Sidhpur

Sidhpur is a sacred place that remains largely untouched because it doesn’t attract many visitors. There are many temples, ashrams and holy shrines here. Sidhour is known after the glorious ruler of 10th century Sidhraj Jaisinh who belonged to the Solanki Dynasty. Sidhpur also has its implications in the vedas as the place where Rishi Vyasa donated his bones to God Indra.

Sidhpur is also texted as a pious place as one of the five holy lakes, the bindu sarovar lies here. This place is also considered the ‘Martu Gaya’ or ‘Matru Shraddh’ asPeople come to perform rituals for their mothers after death to give them heavenly peace. The three sarovars or kunds, Gyan Vapika, Alpa Sarovar and Bindu Sarovar at the Kapilamuni Ashram are considered pious and the right place to perform rituals. The Parshuram Temple is also situated here and it is believed that he performed his matru shradha here at Bindu sarovar.

Sidhpur also preserves its significance as the only place in India that has all five Swayambhu Lord Shiva Temples. These are crowded in the months of shravan. The town also sustains a major population of Bohra Muslims, a well-heeled Muslim community. They have contributed to the upliftment and development of Sidhpur. Their old Havelis and mansions here reflect European styles of architecture and the bohra vad is like a replica of the streets of England. The houses have intricate and rich details in wood as an attempt to imitate Victorian culture.

Festivals

The Sidhpur Camel Festival is a major event that must be attended if possible. The festival is held every year during the first month of Hindu calendar (Kartike). An extremely traditional livestock fair, the event starts from the 11th day to the 15th day or the Kartike Poornima (full moon) at the banks of the Sabarmati River. Villagers from nearby towns participate in the fair. Beautifully decorated camels and horses are put to display for buying or selling. Apart from the livestock, local handicrafts and souvenirs are also displayed for sale at the many stalls here. The major attraction during the fair is the opening of the Kartikeya Temple only for seven days.

Other Nearby Buildings and Sites

Rudra Mahalaya

Raja Sidhraj built this splendid temple devoted to Lord Shiva and called it Rudra Mahalaya in 12th century AD. The temple had a three-storeyed 'shikhara'. The marvel had 1600 pillars, 12 entrance doors, central 'mandapa' and porches on east, north and south and sanctum in west.

Bindu Sarovar

It is a small kund where holy activities and rituals for shradh (last rituals) are carried out. The place also attracts a lot of visitors for sightseeing. The Mauksha of Devhutiat Bindu Sarovar is the only place in India where Matru-shradh is accomplished in the month of Kartike of the Hindu calendar.

Siddheswar Temple

This is a Vishnu temple at the banks of River Saraswati under a pipal tree.

Bohra Havelis

The magnificent Victorian structure havelis of the Bohra traders is an architectural marvel.

Arvadeswar Temple

This temple belong to Lord Shiva and it lies at Nath sampraday. The place has been modified into a Siddhpith by Devshankarbapa. The place echoes Vedicchants by Brahmins at sun set and dawn. The highest priest at present is Shri Vikrambhai Pancholi.

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