Hathee Singh Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport at Ahmedabad is the nearest airport, with international flights.

• By train

  The main railway station is in the Kalupur area of Ahmedabad.

• By road

  Buses stop at Gitamandir near Kalupur railway station and at Paldi, the prominent stops in the area.

Rules to know

• Dress respectfully and read the rules outside the main entrance before going in.
• Photography is restricted, so get permission from the temple trust office near the entrance first.

Why devotees come here

Hathee Singh Temple stands outside the Delhi Darwaza gate in Ahmedabad. This white marble Jain temple, built in 1848, is dedicated to Dharmanatha, the fifteenth Jain tirthankara. Its courtyard holds 52 small shrines around the main temple.

Hathee Singh Temple is an important religious centre for Shvetambara Jains. It is dedicated to Dharmanatha, the fifteenth Jain tirthankara, and his marble image is housed in the central sanctum. Legend says the estate of an extended family was turned into a temple to give artisans work during a severe famine.

The temple was built in 1848 by the Hutheesing family. Hathisinh died during the building work, and his wife, Shethani Harkunvar, completed the temple after his death.

Premchand Salat, a master craftsman, designed the temple. He blended the old temple architecture style with haveli elements, and the temple is built from white marble. The principal temple is 52.5 metres high and double-storied. It stands in an open courtyard with a colonnaded cloister, which holds 52 secondary shrines, each with an image of a deity. A 78 feet high Manastambha, a column of honour, stands in the outer courtyard. The entrance is through a gateway pavilion carved with musicians and dancers who welcome devotees.

Tips for your visit

• The entrance is up steps under the gateway pavilion.
• A 78 feet high column of honour stands in the outer courtyard, so look for it on arrival.

Questions people ask