1.Somnath Temple, Prabhas Patan
Lord Shiva dwells in Somnath Temple as the ‘Lord of Soma’. Soma is another name of the beloved Moon God Chandra. Temple mythology cites that Soma was restored his lost luster after bathing in the sacred waters of River Saraswati. In fact, Somnath witnesses the merger of three rivers, the visible rivers of Kapila and Hiran and the invisible yet ubiquitously venerated Saraswati. It is believed that the rhythms of waxing and waning of moon started after this particular incident. Since Lord Shiva freed Soma from this curse at this very site, a temple was to build to commemorate the holy event. Thus the history of the temple is traced back to a time eons ago.
The first of the revered twelve jyotirlingas across India, Somnath Temple’s chalukya style architecture suitably complements the majesty and grandeur one would associate with Lord Shiva’s ‘Shrine Eternal’. Visit Somnath Temple located in Prabhas Patan of Saurashtra, western Gujarat.
2.Dwarakadheesh Temple, Dwaraka
Dwaraka in Gujarat prides itself on having been the kingdom of Lord Krishna once. In fact, the city still contains remnants of this divine era in the form of its Jagat Mandir or Dwarakadheesh Temple. As the name suggests, the temple is dedicated to the Lord of Dwaraka. It is believed that the grandson of Krishna Shri Vajranabh built the temple as an exact replica of the temple that stood on the ground before the city was flooded in the ocean waters at the end of Treta Yuga. The architectural marvel of its main shrine is a picturesque 72 pillar supported monument which is over 2000-2200 years old.
Dwarakadheesh Temple is an integral part of Chardham yatra, a pilgrimage initiated by Adi Shankaracharya in the eighth century to four sacred shrines scattered in four cardinal directions of the Indian Peninsula, the rest of which are temples at Rameswaram, Puri and Badrinath. Devout believe that Krishna’s essence would remain ingrained in the region till the end of time.
3.Akshardham Temple, Gandhinagar
The temple complex of Akshardham is dedicated to Swami Narayan, an eighteenth century ascetic and yogi believed to be a form of God. The temple is noteworthy for its gigantic size and the beautifully intricate artistic pattern of its architecture. Akshardham translates as ‘the divine home of god’. This aesthetically beautiful temple complex adorns the capital city of Gujarat, Akshardham. The construction of its architectural marvel took nearly 13 years to reach its culmination and was finished in the year 1992. The Temple complex of Akshardham continues to attract hundreds of people to admire the sheer beauty and magnificence of its art and architecture imbued with timeless spiritual messages.
4.Ambaji Temple, Banaskantha
Thousands of devotees of the Holy Mother flock to the revered site of Ambaji Temple to have darshan of Ambaji. Counted amongst the Shakti Peeths in India, the temple worships neither an image nor an idol of the Goddess. In fact, the object of worship is ‘Shree Visa Yantra’. Another interesting aspect is that devotees are prohibited from seeing the Yantra with naked eye. Photography of the Yantra is banned as well. One needs to tie a bandage around one’s eyes before having darshan of Ambaji. Considered prime among the Shakti shrines across India, the Goddess of the temple is affectionately referred to as Arasuri Amba.
As is true of all Shakti Peeths, the temple alleges to have been the site at which a particular body organ of the corpse of Maa Sati fell. It is believed that the heart of the Divine Mother fell over this sacred land. In fact, Gabbar hilltop located opposite the shrine is venerated as the actual site where the divine heart fell. The temple on the Gabbar hilltop is celebrated as the original seat of the Goddess. This temple can be reached after climbing the 999 steps that lead up the Gabbar Mountain till its inner sanctum. A Diya always burns in this temple such that it faces the Shree Visa Yantra of Ambaji Temple.
One can also enjoy visiting Mansarovar, the sacred kund located quite nearby the temple. This auspicious site located behind the temple of Ambaji is said to have been the site at which Sri Krishna’s tonsure ceremony was performed. Many people choose to perform similar ceremonies marking their children’s growth years at this very site. There are two temples located upon the banks of this beautiful lake. One is dedicated to Lord Shiva, while the other venerates Ajay Devi, Ambaji’s sister.