7 Most Famous Temples In Gujarat: History, How to Reach, Timings, Entry Fee, and More

Gujarat is a land of prosperity and spirituality. The economic powerhouse of India is home to some of the most famous and popular temples in India. These temples serve as religious hubs and a testimony to the state’s architectural brilliance.

In this blog, we will be listing down the seven most famous temples in Gujarat that are must-visits for anyone interested in spirituality, architecture, or history.

Somnath Mahadev Temple in Veraval

The Somnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to be the first among the twelve Jyotirlingas in the country. It is also known as Deo Patan, Prabhas Pattan, and Somnath Pattan.

The temple is located in Prabhas Patan, Veraval, along the coastline. The temple is believed to have been originally built by the moon god, Soma, in gold, then in Silver by Ravana, in wood by Lord Krishna, and by Kind Bhimdev in stone.

The temple was destroyed and looted several times, with the latest reconstruction in 1951. The temple’s architecture is a blend of Chalukya and Solanki styles, and it houses a jyotirlinga, which is one of the twelve most sacred lingams in Hinduism.

Visitors flock to this ancient temple situated in the town of Somnath to experience its spiritual aura and architectural grandeur, and no visit to Gujrat is complete without visiting this holy shrine.

Timings: 06:00 AM to 09:30 PM
How to Reach: The nearest airport is Keshod airport (58 km), and the nearest railway station is the Veraval railway station (7 km)
Entry: Free
Best Time to Visit: September to March

Dwarikadhish Temple in Dwarka

The Dwarkadhish Temple, also known as the Trilok Sundar and Jagat Mandir, is a Hindu temple located in Dwarka city and is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The temple is believed to have been built by Lord Krishna’s grandson, Vajranabha, over 2500 years ago.

The temple’s main shrine is known as Jagat Mandir or Nija Mandir and is supported by 72 pillars with a five-story structure. The temple is constructed of limestone and has intricate sculptural detailing.

The original temple was built in 200 BCE at the earliest and was destroyed by Mahmud Begada in 1472. The existing temple was rebuilt and enlarged in the 15th-16th century in the Māru-Gurjara style.

The temple faces west and has two entrances – Moksha Dwara and Swarga Dwara. The temple is a part of the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit and is the 98th Divya Desam (Divine Temples) of Lord Vishnu.

Timings: 6:30 am to 01: 00 p.m. and 05:00 p.m. to 09:00 p.m.
How to Reach: The nearest airport is Jamnagar airport (126 km), and the nearest railway station is the Jamnagar railway station (132.9 km)
Entry: Free
Best Time to Visit: November to February or Janamasthami

Bhalka Tirth in Veraval

Bhalka Tirth Temple is a famous Hindu pilgrimage site located in Veraval, Gujarat, India. According to Hindu mythology, this place is where Lord Krishna left his mortal body.

It is believed that after the massacre of the Mahabharat war, Lord Krishna retired into the forest and started meditating under a tree. A hunter named Jara mistook Lord Krishna’s slightly visible left foot for a deer and shot an arrow, mortally wounding him. Bhalka Tirth Temple marks the spot of Lord Krishna’s departure from the world.

The temple is part of the Lord Krishna circuit, which also includes Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, Govardhan, Kurukshetra, and Dwarka. It is located just 4 kilometers away from the iconic Somnath Jyotirlinga situated in Veraval, Gujarat.

Timings: 6 am–9 pm
How to Reach: The nearest airport is Keshod airport (58 km), and the nearest railway station is the Veraval railway station (7 km)
Entry: Free
Best Time to Visit: September to March

Koteshwar Mahadev Temple in Kutch

Koteshwar Mahadev Temple is an ancient Shiva temple located in the small village of Koteshwar in the Kutch district of Gujarat, India.

Legend has it that Lord Shiva awarded Ravana a divine shiv linga because of his pure devotion; however, in his haste, Ravana dropped the Shivling, which fell at the place where the temple was built.

The shiv linga turned into thousands of identical shivlings, to punish Ravan for his carelessness. Ravana picked one shiv linga and left, while the original one was left at Koteshwar.

The temple’s courtyard is surrounded by a fortified wall with a gate approached by three flights of steps. The temple has undergone several renovations over the centuries by various rulers of Kutch.

Inside the shrine, there is a self-manifested shivling (swayambhu), that is four feet high and located in the center of a basin called jaladhari. The shrine is paved with black marble, and on the back wall, there is an image of Parvati, and on the west wall, there are two images of Ganpati and Revaji.

The temple is built on a sandstone mound a mile to the northwest of the village, making it an excellent sunset point, and from this point, the glow of lights from Karachi, Pakistan, can be seen on a clear night.

Timings: 7 AM to 9 PM
How to Reach: The nearest airport is Bhuj airport (158 km), and the nearest railway station is the Bhuj railway station (159 km)
Entry: Free
Best Time to Visit: October to February, Shivratri, and Monsoons

Also Read: Koteshwar Mahadev Temple in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand

Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar

The Akshardham Temple is a modern Hindu temple built in 1992, located in Gandhinagar, and is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan. The temple’s architecture is a blend of traditional Hindu and modern styles, and it is known for its intricate carvings and sculptures.

The temple houses a large prayer hall, an exhibition hall, a research center, and a garden. The temple’s main attraction is the 7-foot-tall gold-plated idol of Lord Swaminarayan on a three-foot pedestal.

The temple was built from 6,000 tons of pink sandstone on 23 acres of land, with construction taking a duration of 13 years.

The Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in Dwarka offers visitors more than just a religious experience. It features an IMAX theatre showcasing the life and teachings of Swaminarayan. Exhibitions halls also showcase the rich cultural history of India through the legendary writings of Upanishads and other scriptures.

Timings: 09:30 AM to 06:30 PM
How to Reach: The nearest airport is Ahemadabad international airport (21 km), and the nearest railway station is the Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad railway station (7.7 km and
28 km)
Entry: Free
Exhibition halls fee: Rs 60 for adults and Rs. 40 for children (3-11 years of age)
Water show fee: Rs 90 for adults and 60 for kids (3-11 years of age)
Best Time to Visit: October to March

Hutheesing Jain Temple in Ahmedabad

Hutheesing Jain Temple in Ahmedabad, India, is a sacred place of worship for followers of Jainism. The temple was built in 1848 AD by Shethani Harkunwar, the wife of Jain trader Sheth Hutheesing Kesarisinh, and is dedicated to the 15th Tirthankar, Dharmanath.

The construction of the temple cost around 8 lakh rupees, a huge sum during that time. The temple is built from white marble and is managed by a Hutheesing family trust. It also has an open courtyard with a colonnaded cloister with 52 devakulikas (secondary shrines).

A 78 feet high Manastambha (column of honor) stands in its outer courtyard, inspired by the Kirti Stambha at Chittore in Rajasthan. The temple is also known for its rainwater harvesting structure. The temple also houses 238 stone images and 21 yantras, as well as impressive idols of different Tirthankaras.

Timings: 8 am–5 pm
How to Reach: The nearest airport is Ahemadabad airport (6.6 km), and the nearest railway station is the Ahmedabad railway station (2.7 km)
Entry: Free
Best Time to Visit: All around the year

Sun Temple in Modhera

The Sun Temple of Modhera is a majestic Hindu temple situated in the village of Modhera in the Mehsana district of Gujarat, India. As the name suggests, the temple is dedicated to the Sun God, Surya.

Located on the banks of the river Pushpavati, the temple was built in the 11th century by Bhima I of the Chaulukya dynasty and is known for its unique architecture.

The temple has three components – the main temple, the sabha mandap, and the Kunda. The main temple is dedicated to the Sun God, while the sabha mandap is a hall for public gatherings. The Kunda is a stepped tank used for holy rituals and is adorned with beautiful carvings.

The temple is built at 23.6° latitude, near the Tropic of Cancer. Its sanctum sanctorum is designed in a way that the first rays of the rising sun light up the image of Surya during solar equinox days, and on the summer solstice day, the sun shines directly above the temple at noon, casting no shadow.

The temple complex is the Monument of National Importance, protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, and no worship is offered here now.

Timings: 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM
How to Reach: The nearest airport is Ahmedabad airport ( (94.3 km), and the nearest railway station is the Mehsana railway station (27.8 km)
Entry: Rs 25 for Indians (Including SAARC countries) and Rs 300 for foreigners. Entry is free for children below 15 years of age.
Best Time to Visit: October to March

Conclusion

These are the 7 most popular temples in Gujarat; however, that is not all. Gujarat has many such religious sites that serve as excellent tourist and pilgrimage spots. To learn about more such temples and destinations, bookmark our website and stay updated. Thanks!