Where Divinity Dwells: 10 Spiritual Experiences You Should Not Miss In Gujarat

Few places in the world can rival India’s spiritual and religious legacy, but even fewer can boast of Gujarat’s unique heritage where a tapestry of diverse faiths flourish within its borders. From towering temples atop sacred mountains to shrines that stand guard on the hem of the Arabian Sea, this vibrant state is where faith, culture, and history hum with stories of powerful deities and saints.Whether you’re captivated by the architecture, spiritual atmosphere or colourful festivals that honour the bond between humanity and the divine, Gujarat is the place to go to experience a deeper connection within yourself and the wider world. Here are the major religious sites and festivals you must check out the next time you’re in India’s westernmost state.Dwarkadhish TempleThe coastal city of Dwarka on the western tip of the Kathiawar Peninsula has been steeped in religious mythology and significance since its very inception. According to legend, the beloved Hindu deity Krishna settled here after he defeated and killed his uncle in Mathura.Thus, even though the whole city is rich with spiritual fervour, pilgrims have eyes for just one place: the Dwarkadhish Temple. Said to have been established more than 2,500 years by a great grandson of Krishna, it is one of four holy sites that make up the Char Dhams of India.The ancient temple stands on a small hill that is accessed by over 50 steps. As visitors enter the complex, they can gaze at the intricately carved mythical characters and legends engraved on the walls before paying obeisance to the Krishna idol in the sanctum sanctorum.The best time to visit this iconic temple is between November and February, and during Janmashtami celebrations.Somnath Jyotirlinga TempleTravel south from Dwarka along the coastline and nearly 250 kilometres later you will reach a holy site that is one of 12 Jyotirlingas in the country: the Somnath Temple. The term refers to a spot where the powerful Hindu deity Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light.This honey-coloured temple is said to have been built between the early centuries of the first millennium and the ninth century CE, but its present form dates back to 1951. Situated at the confluence of the Kapila, Hiran, and Saraswati rivers, the centre of attraction here is a large, black Shiva lingam in the sanctum sanctorum.The best time to visit the Somnath Temple is in the cooler months of October to February. Visitors can also plan their travel when grand celebrations of festivals like Maha Shivratri and Kartik Purnima are held.Akashardham TempleAnother of Gujarat’s top religious heritage sites is the Akshardham Temple. In accordance with Vedic architectural principles, no steel or iron has been used anywhere in the complex. Instead, the entire structure is made out of 6,000 metric tonnes of pink sandstone.The monument is dedicated to Swaminarayan, an ascetic who is believed to have been a reincarnation of Krishna. Visitors pay obeisance to a seven-foot-tall, gold-leafed idol of the yogi, who is shown in a sitting posture and is flanked by his disciples, Swami Gunatitanand and Swami Gopalanand Swami, on either side.The best time to visit the Akshardham Temple is from October to March because of the pleasant weather. The vibrant celebrations of Diwali and Maha Shivaratri are also a good time to travel.Shatrunjaya HillOne of Jainism’s holiest pilgrimage sites, Shatrunjaya is a hill studded with nearly 900 temples built within a millennium. The site was sanctified when Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankara (supreme preacher) of Jainism, delivered his sermons on the summit.The summit, at an elevation of 2,221 metres, can be reached by climbing over 3,750 stone steps. The prominent temple of Adinatha (another name for Rishabhanatha) features a white marble image of the Tirthankara sitting in a lotus pose, with his emblem, the bull, carved below. A depiction of Adinatha's mother Marudevi, seated on an elephant, is represented in the temple's gateway.The peak time to visit Shatrunjaya is during the Kartik Purnima, which marks the end of Chaturmas, a four-month period of spiritual retreat and material self-denial that coincides with the monsoon season.Ambaji TempleOne of 51 Shakti Peeths of India—the term refers to a site honouring the mother goddess in Hinduism—the Ambaji Temple is named after the Arasuri Amba deity. Made of white marble with gold cones, the temple was originally built by the Nagar Brahmins, one of the oldest Brahmin groups from Gujarat.What makes this temple unique is that there is no idol for pilgrims to worship. The inner sanctum has a gokh (niche) in the wall on which an old-plated marble inscription of the Viso Yantra (a Vedic text on sacred geometry) has been installed. The priests of the temple have decorated the upper portion of the gokh in such a way that it looks like the idol of a goddess from a distance.The best time to visit the Ambaji Temple is undoubtedly during Navratri. On these nine nights, the Nayak and Bhojok communities perform Bhavai, a folk theatre form indigenous to the region.Kalika Mata TempleThe UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park is home to forts, mosques, monuments, tombs, arches, temples, step wells, and fortresses from the eighth to the 14th centuries. A walk here will yield incredible examples of Indo-Islamic architecture.One of these historic and stunning monuments is located at the summit of Pavagadh Hill. The revered Kalika Mata Temple has images of three Hindu goddesses: the Mahakali Mata in the centre, Kali on the right, and Bahucharamata on the left.Just like the Ambaji Temple, the best time to visit the Kalika Mata Temple is during Navratri or during the cooler months from October to February.Girnar HillThis sacred mountain in Gujarat is dotted with Jain and Hindu temples that attract pilgrims from far and wide. Girnar Hill is the site where the 22nd Tirthankara, Neminatha, attained omniscience and later nirvana (liberation) at its highest peak.The Jain temples with their mosaic-decorated domes interspersed with elaborate stupas are about two-thirds of the way up the summit, which pilgrims reach by climbing a monumental 10,000 stone steps.The Hindu temples are further upward and scattered across four peaks. These include the Temple of Amba Mata, where newlyweds worship to ensure a happy marriage, the Temple of Gorakhnath, a shrine to Dattatraya, a three-faced incarnation of Vishnu, and a Kalika shrine.The best time to visit is between November and February, when the Girnar Parikrama festival and Bhavnath Mela are held.Rath YatraThe Rath Yatra of Ahmedabad is the second-largest chariot procession in India after Puri’s Jagannath Rath Yatra. Celebrated annually on Ashadhi Bij in the month of June, the festival begins at the 400-year-old Jagannath Temple and marks the journey of deities Jagannath, Balbhadra, and Subhadra to their maternal aunt’s home.The grand procession features three ornate chariots, 15 decorated elephants, and 100 trucks with tableaux depicting Hindu mythology. Religious groups, akharas (monastic orders), and singing troupes add to the festive energy with bhajans and chants.Covering an 18-kilometre route, the yatra passes through historic locations such as Jamalpur Chakla, Khadia, Panchkuva, Kalupur, and Saraspur, where devotees offer prayers, flowers, and sweets. The procession returns to the temple around 8:30 PM, marking the end of a spiritually enriching journey that unites communities.NavratriThe Navratri festival is one of the most popular and widely celebrated Hindu festivals in India. But in Gujarat, this “nine-night festival” takes on an exuberance and extravagance rarely seen anywhere else in the country.For every night of the festival, people all across the state gather together to celebrate feminine divinity and dance the ras garba, a traditional folk dance. The focal point of every garba circle is a small shrine to the goddess, which includes a garbo (an earthenware pot) in which a betel nut, a coconut, and a silver coin are placed.The best places to witness Navratri celebrations are in Vadodara and Ahmedabad. Major celebrations also take place in the Ambaji Temple and the Kalika Mata Temple, among others.Shamlaji MeloThe Shamlaji Melo is a celebration that centres around Shamlaji town, in particular its Shamlaji Temple. Dedicated to the Hindu deity Vishnu, the fair involves taking a holy dip in the sacred waters of the Meshwo River, enjoying cultural performances, purchasing handicrafts (like silver ornaments, metalware, textiles, and garments), and savouring traditional cuisine.The Shamlaji Melo lasts for about three weeks around the month of November. The Kartik Purnima is the most important day of the fair.Dos And Don'tsDosDress modestly, covering shoulders and legsRemove shoes before entering the temple premisesGreet the deity and priests with folded handsObserve silence or speak softly inside temple groundsCarry a small offering (like flowers or prasad) if allowedDon'tsDon't click photos where it is prohibited inside the temple premisesDon't touch idols or sacred objects unless permittedDon't bring non-vegetarian food or leather items insideDon't interrupt rituals or crowd the sanctumDon't point your feet towards the deity or priestsTop 6 Famous Festivals Of Gujarat You Must Experience