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TEMPLE · HOT SPRINGSTulsishyam
A serene temple of Lord Tulsishyam (Krishna) deep in the Gir forest, set beside natural hot springs — a tranquil pilgrimage wrapped in legend and wilderness.
A hot-spring shrine in the wild
Hidden deep within the Gir forest, near Una, lies Tulsishyam — a peaceful temple complex dedicated to Lord Tulsishyam, a form of Krishna, set beside a cluster of natural hot springs. The springs, of varying temperatures, are believed to carry healing properties, and pilgrims bathe in them before darshan; the main temple is held by tradition to be around three thousand years old.
Winter is the season in every sense: the forest is open and green-gold, the hot baths earn their point in the cool air, and the drive from Una or Dhari runs at its safest and most scenic. Pair Tulsishyam with the eastern Gir circuit — Ambardi’s safari park and the Shetrunji country — or drop south to the coast at Diu for a two-day loop that few itineraries think to make.
The bathing kunds are the pilgrimage’s second rite: separate enclosures for men and women take the spring water at its various heats, and pilgrims move from darshan to bath as one act. Tradition credits the waters with easing skin and joint ailments — belief the steady stream of bathers plainly holds. Early morning, with steam rising off the kunds and the forest waking around them, is the shrine at its most atmospheric.
Wrapped in green forested hills far from any town, Tulsishyam has a wonderfully remote, tranquil atmosphere, and is tied to the legend of the demon Tul, slain by Krishna here. Nearby is a famous ‘gravity hill’ (a magnetic road illusion) where vehicles appear to roll uphill.
A blend of pilgrimage, hot springs and Gir wilderness, Tulsishyam is one of the region’s most distinctive and serene sacred spots.
Practicalities matter out here: the shrine sits deep in the Gir landscape on the Una–Dhari forest road, dharamshala and simple meals serve pilgrims on site, and the drive itself — through lion country, with chital at the verges and the real chance of bigger sightings — is half the experience. Travel in daylight, carry water and fuel, and treat the forest road’s speed limits as the conservation rules they are.
The Tulsishyam temple in Gir.
Springs that never cool, deep inside Gir
An ancient shrine among the springs.
Krishna slays the demon Tul at this forest spot.
Natural springs of varying heat well up beside the temple.
The shrine is held to be around 3,000 years old.
A remote, tranquil pilgrimage within Gir.
Reasons to make the time
Hot springs
The springs well up at different heats, and bathing in them is held healing.
Krishna shrine
The temple of Tulsishyam is Krishna's, dark-imaged and old.
Deep in Gir
The setting is deep Gir forest, hills on every side.
Ancient legend
The demon-Tul tale gives shrine and springs their origin.
Gravity hill
The magnetic-road illusion nearby is the modern pilgrimage's bonus stop.
Tranquil
No town is near; the remoteness is the character.
What to look for inside
THE TEMPLETulsishyam
The forest Krishna shrine.
HOT SPRINGSHealing waters
Natural springs beside it.
How to spend an hour or two
Reach the forest
Drive into Gir's south-eastern forest from Una or Dhari.
Bathe in the springs
Bathe at the natural hot waters welling beside the temple.
Take darshan
Worship Lord Tulsishyam, Krishna in his forest shrine.
Hear the legend
Hear the demon-Tul tale that names the place.
Try the gravity hill
Watch the famous uphill illusion on the road nearby.
Soak the calm
Take the remote forest peace as the real prasad.
A temple in the Gir wilderness.
A shrine among springs and hills
Tulsishyam is a compact temple complex set in a fold of the Gir hills, gathered around the Krishna shrine and the natural hot-spring kunds that bubble up beside it. Simple structures, bathing tanks and rest houses serve the pilgrims who make the forest journey here.
Its character comes from its setting — green wooded hills, steaming springs and deep remoteness — rather than grand architecture, making it as much a wilderness retreat as a temple.
It sits within Gir Somnath district — browse more places to visit in Gir Somnath.
Forest Krishna temple
Natural hot-spring kunds
Bathing tanks
Remote Gir-hills setting
When to go
Cool and clear — the best season on the Somnath coast.
Lush forest and springs; Gir partly closes.
Hot but sea-cooled near Somnath; go early.
⏰ Visit in winter; combine the hot-spring bath, darshan and the nearby gravity hill, and carry water and snacks.
Timings & entry
- Open daily for darshan
- Bathe in the springs before darshan
- Remote — carry water and snacks
- Allow 1–2 hours with the springs
- No entry fee for darshan
- Respect the spring and temple customs
- Mind hot water temperatures
- Drive carefully on forest roads
Getting there
By Air
Diu (~80 km) and Rajkot airports.
By Rail
Una/Delvada or Veraval, then road.
By Road
Deep in Gir, reached via Una (~30 km).
At Tulsishyam
FOREST & STEAM
A shrine among hills and springs
What to shoot
The temple in its forest setting.
Detail
The hot-spring kunds.
Surrounds
The green Gir hills.
Best light
Soft morning light.
Know before you go
More to see close by
Gita Mandir
A riverside temple near Somnath
Suraj Mandir
An ancient sun temple at Prabhas Patan
PILGRIMAGEGir Wildlife & Birding
A serene shrine wrapped in Krishna legend
Kankai Mata Temple
Sacred confluence of rivers and sea
PORTVeraval
One of India’s busiest fishing ports
QUIETChorwad Beach
A former royal seaside retreat
Where to eat near Tulsishyam
THALIKathiawadi Thali
Rotla, kadhi, shaak and ghee-rich fare.
SNACKSGanthiya & fafda
Saurashtra's beloved fried snacks.
PRASADTemple-town bites
Sweets and snacks near the temples.
Pure-veg & Kesar
Pilgrim-town veg fare; Gir Kesar mangoes in summer.
Tulsishyam FAQ
What is Tulsishyam?
A Krishna temple deep in the Gir forest near Una, set beside natural hot springs.
What are the hot springs?
Natural springs of varying temperature, believed to have healing properties.
How old is the temple?
By tradition, around 3,000 years old.
What's the gravity hill?
A nearby magnetic-road illusion where vehicles seem to roll uphill.
Is there an entry fee?
No, darshan is free.
Where is it?
In the Gir forest, reached via Una (~30 km).
When should I visit?
Winter, for comfortable forest travel.
What's the legend?
Krishna is said to have slain the demon Tul here.
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026