in a place called Gandhi Nagar. According to the latest census, this temple is visited by over 2million people every year. The temple is also one of the most popular tourist spots of Ahmedabad because of its architectural magnificence.
- Address: J Road, Sector 20, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382020
- Timings: 9:30 AM to 6:45 PM
- Dress Code: Decent Attire
- Approx. Visit Duration: 2 to 3 hours
- How To Reach: Located 27 KM from Ahmedabad airport. You can hire an auto or bus to reach the location
- Temple Website: https://akshardham.com/gujarat
- Best Time To Visit: Janmashtami, Diwali, Navaratri
- Other Attractions: Sat-Chit-Anand Water show in the evening
2. Modhera Sun Temple:
This temple is dedicated to the Sun or Surya God. The temple falls among the must-see locations of the city. The architecture of this temple makes it one of the well-designed temples in India. There are three Mandaps in the temple complex of which Guda Mandapa is considered as the main one. The other two mandaps are Sabhamandapa and the Kunda.The temple is now without any deity and is a protected monument maintained by the Archeological Survey Of India.
- Address: On Becharaji Highway, Modhera, Gujarat 384212
- Timings: 7 AM to 6 PM
- Dress Code: No Dress Code
- Approx. Visit Duration: 2 Hours
- How To Reach: 16 KM From Modhera railway station and 102 KM from Ahmedabad airport
- Temple Website: N/A
- Best Time To Visit: October To March
- Other Attractions: Surya Kund, a massive tank with steps
3. Hathisingh Jain Temple:
Being established in the 18th century, the Hathisingh Jain Temple is dedicated to the Jain Tirthankar. The famous temple in Ahmedabad was established by a wealthy merchant named Seth Hathisingh. The construction of the temple was made with the help of white marble. Throughout the temple, you can see unbelievably beautiful hand carvings done by the designers. Undoubtedly, this is one of the most beautiful temples in Ahmedabad and the country as well.
- Address: Swaminarayan Mandir Road, Kalupur, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380001
- Timings: 6 AM to 7 PM
- Dress Code: Traditional wear
- Approx. Visit Duration: 2 Hours
- How To Reach: It is just 12 min drive from Railway station to reach the temple
- Temple Website: http://www.swaminarayan.in/
- Best Time To Visit: Mahavir Jayanti
- Other Attractions: The temple is famous for Kirti Stambh
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4. Swami Narayan Mandir:
This temple is situated in the heart of the city and looks like the conventional Gujarati manors. The temple complex houses nine tombs, all situated to the south, which are altogether known as “Nau Gaz Pir”. The architecture of this temple is absolutely breathtaking and is one the reasons behind the popularity of this pagoda.
- Address: Shahibaug Rd, Jain Colony, Shahibag, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380004
- Timings: 8 AM to 5 PM
- Dress Code: Traditional Wear
- Approx. Visit Duration: 2 Hours
- How To Reach: It is Suituated 4KM from Ahmedabad Railway station. You can hire a taxi or bus.
- Temple Website: N/A
- Best Time To Visit: Navarathri, Janmashtami and other important Hindu festivals
- Other Attractions: The temple is famous for its beautiful domes and manicured gardens
5. Shri Hanumanji Temple:
This Hanuman temple of Shahibaug, Ahmedabad is one of the most beautiful temples of the city. The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and was established by Pandit Gajanan. It is believed that this temple was entrenched more than a hundred years ago. During the British era, this temple was known as Jalapur Village Hanuman.
- Address: Cantonment Area, Airport Rd, Shahibag, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382475
- Timings: 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM
- Dress Code: Traditional Wear
- Approx. Visit Duration: 1 Hours
- How To Reach: It is suituated 4 KM from Ahmedabad Railway station. You can hire a taxi or bus.
- Temple Website: http://camphanumanji.org/
- Best Time To Visit: Hanuman Jayanti and Sri Ram Navami
- Other Attractions: There are many temples in close proximity to this shrine
6. Shree Jagannath Mandir:
The temple is located on the Jamalpur Road, Ahmedabad. Initially, this area was a thick forest area and river Sabarmati used to flow beside that area. Presently in this area stands the beautiful Jagannath Mandir which is one of the most admired temples of Ahmedabad. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god, Jagannath. Apart from its architectural beauty, this temple is also famous for the annual chariot festival also known as the ‘Rath Yatra’.
- Address: Jamalpur Darwaja, Jamalpur, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380022
- Timings: 5 AM to 9 PM
- Dress Code: Traditional Wear
- Approx. Visit Duration: 1 Hours
- How To Reach: Nearest airport is located 12 KM and from Ahmedabad Railway station is it situated at a distance of 3.5 KM
- Temple Website: http://www.jagannathjiahd.org/
- Best Time To Visit: Rath Yatra and prominent Hindu festivals
- Other Attractions: There is a Panchakarma Ayurveda hospital in the campus
7. Bhadrakali Maa Temple:
This temple is dedicated to the Goddess, Bhadrakali which is one of the many forms of Goddess Kali. People all over Gujrat love this temple and frequently come to this temple for the invocations.It was established in the 14th century by Ahmed Shah, a settler of Ahmedabad, making it one of the oldest temples in the city.
- Address: Teendarwaja, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380001
- Timings: 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Dress Code: Traditional Wear
- Approx. Visit Duration: 1 Hours
- How To Reach: The temple is located approximately 2KM from Ahmedabad Railway station
- Temple Website: N/A
- Best Time To Visit:Navrathri
- Other Attractions: Each day the vehicle of Kali Ma is changed
8. Devendrashwar Mahadev Temple:
According to the people, this is an extremely holy site. The temple displays a beautiful statue of Goddess Durga. The architecture of the temple is also worth mentionable. This temple has to capacity to hold a substantial number of people during annual festivals. A number of people visit this temple daily also for the regular prayers and aartis.
- Address: Manav Mandir, Ashirvad Trust, Drive in Road, Memanagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380052
- Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Dress Code: Traditional Wear
- Approx. Visit Duration: 1 Hours
- How To Reach: You can hire a taxi from Ahmedabad Railway station from where it is a 23 minute drive
- Temple Website: N/A
- Best Time To Visit: Maha Sivarathri
- Other Attractions: There is a river at the backside of the temple which can be viewed from the top
9. Vaishno Devi Temple:
When it comes to the best temples in Ahmedabad, one cannot just forget the Vaishno Devi Temple located on the Gandhinagar Road. This temple is actually a replica of the original temple located in Jammu and Kashmir.It is located on a man-made hill and the temple is perched atop this. One need to climb up to get a feel of visiting the actual Vaishno Devi mandir.
- Address: Near Vaishno Devi Circle, Sarkhej – Gandhinagar Highway, Khodiyar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382481
- Timings: 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Dress Code: Traditional Wear
- Approx. Visit Duration: 1 Hours
- How To Reach: It is situated approx. 16 KM from Ahmedabad Railway station and take about 36 Min to via road
- Temple Website: N/A
- Best Time To Visit: Navarathri
- Other Attractions: Adalaj Step Well and Tirupati Balaji Temple
There are many more temples in Ahmedabad which are definitely worth paying a visit. These stunning shrines are well-maintained and are extremely clean. Each of these amazing temples have a great story and historical importance associated with them. This is why visitors from all over the country make it a point to visit these temples before leaving the city. One can observe a profound influence of Gujarati culture on the customs, rituals and even the architecture of these temples. If you are planning for a trip to Ahmedabad, do add these to your list of must-visit places. We would also love to hear your experiences to help other travelers plan well!
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:
- Is Prasadam Free in These Temples?
Basically, Prasadam is a food substance that is first offered to the God and then consumed by the devotees. It is usually given for free in small quantities. However, in certain temples like Prasad needs to be bought from a counter and different varieties are available for various prices. You can buy as much quantity as you like and take it back home.
2. What are The Rituals in Gujarat Temples? Are They any Different From The Rest of The Country?
Gujarat temples follow the same rules as that of any other Indian temples. The priest is usually a high-caste Brahmin who has studied Vedas. Footwear and pets are strictly not allowed into the temple. You need to wear decent clothing and adhere to the rules and guidelines of the temple. Photography is strictly prohibited in the inner sanctum.
3. Are There any Temples of Sai Baba in Ahmedabad?
Sai Baba is another revered deity in Ahmedabad and there are many temples devoted for him. Some of the famous Baba temples in the city are located in areas like Gandhi Road, Rajapath Bungalow Road and there is another shrine located near Kalasagar mall. A special puja is conducted every Thursday.
