A hill that has three peaks and is considered as the most sacred sites for the buddhist and the Jain pilgrims is the Taranga Hills. This hill is a beautiful blend of nature, spirituality and faith together in perfect portions; nothing more or nothing less. As the hills are known for its stunning Jain temples, spiritual calm and panoramic hill views, Taranga Hills is not just considered as a sacred site but also considered as a place that is deeply rejuvenating for the soul. The Taranga Hills is situated in the Mehsana District of Gujarat.
Whether you are a traveler who is a very religious person, a history buff or just a person who loves to explore places that are rich in nature, then Taranga Hills is a place that will provide all the above needs and give you an opportunity for having an unforgettable journey away from the everyday chaos of life.
🌄 The Soul of Taranga Hills – A Spiritual Powerhouse
The heart of Taranga Hills is the beat within the majestic Jain Temple which is dedicated to Lord Ajitnath. He is the second Tirthankara. This temple was built by Kumarapala who was a solanki ruler in the 12th century. When you admire the outer architecture of the temple, you will be greeted to the solanki architecture styles; who boast about the intricate marble work, the towering domes and the finely carved pillars that are the timeless devotion to the jainisms.
As soon as you enter the temple, you will feel a significant change in energy. The surrounding atmosphere of the temple becomes hushed, the air is cooler comparatively and the footsteps become instinctively quieter. As soon as you come in contact with the main idol of Lord Adinath, you will see that the idol is made out of white marble in such a beautiful way that we can see him in a meditative pose and can also see the vibes and power of peace coming from him.
However the Taranga Hills Jain Temple is more than a monument. It is a live place of worship. Till date it still attracts and draws many tourists and jain pilgrims for worship and sightseeing. Apart from tourists and jain pilgrims, the temple still attracts monks from all over India.
📍 Where Are Taranga Hills Located and how to reach Taranga Hills?
The Taranga Hills is located at a distance of 50 kms from Mehsana and 130 kms from Ahmedabad. This makes it accessible easily from these cities and also makes it a weekend getaway or a one day trip for the local Gujarat tourists.
- By Road: The Taranga Hills is accessible through all the major cities of Gujarat and the roads leading this way are smooth and well-connected.
- By Rail: The nearest railway station is the Taranga Hill Station which is 2 kms away from the main temple.
- By Air: The nearest airport to the Taranga Hills is the Ahmedabad airport (130 kms).
When you start your journey towards the Taranga hills, it is going to be scenic especially after monsoons as the nearby landscapes will become green and the small tribal settlements in the nearby localities add on to the charm of the route.
🕰️ Timings, Entry & Essentials
- Temple Timings: 6 am to 6 pm (Open all days)
- Entry Fee: There is no entry charge that is needed for making an entry inside the temple premises.
- Footwear: As basic etiquettes and mannerism, you should remove your shoes before entering the temple.
- Photography: Clicking of photographs is allowed only on the outside of the temple and it is a strict no for clicking inside the main sanctorum.
Pro Tip: It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes while coming to Taranga Hills as you might have to do a comfortable hike up the hills.
🏞️ Nature and Trekking Trails at Taranga Hills
Beyond the spiritual vibes of Taranga Hills, it doubles up the location for a peaceful destination for the nature sighters and the trekkers. As mentioned in the start of the blog, there are three hill stops which gather a very huge number of tourists for its panoramic views of the gujarat’s semi arid terrain which are interspersed with forest patches.
After having a good spiritual darshan of the Jain Temple, you will be able to see spots that are very popular for the sightings of the below mentioned names:
- Scenic valleys
- Rare medicinal plants
- Tribal hamlets
- Bird-watching spots
Imagine yourself at the hill-top and then you see the most amazing sunrise or the sunset view which teleports you to a different parallel universe as the golden light gives you the perfect moment to click sun-kissed pictures and the wind that blows along with it is the unpaid actor to your pictures and there you also hear the faint chantings of the rings of the bells.
The people who are looking for a spiritual enlighten journey over the weekends, you can go to the Taranga Hills as there are 14 jain temples that are spread across various hillocks of Taranga Hills and they are connected through pathways, steps and rough trails that help the pilgrims and tourists to go to the other temples on the hill tops.
🛕 Other Temples and Sacred Spots in Taranga Hills
While the Ajitnath Jian temple is the main tourist attraction in the vicinity at the Taranga Hills, the hills also are a collection of other temples that can be visited by the tourists on their way to the main temple.
- Dharani Mata Temple – This is a goddess temple that is dedicated to the tribal deity of the locals there and is known for the cultural syncretic vibes of the region.
- Ancient Buddhist Caves – These are recent discoveries near the hills and are believed to be the meditation spots for monks and sadhus centuries ago.
- Other Jain Derasars – If you are someone who believes in exploring the whole of the tourist attractions in one go, then you should definitely visit these mini-temples that are peaceful stopovers during the whole exploration journey of the Taranga Hills.
The beautiful splendid blend of cultures and religion on top of the Taranga Hills makes it a destination rich with spirituality and a culturally layered destination.
🏕️ Where to Stay Near Taranga Hills
There are accommodation options nearby to the Taranga Hills which are between budgeted to mid-range to luxury stays but at the cities nearby the Taranga Hills.
- Ananta Resorts and Spa: This is a resort that is located at a distance of 3 kms from the Taranga Hills and offers you comfortable and luxurious stays.
- Hotel Darshan and Guest House: This is a hotel on the Mehsana highway that provides comfortable stays to its customers at affordable prices.
- Hotel Riza: This is a hotel that provides all the modern facilities and services that are needed for a comfortable stay and at affordable prices.
For having more luxury options or accommodation options, you can choose to travel to Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar and choose a hotel there while you go for a day trip to Taranga Hills.
🍲 What to Eat – Local Vegetarian Delights
Taranga Hill is a Jain pilgrimage site, so you can expect the stalls and the bhojanshala to be serving pure jain food and snacks. However, if you want to eat the local cuisines of Gujarat, then you can travel to Mahesena and look for the below restaurants:
- Shree Khodiyar Restaurant: this is a restaurant in Mehsana which serves the best gujarati thalis and kathiyawadi cuisines.
- Celebrations Chowk: This is a restaurant serving Punjabi and Gujarati cuisines.
- Natraj Dining Hall: This is a restaurant that is best in Gujaratri thalis and dishes.
- Cascade: It is one of the top restaurants in Mahsena which attracts foreigners and serves the best of everything they have on their menu card.
There are stalls nearby the Taranga Hills which serve hot and delicious pure jain snacks along with tea. You can enjoy a little snacking here while enroute to the hilltop.
🗺️ Nearby Attractions Around Taranga Hills
Planning for a trip to Taranga Hills for a weekend getaway, then you should definitely look for the other options that will help you explore the entire region in one go.
- Vadnagar – A prachin city that is known and famous for its stepwells and buddhists sites.
- Modhera Sun Temple – Sun temple that is known for its unique architecture.
- Mehsana – A city that has amazing restaurants, hot springs and heritage sites.
- Shanku’s Water Park – You can enjoy a day here in the water park to escape the summer vibes and also visit the site with family and kids.
- Polo Forest – An eco-tourism site which is 100 kms away.
🌿 Why You Should Visit Taranga Hills
In a world which is highly obsessed with instant services and facilities and fast paced life, the Taranga Hills will invite you to a place that is different from the rest of the world. It will give you a chance to pause, feel and breathe. The place does not scream for attention, yet it leaves for a long lasting impression on every visitor.
Below are some reasons why you should visit such an offbeat place:
- It is a perfect blend of nature, culture and spirituality.
- The Taranga Hills give you the opportunity to have a peaceful trek.
- A collection of Jain Temples known for their architectural beauty.
- You can spot the rich biodiversity and also see the tribal settlement at the nearby places.
- This location is a perfect destination for a soulful and slow exploration travel.
🧘 Final Thoughts: A Journey Within
Taranga Hills is not just any other ordinary destination or a tourist spot, it is a journey to connect to your soul. A journey that takes you into Gujarat’s divine past, gives you an insight into the culture and traditions of Jainism and also into the peace and calm of nature. So whether you are watching the sunrise or sunset from the stairs of the temple, listening to the faint bell rings or mantra chants echoing through the hills or just simply taking in the silence of the surroundings; Taranga Hills will transform you for a better human being.
So the next time you think of travelling to a place that reflects on your inner self, then you should look beyond the popular famous tourist spots. Let Taranga Hills take you on a trip to know how healing, harmony and history can come in a package at the serene hill top.
🏙️Udaipur Unplugged – Lakes, Hills & Hidden Gems Await
After having a soulful trip to Taranga Hills and experiencing the extreme divine powers along with the healing you knew you never needed, you will crave for going to these kinds of places for your future travel plans. Let me Introduce you to Rajasthan’s crowning precious gem, Udaipur.
Udaipur is a city that is not hidden from anyone because of its regal past and velour of the great kings that India has seen and heard about. However, there are some places that have the exact same power like the Taranga Hills and will captivate you. Hence, to explore these places and to enjoy the regal past of the city, you will need a comfortable yet luxurious stay at a budgeted price in your contacts.
YES!! You heard it right, this luxurious yet comfortable stay is Goya Hills. Goya Hills is the best staycation villa in Udaipur you can rent. It is a villa with a pool and a private jacuzzi that gives the opportunity to have a romance with your partner and fun time with your kids and friends. The villa is equipped with all the facilities and amenities that are needed for a hassle-free stay. To know more about the villa, give us a call on + 91 9024082177.
