Home › Surendranagar › Tarnetar Trinetreshwar
TEMPLE · SHIVA · FOLK FAIRTarnetar Trinetreshwar
An ancient Shiva temple of three eyes — the Trinetreshwar Mahadev at Tarnetar, a carved sandstone shrine famed across Gujarat for its spectacular annual folk fair.
The three-eyed lord & his fair
At the village of Tarnetar in the Panchaal region stands the Trinetreshwar Mahadev temple — ‘the three-eyed lord’, a form of Shiva — a handsome carved sandstone shrine of deep antiquity, rebuilt over the centuries. Set beside a sacred kund (tank) whose waters are believed to be linked to the Ganga, the temple is revered in its own right, but it is world-famous for the Tarnetar fair held here each year in the Hindu month of Bhadarvo (around September).
For three days the fair-ground erupts into one of Gujarat’s most colourful folk gatherings — a riot of embroidered umbrellas, traditional dress, raas-garba and folk dances, music, and, by tradition, a matchmaking mela where young people of the region once sought partners.
Outside the fair, Tarnetar is a peaceful temple by its tank; during it, it is an unforgettable spectacle of living Gujarati folk culture.
Outside fair week, Tarnetar makes a fine half-day from Rajkot or Surendranagar: the temple and kund, the Panchaal’s boulder country around it, and Thangadh’s pottery town on the road. During the fair, plan properly — the crowds run to lakhs, accommodation means Thangadh or Chotila at best, and the spectacle of the embroidered umbrellas, the hudo dancing and the matrimonial promenade rewards a full day’s patience.
The temple’s own story deserves the visit as much as the fair does. Tradition ties the site to Draupadi’s swayamvar — the archery contest Arjuna won by striking the fish’s eye — and bathing in the kund on the fair days is held equal to a Ganga dip. The present sandstone temple, rebuilt in the early twentieth century on far older foundations, carries fine carving that the mela crowds rarely pause to see; on any ordinary morning you will have it alone.
The Trinetreshwar temple, Tarnetar.
The three-eyed lord, and the kund beside him
The carved shrine and its crowds.
A Shiva temple of three eyes rises at Tarnetar.
Its tank is linked by belief to the Ganga.
An annual folk mela grows world-famous.
A revered temple and a great folk gathering.
Reasons to make the time
Three-eyed Shiva
The Trinetreshwar shrine.
Carved sandstone
A handsome old temple.
Sacred kund
Waters linked to the Ganga.
Tarnetar fair
Gujarat's folk spectacle.
Folk culture
Dance, dress, umbrellas.
Matchmaking mela
A famous tradition.
What to look for inside
THE TEMPLETrinetreshwar
Carved Shiva shrine.
THE FAIRFolk mela
Colour and dance.
How to spend an hour or two
Take darshan
Take darshan of Trinetreshwar Mahadev, the three-eyed Shiva.
See the kund
See the sacred tank, its waters linked by belief to the Ganga.
Admire the carving
Study the old sandstone work of the temple.
Time the fair
Come in Bhadarvo, around September, for the great fair.
Soak the folk culture
Watch the dance, dress and music that make the mela famous.
Pair with Thangadh
Explore the Panchaal upland around the temple.
The Trinetreshwar temple.
Sandstone shrine by a kund
The Trinetreshwar Mahadev temple is a carved sandstone Shiva shrine — shikhara, mandapa and sculptured detail — rebuilt over the centuries and set beside a sacred kund whose waters are linked by tradition to the Ganga. The temple anchors the famous Tarnetar fair-ground, where each Bhadarvo the surrounding fields fill with one of Gujarat’s most vivid folk gatherings. Temple and fair together make Tarnetar a touchstone of Saurashtra’s living culture.
More places to visit across the district are gathered in our Surendranagar travel guide.
Carved sandstone Shiva temple
Three-eyed (Trinetreshwar) form
Sacred kund (tank)
Famous Tarnetar fair-ground
When to go
Cool and clear — ideal for the climb and Rann.
Green hills; the Tarnetar fair falls now.
Hot and dry — climb early in the day.
⏰ For the spectacle, visit during the Tarnetar fair (Bhadarvo, ~September); otherwise enjoy a peaceful temple by its kund.
Timings & entry
- Temple open daily for darshan
- The fair falls in Bhadarvo (Aug–Sep)
- Remove footwear; dress modestly
- Allow about an hour (more for the fair)
- No entry fee for darshan
- The fair is free and very crowded
- Be respectful at the shrine and kund
- Combine with Thangadh / Panchaal
Getting there
By Air
Rajkot airport is nearest.
By Rail
Than/Surendranagar railheads.
By Road
Near Thangadh, ~65 km from Surendranagar.
At Tarnetar
TEMPLE & FOLK
A shrine and a folk spectacle
What to shoot
The carved temple and kund.
The fair
Umbrellas, dress and dance.
Detail
Folk costume and craft.
Be discreet
Respect worship.
Know before you go
More to see close by
1Dholi Dhaja Dam
Watch herds of wild ass gallop across the Rann
2Tarnetar Fair
The fair’s iconic hand-embroidered chhatris
3Wadhwan Heritage
Surreal white salt works glittering at sunset
HERITAGESayla
An old town of saints & havelis
Ramdevpir Piplidham
Shrines of the ‘Bhagat’ saint-town
HERITAGESurendranagar-Wadhwan
The twin royal town of the district
Where to eat near Tarnetar Trinetreshwar
THALIKathiawadi Thali
Rotla, kadhi, shaak and ghee-rich fare.
GANTHIYAGanthiya & fafda
Saurashtra's fried snacks.
PRASADTemple bhojan
Free seva meals at shrines.
Veg & prasad
Veg fare; free annadan at shrines.
Tarnetar Trinetreshwar FAQ
What is the Trinetreshwar temple?
An ancient carved Shiva temple ('three-eyed lord') at Tarnetar, beside a sacred kund.
What is the Tarnetar fair?
A famous three-day Gujarati folk fair held here each Bhadarvo (around September).
What's the fair famous for?
Embroidered umbrellas, folk dress and dance, and a traditional matchmaking mela.
Is there an entry fee?
No — the temple and fair are free.
When is the fair?
In the Hindu month of Bhadarvo, around September.
Where is it?
At Tarnetar, near Thangadh in Surendranagar.
What's the kund?
A sacred tank whose waters are linked by belief to the Ganga.
What's nearby?
Thangadh and the Panchaal hills.
Related places across Gujarat
Champaner Ruins
The Champaner ruins mark the site of a once-thriving medieval city that served as a regional…
Old City Gates
◐ Bazaars & bustle
Ranchhodji Temple
A beloved Krishna shrine
Asiatic Lion
◐ Gir / Sakkarbaug
Dattatreya Temple
The first Jyotirlinga, a short drive south
Ambaji Shakti Peeth
One of India’s 51 holiest Goddess shrines
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.
Book directly on our partner sites — tap a provider to see live Gujarat hotels & prices:
SHOP THE REGION
Bring home Gujarat — & travel essentials
Hand-picked crafts and trip gear, available on Amazon.
Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026