A thronged lakeside shrine
Among the most popular pilgrimage shrines around Bhavnagar is the Khodiyar Mandir at Rajpara, dedicated to Khodiyar Mata — the fierce, protective warrior-goddess of Saurashtra, traditionally depicted riding a crocodile. Set beside a lake on the Bhavnagar–Sihor road, the temple draws a constant stream of devotees and swells to enormous crowds on the goddess’s festival days, when the whole area fills with pilgrims, music and devotion.
Khodiyar is one of the most worshipped folk deities of the region, her blessing sought for protection, family welfare and prosperity, and her temples are woven deep into Saurashtra’s devotional life. The lakeside setting, the throngs of the faithful and the vivid energy of the worship make Rajpara one of the liveliest sacred spots near Bhavnagar.
A Khodiyar Mata shrine.
A lakeside shrine to the crocodile goddess
The crocodile goddess.
Khodiyar Mata is one of the most widely venerated goddesses in Saurashtra, and kuldevi to a great many families across the region.
She is shown riding a crocodile, an iconography that distinguishes her immediately from Gujarat's other forms of the goddess.
The Rajpara temple stands beside a lake on the Bhavnagar-Sihor road, and draws a steady flow of devotees all year.
On Khodiyar Jayanti and other festival days the crowds become enormous, filling the temple, the ghats and the roads around them.
Reasons to make the time
Popular shrine
One of the most heavily visited Khodiyar shrines anywhere, and a fixed stop for families across Saurashtra.
Crocodile goddess
The crocodile mount is her defining attribute, and the image is repeated throughout the temple.
Lakeside setting
The lakeside setting gives the temple ghats and open ground, which is what lets it absorb festival crowds.
Great festivals
Khodiyar Jayanti brings vast numbers, with the whole area around the temple given over to the gathering.
Folk faith
Devotion to Khodiyar runs deep in Saurashtra, and many families return here across generations.
Near Bhavnagar
It sits on the Bhavnagar-Sihor road, so it is an easy stop rather than a special journey.
What to look for inside
THE SHRINEKhodiyar Mata
The lakeside temple.
THE FAITHDevotion
Pilgrims and festivals.
THE LAKELakeside setting
Water, ghats and gathering spaces.
THE GODDESSCrocodile mount
Khodiyar's distinctive form.
FESTIVALSKhodiyar Jayanti
Khodiyar Jayanti, the goddess's festival day and the temple's largest gathering of the year.
FOLK FAITHSaurashtra devotion
Beloved across the region.
How to spend an hour or two
Take darshan
Take darshan of Khodiyar Mata, and look at how consistently the crocodile mount appears in the imagery.
See the lake
Walk down to the lake and the ghats, which give the temple its setting and its overflow space.
Feel the devotion
Come on an ordinary day if you want to see the temple rather than a crowd.
Time a festival
Time a visit to Khodiyar Jayanti for the full experience, and expect very large numbers.
Respect customs
Note the kuldevi connection — for many Saurashtra families this is an ancestral shrine, not a sight.
Pair with Sihor
Combine it with Bhavnagar, Sihor and Velavadar, all within easy reach on the same road.
A lakeside goddess temple.
A shrine by the water
The Rajpara Khodiyar temple is a popular folk shrine set beside a lake: the goddess enshrined within a mandapa and sanctum, with the water, ghats and gathering spaces that serve the great crowds of pilgrims on festival days. Its power is devotional and atmospheric rather than monumental — the lakeside setting, the colour and energy of the worship, and the deep place of Khodiyar Mata in Saurashtra’s folk faith.
Lakeside goddess shrine
Crocodile-riding deity
Festival gathering spaces
Beloved Saurashtra folk faith
When to go
Cool and clear — ideal for the visit and the lakeside setting.
Green and atmospheric; steps can be slippery.
Hot — visit very early to beat the heat.
⏰ Visit in the cooler months; expect great crowds on Khodiyar festival days, and combine it with Sihor.
Timings & entry
- Open daily for darshan
- Huge crowds on festival days
- Remove footwear; dress modestly
- Allow about an hour
- No entry fee for darshan
- Be patient in festival crowds
- Photography norms vary — ask
- Combine with Sihor nearby
Getting there
By Air
Bhavnagar airport is nearest.
By Rail
Bhavnagar and Sihor are nearby railheads.
By Road
At Rajpara on the Bhavnagar–Sihor road.
At the temple
SHRINE & LAKE
A beloved folk goddess by the water
What to shoot
The shrine and its setting.
Setting
The lakeside surrounds.
Be discreet
Respect worship and rules.
Best light
Soft morning light.
Know before you go
More to see close by
LAKEGaurishankar Lake
A serene reservoir & lakeside walks
Adishwar Temple
The principal shrine atop the holy hill
HERITAGEGohil Old City
Carved havelis & the lock-gate Bhavnagar port
Bagdana Bapa Sitaram
The revered ashram-shrine of Bajrang Das Bapa — ‘Bapa Sitaram’ — at Bagdana, a great centre…
Hastagiri Jain Tirth
A serene Jain pilgrimage nearby
MUSEUMGandhi Smriti
A museum honouring Bhavnagar’s heritage
Where to eat near Khodiyar Rajpara
THALIKathiawadi Thali
Rotla, kadhi, shaak and ghee-rich fare.
GANTHIYABhavnagari ganthiya
The city's famous soft ganthiya.
STREETFafda & jalebi
Classic Saurashtra snacks.
Pure-veg & jain
Veg fare; strict Jain food around Palitana.
Khodiyar Rajpara FAQ
What is the Rajpara Khodiyar temple?
A popular lakeside shrine of Khodiyar Mata near Bhavnagar.
Who is Khodiyar Mata?
A fierce, protective warrior-goddess of Saurashtra, shown riding a crocodile.
Where is it?
At Rajpara, on the Bhavnagar–Sihor road.
When is it busiest?
On the goddess's festival days, which draw vast crowds.
Is there an entry fee?
No, darshan is free.
Why the crocodile?
It is the goddess's traditional mount.
When should I visit?
October to March, for pleasant weather.
What's nearby?
Sihor and Bhavnagar city.
Related places across Gujarat
LAKEVada Talav
The serene lake below Champaner
WILDLIFEPurna Sanctuary
Dense forest of leopards & birds
Nagoa Beach
Palm-fringed crescent bay on Diu island.
VILLAGESGarbada Tribal Belt
Living Bhil tribal hamlets
HILLPavagadh Slopes
A volcanic outcrop wrapped in green forest
Modhera by Night
◐ The January light show
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Published 26 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026