Religious places around Ahmedabad

Akshardham
Inspired by H. D. Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Akshardham is a miracle worked by the service and devotion of thousands of volunteers. The entire monument was built without the use of steel. Besides a 7 feet gold leafed idol of Lord Swaminarayan and his holy relics, there are three exhibitions on Indian Culture with light and sound shows, a multimedia show and an animatronics show. Games, rides and food refreshments are other attractions of Akshardham. It is 28 kilometers from Ahmedabad.

Ambaji
Situated on the Arasur hill near Mount Abu, Ambaji is one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Gujarat. It is the principal shrine of the goddess-Amba and is recognised as one of the original Shakti Pithas. It attracts pilgrims in numbers beyond comprehension and large number of devotees assemble at this temple on the occasions of four purnima fairs held every year on the full moon day of Kartik, Chaitra, Bhadrapad and Aso. In the vicinity of Ambaji are the well-known Jain temples of Kumbhariya and Gabbar, a steep hill on the peak of which are footprints of Goddess. During the holy month of Bhadrapad, devotees trek hundreds of miles on foot to reach the temple. Ambaji is located 179 kilometers from Ahmedabad .

Dakorji
The temple with a striking image of Lord Krishna is the temple of Ranchodare, belonging to the golden period of Dwarks. The temple houses a tank containing several species of turtles regularly fed by the pilgrims. Originally known as DankaPur, it is here that the Lord Shri Dwarkadhishji migrated to get away from the increasingly decadent temple priests of Dwarka. It is said that a devotee brought the image from Dwarka and installed it in Dakor. On the silvery night of the full moon in October-November, a fair is held in the temple compound attracting thousands of pilgrims. Dakorji temple is 90kms from Ahmedabad

Mahudi
A small village famous for Jinalaya of Ghantakarna Mahavir and Kotyark temple. There are thousands of people from different religions offering prayers besides Jain devotees. The temple's prasad-Sukhadi is not allowed to be taken outside the temple. It is a centre of pilgrimage for the Jains devotees and Khadayata Banias. Jain temple is dedicated to Vir Ghantakarna. Jain Muni Buddhisagarji had observed a long period of penance here and had inspired the construction of new temple. Devotees offer `sukhadi', (assorted varieties of food) which after offering, is eaten within the temple complex. Tradition forbids the carrying away of such offering. Large and clean sarai offers comfortable stay to the pilgrims. The Sun temple of Kotyark attracts the Khadayata community. The mother and child idol of this temple dates back to Gupta period. It is 78 kms from Ahmedabad.

Modhera
Modhera is famous for its Sun Temple, the best example of Solanki temple architecture in the state and one of the most magnificent monuments in Gujarat.The Sun Temple (dedicated to the Sun God) of Modhera is one of the finest examples of Indian temple architecture, built in 1026 A.D. It has spectacular carvings, fine architecture and traditional erotic sculpture. Modhera, sometimes called Mundera is situated on the banks of the River Pushpavati about 25 kms. from Mehsana The beautiful and partially ruined Sun Temple of Modhera was built by King Bhimdev I of the Solanki Rajput clan and bears some resemblance to the later, and far better known, Sun Temple of Konark in Orissa. It was designed so, that the dawn Sun shone on the image of Surya, the sun god, at the time of the equinoxes. The main hall and shrine are reached through a pillared porch and the temple exterior is intricately and delicately carved. Every inch of the edifice, both inside and outside is magnificently carved with Gods and Goddesses, birds, beasts and flowers. The temple is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. Modhera is 102 kms. from Ahmedabad

Palitana
Palitana temples are considered to be the most sacred amongst all the Jain temples. Located on Shetrunjaya hills there are 863 temples, exquisitely carved in marble. No one is allowed to sleep overnight including the priest, because the temple city has been built as an abode for the Gods. Palitana is 215 kms from Ahmedabad.

Somnath
Somnath is one of the 12 jyotirlingas of lord Shiva, offering a holy pilgrimage. The temple has imposing architecture, a 50-meter high shikara tower and a pretty Nandi. Constantly washed by the Arabian Sea, the temples of Somnath were destroyed seven times but were rebuilt each time. The majestic monument as it stands today is a replica of the earlier construction. It is 412 kms from Ahmedabad.

Dwarka
The sacred town of Dwarka one of the main centres of the krishna legend,Dwarka is thwe 6th city on this site,the earlier five having been submerged in the sea. It is one of the four dhams of Hinduism. The other dhams are Badrinath-Kedarnath, Rameshwaram, and Puri. Dwarka's mythical association with lord Krishna makes it one of the important Gujarat temples. Dwarka is 441 kms from Ahmedabad.

There are many more temples around Ahmedabad which are a replica of Vaishnodevi mata, Tirupati Balaji and Amarnath devta.