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Oct 12, 2013

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Gadhada, Gujarat



Built by:                      Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
Primary deity:               Gopinathji Maharaj, Harikrishna Maharaj.

 INTRODUCTION
This is the holy temple located in Gadhada, Gujrat. The land for constructing this temple in Gadhada, was donated by the court of Dada Khachar in Gadhada. Dada Khachar and his family were devotees of Shri Swaminarayan. The temple was made in the courtyard of his own residence. This shrine has two stories and three domes and is adorned with carvings. The temple is placed on a high plinth in a spacious square and has an assembly hall with large dharamshalas and kitchens for ascetics and pilgrims.
Swaminarayan had installed the idols in this temple on the October 9, 1828. Gopinath and Hari krishna in the middle, Dharma and Bhakti and Vasudeva on the western side and Revti-Baldevji, Shri Krishna and Suryanarayan in the eastern temple. Besides the idols installed by Shri Swaminarayan himself, the temple is a place of many memories of Shri Swaminarayan.
On the path of the worship circuit of the inner temple, there is the idol of Ghanshyam facing northward. This prasadi temple has prasadi items of Swaminarayan displayed in a museum within the temple.
On the southern side of the temple, there is a big neem tree and the chamber of Vasudeva. Swaminarayan gives several discourses at this place. The court of Dada Khachar has been preserved in its original form. On the backside, there is the Akshar Oradi temple and Gangajalio well.
HISTORY
When evil dominated over good, when adharma ruled prominent over dharma, when "Might is Right" was the order or the day, when eat, drink and be merry had become the rule of life, when the pious people, without rhyme or reason were harassed by the impious ones and when darkness and disorder prevailed in all walks or tire - social, political and religious - in India, Lord Shri Swaminarayan manifested Himself at Chhapaiya, a small village, 20 kms North of Ayodhya in U.P., on Monday, the ninth day of bright half or Chaitra of Samvat year 1837, 2nd April, 1781 at 10 Hrs. 10 Minutes at night.
Bhagwan Swaminarayan established the Swaminarayan faith and renewed the ideals of Hinduism in 18th century India. He established a spiritual way of life and code of conduct to be followed. This is the place where Supreme God Shri Swaminarayan had lived for 29 years and did several leela. Here is the original ‘Dada Kachar Darbar’ and the ‘Limb Vriksha’ where Bhagwan Shri Hari told several ‘Vachnamrut’.

HOW TO REACH

By Air
Gadhada is located at about 70 kms away from the nearest airport, ‘Bhavnagar’.

By Rail
Nearest railway stations to Gadhada are –
1) Alampur – Approximately 16 kms away from Gadhada.
2) Ujalvav – Approximately 17 kms away from Gadhada.

By Road
Gadhada is well connected by roads to the cities of Gujarat. Regular bus service and private vehicles are available from Ahmedabad and other big cities of Gujarat. There's no rail track passing through the town. To reach Gadhada by train, you may get down at Botad or Ningala in Ahmedabad - Bhavnagar track. Connecting bus service to Gadhada is available from both these stations.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TEMPLE
The temple work was planned and executed directly under the consultation and guidance of Shri Swaminarayan. Shri Swaminarayan over viewed the construction in and also helped with the manual service in the construction of the temple, by lifting stones and mortar.

WEATHER AND TIME TO VISIT
The temperature at Gadhada varies from 10 degrees centigrade in winter to 42 degrees centigrade in summer. Rainfall is low in Gujrat. The Swaminarayan Mandir can be visited any time throughout the year.

ACCOMODATION
Shri Swaminarayan Mandir has its own Dharamshala where the pilgrims can get accommodation at very cheap rates. Besides, there are many hotels and resorts in Gujrat with a varied price range. Also, there are many hotels and resorts in Gadhada and Bhavnagar. The appropriate hotel as per our budget and stay can be selected and can be booked prior to our arrival.

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REFERENCES


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