Sidhpur

[ Rudra Mahalaya | Bohra Havelis | Bindu-sarowar | Saraswati bank | Thali Buiding ]

Rudra Mahalaya
The ancient texts describe Rudra Mahalaya as a magnificent Shiva Temple with a three- storied Shikhara, 1600 pillars, 12 entrance doors, central mandapa and porches on east, north and south and sanctum in west. Around the temple, there were 11 shrines of Rudra. The eastern gate was adorned with beautiful carved Torana, with the flight of steps leading to the Saraswati River. Ulugh Khan and Ahmed Shah of Ahmedabad ruthlessly destroyed this magnificent Shiva Temple, in the late 13th century or early 14th century.

The cells on the surrounding walls were converted into a mosque. Today it is mostly in ruin.

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Bohra Havelis
Sidhpur is a major center of the Bohra Muslims from few centuries. The Bohras are a rich and cultured community spread all over the major cities of the world. They are deeply attached to their native town of Sidhpur. They regularly visit the town for important social ceremonies. About a century ago, they built very beautiful mansions in a typical architectural style, from the wealth earned abroad. The well laid out paved streets, services lanes, mosques, perfect arrangement of row houses with profusely decorated facades using a common architectural style is a direct outcome of the collective vision of the Guilds of Bohra merchants. It will be a wonderful experience to visit Boharwad. It perfect example of urban design in the middle of chaotic Indian urbanization.

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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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