On the bank of the Meshwo river in the Aravalli hills of Gujarat stands the ancient Shamlaji temple, a revered shrine of Vishnu, worshipped here as Shamlaji — the dark-hued Lord, also called Gadadhar. Beloved by both the tribal peoples of the region and pilgrims from across Gujarat and Rajasthan, the temple is one of the great Vaishnava shrines of the land, its richly carved white sandstone structure rising in beauty above the river.
Shamlaji draws vast crowds at its great Kartik Purnima fair, when devotees of many communities gather in devotion. It is among the most cherished and inclusive of Gujarat's temples.
