Banaskantha: Temples, Pilgrimage Sites and Nature
Accommodation in Banaskantha
Banaskantha invites you to discover very different aspects of a trip: the Ambaji Temple and Gabbar Hill represent religious traditions, while the Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary and Dantiwada Dam offer a different focus. Historic temples, an annual fair, and the towns of Palanpur and Deesa are also among the possible points of interest. The experiences you wish to focus on may therefore also influence your choice of location for a holiday apartment.
Temples, Traditions and Pilgrimage Sites
The Ambaji Temple is one of the 51 Shakti Pithas. Its principal deity is the Shree Visa Yantra: rather than an image or statue of a deity, there is no corresponding image of the goddess there. Another distinctive feature of the temple tradition is Mohanthal. The sweet dish is offered daily as Raj Bhoj and then distributed to devotees as Prasad.
Gabbar Hill, also known as Gabbargadh, also has special religious significance and is considered the original abode of the goddess Ambaji Mata. For pilgrims, the route continues from the foot of the hill up 300 stone steps; they must then climb a narrow, dangerous path.
Another route up to a hilltop leads to Mangalya Van: the site is on Kailash Tekri, about 1.5 kilometres from the Ambaji Temple, on Khedbrahma Highway. It can be reached by steps. At the Kamakshi Mandir complex, all 51 Shakti Pithas and the centre of cosmic power have been reconstructed and installed. The religious sites therefore differ in their described features and need not be considered part of a single route.
Every year in Ambaji, the Bhadarvi Poonam Fair takes place during the Gujarati calendar month of Bhadarvo. Those interested in religious traditions can consider this recurring festival date as a reason for a trip in its own right. The Kumbhariya Jain Temple, with the historic temple of Shri Neminath Bhagvan, dates from the 13th century and adds a historical dimension to the religious experiences.
Landscape, Sanctuary and Special Places
Dantiwada Dam was built across the Banas River. It is 61 metres high and 4,832 metres long. These measurements convey the scale of the structure and make it a very different type of destination from the temples and pilgrimage sites.
The Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary covers 180.66 square kilometres of forested land with rare and endangered plant and animal species. Jessore Hill is Gujarat’s second-highest peak; the sanctuary is known for its population of sloth bears.
Nearby, Balaram Mahadev Temple is said to date back 5,000 years to the time of the Mahabharata. The temple is surrounded by lush greenery and a small river. In Palanpur, Kirti Stambh and Rajmahal are counted among the tourist attractions. Kirti Stambh is mentioned in connection with Palanpur; Rajmahal is the Nawab’s old palace and is now used for government offices.
Getting There and Choosing a Location
For rail travel, Palanpur is an important point of reference: Banaskantha is connected to Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Delhi by a broad-gauge railway line, and the district’s main railway station is in its administrative headquarters, Palanpur.
Road connections may also play a role when choosing a base. Palanpur and Deesa in Banaskantha district are connected to Delhi and Jaipur via National Highway 27. Depending on whether the rail or road connection is more important for your trip, these place names can help guide your search for a holiday apartment.
For the broader travel overview: Gujarat.
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