ROHILAS IN INDIA 2014: 3 Gujarat

January 23-30, 2014

We left for Anand in Gujarat State, by the Double Decker train, from the Mumbai Central Station, at 2:20 p.m., on January 23. The 265 mile- (427 Kilometer-), 6-hour journey was quite comfortable. Kundan's cousin, Jaydeep and his wife, Neha welcomed us at the Anand train station.

Most of our time in Anand was spent in the company of Kundan's six cousins and their families, who live there. We enjoyed visiting with and being entertained them.

One day, I had the opportunity to talk to Ramakaki, one of Kundan's aunts, about her little garden. She explained to me how she uses bonsai.

Ramakaki & Bonsai

On January 26, in company of Induben, Kundan's elder sister, along with Vikram, Kundan's cousin, and Nina, his wife, we left for a two-day pilgrimage to some Hindu and Jain holy sites.

Induben

Vikram, Nina & Kundan

Mahudi was the first on our list.

Mahudi Jain Temple, Gujarat

Established by a Jain monk, in 1917, it has two shrines. The main shrine has a 22-inch idol of Padmaprabhu Swami. The other shrine is dedicated to the protector deity Ghantakarna Mahavir.

Padmaprabhu

Ghantakarna Mahavir

Devotees buy sukhadi, a flour-sugar-ghee (clarified butter) dish prepared at the temple complex, to offer to the deities. Most of it is returned to the devotee. It cannot be carried off the site, and must be consumed by the devotee and the devotee's party or given away to others present there.

Next we stopped at the Kamakshi Devi Temple Complex. All 51 Shakti Peeth temples have been reconstructed here.

Kamakshi Devi Temple, Gujarat

Kamakshi Devi Temple, Gujarat

Then we proceeded to the famous Ambaji Temple, which is visited by millions of devotees every year.

Situated 114 Miles (185 Kilometers) from Ahmedabad, Ambaji is a major Shakti Peeths of India.

Ambaji Temple Gateway, Gujarat

Ambaji Temple, Gujarat

Located 1.8 Miles (3 Kilometers) from Ambaji, the 11th Kumbhariya group of Jain temples was our next destination. These marble temples are dedicated to the five Tirathankaras of the Jain religion namely Mahavira, Parshvanath, Neminath, Shantinath, and Smbhavanath.

Kumbhariya Temple, Gujarat

Like the Dilwara temple, these temples have beautifully carved domes, walls, and pillars.

Kumbhariya Temple Interior, Gujarat

Then we proceeded to the Taranga Temple. Built of sandstone, this 12th century temple is revered by the Digamber as well as the Shvetamber Jain sects. Rishabha's 9-feet (2.75 meter) statue is the main idol there.
It has seven domes.

Taranga Temple, Gujarat

There are several bands of magnificently carved sculptures on the temple's exterior.

Taranga Temple, Gujarat

The last temple on our day's itinerary was the Shankheshwar Jain Temple. Rebuilt in the 18th century, the temple has 52 idols.

Shankheshwar Temple, Gujarat

Its presiding deity is the 23rd Tirathankara Parshvanath. His six-feet high idol shows him in the lotus position.

Shankheshwar Temple, Gujarat

Now we were ready to return to Anand. On the way we enjoyed the sunset.

Sunset

On January 31, we left by car  for Ahmedabad to board a Jet Airways flight to Delhi.