Gujarat is home to some of the most famous temples in India. From the Somnath Jyotirlinga and Dwarkadhish Temple to centuries-old Jain shrines, the state has many important pilgrimage sites visited by devotees year-round.
If you’re planning a temple trip to Gujarat’s famous temples, here are some of the must-visit ones you should add to your list.
1. Somnath Temple, Gir Somnath
Somnath Temple is the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and among the oldest temples in Gujarat. The temple stands near the sacred Triveni Sangam, where the Kapila, Hiran, and Saraswati rivers are believed to meet. It has been rebuilt several times and remains an important pilgrimage site.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Temple Timings: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Aarti Timings: 7:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 7:00 PM
How to Reach: Well-connected by roads from Veraval, Rajkot, and Junagadh
Nearby Railway Station: Somnath Railway Station (2.5 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Somnath Bus Stand (1.7 km)
2. Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwarka
This famous Gujarat temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna, is a Char Dham pilgrimage site. The temple is believed to stand at the place where Lord Krishna ruled the ancient kingdom of Dwarka and attracts thousands of devotees every year.
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Temple Timings: 6:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Aarti Timings:
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- 6:30 AM: Mangla Aarti
- 10:30 AM – 10:45 AM: Shringar Aarti
- 7:30 PM – 7:45 PM: Sandhya Aarti
- 8:30 PM – 8:35 PM: Shayan Aarti
How to Reach: Easily accessible by road from Jamnagar, Porbandar, and Rajkot
Nearby Railway Station: Dwarka Railway Station (2.5 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Dwarka Bus Stand (1.3 km)
3. Akshardham Temple, Gandhinagar
Akshardham Temple is one of the biggest temples in Gujarat and a major cultural landmark. Built in 1992 by the Swaminarayan sect, it is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan and is known for its pink sandstone architecture, exhibitions, and cultural programmes.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Temple Timings: 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Aarti Timings: 10:00 AM and 6:30 PM
How to Reach: Well-connected by roads from Ahmedabad and other nearby places
Nearby Railway Station: Gandhinagar Capital Railway Station (7.3 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Gandhinagar Bus Stand (5.8 km)
4. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Dwarka
Nageshwar Temple is located on the Saurashtra coast of Gujarat. As one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, this famous temple in Gujarat is a must-visit for devotees of Shiva. The temple is famous for its 12-foot Shiva statue and an underground sanctum.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Temple Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Aarti Timings: Morning and evening poojas
How to Reach: Connected by national highways and local roads
Nearby Railway Station: Dwarka Railway Station (16 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Dwarka Bus Stand (18 km)
5. Sun Temple, Modhera
The Sun Temple at Modhera is believed to be one of the oldest temples in Gujarat. Built in the 11th century by King Bhima I of the Solanki dynasty, the temple is famous for its detailed carvings and the beautifully designed Surya Kund.
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Temple Timings: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
How to Reach: Well-connected by roads from Mehsana, Gandhinagar, and Ahmedabad
Nearby Railway Station: Mehsana Railway Station (29 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Modhera Bus Stand (1.4 km)
6. Ambaji Temple, Banaskantha
Ambaji Temple is one of the most important Shakti Peethas in India and a famous temple in Gujarat. It is dedicated to Goddess Amba and attracts lakhs of devotees during Bhadarvi Poonam and Navratri celebrations.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Temple Timings: 7:30 AM to 10:45 AM, 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM, and 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Aarti Timings:
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- 7:00 AM to 7:30 AM
- 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM
- 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM
How to Reach: Easily accessible by road with frequent buses from Mount Abu, Ahmedabad, and Palanpur.
Nearby Railway Station: Abu Road Railway Station (22 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Ambaji Bus Stand (1 km)
7. Chamunda Mata Temple, Chotila
Located atop Chotila Hill, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Chamunda. Devotees climb hundreds of steps to reach the shrine and seek blessings from the goddess. The goddess is also a Kuldevi (ancestral deity) of many communities in Gujarat.
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Temple Timings: 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Aarti Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:30 AM
How to Reach: Well-connected by roads from Rajkot and Ahmedabad.
Nearby Railway Station: Than Railway Station (21 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Chotila Bus Stand (1 km)
8. Bala Hanuman Temple, Jamnagar
This famous temple in Gujarat is a part of the Guinness World Records for the longest continuous chanting of the ‘Ram Dhum’ since 1964. Devotees visit the temple to pray to Lord Ram, Lord Lakshman, Ma Sita, and Lord Hanuman.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Temple Timings: 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Aarti Timings:
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- 6:00 AM: Mangala Aarti
- 7:00 PM: Sandhiya Aarti
- 9:30 PM: Shayan Aarti
How to Reach: Jamnagar is well-connected by state and national highways
Nearby Railway Station: Jamnagar Railway Station (5 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Jamnagar Bus Stand (1.6 km)
9. Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh
This Shakti Peeth temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali and remains one of the most famous temples in Gujarat. The temple is located atop Pavagadh Hill, surrounded by dense forest, and there’s a ropeway for pilgrims to reach it.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Temple Timings: 6:00 AM to 7:30 PM
Aarti Timings:
-
- 6:00 AM: Morning aarti
- 7:00 PM: Evening aarti
How to Reach: Well-connected by roads from Vadodara, Halol, and Champaner.
Nearby Railway Station: Champaner Road Railway Station (25 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Pavagadh Bus Stand (6.5 km)
10. Hutheesing Jain Temple, Ahmedabad
This elegant marble temple is sacred to several Jain families. It was built in 1848 by a wealthy merchant in honour of Lord Dharamnath, the 15th Tirthankara. Today, it remains one of Gujarat’s famous temples, showcasing the finest works of Jain architecture.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Temple Timings: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
How to Reach: Easily accessible from different parts of Ahmedabad.
Nearby Railway Station: Ahmedabad Junction (4 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Geeta Mandir Bus Stand (4 km)
11. Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Ahmedabad
This was the first temple of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. The temple is made of marble and sandstone and remains famous for its colourful wooden carvings and spiritual significance for Swaminarayan devotees.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Temple Timings: 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM
Aarti Timings:
-
- 6:00 AM: Mangla Arti
- 7:30 AM: Shangar Arti
- 11:15 AM: Rajbhog Arti
- 7:00 PM: Sandhya Arti
- 8:00 PM: Shayan Arti
How to Reach: Well-connected by roads from central Ahmedabad.
Nearby Railway Station: Ahmedabad Junction (2 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Geeta Mandir Bus Stand (3 km)
12. Rukmini Devi Temple, Dwarka
This famous temple in Gujarat is dedicated to Rukmini, the consort of Lord Krishna. Built around the 12th century, it is also considered one of the oldest temples in Gujarat. According to legend, the temple stands at the place where Krishna and Rukmini are believed to have married.
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Temple Timings: 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
How to Reach: Reachable by road with multiple local bus options
Nearby Railway Station: Dwarka Railway Station (3.3 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Dwarka Bus Stand (2.5 km)
13. Koteshwar Mahadev Temple, Kutch
Koteshwar Mahadev Temple is located on the westernmost tip of Kutch. According to local legend, Ravana accidentally dropped a sacred Shiva lingam here while carrying it from Mount Kailash, making the site an important place of worship for Shiva devotees.
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Temple Timings: 5:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Aarti Timings: 6:00 AM and 7:15 PM
How to Reach: Well-connected by public buses from Bhuj and Narayan Sarovar
Nearby Railway Station: Bhuj Railway Station (160 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Narayan Sarovar Bus Stand (2.1 km)
14. Bhalka Tirth Temple, Somnath
The Bhalka Tirth temple is one of Gujarat’s famous temples for Krishna devotees. According to legend, a hunter accidentally struck Lord Krishna with an arrow here, leading to the earthly demise of the Lord. That’s why the temple has a unique idol of Lord Krishna in a reclining position.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Temple Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
How to Reach: Easily reachable by road from Somnath and Veraval by bus
Nearby Railway Station: Somnath Railway Station (4.3 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Veraval Bus Stand (3.1 km)
15. Bhadreshwar Jain Temple, Kutch
This temple is often said to be the oldest Jain temple in Gujarat, built over 2,000 years ago. It is dedicated to Lord Parshvanatha (the 23rd Tirthankara) and has been rebuilt several times after earthquakes.
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Temple Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
How to Reach: Well-connected by roads from Bhuj, Anjar, and Gandhidham
Nearby Railway Station: Gandhidham Junction Railway Station (34 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Bhadreshwar Bus Stand (27 km)
Things to Know When Visiting Temples in Gujarat
If you’re planning to visit Gujarat’s famous temples, remember to follow local customs and temple rules for a smooth and respectful experience. Here’s everything you need to remember before planning your pilgrimage trip to Gujarat temples:
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| Remember to remove your shoes before entering the temples in Gujarat. | Don’t litter around the temples or disturb fellow devotees. |
| Check the pooja and temple timings carefully if you’re planning to visit around festivals. | Don’t take photos inside the temple if prohibited. |
| Carry water while travelling between temples, especially in summer. | Avoid speaking loudly during aartis and prayers. |
| Wear traditional, modest clothing when visiting temples. | Don’t wear shorts or sleeveless clothes. |
FAQs
- What are the must-visit temples in Gujarat?
Some of the must-visit temples in Gujarat include the Somnath Temple, Akshardham Temple, Dwarkadish Temple, and Ambaji Temple.
- Where is the Somnath Temple located?
Gujarat’s famous Somnath Temple is located in the town of Prabhas Patan, near Veraval, in the Gir Somnath district.
- Which is the oldest temple in Gujarat?
The Gop Temple is believed to be the oldest surviving temple in Gujarat. The Dwarkadish and Somnath Temples are among the oldest temples in Gujarat, according to mythology.
- Which is the biggest temple in Gujarat?
The Akshardham Temple is the biggest temple in Gujarat, spanning across 23 acres.
- What are the must-visit Shiva temples in Gujarat?
Some of the must-visit Shiva temples include the Jyotirlinga temples like Somnath Temple and Nageshwar Temple. Koteshwar Mahadev Temple and Bhavnath Temple are some other places to visit in Gujarat for Shiv devotees.
