Shree Jagannathji Mandir, Jamalpur, Ahmedabad

28/05/2025

(History of Jagannathji Temple | Shri Jagannathji Temple in Jamalpur, Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad Rath Yatra | Jamalpur Temple Site | Religious Traditions of Jagannathji Temple | Rath Yatra Festival | Ahmedabad Guide and Travel)

Nestled on the banks of the Sabarmati River near Jamalpur Darwaja in Ahmedabad, the Shree Jagannathji Mandir stands as a vibrant centre of devotion, culture and history. With the resonant cry of “Jai Jagannath” echoing through its precincts and the grand annual Rath Yatra drawing thousands, this temple is both a spiritual refuge and a testament to heritage. In this blog, we’ll explore its origins, architecture, rituals, festivals, and why it remains deeply loved by devotees.

About 460 years ago this area where now stands SHREE JAGANNATHJI MANDIR campus, was a thick forest beside the river SABARMATI in the East and the city limit ended at the Jamalpur Darwaja in the North.

Sadhus normally seek places of solitude beside rivers away from the noise of cities. Thus an itinerant sadhu Shree HANUMANDASJI by name happened to visit Ahmedabad and found this jungle area suitable for his stay. Being a devotee of RAMBHAKT MARUTI, he laid his deity’s idol, which is worshiped till this day. During his stay some miraculous happenings attracted people from the neighbouring areas, which became the root cause to develop this place into a modest temple.

His successor sadhu Shree SARANGDASJI was a devotee of Lord Jagannath. He made a pilgrimage to the Jagannath Mandir at Puri (Orissa) with some associates. One night in the dharmshala of Puri he received a vision from Lord Jagannath to return to Ahmedabad and install the idols of the Holy Trinity—Lord Jagannath, hiselder brother Lord BALDEVJI and sister Goddess SUBHADRAJI. Thus the Maruti temple became Shree Jagannathji Mandir. A cowshed was built and since then began the GAU SEVA.

The next successors were sadhu Shree BALMUKUND DASJI and the fourth Mahant Shree NARSINHDASJI, known for his dedicated religious activities aided by generous devotees. He renovated the temple, established a full-fledged gaushala, and started “SADAVRAT” ensuring two meals a day for the needy regardless of caste or creed. In 1957 at the SINHASTH KUMBHA MELA (Prayag), Mahant Shree Narsinhdasji was honoured with the title “MAHAMANDALESHWAR”.

Between 1996-2000 the entire temple complex at Ahmedabad was renovated. The idols of the Holy Trinity were ritually placed on a special raised pedestal called “RATNA-VEDI”, with an idol of Garuda in front of the altar so its gaze rests at the feet of Lord Jagannath. On theRATNAVEDI the Goddesses SHREEDEVI and BHUDEVI are placed. A marble statue of Mahamandaleshwar Mahant Shree Narsinhdasji stands near Garuda facing the Trinity. The region of the “GADI” houses an uninterrupted “DHOONI” from which devotees take Bhasma and blessings of the Mahant. Opposite the GADI on the first floor is a spacious auditorium for bhajans and lectures, next to which is the gaushala. Directly opposite the main temple entrance are the RATHKHANA, SANTNIVAS, APANG ASHRAM and the SAMADHI area.

Architecture & Layout

• The temple architecture is typical of older Vaishnavite temples in Gujarat; while there are not detailed architectural studies publically cited for this particular temple, one source states it was built about 450 years ago.​
• The precinct is open to devotees and has defined darshan timings.
• The temple houses the deities of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. For example, one listing says it is “a large, captivating … vigrah of Balbhadra, Subhadra and Jagannath.”​
• The temple’s proximity to the river and its location in the historic city of Ahmedabad add to its cultural context.​

The temple is especially known for its annual Rath Yatra (chariot festival) of Lord Jagannath in Ahmedabad. According to a listing, the temple’s Rath Yatra is “the third most important and largest after the Ratha Yatra at Puri.” ​

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