A shrine of all faiths
The EME Temple — dedicated to Dakshinamurti, a form of Lord Shiva as the universal teacher — is one of Vadodara’s most unusual shrines, built and maintained by the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) of the Indian Army. Its remarkable geodesic dome, clad in shining aluminium sheets, gives it a futuristic look quite unlike any traditional temple.
Getting there is straightforward: the cantonment lies on Vadodara’s northern side, autos and cabs know the temple by name, and the visit itself takes under an hour — long enough for the shrine, the symbols and a slow circuit of the sculpture lawns.
The sculpture garden deserves unhurried attention of its own: the pieces the corps assembled around the lawns run from early medieval deities to architectural fragments, informally displayed but genuinely old, and reading them against the space-age shrine behind is the visit’s quiet pleasure.
November to February suits the lawns and the sculpture garden best, though the shrine itself is a year-round visit.
The temple’s ideas run deeper than its novelty: Dakshinamurthy — Shiva facing south as the silent teacher of all seekers — was chosen deliberately for an army congregation drawn from every faith, and the aluminium cladding was the engineers’ own material speaking. Weekday mornings are the calm window; pair the visit with Sayaji Baug or Laxmi Vilas for a Vadodara day that runs from princely to unexpectedly modern.
The EME Temple — properly Dakshinamurthy temple, Shiva as the universal teacher — is the Indian Army’s own experiment in sacred architecture: a geodesic frame clad in aluminium sheeting, raised by the Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in the 1960s, with the symbols of six faiths worked into its scheme — the kalash for Hinduism, cross, crescent, and the marks of the Buddhist, Jain and Sikh paths. Around the lawns stand ancient sculptures the corps gathered from the region, making the grounds a small open-air museum.
It stands in the Vadodara cantonment, so entry rules follow army norms: identification may be checked, photography is restricted, and timings are fixed — ask locally before visiting. The calm inside repays the formalities.
The temple is deliberately secular in spirit: its design and symbols draw together elements of Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism, expressing a message of national and religious unity. Set in neat lawns within the cantonment, it is calm, well-kept and welcoming.
A modern landmark of faith and engineering. (A serving-army temple; carry ID, observe rules; photography may be restricted. )
The metal dome.
A geodesic dome built by army engineers
Geodesic dome.
The Army's engineer corps.
Clad in aluminium.
Symbols of six religions.
Shiva as the teacher.
Reasons to make the time
Futuristic dome
Quite unlike any temple.
All-faiths unity
Six religions' symbols.
Army-built
By the EME Corps.
Aluminium clad
Shining metal.
Neat setting
Calm cantonment lawns.
Unique design
A modern landmark.
What to look for inside
THE DOMEGeodesic
An aluminium shrine.
THE SPIRITAll faiths
A message of unity.
METALAluminium clad
Shining facets catch the light.
UNITYSix religions
Symbols drawn together as one.
SETTINGCantonment lawns
Neat, calm army grounds.
DEITYDakshinamurti
Shiva as the universal teacher.
How to spend an hour or two
See the metal dome
See a temple quite unlike any other in India.
Sense the all-faith design
Read the six religions' symbols drawn into the design.
Seek darshan
Credit the EME Corps, whose engineers built and keep it.
Observe army rules
Watch the aluminium facets catch the changing light.
Learn the symbolism
Enjoy the calm cantonment lawns around the shrine.
Enjoy the calm
Take it as Vadodara's most surprising modern landmark.
EME Temple.
A geodesic shrine
The EME Temple is a strikingly modern shrine to Dakshinamurti (Shiva), built by the Army’s EME Corps — a geodesic dome clad in shining aluminium, whose design fuses the symbols of six religions in a message of national and religious unity.
Planning more of the area? Our Vadodara guide covers the whole district.
Our overview of temples across Gujarat puts it in context.
A calm, well-kept landmark of faith and engineering. (Carry ID. )
Built by the Army EME Corps
Aluminium geodesic dome
Symbols of six religions
Dedicated to Dakshinamurti
When to go
Cool and pleasant — the ideal season.
Green and atmospheric after rain.
Hot and dry — start early.
⏰ Visit in the cooler months and combine it with Vadodara's palaces and gardens nearby.
Timings & entry
- Open in daytime hours
- Best in the cool season
- An easy Vadodara stop
- Pair with nearby sights
- Free entry; carry photo ID
- It is within a cantonment
- Observe all army rules
- Photography may be restricted
Getting there
By Air
Vadodara airport (~9 km).
By Rail
Vadodara Junction.
By Road
In/around Vadodara.
At EME Temple
METAL & UNITY
A futuristic shrine
What to shoot
The metal dome (If allowed).
Detail
Aluminium facets.
Setting
Cantonment lawns.
Best light
Dome by day.
Know before you go
More to see close by
STEPWELLNavlakhi Vav
A grand stepwell within the palace grounds
ISKCON Baroda
A serene Krishna temple & cultural hub
GALLERYBaroda Museum
Art & picture gallery in Sayaji Baug
Champaner-Pavagadh
The UNESCO-listed sultanate capital below Pavagadh hill, where an intact 15th-century city of mosques, gateways and…
MEMORIALSayaji’s Legacy
The reformer-king’s monuments across the city
ROYALMaharaja’s Golf Course
Manicured grounds within the palace estate
Where to eat near EME Temple
THALIGujarati Thali
Sweet-savoury full meals.
FARSANSev usal
Baroda's spicy snack.
STREETLilo chevdo
Famous Baroda street food.
Foodie city
Famous for sev usal, lilo chevdo & farsan.
EME Temple FAQ
What is EME Temple?
The EME Temple — dedicated to Dakshinamurti, a form of Lord Shiva as the universal teacher — is one of Vadodara's most unusual shrines, built and maintained by the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) of the Indian Army. Its remarkable geodesic dome, clad in shining aluminium sheets, gives it a futuristic look quite unlike any traditional temple.
Where is it?
EME area, Vadodara.
Is there an entry fee?
Free (Carry ID).
When should I visit?
October to March, in the cooler season.
What's nearby?
Vadodara's palaces, gardens and Champaner.
How long does it take?
About 30 minutes.
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026