Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, Bhuj - Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

About Shree Swaminarayan Mandir

At a distance of 4 Km from Bhuj Railway Station, Shree Swaminarayan Mandir is a Hindu temple located in the heart of Bhuj city, Gujarat. Situated near Kutch Museum, the temple is dedicated to Nar Narayan and Swaminarayan. It is one of the famous temples of Shree Swaminarayan and among the famous places to visit in Bhuj.

History of Shree Swaminarayan Mandir

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir was constructed by Swaminarayan, the founder of the Swaminarayan Sampraday in 1822. This mandir comes under the Nar Narayan Dev Gadi. The earthquake in 2001 destroyed much of the city of Bhuj, including the side of the temple facing north which was built by Lord Shree Swaminarayan. Miraculously the divine idols remained as they were, without any damage. Later, in 2010 a new temple was constructed quite close to the old temple where all the divine idols were moved. The temple is one of the most expensive temples in Gujarat. Around 600 sculptors worked with the devotees for over 7 years to complete this project.

Architecture of Shree Swaminarayan Mandir

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir is an architectural masterpiece built entirely of marble, giving it a pristine and elegant look. Spread across 5 acres of land, the shimmering structure has 7 shikharas, a central dome, 25 smaller domes, and 258 carved pillars made of pure marble. The sanctum sanctorum houses the idols of Nar Narayan and Swaminarayan. Apart from the main deities, the temple also houses the idols of Radha Krishna, Ghanshyam, Sukh Shaiya, and many other deities. One can also see numerous carvings on the pillars and ceilings of this temple. It also boasts of a wonderful 3D film that depicts the life of Lord Shree Swaminarayan.

Festivals of Shree Swaminarayan Mandir

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Bhuj celebrates a variety of Hindu festivals. Diwali, and Fuldol Utsav, also known as NarNarayan Dev Jayanti are celebrated with great enthusiasm, drawing a large crowd to the temple. Other festivals celebrated include Annakut, Hindola, Janmashtami, Holi, Radhastami, and many others.

Dress Code & Other Restrictions of Shree Swaminarayan Mandir

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Bhuj enforces a strict dress code, recommending that visitors wear modest clothing that adequately covers the upper arms and legs as a sign of respect. Men are encouraged to wear a dhoti or pajama paired with an upper garment, or alternatively, formal trousers and shirts. Women may opt for a saree, half saree, or chudidhars. It is advisable to refrain from wearing contemporary attire such as mini-skirts, torn jeans, shorts, and sleeveless tops while visiting the temple.

Non-Hindus are allowed to enter the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Bhuj. The temple is a significant shrine for followers of the Swaminarayan faith and also attracts visitors to admire its architecture.

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Timings

Monday: 5:45 AM - 11:20 PM & 3:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Tuesday: 5:45 AM - 11:20 PM & 3:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Wednesday: 5:45 AM - 11:20 PM & 3:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Thursday: 5:45 AM - 11:20 PM & 3:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Friday: 5:45 AM - 11:20 PM & 3:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Saturday: 5:45 AM - 11:20 PM & 3:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Sunday: 5:45 AM - 11:20 PM & 3:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Entry Fee

Entry is Free

Best Time to Visit Shree Swaminarayan Mandir

The best time to visit Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Bhuj is between October and March, with the peak period occurring from November to February. It is advisable to steer clear of the summer months due to the intense heat and high temperatures, as well as the monsoon season, which frequently results in heavy rainfall.

How to Reach Shree Swaminarayan Mandir

About 3 Km from Bhuj, Rudramata Airport is the nearest airport and is well connected by flights with Mumbai while Ahmedabad Airport is the nearest international airport which is about 354 Km from Bhuj. Bhuj Railway station is well connected by trains with Palanpur, Pune, Dadar, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Shalimar, and Mumbai. Bhuj is well connected with buses from Mumbai, Dwarka, Ahmedabad, Mount Abu, Surat, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Porbandar, Amreli, and Mandvi. Travelers can reach Shree Swaminarayan Mandir by taking a bus or hiring cab or auto-rickshaw from all parts of the city.