Shamlaji is a beautiful holy pilgrimage site located in the northeastern part of the Aravalli district in Gujarat on the banks of the Meshwo river. This temple is very ancient. The pilgrimage site is situated between the hills of the Aravalli range and is surrounded by greenery. In this holy pilgrimage, there is a very beautiful and years old temple of Lord Shri Devgadadhar Shamlaji. Along with it, there are also shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Sumangala.
No history is available as to when and by whom this temple was built. But it is said that this temple is believed to have been built fifteen hundred years ago when the town came into existence i.e. in the tenth or eleventh century. At the front of this protected monument at Shamlaji is an ancient toran (Arch) with artwork and this toran is believed to be of the tenth century.
Inside the temple, the idol of the god is dark in color, hence he is also called Shamlia. There are statues of two very large elephants at the entrance in its vast courtyard. The sculptures on the temple building are very beautifully carved. The architecture of the temple is unique.
On the day of Kartik Purnima (the full moon), a very big and grand fair is held here and various animals are traded inside it. Every Purnima thousands of pilgrims come here to visit.
Dharamshala facilities are available for pilgrims. It is close to Himmatnagar and 130 km from Ahmedabad. To reach there, one can go by road through State transport bus via Ahmedabad, Himmatnagar bypass.
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Shamlaji Temple!!!
Not heard of this temple,
thanks for sharing this info.
Any special Name for the “Kartik Purnima” festival?
In the south, Ugadi - Vishu - Puthandu…
All these auspicious days are on 13th Tuesday & 14th Wednesday… (April, 2021)
I shall be trying for a post…
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Shamali is high on my bucket list @NareshDarji What a beautiful temple. especially I like the stone Jali or nets carved in stone that are in different patterns.
Is the DharmaShala open for all or confined to Jains?
The photos are nicely captured.
Do they allow everyone to take the ladder to the Shikhar?
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Thank you for sharing wonderful photos and valuable information @NareshDarji
I will arrange my time to visit this place.
Regards,
Nagavijay
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Nice info @NareshDarji I always appreciate old age building and the art they put behind it. When you have a chance to visit Detroit one day I will give you the tour of Detroit where all the arts are part of the buildings.
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Beautiful temple. Thank you for sharing @NareshDarji bhai.
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Shamlaji is a famous Vishnu temple in Gujarat. The new year of Gujaratis starts from the month of Kartik and a fair is organized here on the day of Purnima (fifteenth lunar day of Kartik month) of this month. In which millions of devotees come to see the temple. @TusharSuradkar
The carvings of the temple are very beautiful @TusharSuradkar .
Dharmashala is open to all. The temple has a total of three floors. Considering the maintenance of the temple, devotees are not allowedt to go to the shikhar as well as the upper floors.
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It’s my pleasure @Nagavijay and @abhishekpatk
I would definitely like to know more about Detroit from you @Erna_LaBeau .
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