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Excursion
Pilgrimages
[ Koteshwar (Bhuj) | Bhadreshwar
| Chandod | Karnali | Ambaji
| Dargah of Maula Qazi | Somnath
| Dwarka | Narayan Sarovar | Bindu-sarowar
| Saraswati bank | Thali Buiding
| Koteshwar (Lakhpat) ]
 Koteshwar
(Bhuj)
Koteshwar is an ancient pilgrim site, which is famous for its temple
overlooking the sea. Possibly, it was associated with Buddhism at
one time as Hieun Tsang visited it and later a Buddhist arch was
discovered here. It is an ideal place to enjoy the sunset. Shooting
pictures is prohibited in this zone.
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 Bhadreshwar
The Jain community considers Bhadreshwar as an important religious
site. It also has shrines, mosques and temples, as well as unique
an ancient step-well.
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 Chandod:
(22 km from Dabhoi)
This picturesque town on the bank of the Narmada, at the confluence
of three rivers - Narmada - Orsang and Gupta Saraswati, is an ancient
seat of Sanskrit learning for Brahmins. The ghats lead to the pure
waters of Narmada and the temple. Mandvi Mahal, a haveli of the
Mahida Rajputs, dating back to the late 19th century, is now a heritage
hotel. It is located close to river Narmada, in a serene setting.
The haveli offers a picturesque vista of bathing ghats, temples
with fine carvings and life on the river.
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Karnali: (24 km
from Dabhoi)
Karnali is a twin town of Chandod, on the opposite bank of Orsang.
Karnali has several Shiva Temples and beautiful ghats. The footprints
of Lord Dattatreya lend great sanctity to this town. A big fair
is held here on every Chaitra Sud 15.
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 Ambaji:
(22 km from Danta)
Ambaji is one of the major Shakti-Piths of India, situated in the
Arasur Hills. The Ambaji temple contains no idol, but an inscribed
Yantra in the niche. Ambaji is essentially a temple town-with a
temple dedicated to Goddess Ambaji in the centre. The Ambaji temple
and the frontcourt 'Chachar no Chowk' are aligned in the same axis
of the cave at Gabbar Hill - the original abode of Goddess Ambaji.
Millions of pilgrims visit the temple every year - especially during
Navratri to seek the blessing of Goddess Ambaji.
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Dargah of Maula Qazi
It is located on the west-bank of the Samatasar Lake and is a famous
pilgrim place of the Dawoodi Bohra community.
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Somnath
Somnath is about 79kms from Junagadh, 30kms from Chorwad and 5kms
from Veraval. It is believed that the Somnath temple here was originally
built by Somraj, the Moon God himself, out of gold, and then rebuilt
by Ravana in silver and then by Krishna in Wood, then by Bhimdev
in stone. Somnath is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of lord Shiva. Somnath
is also known as Prabhas Patan.
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 Dwarka
On the extreme western tip of the Kathiawar peninsula, Dwarka is
one of the four most holy Hindu pilgrimage sites in India and is
closely related to the Krishna legend. Lord Krishna left Mathura
and established his Kingdom here. Dwarkanath, the name of the main
temple here, is dedicated to Krishna.
Entrance to this temple is restricted to Hindus, although through
some sources, one can sign up a form to gain an access. The exterior,
with its tall five-story spire supported by 60 columns, is far more
interesting than the interior. Archaeological excavations have revealed
five earlier cities at the site; all now submerged. Dwarka is the
site of the most important Janmashtami Festival which falls in August
September.
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 Narayan
Sarovar: (49 km from Lakhpat)
Narayan Sarovar is one of the five holy lakes of India, the other
four being: Mansarovar in Tibet, Pushkar in Rajasthan, Pampa in
South India and Bindu Sarovar in Siddhapur. It is located 2 km away
from Koteshwar on Kori Creek. This lake finds mention in the chronicles
of Alexander, the Great.
In 1550 AD, the temple priest constructed the embankments and ghats
on all three sides of the lake (320m X 300m) except on east. He
also constructed separate compartments for bathing, using carved
stone jails. The wife of Rao Desalji (1718-41 AD), Vagheli Mahakunwarba,
constructed the Laxmi Narayan Temple and Trikamrai Temple in 1734
AD to put the Narayan Sarovar at par with Dwarka. She donated several
villages for the upkeep of the temples. Other temples at Narayan
Sarovar are Adi Narayan, Govardhannath, Dwarkanath, and Lakshmiji.
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Bindu-sarowar
It is a small artificial tank, even mentioned in Rigveda and considered
pious by Hindus.
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Saraswati bank
Sidhpur is the only place in India where matru-shradh is being carried
out, thus thousands of people come here annually to perform the
rituals for their dead mothers.
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Thali Buiding
On the opposite bank of the Saraswati River, there is an architecturally
interesting building, known as Thali building, built by Ahalyabai
Holkar, queen of Indore - a famous Maratha queen - who patronized
many such building projects in all the important Hindu pilgrimage
centers of India.
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 Koteshwar:
(52 km from Lakhpat)
Koteshwar is a famous place of pilgrimage located at the farthest
tip of western India at the Kori Creek. The Chinese traveler Hiuen
Tsang (640 AD) described the town as a flourishing port, 5 miles
in circumference, at the mouth of the Sindhu river. It had 80 monasteries
and 5000 monks, out of which nothing survives today.
The present day Koteshwar is a fortified town with high wall and
gates. The inscription shows that the present fortification and
temple were renovated in 1820 AD by rich merchants - Jetha Shivji
and Sheth Sundarji. The Koteshwar temple complex is dedicated to
Shiva. The white painted high wall at the seashore, the high Shikhara
with saffron flags and series of domes make a perfect location for
a Shiva Temple. Within the temple, there are images of Hanuman,
Ganesha, Revati, Parvati and Swayambhu Shiva Linga. The Kalayaneshwar
Temple is situated close to the Koteshwar Temple at the edge of
a sacred square kund. The kund fills up during high tide. Hindus
bathe here and perform shraddh (ritual ceremony after the death
of ancestors).
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General Information on Pilgrimages in Gujarat - India
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