The Great Ancient City : Vadnagar

              We will learn about Vadnagar located in North Gujarat. Vadnagr is located in Mehsana district of North Gujarat. Vadnagar city is historical place. Vadnagar is famous for two things. One is that Prime minister Narendrabhai Modi of your county was born there and hailed from there and studied there. The other is that Tansen from Akbar`s Navaratna sang Dipkarag to him and after that the fire that burned in his body.When he came around to extinguish the fire, Tana-Riri extinguished the lamp that had caught fire on his body by singing a Malhar raga. Vadnagar is very famous for these two things.Vadnagr has many sightseeing places like Hatkeswar temple, Sharmishtha lake, Kirti toran, Tana-Riri etc.

Hatkeswar Temple

       Hatkeswar temple has great historical importance. The Hatkeswar temple is  built in a very mythological style. It is believed that the temple was constructed in the 17th century. The shivling in the hatkeswar temple is believed to have appeared spontaneously from the nether world. People who belong to Nagar and Nagar brahmin castes consider Hatkeswar mahadev as their favourite deity.There is also a trust office next to the Hatkeswar temple where we can register for worship.Our three main deities are shown in the scriptures as BRAHMA,VISHNU and MAHESH. Similarly three goddesses are MAHAKALI, MAHALAKSHMI and SARASWATI. Similarly three adyalingas are TADKESWAR, HATKESWAR and MAHAKAL. It has a mantra "aakase tadkeswarm ,patale hatkeswarm,mutyuloke mahakal sarvling namostute."

          Similarly, there are total 18 puranas in Hindu culture. One of them is Skandapurana. Skandha means Kartik swami.The 6th chapter is Nagarkanth in skandapurana. It is the history of the origin of Lord hatkeshwar in Nagarkanth. It is said that there are seven nether worlds under the earth. The name of the third abyss is vital. There is an abyss. A river of gold flows in the deep abyss. From there Lord hatkesh himself has manifested in the form of linga. Gold is called "hatak" in sanskrit. This linga is equal to a gold bead, so this linga is called Hatkeshwar. By worshiping Hatkeshwar one gets wealth. Whoever comes there and makes a wish with full faith, God fulfills his hope. When saptarushi used to come there to fast for chaturmas Lord Rama also came there. Purified by doing pinddan ,worshiped hatkeshwar linga. It is mentioned in the puranas that Lord krishna worshiped hatkeshwar when he came for shamalsha`s marrige.

Kirti Toran 

      Vadnagar is famous for its known as Kirti torana a pair of 12th  century columns supporting an arch, about 40 feet tall built in red yellow sandstones, jusr north of the wallled town. They stand majestically on the bank of sharmishtha talav, on a road going down from Arjun bari.Kirti toran was built by the king of the solanki dynasty. 

          The torans might have served as an entrance to a large temple complex, but no remains of temple found here. The pillars are carved exquisitely supported with a capital decorated with triangular arch.

        Kirti toran is a very beautiful and artistic toran. This toran of Vadnagar is also called Shaurya toran. These pylons are in good condition among the beautiful pylons of solanki yug. The toran in vadnagar is legendary. It is known for its construction known as shobha van toran of the city. It is also called the toran of vadnagar. The government has declared this monument as a reserve. The picture of  the monument is seen in many books of the government. there is a fine carving on the top of its stones. The kirti toran with a height of about 13 meters gives a different and unique look to the world. In the world of  amazing architecture, the towering pillars of solanki era have become world famous even though they have passed without any support or protection.The pillars of the pylons are tall, their colors and limbs. They are of different shapes and with different resources. The inner side of its beautiful sara has a figure of makar carved on it. One end of a semi-circular arch is shown emerging from the mouth on the inner side. At the top of the big pillar, small pillars are supported on the patta. There is a triangular arch above this patda. Inside this arch two small pillars are arranged and three small niches are made and idols of Ganesha, Kartikeya etc.are placed inside.

Sharmishtha  Lake

 Narsimha mehta was a devotee of Lord krishna, his daughter`s name was kunvarbai. The name of lake is Sharmishtha because kunvarbai`s daughter was named sharmishtha. It is the largest lake in Vadnagar. It is believed that the lake is 4500 years old. Sharmishtha lake is there was a lake there was such a thing that husband-wife get marrid in the lake and then water will come when they give samadhi there. Water comes automatically from below in the lake. Boat trips are available in the lake. A competition of swimmers is also held there and prizes are also given.People come from far and wide to participate in it.

Tana-Riri                          

This is the garden of around the Tana Riri temple. Tana-Riri has a different significance.There is a statue of narsingh mehta.There is a very nice and beautiful garden. It is believed that kunvarbai had two daughters Tana and Riri.Both were twins. She was very skilled in music. She knew Malhar raga and many others ragas. There is Tana-Riri`s samadhi.It dates back to 1564. Both sisters are worshipped as goddesses.She pacified Tansen by playing Malhar raga. After Tana and Riri took samadhi, Tansen composed the raga "Tarana" which is still sung today. Gujarat state also organizes music program every year. Tana-Riri festival is also organized.

    

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