Top Best Pilgrimage Places in Gujarat are Below:-
1.Palitana Jain Temples :
The Palitana temples of Jainism are located on Shatrunjaya hill by the city of Palitana in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, India. The city of the same name, known previously as Padliptapur, has been dubbed “The City of Temples”. Shatrunjaya means a “place of victory against inner enemies” or “which conquers inner enemies”.
“Welcome to Palitana, the world’s first vegetarian city in India’s Gujarat.”
Yes, that is right, India is home to the world’s first fully vegetarian city, and it’s called Palitana. A small city, located in the Bhavnagar district of Gujarat in India, it is counted among the purest and most revered destinations for those who follow Jainism. In fact, it is absolutely illegal to kill animals for eating purposes here, and selling eggs or meat is a strict no.
Back in the year 2014, the government put a ban on animal slaughter in the region and since then, not a single animal has been killed here. The ban was implemented when around 200 Jain monks protested by going on a hunger strike to show the government that they’d prefer to die than letting animal slaughter and consumption allowed in the area.
The monks demanded to get all the 250 butcher shops to be shut down and the state government was forced to do so. Thus, the city was declared a meat-free zone. However, dairy products are still allowed and people in the city consume milk, ghee, butter, etc.
This is because Palitana is home to hundreds of temples, and is also a major pilgrim center for Jains. It is said that their savior, 1008 Bhagwan Adinatha, once walked its hills and the place has been important for the followers since then. There is no definite figure about how many people follow Jainism but the number ranges between four to five million across the world!
2.Dwarkadhish Temple :-
Dwarka is a city and a municipality of Devbhumi Dwarka district in the state of Gujarat in northwestern India. It is located on the western shore of the Okhamandal Peninsula on the right bank of the Gomti River. Dwarka is one of the Chardham, four sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites, and is one of the Sapta Puri, the seven most ancient religious cities in the country. Dwarka is often identified with the Dwarka Kingdom, the ancient kingdom of Krishna, and is believed to have been the first capital of Gujarat.
It’s known as a Hindu pilgrimage site. The ancient Dwarkadhish Temple has an elaborately tiered main shrine, a carved entrance, and a black marble idol of Lord Krishna. Dwarka Beach and nearby Dwarka Lighthouse offer views of the Arabian Sea. Southeast, Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary protects migratory birds and endangered species like the Indian wolf.
3.The Sun temple of Modhera:-
The Sun Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the solar deity Surya located at Modhera village of Mehsana district, Gujarat, India. It is situated on the bank of the river Pushpavati. It was built after 1026-27 CE during the reign of Bhima I of the Chalukyas dynasty. No worship is offered now and is a protected monument maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. The temple complex has three components: Gudhamandapa, the shrine hall; Sabhamandapa, the assembly hall, and Kunda, the reservoir. The halls have intricately carved exterior and pillars. The reservoir has steps to reach the bottom and numerous small shrines.
A smoothing drive amidst green farmlands just 35 km away from Mehsana on the way to the temples of goddess Bahucharaji reposes the village of Modhera. Set along with the backdrop of River Pushpavati, surrounded by a terra-formed garden of flowering trees and songs of birds, rests the famed Sun temple of Modhera.
4.Somnath Temple :-
Somnath is a magnificent temple situated in Sagar Kant of Saurashtra in Gujarat state. Shree Somnath is first among the twelve Aadi Jyotirlingas of India. It has a strategic location on the western coast of India. The temples lie at the meeting of Kapila, Hiran, and Sarasvati rivers, and the waves of the Arabian Sea ebb and flow touching the shore on which it is constructed. The present form was reconstructed in 1951.
Ancient Indian traditions maintain a close relationship of Somnath with the release of Chandra (Moon God) from the curse of his father-in-law Daksha Prajapati. Moon was married to the Twenty-Seven daughters of Daksha. However, he favored Rohini and neglected other queens. The aggrieved Daksha cursed Moon and the Moon lost the power of light. With the advice of Prajapita Brahma, Moon arrived at the Prabhas Teerth and worshipped Bhagavan Shiva. Pleased with the great penance and devotion of Moon, Bhagavan Shiva blessed him and relieved him from the curse of darkness. Pauranic traditions maintain that Moon had built a golden temple, followed by a silver temple by Ravana, Bhagavan Shree Krishna is believed to have built Somnath temple with Sandalwood.
The research based on ancient Indian classical texts shows that first Somnath Jyotirling Pran-Pratistha was done on the auspicious third day of the brighter half of Shravan month during the tenth Treta yug of Vaivswat Manvantar. Thus, this temple is a perennial source of inspiration for millions of Hindus since time immemorial.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Somnath Temple is in the cooler months of October to February, though the site is open all through the year. Shivratri (usually in February or March) and Kartik Purnima (close to Diwali) are celebrated with great enthusiasm here.
5.Kashtabhanjan Hanuman Mandir, Salangpur
Shri Hanuman Ji Temple in Sarangpur is world-famous for its beauty and spiritual importance. Swaminarayan Sampraday’s Vadtal Gadi controls the upkeep and maintenance of this temple. It’s said that a visit to this temple will cleanse the body and mind of the devotees of evil spirits. In Hinduism Hanuman Ji is known as Sankat Mochan or the destroyer of all problems.
This Hanumanji temple is considered the most holy and sacred. It is among the more prominent ones in the Swaminarayan Sampraday. The image of Hanuman was installed by Sadguru Gopalanand Swami. This temple is so powerful and the center of religious faith. Sarangpur is easily reached by bus or car, as it is only 82 km from Bhavnagar. There can be a long wait at the temple gate sometimes, mainly on Saturdays. The temple is really big and spacious, and the statue of Lord Hanuman is really impressive.
It is the only Swaminarayan temple that does not have the Murtis of either Swaminarayan or Krishna as the Primary deity of worship. It is dedicated to Hanuman in the form of Kastbhanjan (Crusher of sorrows)