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TEMPLE · JAIN · GHANTAKARNAMahudi Jain Temple
A famed Jain pilgrimage near Gandhinagar — Mahudi, home of the Ghantakarna Mahavir temple, where devotees seek the protective deity and the famous sukhadi prasad.
A protective deity's shrine
Mahudi, in the north of Gandhinagar district near Vijapur, is one of Gujarat’s most popular Jain pilgrimage centres, renowned for its temple of Ghantakarna Mahavir — a protective deity (yaksha) widely revered by Jains for warding off troubles and granting wishes.
The temple, developed in the early 20th century in association with the great Jain acharya Buddhisagarsuri, draws a constant stream of devotees who come for darshan and to offer and partake of the famous sukhadi (a ghee-and-jaggery sweet) prasad, which by tradition must be eaten within the temple precincts and not carried home.
Set in a complex with other Jain shrines, Mahudi combines deep devotion with distinctive ritual, and offers visitors an authentic glimpse into living Jain pilgrimage practice. (An active Jain pilgrimage; observe customs — sukhadi prasad is eaten on site.)
The Ghantakarna Mahavir temple.
A yaksha shrine where the offering must be eaten there
The Mahudi temple complex.
Ghantakarna Mahavir is a yaksha — a protective deity rather than a Tirthankar — revered by Jains for warding off harm and answering petitions.
The temple was developed in the early twentieth century by Acharya Buddhisagarsuri, who established the shrine's present form.
The sukhadi prasad, made of ghee and jaggery, must be eaten on the premises and not carried away — a rule strictly observed.
Mahudi has since become one of the most visited Jain pilgrimage centres in Gujarat, busy on most days of the year.
Reasons to make the time
Ghantakarna Mahavir
Ghantakarna Mahavir is invoked as a protector, which is unusual — most Jain worship is directed at the Tirthankars.
Wards off troubles
Devotees come with specific petitions, and the volume of visitors reflects how seriously that is taken.
Sukhadi prasad
The ghee-and-jaggery sukhadi prasad may only be eaten on site; taking it away is prohibited.
Buddhisagarsuri
Acharya Buddhisagarsuri established the shrine in its present form in the early twentieth century.
Jain complex
Several Jain shrines stand within the complex alongside the main Ghantakarna temple.
Living pilgrimage
Worship runs continuously through the day, and the site is rarely quiet.
What to look for inside
THE TEMPLEGhantakarna Mahavir
The Ghantakarna Mahavir shrine, the protective deity Mahudi is known for.
THE COMPLEXJain shrines
The wider complex of Jain shrines around it.
How to spend an hour or two
Take darshan
Take darshan at the Ghantakarna Mahavir shrine, the centre of the pilgrimage.
Offer sukhadi
Take the sukhadi prasad, the ghee and jaggery sweet the temple is known for.
Eat it on site
Eat it on the premises. The rule against carrying it away is absolute and observed by everyone.
Learn the deity
Understand what a yaksha is — a protective deity, distinct from the Tirthankars of Jain worship.
See the complex
Visit the other Jain shrines within the complex while you are here.
Respect the customs
Observe temple rules: remove leather items and dress modestly, as at any Jain tirth.
The Mahudi shrine.
Shrine of the yaksha
Mahudi’s Ghantakarna Mahavir temple is a popular Svetambara Jain pilgrimage centre, developed in the early 20th century with the acharya Buddhisagarsuri, set in a complex of shrines.
It is famous for its protective yaksha deity and the distinctive sukhadi prasad, which by tradition is eaten within the precincts. (An active Jain pilgrimage; observe customs.)
More places to visit across the district are gathered in our Gandhinagar travel guide.
Ghantakarna Mahavir shrine
A protective yaksha deity
Sukhadi prasad (eaten on site)
Buddhisagarsuri legacy
When to go
November to February is the comfortable season in north Gujarat for a pilgrimage visit.
The monsoon greens the countryside around Vijapur and several Jain observances fall in these months.
April to June is hot and dry; arrive early in the morning before the crowds and the heat.
⏰ Offer and eat the sukhadi prasad within the temple precincts as tradition requires; dress modestly for darshan.
Timings & entry
- Open daily for darshan
- Sukhadi prasad eaten on site
- Dress modestly
- Busy on festival days
- No entry fee for darshan
- Eat prasad within precincts
- Be respectful during worship
- Remove leather items
Getting there
By Air
Ahmedabad airport (~60 km).
By Rail
Gandhinagar / Mahesana.
By Road
Near Vijapur, Gandhinagar dist.
At Mahudi
FAITH & RITUAL
A Jain pilgrimage centre
What to shoot
The temple complex (where allowed).
Detail
The sukhadi prasad.
Respect
Avoid the inner sanctum.
Best light
Soft morning light.
Know before you go
More to see close by
Vavol Shrines
Quiet local temples & stepwells
WETLANDSector Lakes
Birdy ponds dotted through the city
LANDMARKMahatma Mandir
A grand convention & exhibition complex
MUSEUMDandi Kutir
The world’s largest museum on Gandhi & salt
GARDENSarita Udyan
Riverside gardens with a deer park
QUIETSector Gardens
Leafy, walkable greens between the sectors
Where to eat near Mahudi Jain Temple
THALIGujarati Thali
Sweet-savoury full meals.
FARSANDhokla & fafda
Steamed and fried snacks.
STREETChaat & more
City street food.
Pure-veg capital
Classic Gujarati veg; Ahmedabad nearby.
Mahudi Jain Temple FAQ
What is Mahudi famous for?
Its Ghantakarna Mahavir Jain temple and the sukhadi prasad eaten on site.
Who is Ghantakarna Mahavir?
A protective deity (yaksha) revered by Jains for warding off troubles.
Why eat prasad on site?
By tradition, the sukhadi prasad must be eaten within the temple precincts.
Who developed the temple?
It is associated with the acharya Buddhisagarsuri (early 20th c.).
Is there an entry fee?
No, darshan is free.
Where is it?
At Mahudi near Vijapur, Gandhinagar district.
What customs apply?
Dress modestly, remove leather, eat prasad on site.
When should I visit?
October to March.
Related places across Gujarat
MUSEUMPrabhas Patan Museum
Sculptures from Somnath’s older temples
GALLERYBaroda Museum
Art & picture gallery in Sayaji Baug
RIVERFRONTTapi Riverfront
Calm ghats along the sacred river
FORTLakhota Lake & Palace
An island fort-museum in the middle of Ranmal Lake
Chhota Udaipur Town Temples
Old shrines of Chhota Udaipur
Rajpipla Temples
Royal-era shrines of the old capital
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026