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Since time immemorial Gujarat has been noted for its temples. These houses of gods and
goddesses have been attracting millions of devotees. They range from the holy of holies like
Somnath and Dwarka to wayside shrines. Whatever be their size and wealth all of them share
one thing in common the intense faith of the devotees who can be seen trekking to places like
Ambaji and Dakor for some favour received.
When we talk of Somnath and Dwarka we deal with a period when the concept of time was not
yet born. The temple of Somnath dedicated to Shiva is the first among the 12 Jyotirlings. It is
the seventh temple in living memory. Known for its fabulous wealth it attracted the attention
of iconoclasts in the course of its chequered history. The present temple is the result of
strenuous efforts made by devotees like Sardar Patel, Jam Saheb of Navanagar, K.M. Munshi
and a host of others.
Dwarka has been sanctified by Vishnu himself in the form of Lord Sri Krishna. He led his
Yadavas to the safety of Dwarka from Mathura to escape from the depredations of Jarasandha.
Legend has it that Lord Krishna ordered Vishvakarma, the divine architect, to build the place.
The Dwarka of Krishna's period lies under the Arabian Sea. Prabhas Kshetra in which Somnath
lies was the place where Krishna and his elder brother Balaram ended their earthly lilas.
Hill-top shrines like Ambaji, Palitana, Girnar and Pavagadh are similarly steeped in legend and
celebrated in history. Some of them like Palitana are known fortheir architectural splendour.
In addition to the divinities distinguished seers like Vishwamitra, Kapila and Dadhichi have
sanctified Gujarat. In historical times Acharyas like Shankara, Ramanuja, Vallabha and
devotees like Narsinh Mehta, Mirabai, Nanakand Kabir offered worship atthese shrines.
So Gujarat, where history and legend lie cheek by jowl, offers a rich spiritual fare to the
pilgrim.
Akshardham is a homage to the Sarafan DAa/ma in stone. The monument which is set in a 23-
acre plot at Gandhinagar (Gandhinagar district) is built in pink sandstone. It is 108 feet tall
and 6000 tonnes of stone has gone into its making. A point worth noting is that this modern
monument to Hinduism was built as per the injunctions of Vastu Shastra. Not a bit of steel has
been used.
The
monument
stands on
93 sculpted
pillars, 210
single-piece
stone
beams, 57
window
grills, M
domes,
eight
ornate
zarokhas,
etc. The
sanctum
sanctorum
contains a
1.2 tonne
gold-plated
idol of Lord
Swaminarayan, the founder of the sect that bears his name. The 7-foot idol is shown in a
sitting posture with his right hand raised in abhay mudra. He is flanked by Swami
Gunatitanand on his right and Swami Gopalanand Swami on his left. Both of them were his
disciples. Swami Gunatitanand is called Swaminarayan's Akshardham the eternal abode.
According to the Swaminarayan philosophy whenever Lord Swaminarayan incarnates on this
planet he brings with him his Akshardham.
Gunatitanand Swami is also called Aksharbrahma and ranks second in the hierarchy of the
Bochasanvasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha which built the Akshardham monument.
Inspiring episodes and incidents from the glorious history of Sanatan Dharma are presented in
sound and light form for the benefit of the visitors. The show takes the visitors through
various facets of Hinduism. So far millions of people have visited the monument since its
inception on November 2,1992. They have been able to savour the story of Hinduism and to
imbibe the message of universal peace and brotherhood.
The wisdom of the Vedas, the epics, the Puranas is depicted on a crowded canvas by the
exhibition. The visitor comes face to face with personages who have made this land what it is.
It is a perfect mix of modernity and ancient values. Apart from Lord Ram going in search of his
kidnapped wife, the visitor can see Shravan, the dutiful son, the Pandavas losing the game of
dice in the Hastinapur palace, etc. Besides the visitors can see Sabari's long wait for Ram and
Draupadi's humiliation in the Kauravasabha.
The Hall of Harmony projects world religious side by side. The monument is ringed by
aparikrama containing 365 stone pillars.
• Tallest structural stone pillars in India - four delicately sculpted
pillars rise to 33 ft.
• Longest stone support beams in stone architecture - 22 ft. long
single-piece beams each weighing 5 tons.
• No iron or steel - from foundation to pinnacle - only stone has
been used.
• 73 richly patterned and 63 partially carved pillars.
• 16 pillars with profuse roopkam - sculptures and figures.
• 64 large traditional sculptures with spiritual meanings and 192
small figures of gods and goddesses adorn the pillars.
• 5 types of stones used in the Monument : 1. Pink sandstone from
Bansipahadpur. 2. Yellow stone from Jesalmer. 3. White marble from
Makrana. 4. Maroon granite from Jhansi. 5. White marble from
Ambaji.
• 25 domes of varying sizes and depths.
• Grandly ornate porch and 3 exclusively decorated porticos.
• Intricately carved from both sides - 30 large windows and 24
small grills.
• 220 stone beams for structural support.
• 57 stone screens for controlling light and enhancing beauty.
• 160,000 cubic feet of pink sandstone has been carved and
assembled.
o
Ambaji : Devi's Abode
Ambaji (Banaskantha district) is the seat of Ambe
Mata, the mother goddess. Hers is a household
name in the state. People pay homage to her
during Navratri in song and dance. She is an
aspect of goddess Parvati Shiv's consort. Amba or
Ambe Mata is shown riding a tiger during the
Navratri celebrations. Navratri in Gujarat is
comparable to the worship of Saraswati in Bengal.
The Ambaji temple which is situated on the Arasur hill in the Aravali Range does not
contain any idol. It has only a yantra engraved in a niche. The shrine is made of marble. Large
number of devotees visit the shrine during the Purnima fAirs held on the full moon day
oiKartik, Chaitra, Bhadrapad and also Navratri is celebrated on a grand scale here.
Ambaji is one of the 64 Shakti Piths. The Shakti Piths have been established at those places
where the pieces of Sati's body fell. It came about this way. Shiv's father-in-law Daksha
Prajapati felt
insulted when the son-in-law did not stand up to receive him. In order to slight him he
organized ayagna and did not invite Shiv.
Sati went to the yagna uninvited. She too
felt slighted when people failed to take
note of her presence. According to Puranas
she fell into the sacrificial fire. Shiv picked
up her body and rushed about in great
grief. Vishnu had to intervene. He cut up
the body with his discus, so that Shiv may
regain his composure. According to
tradition one of the pieces fell at Ambaji.
Dakor
An interesting legend relates how Lord Krishna came to reveal himself at Dakor (KAira District)
leaving his Dwarka abode. In olden times a Krishna devotee named Bholanath used to walk all
the way to Dwarka from Dakor on every full moon night to worship his beloved Krishna. The
all-knowing God noticed the difficulties which his devotee was undergoing. The god told
Bholanath when he was visiting Dwarka that he need not walk all the way to distant Dwarka as
he had decided to stay at Dakor (Dhankpuri of olden times). So God accompanied him to
Dakor.
The priests at Dwarka temple were naturally upset at the turn of events. They somehow or
other wanted to get backthe stone-idol of Ranchhodrai (Krishna). Both at Dwarka and Dakor
Krishna is known Ranchhodrai. It is said that he ran away from battle when Kalyavan attacked
him as an ally of Jarasandh. So Krishna is called Ranchhodrai - one who ran away from the
battle. The priest of Dwarka knew that Bholanath was a poor man. So they told him that he
should either pay for the stone idol in gold or return it. The
only golden ornament the poor devotee had was his wife's nose ring. When the idol and the
nose ring were placed in the scales they were found to be equal in weight. That is how Krishna
changed his residence from Dwarka to Dakor for the convenience of a devotee. The belief is
the Krishna idol of Dakor was originally from Dwarka.
On every Sharad Purnlma a big fAir Is held at Dakor. Gujaratis venerate Krishna and Dakor
provides an important link in this.
Dwarka which was known as Suvarna Dwarka (the golden Dwarka) had been very prosperous
and hence got the name. The Dwarkadhish temple honours Krishna Bhagwan and attracts
thousands of pilgrims from different parts of the country. The Dwarka of Krishna's time lies
submerged under the Arabian Sea. Tradition has itthat Krishna's residence was at Bet Dwarka,
a few kms from the mainland Dwarka.
The Dwarkadhish temple (also known as Jagat temple) and its Sikhar rises to 170 feet. The
pataka or flag of the temple is changed three times a day. Pilgrims and devotees vie with one
another to pay for the flag. There are special tailors to stitch it. Before hoisting the flag it is
taken round the temple by the donor. The five-storeyed temple stands on 60 pillars. The
pilgrims enter the temple by Swarg Dwar (the gateway of heaven) and leave by Moksh Dwar
(the gateway of salvation).
The temple has rich carvings. The ancient shrine has been supported by kings and commoners
alike from its inception. It is one of the important moksh dhams. The Gomti River flows
nearby.
The other temples in Dwarka are the Trikamji temple, Kalyanrai temple, the Patrani temple,
Durvas temple, etc. Sharda Pith set up by Adi Shankaracharya imparts instruction in Sanskrit.
Darukvan in the region is one of the Jyotirlingas.
Mt.Girnar (Junagadh district) is a sacred hill both to the Hindus and Jains. The Jains call it Mt.
Neminath. According to traditional history, Siddhas have used it as a retreat to undertake
tapasya since ancient times. The 3660 feet hill is connected with Lord Krishna. When
Kalayavan, apparently a warrior of foreign origin, was chasing him, the Lord got the better of
the powerful adversary in a curious way. Raja Muchkund was sleeping in one of the caves of
Raivatachal mountain (the ancient name for Girnar.) He was taking rest after fighting on behalf
of the gods. After his exertions Muchkund had only one desire rest and repose. He got a boon
that whoever disturbed his sleep would be reduced to ashes when he opened his eyes. This
boon Krishna knew. What better way to get rid of Kalyavan. So he pretended as if he was
running away from Kalyavan and led him to the cave where the king was sleeping. Krishna
covered Muchkund with his upper cloth. Kalyavan after the long chase mistook the sleeping
figure for Krishna and woke him up and was reduced to ashes.
Girnar was known by different names at different periods-Ujjayant, Manipur, Chandraketupur,
Raivat Nagar, Puratanpur, Girivar and Girnar. Of the sever peaks five are important Amba
Mata, Gorakhnath, Augadh, Guru Datatreya and Kalika.
The pilgrims have to climb 4000 steps to reach the top. There are five important Jain temples,
besides several Hindu shrines.
The most prominent Jain shrine is the rectangular Neminath temple which was completed
between 1128 CE and 1159 CE. Neminath (the 22th Tirthankar) is carved in black marble with
jewelled eyes. The courtyard is filled with sculptures. Further up is the Amba temple.
Newlyweds who seek Mataji's blessings for a happy married life frequent it.
The Mallinath temple dedicated to the 19th Tirthankar was built in 1231 CE by Vastupal and
Tejpal. Neminath is shown in blue colour. The Rishabhadev temple in golden colour has 24
Tirthankars. The Parshwanath temple was built in the 15th century. It is known as Meravasi.
The Dattatreya hill is half way down the temple cluster.
It is best to start the climb in the morning. Bhavnath Shiv temple is the first shrine on the
upward path. Bhartruhari cave, Sorath Mahal, Bhim Kund and Suryakund are the other
important places. Gomukkhi Kund has pellucid water fed by a mountain stream. Hanuman
Dharaand Kamandal are the other/rumfe.
The temple chain starts with the shrine constructed by Babu Dhanpatsinh of Murshidabad at
the foot of the hill. The pilgrims have to ascend 3745 steps to reach the 1800 feet hill. It takes
between one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half hours to reach the summit. Those who cannot climb
can use sling chAirs. The steps were hewn out of the rock in the 13th century CE during the
time of Jain minister
Vastupal. The visitors cannot
take any eatable on way to
it. They can, however, drink
water and water posts are
provided all along the route.
They have the footprints of
Tirthankars. They can eat
only after coming down the
hill. Every shrine has idols of
Tirthankars adorned with
jeweled eyes.
Originally the temple was built of wood and Siddhraj Jaisimha's minister Udaymehta got it built
in marble at the fabulous cost of Rs. 2.97 crores. Siddhraj's descendant Kumarpal extended
the temple.
The present temple was constructed in 1618 CE. The Adinath temple is situated on DadaniTuk.
There are nine tuks all along the route containing shrines.
The most famous temples are those of Adinath, Kumarpal, Vimalshah, Samprati Raja and the
Chomukh which is the highest. Besides there are temples dedicated to Hindu gods and
goddesses like Saraswati, Shivji, Hanumanji, etc. The Saraswati temple is nearthefootof the
hill. Angar Pir's shrine is situated at the top of the hill. Barren women pray for children at the
Muslim saint's shrine.
In the first phase of construction the shikhar portion, the sanctum sanctorum and the sabha
mandap (assembly hall) were built. The nritya mandap (the dancing hall) was built later. The
temple has been constructed in the Solanki style.
The pinnacle rides to a height of 155 feet. The kalash atop the shikhar weighs 10 tonnes. The
flag- mast is 37 feet long. These details give an idea of the size of the temple. In historical
times the temple, the third to be precise, was raged to the ground by Sultan Mohmad of
Ghazni. Then Sultans Allauddin and Mohmad Begda too desecrated it.
After the Maraths took over Gujarat Rani Ahalyabai of Indore constructed a temple near the
old temple and worship is offered there ever since.
The temple is so situated that there is no land from here to the South Pole. An arrow indicates
the direction.
Dehotsarga also called Balkh Tirth where Krishna shuffled off his mortal coil is nearby which
the pilgrims should visit. The tirtha stands at the confluence of Hiranya, Saraswati and Kapila
rivers. Vallabhacharya's Baithak is also there at Prabhas Patan.
It also incorporates an amusement park, a museum, a cafeteria, picture gallery and library.
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