Ajitnatha Jain temple

Taranga is a rural area in north Gujarat, India.

Understand

Taranga is a major Jain pilgrim centre due to its 11-12th century Jain temples. There are some Buddhist archaeological remains and temples of interest. It is also visited by trekking and forest enthusiasts. There are no lodging or boarding facilities in the area except for Jain pilgrims and the nearest Timba village has not much facilities either. The place is isolated and best visited by private vehicle only as there is no public or private transport.

Get in

Most state transport buses drops passenger at 1 Timba Chowkdi.  on Mehsana-Visnagar-Ambaji Highway. Shuttle Vehicles also drops passengers here. From here, Taranga Hill Road starts to reach above the hill. It is difficult to get transport to hill except on major festival days from Timba Chowkdi or railway stations. So it is best suited to have your own private vehicle.

• 1 Taranga Hill Railway Station (under construction). (updated Dec 2022)
• 2 Varetha railway station. Nearest operational railway station. (updated Dec 2022)

Get around

Private vehicle is an only feasible way to move around. Several sites of interest are located on the hillocks which need climbing steps and a bit of trekking.

See and do

• 1 Ajitanatha Jain temple. The large 12th-century Jain temple built by Chaulukya ruler Kumarapala in late Maru-Gurjara architecture style. (updated Dec 2022)
• Digambar Jain temples: The two hillocks named 2 Siddhashila.  and 3 Kotishila.  have shrines with idols of the Tirthankaras, Neminath and Mallinath dated Vikram Samvat 1292. One need to climb steps to reach there. There are 4 14 Digambara temples in the foothills. The oldest temple in foothill compound dedicated to Sambhavanatha was built in Maru-Gurjara architecture in 11th century. 
• 5 Taran-Dharan Mata shrines (About 2.5 km north of the hill). The shrines of Taran Mata and Dharan Mata is situated near a natural stream. The idol of Taran Mata is dated to 8th-9th century based on its style. (updated Dec 2022)
• 6 Buddhist Stupa remains. (Near Taran-Dharan Mata shrines). Brick structures and other archaeological remains were found near the seasonal stream. (updated Dec 2022)
• 7 Jogida ni Gufa (Taranga Buddhist caves). Buddhist sculptures and rock shelters atop the hill. Need some trekking to reach there. (updated Dec 2022)
• 8 Tapovan Digambar Jain temple (On the way to Ajitnatha temple). (updated Dec 2022)
• 9 Tirthankar Van (Tapovan botanical garden). Good for family picnic. (updated Dec 2022)
• 10 Nilkanth Vav Jal Mandir. a small square stepwell built in 1830. (updated Dec 2022)
• 11 Rock climbing at Frog Rock. Rock climbing should be performed only with help of suitable equipment and team as this is very isolated place. (updated Dec 2022)
• Fortification remains. Located in southwest of hill, this fortification remains are probably from 3rd or 4th century BCE. There are probable place of historical Anarta/Anandpura. One has to trek difficult forest to reach there. Help from experienced local trekker is must. (updated Dec 2022)

Eat

• 1 Taranga Jain Bhojanshala. (updated Dec 2022)

Sleep

• 1 Ajitnath Jain Dharmashala. For Jain pilgrims only. (updated Dec 2022)
• 2 Digambar Jain Dharmashala. For Jain pilgrims only. (updated Dec 2022)
• 3 Sambhavnath Jain Dharmashala, Near railway station. (updated Dec 2022)
• 4 Tapovan Jain Dharmashala. For Jain pilgrims only. (updated Dec 2022)

Go next

• Vadnagar
• Mehsana
• Siddhpur
• Modhera
• Patan