Brief about Shamlaji Temple, Shamalaji, Gujarat
Shamlaji Temple is located on the bank of the Meshwa River within the natural beauty of groves in Arvalli District, Gujarat. Its ancient name is Harishvachandra Puri. It is very famous across devotee of Lord Shree Krishna and Lord Vishnu due to ancient Shamalaji Temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shree Vishnu and Sakshi Gopal or Gagadhar the black representation of Lord Shree Vishnu worshipped here. For the devotee of Lord Shree Krishna, this is the one of the 154 key pilgrimages across India. Shamlaji is second name of Lord Shree Krishna. Shamalaji Temple is one of the rare temples of Lord Shree Krishna where childhood of Krishna as cowherd and idol of cow are worshipped here in temple. White flag is unfurl here at temple so known as Dholi Dhajavala.
Architecture of Shamlaji Temple, Shamlaji, Gujarat
The exact time of construction of this temple is not discovered yet but as per the tale this divine shrine is existed from at least 500 years. Shamlaji Temple is two stored building supported on row of pillars and built with white sandstone and bricks. The outer wall of temple is carved with Ramayana and Mahabharata events. This temple is about 320 feet high and having beautiful idol of Lord Shree Krishna, Vasudev and Gadadhar along with two large statues of elephants at the entrance of temple.
There are open square on all four side of Temple and it is raised on high plinth. Devotee can observe four level of belts, first layers is lion’ layers decorated with lion’s mouth, second is elephant layer, in other incident of Mahabharata and Ramayana are mentioned, public life of Gujarat and Mewar-Rajasthan are also curved beautifully.
In surrounding of Shamlaji and Dev ni Mori, many idols are found which may backed to 6th century or may older than this. These idols including the Lord Shiva, Vishwa Roop, Lord Vishnu, Lord Ram, Lord Ganesh, Ma Devi Parvati etc.
Interesting tales and history behind the Shamlaji Mandir
One myth is related to Lord Brahma, once Lord Brahma was in search of most sacred place on earth and found Shamlaji. Lord Brahma performs penance for 1000 years, Lord Shiva pleased with penance and asked to perform Yagya here and thus Lord Shree Vishnu manifest in form of Shamlaji here.
Another tale is related to God Vishwakarma, god of architecture, he constructed temple in one night here and could not take it with and had to leave here
Another tale is that Adivasi found the idol of Lord Vishnu during the plough land and had faith in Lord. From this, one vaishnav constructed temple and installed idol here which was renovate many times then after.
For long years Jain community maintains the Shamlaji Temple. Then the Idar state rulers hand over Shamalaji temple to Madhuri Rao Saheb along with other villages Devdar, Napada, Khalsa, Sunsar, Revdar, and Modhari.
In this temple there is the ancient and quadrangular idol of Vishnu. It is said that Idol establishment done by king Harishchandra.
Best Time to Visit Shamlaji Mandir and Shamlaji Melo - fair or Shamlaji Medo
Shamalaji temple is one of the most favorite pilgrimages of Gujarat especially for devotee of Lord Shree Vishnu and Shree Krishna. Various festivals like Tulsi Vivah, Diwali, Vasant Panchami, Holi, Ram Navami, Akha Treej, Rathyatra, Hidola Darshan, Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, Dashehara, Sharad Purnima are celebrated with great joy and devotion. Festival of lights is celebrated here every year on the full-moon night of the month of Kartika. Full moon days are best time and thousands of pilgrims visit this place and thus feeling of fair every full moon day. Full-moon day on the months of Maha and shravan, big fair is arranged in Shamlaji and the fully-moon day fair of the month of Kartika is grand one also known as Shamlaji no Medo or Shamlaji no Melo. Thousands of devotees visit Shamlaji temple to get blessing from lord Shamlaji.
Facilities at Shamlaji Temple, Shamlaji, Gujarat
Shamlaji is one of the most sacred pilgrimage place in Gujarat, thus thousands of devotee across the nation visit here throughout the year. So lots of Dharmshala, Hotels, Guest house and restaurant are available for stay and food.
