Adalaj

Geography

Adalaj is located at 23.17°N 72.58°E / 23.17; 72.58. It has an average elevation of 68 metres (223 ft).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Adalaj had a population of 9,774. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Adalaj has an average literacy rate of 61%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 59% of the males and 41% of females literate. 15% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Adalaj stepwell

The Adalaj Stepwell is a popular tourist attraction of the city and is situated 18 kilometres (11 mi) away from Ghandhinagar. The well was built in 1499 A.D. by Queen Rudabai. The step well or Vav, as it is called in Gujarati, is intricately carved and is several stories deep. The carvings on its walls and pillars include leaves, flowers, birds, fish, geometrical patterns, and other breathtaking ornamental designs. In the past, these step wells were frequented by travellers and caravans as stopovers along trade routes.

This vav has five stories and three gates to enter it. On entering, one is greetet by one mandap with an eight-sided dome, which is now damaged. On both sides of steps are balconies with beautiful carvings. Rows of carved elephants mark some of the levels.

Trimandir Adalaj

A gorgeous nonsectarian Trimandir inspired by Param Pujya Dadashri has taken shape at Adalaj (on Ahmedabad-Kalol Highway) on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.

The Trimandir is a magnificent two storey structure with a Gigantic Hall on the ground floor and temple on the first floor. The entire structure with the centre shikhar height of 108 feet set along with intricate carvings on pink sandstone is a sight to observe.

The main hall of the temple measures 10,000 square feet (930 m²) and the podium admeasures 20,000 square feet (1,900 m²). The centre sanctum of Trimandir houses a 13 feet (4.0 m) idol of Lord Simandhar Swami along with the idols of his shaashan dev Shree Chandrayan Yaksh dev and shaashan devi Shree Panchanguli Yakshini devi.

It also houses the idols of other Tirthankars, Shree Rushabdev Bhagwan, Shree Ajitnath Bhagwan, Shree Parshwanath Bhagwan and Shree Mahavir Bhagwan besides shaashan devis, Shree Chakeshwari Devi and Shree Padmavati Devi. The left sanctum of the Trimandir Simandhar Swami at Adalaj Trimandir hosts Shivling, Parvati Devi, Hanumanji and Ganapatiji whereas the right sanctum comprises Shree Yogeshwar Krishna Bhagwan, Tirupati Balaji Shree Shreenathji, Shree Bhadrakali Mataji and Shree Amba Mataji. The two extreme ends of the temple houses Shree Padmanabh Swami Prabhu (1st Tirthankar of the coming era) and Sant Shiromani Shree Sai Baba.

The Trimandir also houses a museum & mini-theater which gives glimpses on life/ Gnan of Param Pujya Dadashri.

Sprawling Pujya Niruma Samadi Mandir is located Adjacent to the Main Trimandir complex. This place is very serene and beautiful.

Besides Adalaj, magnificent Trimandirs also exist at Rajkot, Bhuj and Godhra. In addition, medium sized Trimandirs also exist at Chalamli, Bhadran, Vasna and various other places.

Jagannath Temple

Jagannath Temple (JCARC Campus), Gandhinagar is located close to cloverleaf junction of Adalaj, northerly to Trimandir. This is a nice temple of Lord Jagannath of Puri.

Prabha Hanumanji Mandir, Jamiyatpura, Gujarat

Popular temple of Lord Hanuman at Jamiyatpura, Adalaj is located Northwesterly to Trimandir, less than a kilometer far. The temple complex also houses a Swaminarayan Mandir.