Narayan Sarovar Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Bhuj Airport is the nearest, 150 km away by road, and it has regular flights to the rest of the country.

• By train

  Bhuj is the nearest station for long-distance trains. Naliya, on the Bhuj-Naliya line, is 60 km away by road.

• By road

  National Highway NH 41 links the village to Gandhidham via Naliya, and bus service between Bhuj, Naliya and the village is good.

Why devotees come here

Narayan Sarovar is a village and place of pilgrimage for Hindus on the Kori Creek in Kutch district, Gujarat. Its seven stone temples stand by a lake that is considered holy, in Lakhpat taluka.

Hindu theology counts Narayan Sarovar among five sacred lakes called Panch-Sarovar. The temples here are classified among the 108 Abhimana Kshethram of the Vaishnava tradition. The lake is considered holy by Hindus and is a popular pilgrimage destination. Legends say the Saraswati, one of India's holy rivers, once had an outlet to the sea near the present village.

In 1734, Vagheli Mahakunvar built the Lakshminarayan and Trikamray temples in the Dwarka style. Narangar built long and broad embankments around the lake pool.

Seven stone temples stand in a paved courtyard. The Trikamray temple is 72 feet long and resembles the ancient Koteshwar temple in style and shape. Koteshwar lies 4 km to the northwest. In its shrine, a black marble image of Trikamray stands on a silver throne. Below the throne, a black marble figure of Garuda, Vishnu's eagle, kneels with clasped hands.

Festivals

• April-MayChaitra fair

  A yearly fair in the Chaitra month.

• 10th to 15th of Kartik (November-December)Kartik fair

  Thousands of pilgrims come to perform funeral ceremonies on the bank of the lake.

Tips for your visit

• Accommodation facilities are available for pilgrims.
• Expect large crowds at the Kartik fair, when thousands of pilgrims come.

Questions people ask