Shiva in the woods
Barumal, or Barumal Tirth, near Dharampur in the forested hills of eastern Valsad, is a revered and ancient Shiva temple set in a beautiful natural setting of woods and a river. Dedicated to Lord Shiva (as Barumal Shankar), the temple draws pilgrims especially during Shravan and Mahashivratri, when devotees come to worship amid the green, watered surroundings.
The temple’s age, its sacred kund and river setting, and its tranquil forest location make it one of the spiritual highlights of the Dharampur-Valsad hill country, blending Shaivite devotion with the natural beauty of the Sahyadri foothills. Faith amid the forest. (A Shiva temple; modest dress.)
A forest lingam that fills up in Shravan
Forest & river.
Barumal Tirth is an old Shiva shrine in the wooded hills east of Dharampur, known locally as Barumal Shankar and long visited by the villages of this tribal upland.
The temple sits beside a river with a sacred kund, and the water is as much part of the site's standing as the shrine itself.
Shravan, the monsoon month sacred to Shiva, is the busiest period — the surrounding hills are at their greenest and the temple fills every Monday of the month.
It draws from across the Dharampur-Valsad hill country, a belt of Warli, Dhodia and Kunbi villages in the Sahyadri foothills.
Reasons to make the time
Ancient Shiva shrine
One of the more revered Shiva shrines of south Gujarat's hill country, with a following well beyond its immediate villages.
Forest setting
Woods on the slopes and a river below — the setting does much of the work here, and is why people linger.
Sacred kund
The sacred kund beside the temple is used for ritual bathing before darshan.
Shravan crowds
Shravan Mondays and Mahashivratri bring the largest crowds by a wide margin; the rest of the year it is very quiet.
Hill country
This is the Sahyadri foothill belt, greener and hillier than almost anywhere else in Gujarat.
Serene
Outside festival days you may have the place largely to yourself, with only the river for noise.
What to look for inside
Barumal
The Shiva shrine and its lingam, the focus of worship and of the Shravan pilgrimage.
Forest & river
A quiet forest setting by the water, at its best just after the monsoon.
How to spend an hour or two
Seek darshan
Take darshan at the Shiva shrine, and note the lingam that gives the tirth its name.
Come in Shravan
Come on a Monday in Shravan if you want the temple at full strength — it is the most auspicious day of the most auspicious month for Shiva.
Sense the forest
Walk down to the river and the kund below the temple, where pilgrims bathe before going up.
See the river
Give the setting time. The forest and water are as much the reason people come here as the shrine.
Attend Shivratri
Mahashivratri is the other peak — an all-night vigil with continuous worship through the small hours.
Enjoy the calm
Visit outside festival days for the quiet version, and pair it with Wilson Hills and the Dharampur museum.
A forest Shiva temple
Barumal Tirth near Dharampur is an ancient Shiva temple set amid woods and a river in the forested hills of eastern Valsad — busiest in Shravan and at Mahashivratri, its sacred kund and tranquil Sahyadri-foothill setting blending devotion with natural beauty. Faith amid the forest.
For everything else the district holds, see our Valsad travel guide.
More of the same kind is gathered in temples across Gujarat.
An ancient Shiva temple
A forest & river setting
A sacred kund
Busy in Shravan & Shivratri
When to go
Cool and pleasant.
Green and atmospheric.
Hot; mango season.
⏰ Visit at aarti time in the cool season; pair the temples with Tithal beach and the hills.
Timings & entry
- Open at worship hours
- Morning & evening aarti
- Best in the cool season
- Pair with the coast
- Free entry
- Modest dress; remove footwear
- Respect worshippers
- Photography may vary
Getting there
By Air
Surat airport (~90 km).
By Rail
Valsad / Vapi Junction.
By Road
Valsad / Vapi.
At Barumal Shiva Temple
FAITH & FOREST
A forest Shiva shrine
What to shoot
The shrine framed by trees, best when the low sun reaches under the canopy.
Setting
Forest and river together, greenest from August through October.
Moment
Aarti at the shrine — shoot from the back of the crowd and keep it discreet.
Best light
Early morning, when mist often lies along the river below the temple.
Know before you go
More to see close by
SACREDUdvada Atash Behram
India’s oldest Zoroastrian holy fire
HILLSWilson Hills
Misty Ghat plateau above Dharampur
FORESTDharampur
Green tribal hinterland & ashrams
FORTParnera Hill & Fort
A hilltop fort with sweeping views
MUSEUMLady Wilson Museum
Tribal art & relics in Dharampur
BEACHTithal Beach
Gujarat’s famous black-sand seafront
Where to eat near Barumal Shiva Temple
Gujarati Thali
South-Gujarat meals.
Dhokla & farsan
Steamed snacks.
Coastal snacks
By the beach.
Mango city
Famous Alphonso (Hafus) mango, chikoo & Parsi fare.
Barumal Shiva Temple FAQ
What is Barumal Shiva Temple?
Barumal, or Barumal Tirth, near Dharampur in the forested hills of eastern Valsad, is a revered and ancient Shiva temple set in a beautiful natural setting of woods and a river. Dedicated to Lord Shiva (as Barumal Shankar), the temple draws pilgrims especially during Shravan and Mahashivratri, when devotees come to worship amid the green, watered surroundings.
Where is it?
near Dharampur, Valsad.
Is there an entry fee?
Free.
When should I visit?
October to March; at aarti time.
What's nearby?
Tithal, Udvada, Wilson Hills and Parnera.
How long does it take?
About an hour.
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026