Shamlaji is a major Hindu pilgrimage center in Aravalli
district of Gujarat, India. The Shamlaji temple is dedicated to Vishnu or
Krishna is built probably in 11th century in Chaulukya style and renovated at
least 500 years ago. Shamlaji temple is one the best three Vishnu temples of
Gujarat along with Dwaraka and Dakor.
Shamlaji (130 kms from Ahmedabad) for Lord Vishnu Devotees
is one of the hundred and fifty four most important places of pilgrimage in
India. Shamlaji is a standalone ex-Ahmedabad pilgrimage and can be combined
well with Nathdwara (170 kms), a Lord Krishna pilgrimage. A number of devotees
gather during the month of November to be a part of this great cultural
spectacle called Shamlaji Fair that lasts for about three weeks. The temple of
Shamlaji is situated on the bank of river Meshwo and is dedicated to Lord
Vishnu. Sakshi Gopal or Gadadhar is a black representation of Lord Vishnu,
worshiped in this shrine. The river Meshwo is seen splashing water and waving
through the valley just below the temple. During the fair and otherwise the
waters of the river Meshwo is considered very holy as numbers of devotees take
a dip whenever they come here.
Bal Gopal is a black representation of Vishnu worshiped at
the Shamlaji Temple. This is one of the rare temples of Lord Krishna in which
cow idols are also worshiped depicting his childhood as a cowherd. For the
Vaishnav's Shamlaji is one of the hundred and fifty four most important places
of pilgrimage in India.
Shamlaji temple is always been place of choice for
archaeologist and art lovers for its artistic beauty in architecture and
sculptures. Generously carved sculptures are of the real beauty. Gods,
goddesses, humans, animals, flowers, nature.. a pleasant art work presents the
pictures of beliefs and lifestyle of those timelines. Ramayana, Mahabharata and
various stories from Puranas are depicted on the walls.
History of creation of this temple.
Lord Brahma once went on a journey to find out the best
tirtha (sacred site) on the earth. After seeing and visiting a number of
places, he came to Shamlaji, which he liked the most and performed penance
there for a thousand years. Lord Shiva, pleased with him, asked him to perform
a yajna (ritual). At the beginning of the yajna, Lord Vishnu manifested himself
in the form of Shamlaji, and was enshrined at this place.
Shamlaji Fair
The Shamlaji Fair is held at Shamlaji in the district of
Sabarkantha every year. The fair is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the
month of November every year and lasts for more than two weeks. This fair is
dedicated to Lord Shamlaji and it is an important festival for the tribal
people. The Bhil community has tremendous faith in the powers of Shamlaji who
they lovingly refer to as Kaliyo Dev. During the fair, the devotees worship the
deity in Shamlaji temple. They take holy
bath in the river Meshwo that is
situated near Shamlaji temple. 
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