Shamlaji

Shamlaji, also spelled Shamalaji, is a major Hindu pilgrimage centre in Aravalli district of Gujarat state of India.

[4] Shamlaji temple is located on the banks of the Meshvo river in the valley surrounded by well wooded hills.

Idols of the Trivikrama form of Viṣṇu hold a gadā (mace), cakra (discus), padma (lotus), and śaṁkha (conch) in each of the four arms.

The temple dedicated to Somnarayan, is, except the adytum, open on all sides, with a flat ceiling, surmounted by a pyramidal roof, supported on plain square stone pillars with carved capitals.

Part of the shrine walls seem to have been formed of a series of upright stone slabs with sculptured figures in low relief.

The most curious thing about the building is that, at the front and rear and both sides, in the centre of the facade the roof ends in a triangular pediment composed of boldly sculptured figures.

Inside the building near the shrine, and, on the left hand as one faces it, is a remarkable human head in high relief standing out from the base of the span of an arch.

It has been roughly heightened by bricks loosely piled on it, and on the raised superstructure stands a slab with a representation said to be of Somnarayan.

In a small shrine between the Shamlaji temple and the river, late-Gupta period idol of standing Ganesha is worshiped.

[5] Devni Mori, 2 km (1.2 mi) from Shamlaji, has remains of a Buddhist monastery dated to third-fourth century.

Located off National Highway 8, Shamlaji is frequented by state transport buses from Himmatnagar and Ahmedabad.

Shamlaji temple - side view
Relief of Krishna and jali screens on the main temple
Pranala in the form of a makara