A 2,500-year-old town
Vadnagar is one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns in India — a settlement with roots stretching back over two and a half thousand years, mentioned in ancient texts and revealed by archaeology to have been a thriving centre of trade, learning and religion. Once a walled town of many gates, it is famous above all for its exquisite Kirti Toran, a carved triumphal archway of honey-coloured stone, and for the serene Sharmishtha Lake at its heart.
Over the centuries Vadnagar has been a meeting place of faiths — a Hindu temple town whose Hatkeshwar Mahadev is superb, an important early Buddhist centre where a monastery and stupa have been excavated, and a Jain stronghold — and the legendary home of the singing sisters Tana and Riri.
Atmospheric, ancient and increasingly well presented for visitors, Vadnagar rewards the traveller who wants to step deep into Gujarat’s living past. The town is freely walkable; individual sites may charge small fees.
Sharmishtha Lake, Vadnagar.
A walled town with a Buddhist past
The carved Kirti Toran.
Vadnagar has been continuously inhabited for well over two and a half millennia — among India's oldest living towns.
It was fortified with carved gates, several of which still stand around the old core.
Excavation has revealed an early Buddhist monastery and stupa beneath the town's layers.
The Kirti Toran and the Hatkeshwar temple crown its medieval flowering.
Reasons to make the time
Ancient town
Few Indian towns can prove habitation as old or as unbroken as Vadnagar's.
Kirti Toran
The Kirti Toran is the emblem — a carved triumphal arch in golden sandstone.
Sharmishtha Lake
Sharmishtha Lake is the serene old tank the town curls around.
Hatkeshwar
Hatkeshwar Mahadev is a superbly carved Shiva temple, still in worship.
Buddhist past
The excavated Buddhist monastery adds a layer most visitors never expect.
Tana-Riri
And it is the town of Tana and Riri, the legendary singing sisters.
What to look for inside
TEMPLEHatkeshwar Mahadev
Vadnagar's carved Shiva shrine.
GATEWAYKirti Toran
The honey-stone arch, the town's emblem.
How to spend an hour or two
See the Kirti Toran
See the Kirti Toran first — the carved gateway is the town's signature.
Walk Sharmishtha Lake
Walk around Sharmishtha Lake, the old tank at the town's heart.
Visit Hatkeshwar
Visit Hatkeshwar Mahadev, the finest carving in the town.
Explore the old town
Wander the ancient lanes and surviving gates of the old core.
Learn the Buddhist past
Look at the excavated sites, where the Buddhist layers surface.
Recall Tana-Riri
Learn the Tana Riri legend at the sisters' memorial.
Sharmishtha Lake at Vadnagar.
Gates, tanks and temples
Vadnagar’s fabric is its history: a fortified old core entered by carved gates, the superb 12th-century Kirti Toran of golden sandstone, the sacred Sharmishtha Lake, and temples like Hatkeshwar — overlaid on archaeological layers including an early Buddhist monastery.
It is a town to walk slowly, reading two and a half millennia of Gujarat’s religious and civic life in its stone. Freely walkable; some sites charge small fees.
See what else is nearby in our guide to Mehsana.
There is a longer write-up in our Vadnagar travel guide.
Carved Kirti Toran gateway
Old fortified town gates
Sacred Sharmishtha Lake
Excavated Buddhist monastery
When to go
October to March is the ideal season for a walking half-day.
The monsoon fills the lake and washes the sandstone; pleasant between showers.
April to June is hot; walk early and finish by late morning.
⏰ Give Vadnagar a half day on foot; pair the Kirti Toran, Sharmishtha Lake and Hatkeshwar temple.
Timings & entry
- The town is open and walkable
- Sites best in the morning
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Allow a half day
- Walking the town is free
- Some sites charge small fees
- Be respectful at temples
- Carry water in warm months
Getting there
By Air
Ahmedabad airport is nearest.
By Rail
Vadnagar / Mehsana stations.
By Road
~40 km from Mehsana.
Around Vadnagar
ANCIENT & CARVED
A living heritage town
What to shoot
The Kirti Toran arch.
Setting
Sharmishtha Lake and its shores.
Detail
Hatkeshwar's carving in detail.
Best light
Golden-hour light on the sandstone.
Know before you go
More to see close by
Taranga Jain Temple
Marble temples on the Taranga hills
SHAKTI PEETHMehsana City
One of Gujarat’s great goddess shrines
NATUREDharoi Dam
A scenic reservoir on the Sabarmati
Unjha Umiya Mata
Sacred vavs across the district
LAKESharmishtha Lake
Vadnagar’s serene historic lakefront
Hatkeshwar Mahadev
The ornate Nagar Brahmin temple
Where to eat near Vadnagar
THALIGujarati Thali
Sweet-savoury full meals.
FARSANDhokla & fafda
Steamed and fried snacks.
STREETChaat & snacks
Lively market-town fare.
Dairy capital
Home of Dudhsagar Dairy & superb milk sweets.
Vadnagar FAQ
Why is Vadnagar famous?
As one of India's oldest continuously inhabited towns — with the Kirti Toran arch, Sharmishtha Lake, the Hatkeshwar temple, carved gates and excavated Buddhist remains all within one walkable core.
What is the Kirti Toran?
A finely carved medieval triumphal gateway in golden sandstone — the town's emblem, raised in the Solanki age.
What's the Buddhist connection?
Archaeological excavation has revealed an early Buddhist monastery and stupa beneath the town — evidence of a major Buddhist presence noted by the Chinese traveller Xuanzang.
Who were Tana and Riri?
Tana and Riri, the legendary singing sisters whose Malhar is said to have healed Tansen — their memorial and festival are part of any visit.
Is there an entry fee?
Walking the town is free; a few sites charge small fees.
How far is it from Mehsana?
About 40 km from Mehsana, easily combined with Taranga and Unjha.
How long should I spend?
A half day on foot covers the arch, lake, temple and gates comfortably.
When should I visit?
October to March, in the cooler season.
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HERITAGESurendranagar-Wadhwan
The twin royal town of the district
PALACEPratap Vilas Palace
A grand European-style royal palace
ISLANDPirotan Island
Coral reefs & mangroves in the Gulf
INDUSTRYVapi
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026