Home › Botad › Gadhada Swaminarayan
TEMPLE · SWAMINARAYAN · GOPINATHJIGadhada Swaminarayan
The historic Swaminarayan temple of Gadhada — the Gopinathji Maharaj mandir built by Bhagwan Swaminarayan himself, a serene and deeply sacred shrine of the faith.
Built by Swaminarayan
The Gopinathji Maharaj temple at Gadhada is one of the most sacred shrines of the Swaminarayan tradition — a temple built in 1828 under the direct guidance of Bhagwan Swaminarayan himself during the years he made Gadhada his home. The shrine enshrines the deity Gopinathji (a form of Krishna), installed by Swaminarayan, and stands close to the revered Akshar Deri that marks the site of his cremation.
Carved in stone in the traditional style and steeped in the personal association of the faith’s founder, the temple is a place of intense devotion, daily aartis and constant pilgrim flow, especially during Swaminarayan festivals.
Calm, dignified and historically precious, the Gadhada mandir — together with the nearby modern BAPS complex — makes the town one of the supreme pilgrimage destinations of the Swaminarayan world.
Gopinathji Maharaj, Gadhada.
From a riverside experiment to the road to freedom
The Gadhada Swaminarayan mandir.
Swaminarayan builds the temple at Gadhada.
He installs the deity himself.
His cremation site is nearby.
A supreme Swaminarayan tirth.
Reasons to make the time
Built by Swaminarayan
A founder's own temple.
Gopinathji deity
Installed by Swaminarayan.
1828 shrine
Historically precious.
Near Akshar Deri
His cremation site.
Daily aartis
Living devotion.
Supreme tirth
Of the Swaminarayan world.
What to look for inside
Gopinathji
Installed by Swaminarayan.
Gadhada temple
Carved stone shrine.
How to spend an hour or two
Take darshan
Of Gopinathji Maharaj.
Visit Akshar Deri
The cremation memorial.
Attend an aarti
Daily worship.
Sense the history
Swaminarayan's own temple.
See the BAPS mandir
The modern complex.
Share the seva
Order and devotion.
The Gadhada mandir.
A carved-stone founder's shrine
The Gopinathji temple is a traditional carved-stone Swaminarayan mandir built in 1828 by the faith’s founder: a sanctum enshrining Gopinathji and other deities, with a sabhamandap for worship, set in the sacred precinct of Gadhada near the Akshar Deri.
Its value is both architectural and intensely personal to the faith — a shrine raised and consecrated by Bhagwan Swaminarayan himself, at the heart of the town where he lived and taught.
Built 1828 by Swaminarayan
Gopinathji deity installed by him
Carved-stone mandir
Beside the Akshar Deri
When to go
Cool and pleasant — the best season for pilgrimage.
Green; festivals fill the temple calendar.
Hot — visit for early-morning darshan.
⏰ Combine the Gopinathji temple with the Akshar Deri and the BAPS mandir; visit for an aarti in the cooler months.
Timings & entry
- Open daily with aarti times
- Free pilgrim meals (langar)
- Remove footwear; dress modestly
- Allow about an hour
- No entry fee for darshan
- Free langar for pilgrims
- Be respectful and orderly
- Combine with the Akshar Deri
Getting there
By Air
Bhavnagar and Ahmedabad airports.
By Rail
Botad/Dhola railheads, then road.
By Road
In Gadhada, ~35 km from Botad.
At the temple
FAITH & STONE
A founder's own shrine
What to shoot
The mandir (respectfully).
Detail
The Akshar Deri nearby.
Be discreet
Respect devotees; idol photos may be barred.
Best light
Soft daytime light.
Know before you go
Where to eat around the ashram
Kathiawadi Thali
Rotla, kadhi, shaak and ghee-rich fare.
Ganthiya & fafda
Saurashtra's fried snacks.
Temple bhojan
Free seva meals at the temples.
Veg & seva
Pure-veg fare; free annadan at the shrines.
Gadhada Swaminarayan FAQ
What is the Gadhada Swaminarayan temple?
The Gopinathji Maharaj mandir, built in 1828 by Bhagwan Swaminarayan himself.
Who is the deity?
Gopinathji, a form of Krishna, installed by Swaminarayan.
What is the Akshar Deri?
The revered memorial nearby marking Swaminarayan's cremation.
Why is it important?
It's a temple built and consecrated by the faith's founder, in his home town.
Is there an entry fee?
No — darshan is free, with langar for pilgrims.
Where is it?
In Gadhada, about 35 km from Botad.
Is there a modern temple too?
Yes — a grand BAPS Swaminarayan mandir complex.
When should I visit?
October to March, for an aarti.
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.
SHOP THE REGION
Bring home Gujarat — & travel essentials
Hand-picked crafts and trip gear, available on Amazon.