A Jain tirth of the Charotar
Stambhan Parshwanath is a historic Jain pilgrimage temple in the Cambay region of Anand district, dedicated to Parshwanath — the 23rd Tirthankar of the Jain tradition. In Jain cosmology, Parshwanath is the penultimate Tirthankar, deeply venerated.
Parshwanath is the Tirthankara Jain devotion turns to most readily — recognised by the serpent hood above his image and invoked for protection — which gives tirths like this one their steady traffic of family pilgrimages rather than crowds. The temple keeps the tradition’s usual courtesies: leather left outside, modest dress, and photography only where permitted. Khambhat’s agate lanes and Jami Masjid make the natural pairing on the same trip.
The temple stands in the Gujarat Jain tradition of marble shikhara architecture — its building and decoration sustained by the Jain communities of the Cambay coast, among the great medieval merchant patrons of Gujarat.
Stambhan Parshwanath is a quiet tirth, away from the main tourist circuit, rewarding for those seeking a contemplative Jain experience in central Gujarat. (A free Jain tirth; modest dress required; photography rules apply.)
Stambhan Parshwanath Temple.
A Cambay merchant community's tirth
Stambhan Parshwanath.
Stambhan Parshwanath is a Jain tirth in the Cambay region, one of a dense cluster of Jain temples across central Gujarat.
Cambay's Jain merchants were among the great patrons of medieval Gujarat, funding temples, libraries and manuscript collections across the region.
The temple is dedicated to Parshwanath, the twenty-third Tirthankar, who precedes Mahavira and is among the most widely venerated in Jain practice.
It is an active tirth, maintained and visited by the local Jain community rather than preserved as a monument.
Reasons to make the time
Jain pilgrimage
An active tirth rather than a monument — pilgrims come here to worship, not to sightsee.
Gujarat Jain
The marble shikhara follows the classic Gujarati Jain temple form, rising in tiers above the sanctum.
Quiet
Jain temples are built for quiet, and the interior is deliberately contemplative rather than busy.
History
Cambay's Jain merchants were among the great patrons of medieval Gujarat, funding temples across the region.
Marble
The marble carving follows a tradition that runs from Dilwara through Kumbhariya to the temples of this coast.
Devotion
The Jain community of the Cambay region still maintains and uses the temple daily.
What to look for inside
THE TEMPLEStambhan Parshwanath
A Jain tirth dedicated to Parshwanath, the twenty-third Tirthankar.
THE SHIKHARAMarble tower
The marble shikhara, in the classic Gujarati Jain manner.
How to spend an hour or two
Pay respects
A Jain tirth dedicated to Parshwanath, the 23rd Tirthankar.
See the marble
Take in the Gujarat Jain marble carving and the shikhara tower.
Learn the traditions
Understand the place of Parshwanath, the 23rd Tirthankar, in Jain devotion.
Sense the history
Note the Cambay connection — this coast's Jain merchants funded much of medieval Gujarat's temple building.
Walk the compound
Observe the temple's rules: remove leather items, dress modestly and keep quiet inside the sanctum.
Observe the ritual
Combine it with Khambhat's Jami Masjid and the agate workshops, all in the same old port town.
Stambhan Parshwanath.
A Gujarat Jain marble temple
Stambhan Parshwanath is dedicated to Parshwanath, the 23rd Tirthankar, and follows the classic Gujarat Jain marble shikhara tradition. It stands in the Cambay region of Anand, one of the historic Jain merchant communities of the Indian Ocean trade world.
This belongs to a wider story: temples across Gujarat.
Dedicated to Parshwanath (23rd Tirthankar)
Gujarat Jain marble shikhara tradition
Cambay Jain merchant heritage
A quiet active tirth in the Charotar
When to go
October to March is the best season for temple visits across the Anand and Cambay region.
The monsoon greens the Charotar countryside, and several Jain observances fall in these months.
April to June is hot on this coast; visit early in the morning when the temple is quietest.
⏰ October to March is the best season for temple visits in Anand; major festivals bring additional life and colour.
Timings & entry
- Open in daytime hours
- Cool season preferred
- Morning visit best
- Festival season crowded
- Dress modestly
- Remove footwear inside
- Follow temple customs
- Photography rules vary
Getting there
By Air
Ahmedabad airport (~70 km).
By Rail
Anand Junction.
By Road
NH-48 / Anand.
Capturing the temple
SACRED SPACES
Stambhan Parshwanath Temple
What to shoot
The marble shikhara rising above the sanctum, in the classic Gujarati Jain manner.
Detail
The carved stonework, which repays a close look at the pillars and brackets.
Setting
The temple compound, kept spotless as Jain temples generally are.
Best light
Morning, when the light reaches into the compound and the temple is at its calmest.
Know before you go
More to see close by
Borsad Stepwell
A Gothic spiral in stone — the Borsad vav, a seven-storey medieval stepwell in the heart…
Khambhat Agate Workshops
A thousand years of grinding stone — the agate workshops of Khambhat, where craftsmen still use…
COASTKhambhat Gulf
Vast tidal flats alive with flamingos & waders
Khambhat Jain Cluster
A constellation of historic derasars
ESTUARYMahi Estuary
Where the Mahi river meets the gulf
1Amul Museum Tour
Trace the story of the cooperative that fed a nation
Where to eat near Stambhan Parshwanath Temple
THALIGujarati Thali
Hearty Charotar meals.
FARSANKhaman & farsan
Steamed snacks.
STREETAnand street
Street food in the city.
Milk sweets
Fresh shrikhand, basundi, doodh pak.
Stambhan Parshwanath Temple FAQ
What is Stambhan Parshwanath?
A historic Jain pilgrimage temple.
Where is it?
Stambhan, Cambay area, Anand.
Is there an entry fee?
Free.
When to visit?
October to March.
What to wear?
Modest dress; remove footwear.
How long?
30 minutes.
Related places across Gujarat
HERITAGESardar Patel Memorial
The Iron Man’s home at Karamsad
Parnera Hanuman
A hilltop temple within the old fort
PILGRIMShuklatirth
Shukleshwar Mahadev on the riverbank
PORT CITYKhambhat (Cambay)
An ancient trading port on the gulf
SACREDGopi Talav
A pond of fragrant golden gopi-chandan clay
Babo Pithoro Shrine
The Rathwa deity of the Pithora paintings
WHERE TO STAY
Find your stay in Gujarat
Compare live prices across the big booking sites and reserve in a few taps. Booking happens securely on the partner's site — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Book directly on our partner sites — tap a provider to see live Gujarat hotels & prices:
SHOP THE REGION
Bring home Gujarat — & travel essentials
Hand-picked crafts and trip gear, available on Amazon.
Published 26 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026