Banaskantha: Pilgrimage Sites, Temples and Landscapes

In Banaskantha, religious sites around Ambaji, Jain temples, historic buildings and natural landscapes appeal to different travel interests. To help plan your visit, you can first decide whether pilgrimage sites, architecture or scenery should be your main focus. The district’s destinations include both the Ambaji Temple, one of the 51 Shakti Pithas, and the extensive Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary.

Ambaji and the Pilgrimage Sites

At the Ambaji Temple, the Shree Visa Yantra is the principal deity. There is no corresponding image of the goddess in the form of a religious image or statue there. Mohanthal is also part of the temple’s religious practice: it is offered daily as Raj Bhoj and then distributed to devotees as Prasad. The worship of the Yantra and this daily offering are two distinct aspects that shape the site.

Gabbar Hill, also known as Gabbargadh, is considered the original abode of the goddess Ambaji Mata. At the foot of the hill, 300 stone steps lead onward; pilgrims must then climb a narrow, dangerous path. The Bhadarvi Poonam fair is also held in Ambaji each year during the Gujarati calendar month of Bhadarvo. If you would like to plan your trip around the fair, check the event dates in advance.

Another religious complex is Kamakshi Mandir. All 51 Shakti Pithas and the centre of cosmic energy have been reconstructed and installed there. The theme of the 51 Shakti Pithas is therefore encountered in Banaskantha in two different ways: Ambaji is one of them, while at the Kamakshi Mandir complex they have been reconstructed together.

Temples and Historic Sites

The Kumbhariya Jain Temple is among the remnants of a group of 360 temples commissioned by Vimalsha in 1032. The historic temple of Shri Neminath Bhagvan dates to the 13th century. These two dates provide a specific context for the history of the temple site. Kirti Stambh and the Rajmahal are also among Banaskantha’s tourist attractions; Kirti Stambh is associated with Palanpur. The Rajmahal, the Nawab’s old palace, is now used for government offices.

Landscape and Nature

The Dantiwada Dam was built across the Banas River. It is 61 metres high and 4,832 metres long. In contrast, the forested landscape takes centre stage at the Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary: it covers 180.66 km² and is home to rare and endangered plant and animal species. The sanctuary is known for its sloth bear population. Jessore Hill is Gujarat’s second-highest peak.

Mangalya Van offers another kind of landscape. It is on Kailash Tekri, about 1.5 kilometres from the Ambaji Temple, along the Khedbrahma Highway. Mangalya Van can be reached via steps up Kailash Tekri. Balaram Mahadev Temple is nearby, about 12 kilometres from Palanpur. It is believed to date back 5,000 years to the time of the Mahabharata; lush greenery and a small river surround the temple.

Getting Your Bearings for the Journey

Banaskantha is connected by a broad-gauge railway line to Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Delhi. The district’s main railway station is in Palanpur, the administrative headquarters. By road, Palanpur and Deesa are connected to Delhi and Jaipur via National Highway 27. Palanpur is therefore the common point of reference for the railway and road connections mentioned; Deesa is also part of the highway route described.

When planning your trip, you can group the places mentioned according to your main interest: pilgrimage sites and temples, historic buildings, or the sanctuary’s landscape. This gives you a concrete starting point for planning your trip to Banaskantha around the places that interest you.

Discover more destinations: Kanoodar, Valsad, Amreli, Tapi, Patan, Vadodara, Kachchh, Dahod

For the broader travel overview: Gujarat.