Visit the Famous Jain Temple at Taranga Hills in Gujarat State in India

There are many places of pilgrimage for the Jains in India, mainly in the State of Gujarat. Taranga Hills is one of such famous place of pilgrimage for the Jains. Taranga Hill is located around 35 miles away from Mehsana, which is one of the main cities of Gujarat State. The direct train is available to reach Taranga from Ahmedabad. The Taranga hill is located in the village of Timba in Kheralu taluka of Mehsana district. The best way to reach here is by hired car or taxi from Ahmedabad. It is a one day outing from Ahmedabad. Taranga is around 30 miles away from famous Ambaji temple and around 18 miles away from Vadnagar.

Taranga Hills is around 1300 feet high from the mean sea level. Rupeni River originates from these hills. The famous river Sabarmati flows in the East of these hills. The Dharoi dam is constructed on river Sabarmati, which is very near to Taranga. There is a temple of lord Ajitnath on this hill. This temple was built by King Kumarpal in the year 1124. Thus this temple is around 900 years old. The base area of this temple is around 800 square feet. The main statue of lord Ajitnath is around 15 feet high and is considered as one of the biggest statues of India. The temple is around 260 feet high and is situated in the central place on Taranga Hills. The staircase is provided to reach to the top of the statue for performing the puja as the statue is very tall.

The temple has 32 floors, however, you can only reach up to 3 to 4 floors at present as the temple is very old. The temple is made up of special type of Cager wood. This wood does not burn, when put in fire but produces water while burning. The artistic wood carvings at the temple are really superb even today after 1000 years. The climb to Taranga Hills takes around half an hour on feet. The way is little difficult and make sure that you are physically fit to undertake this climb. There is a famous Taranga Mataji temple, around one and a half miles away from the main lord Ajitnath temple. This temple is one of the holiest places of pilgrimage for all Hindus. The most sacred religious ceremonies as per Hindu mythology are performed here at the mataji temple. The surrounding area of the Taranga Hills is really beautiful with thick, lust forests. This is the best picnic spot in the vicinity of Ahmedabad.

Many people visit this holy place all through the year. However, the best time to visit this place is during the months of October to March. There are some small restaurants that serve native Indian food. Though, it is not advisable to eat here as the standards of cleanliness are very poor. You also must carry the bottled mineral water for drinking purpose with you. There is also a small dharmshala here where the pilgrims are provided simple rooms to stay at a very nominal rate. It can be a good idea to stay here for one night to experience the forest life.

However, you must be prepared to stay with bare minimum facilities. The morning and evening puja of the temple is really worth seeing as the total atmosphere becomes charged with the holy and spiritual waves and you will feel as if you are not on this earth and have moved to heaven. The construction work of some other similar temples of Jain tirthankars is going on here since many years as the flow of donations never stop. Though these temples may not be as good as famous dilwara temples of Mount Abu, they have glory of their own. The free lunch and dinner are served to all the pilgrims who come here from all over the country and abroad. Many pilgrims come to Taranga on feet from all over the Gujarat State to fulfill their heart's wishes.

There is a large population of Jains in India and most of these Jains have a dream of visiting this holy place of pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. I am sure this article shall encourage them to visit this holy place in Gujarat State in India.