The Gujarati city of Ahmedabad is one of the most colourful and culturally active destinations in India. Dotted with ancient temples with an air of ever-present spirituality a visit here is must if it is a holiday of peace, devotion and tranquillity that you are looking for. Being the ancient land of lord Krishna, the entire landscape is dotted with places of worship and ancient temples dedicated to the god. If you are going on a holy trip of Ahmedabad then here are some of the best temples in Ahmedabad:
Akshardham Temple
This has to be one of the most popular temples in Ahmedabad and is frequented by devotees on a daily basis. Located at a comfortable distance of 25 km from Gandhi Nagar the temple is also famous for its sheer architectural brilliance which truly represents the grand designs of Gujarat. The temple can be visited anywhere between 9:30 am to 6:45 pm and you will encounter a massive turnout. It is not just a temple it is a wholesome experience complete with water and sound and light shows etc. the temple is lined with lush green gardens, wide open spaces to relax and beautiful features which only elevates the beauty of this place making it one of the most popular temples in Ahmedabad.
Modhera Sun Temple
As the name suggests Modhera is dedicated to the sun god Surya Dev and is a must visit destination for everyone visiting Ahmedabad. The temple architecture stands out and the designs are one of a kind and unlike any other temple in India. This is truly a unique work of art and is defined by the presence of 3 mandapas where the deity is now included in the protected monument. The entire site is well preserved and maintained by the archaeological survey of India or ASI and it springs to life for 3 days during the dance festival which takes place here. With intricate designs, sharp carvings and delicately created pillared walls this temple is truly bliss to see and marvel at the brilliance of the people back then.
Hutheesing Jain Temple
Best referred to as the Jain temple of Ahmedabad this place was constructed in 1848 and looks like a palatial structure from outside. Dedicated to lord Dharmanatha (15th Jain Tirthankara) the temple was originally planned by a very well-off trader in Ahmedabad Seth Hutheesing. After his death at just 49 years old his wife made sure to get the construction of the temple completed. What makes this one of the top temples in Ahmedabad is its stunning architecture which consists of a double storied building and 12 extremely ornate pillars which further beautifies this place. You will be mesmerised by the unique structures here like the Kirti Stambh which will definitely hold you by surprise.
Shree Hanumanji Temple
This holy temple is dedicated to lord hanuman and is situated in the cantonment area of Ahmedabad. The temple is more than 100 years old and holds immense relevance in the lives of devout Hindus. The temple can be visited from Tuesday to Saturday and is also considered to be one of the biggest hanuman temples in India. There are numerous legends related to the presiding deity here and the inner sanctum here is adorned with writings and names of lord ram as well as weapons that were used by hanuman ji like mace. Going there especially during the prayer or bhajan time is especially a very spiritual experience. You can even visit some other temples in its vicinity like Mahalakshmi and Mankameshwar.
Shree Jagannath Temple
Dedicated to the Hindu god Jagannath this majestic temple is situated in Ahmedabad and was established by Sadhu Sarangdasji around 450 years back. It is a popular place for witnessing the grand annual Rath Yatra which is the 2nd largest here after the Rath Yatra of Puri. The temple can be visited between 4:30 am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 9 pm every day. Located on Jamalpur road the area is believed to have been covered in thick lush greenery with several forests in its vicinity since Sabarmati river used to flow from here. Apart from Rath Yatra the place pretty much remains flocked with devotees and tourists on their Ahmedabad tour even during some of the most prominent Hindu festivals.
Devendrashwar Mahadev Temple
The temple houses an extremely holy presiding deity of goddess Durga and displays a fantastic aura of spirituality and oneness. Located in Memnagar village the temple is visited by a huge throng of visitors on a daily basis and is famed for being one of the busiest temples in Ahmedabad. the some like structure which forms the main temple structure is quiet a sight to behold especially if you happen to be there to attend the evening aarti. It is a simple and humble construction but the presence of spirituality is deeply rooted here. Although this place has not garnered a lot of attention from a lot of other devotees it still manages to attract a fair number of people to witness its ornately embellished and adorned beauty.
Vaishno Devi Temple
We all know about the Vaishno Mata Mandir in Jammu and Kashmir but don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit the Vaishno Devi Temple of Ahmedabad which holds equal relevance. The temple is a true real life replica of the j & k shrine which is made out of yellow sandstone in a circular shape and houses numerous ornate carvings and sculptures of various gods and goddesses. The main shrine is reached after covering a few walking distance on foot through the hilly terrain. The presiding deity here is that of a manifestation of goddess Durga ie. Vaishno Mata and also consists of a 1,350 sq. ft. hall with the capacity accommodate around 5,000 devotees. The trekking route is thronged with energetic devotees just like in the actual vaishno shrine which makes visiting here extremely worth it.
