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Mahudi – A religious shrine not to missed in Gujarat

Mahudi is the place where you will find any Gujarati on weekend, no matter the religion or sect they follow. Mahudi is a town located in the Mansa taluka of Gandhinagar district in Gujarat. It was formerly known as Madhupuri. It hosts the famous Jain temple of Shri Ghantakarna Mahavir. It is tirth sthan for Jains and very old too. It was established by Budhisagar Suriji in 1917 CE. There is an inscription in the Brahmi script in the temple premises. The idols recovered from the ground dates back 2000 years.

Mahudi main temple
Mahudi main temple

 

Famous folklore

As per the famous folklore, Jainism was declining in the region and during that reign, Budhisagar Suriji established the Ghantakarn Mahavir deity as the protector of the Jain religion. There is one new temple built by the side of the old temple. Painted in gold this temple is a sight to behold. The centre idol is of Padmaprab which stands around 22 inches tall. The reason deity is called Ghantakarna is because it had ears like a bell ( ghanta) and Karna (ears). There is a temple right beside the main temple dedicated to the Budhisagar Suriji Maharaj who established the temple of Mahudi.

Mahudi temple
Mahudi temple

 

Important and unusual ritual

Whenever you visit Mahudi, make sure to try the Sukhadi prasad offered on the premises of the temple.  It is so mouth-watering that I am sure you might not find it anywhere else. It is offered at a minimal cost. Prasad is pious and should not be wasted. So, though offered at minimal cost, make sure to take how much you can have. Now, what is unusual about this ritual? Now, whenever we visit a certain sacred place, we think of carrying prasad back home so that it can be offered to those who did not visit along. But it is not the case with this Sukhadi prasad. There is a belief that prasad cannot go outside the premises of the temple. Many did try carrying it and no one succeeded.  Since then, it is a ritual to finish the Sukhadi prasad on the premises before you leave the place.

Market
Market

 

Temples are always sacred and since it is a temple that is widely famous, you will always find quite a several devotees whenever you visit this temple. A big Bell lies at the backside of the temple which has some steep stairs as a climb. Ringing is one you reach there is considered sacred.  So, don’t miss this opportunity. However, during this covid, the area is prohibited to maintain certain protocols.

 

How to reach Mahudi

Vijapur is the nearest railway station that lies 10 km away. Many bus services operate regularly. It stands around 67 km from Ahmedabad.

Amla
Amla

 

It is good boarding and lodging facilities if you wish to stay there. However, it can be visited in a day too. Gujarat is a place that has various religions and shrines are the part of it. Visiting this sacred shrine while you visit Gujarat is an experience on its own. A small market is set up right outside the temple wherein you can buy thing like Raksha Potli, vessels, enjoy juice, fresh vegetables and many more.

Variyali
Variyali

You can check out instagram accpit for photo gallery. Http://www.instagram.com/explore_n_bite

 

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