sabarkantha himatnagar

The remains of a Buddhist monastery belonging to 3rd-4th century AD have been unearthed from Dev Ni Mori, about two km from Shamlaji. The presence of a stupa and monastery has reconfirmed that during the early centuries of Christian era, there had been a strong presence of Buddhists in Vadnagar. Excavating of the stupa brought to light an inscribed casket which contained relics of Budhha. The inscription clearly mentions that the casket contains bodily relics of Buddha.
 

Mahudi Jain Temple located in Mahudi is a famous Jain temple which is devoted to Shri Ghantakarna Mahavir. This temple is a pilgrimage temple place for the Jain devotees. Lakhs of Jain devotees visit this place and offer their prayers. The devotees offer sukhadi which is an offering is to be eaten within the premises of the temple. Traditions say that it is a taboo to carry such offering outside the temple premises. The large and clean sarai provides convenient and comfortable stay for the pilgrims. This temple is one of the old pilgrimage places which are very important amid in the Jain communities. Apart from the Jain communities, people from non Jain communities also pay homage to this temple and offer their prayers. Every year a grand havan takes place here which is attended by thousands of people.
 

The Polo Forest Camp site is located in Vijayanagar taluka of Sabarkantha districts and is near to Vanaj Forest area, Harnav River and Damsite. Presently at Polo Campsite Nature Education Camps, Wild Life Training and Seminars are organized. People who love Trekking and Hiking should definitely stay at a place like this as it gives you a raw feel that a trekker would always want. The charges to stay at this place are super awesome and will drag to visit Polo Retreat. The area is biologically rich in flora and fauna and the dense forests and river side provide an excellent opportunity to experience nature.  The area is surrounded with archeologically important Shiva Temple at Sarneshwar, Sadevant Savlings Deras, Surya Mandir, Lakhena Temple, Jain derasar, the ancient Polo Jain Nagri. Harnav River, a small perennial stream, rocks & diversified flora and fauna, dense multistoried forests have been attraction to the visitors, tourists, Research scholars, students as well as natural lovers. There are more than 450 species of medicinal plants, around 275 of birds, 30 of mammals, and 32 of reptiles. There are bears, panthers, leopards, hyenas, water fowl, raptors, passerines, and flying squirrels, all living under a canopy of diverse plants and trees. During winter, all manner of migratory birds occupy the forest; during the rainy season there are wetland birds.

The three Vishnu temples of Gujarat, Dwarka, Dakor and Shamlaji are not only the most important places of pilgrimage, but are the best Vishnu temples too. All the three are very large and are exemplary in their special images of the God, besides the architectural beauty. And among the three again, the temple at Shamlaji is considered the best for its artistic beauty in sculpture and architecture as well. While Dwarka temple has the company of the Ocean, Shamlaji temple resides with the Mountains, forests, and the beauty of the River Meshvo, flowing nearby. In addition, behind the Temple at Shamlaji we find a big Lake has formed in natural surroundings and is named Shyam Sarovar. Built due to the dam on the river Meshvo, this water body adds greatly to the already beautiful Shamlaji temple. The site of the Shamlaji temple is full of natural beauty. The Gadadhar image of the beautiful temple is very attractive. Situated as it is nearly on the borders of 'Mewad', this place has a long history too.
 

Old records available in Jain dharmagranth, says that King Samprati has established temple of Shri Shantinath Prabhu here 285 years after Bhagwan Mahaveer. The renovation work at this teerth took place by the orders of Kavikul kirit pujyapad acharyadev Shrimad Vijay Labdhisurishwarji maharaj sahib. Mela is organised on every Kartik and Chaitra poornimas. Idar village contains five Shwetambar temples and 3 Digambar temples, while a Digambar temple on the nearby hill. History of this teerth becomes very important because of it being the birthplace of many Jain Acharya's and greater Jain donors. This hill was known as Ilaprad, Iladurg and Iyadar etc in the old days. It is specified in the old dharmgranths that King Samprati has established the idol of Shri Shantinath Bhagwan 285 years after Bhagwan mahaveer. Establishment of Idol of Shri Adishwar Bhagwan by the Chalukya King is specified in the "Teerth Mala" written by Acharya Shri Jinpati Surishwarji during the kingdom of King Kumarpal.
 

Vaktapur Teerth is among the famous pilgrimage sites of the destination and is situated on the Himmatnagar Idar Highway, near the Vaktapur Village. This teerth is surrounded by a beautiful mango orchard. It has idols of Bhagwan Chintamani Parshwanath, Nakoda Bhairavji and Shri Manibhadravir. The white coloured idol of Bhagwan Chintamani Parshwanath is in the padmasana posture. Tourists can also visit the nearby Gurumandir of Mandevsuri and a small temple having an idol of Padmavati devi.