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Taranga Hills

Taranga Hills

hill station · Gujarat

The Taranga Hills are a rugged sandstone range in the Satlasana area of Mehsana district, part of the old Aravalli system, with jagged cliffs, scrub and caves.

State
Gujarat
Type
Hill Station
Best season
Winter
Things to do
1+

The Taranga Hills are a rugged sandstone range in the Satlasana area of Mehsana district, part of the old Aravalli system, with jagged cliffs, scrub and caves. They are best known for a well-preserved 12th-century Jain temple set on a high plateau, and for Buddhist rock-cut caves hidden among the surrounding boulders.

When to go

October to March, when the days are mild and the mornings cool enough for the climb.

Why visit

Walk the sandstone trails, visit one of India's best-preserved medieval Jain temples, and seek out the offbeat Buddhist caves in the cliffs.

Cultural notes

The hills are deeply tied to the history of the Solanki rulers, particularly King Kumarpala, who established the grand primary temple in 1121 CE under the guidance of the legendary scholar Acharya Hemachandracharya.

How to reach

By Road: Located roughly 75 km from Mehsana city and 130 km north of Ahmedabad. By Train: The nearest major railway station is Visnagar (35 km away) or Mehsana Junction. By Air: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) in Ahmedabad is the closest air hub.

Taranga Hills in 2 days

See the full itinerary

2 days in Taranga Hills

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Day 1

Day 1

Taranga's 12th-century Ajitnatha temple

Taranga's 12th-century Ajitnatha temple

Day 1

Carved kumbhi & hill shrines

Carved kumbhi & hill shrines

Day 1

Short ridge walks around the tirth

Short ridge walks around the tirth

Day 2

Day 2

Dharoi dam backwaters

Dharoi dam backwaters

Day 2

Vadnagar's toran & lake (en route)

Vadnagar's toran & lake (en route)

Day 2

Village khaman-and-chai stops

Village khaman-and-chai stops

Taranga Hills guide & itineraries

Taranga Hills is perfect for

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Shopping

This is an offbeat spot, so shopping comes down to simple temple stalls selling brass spiritual items, local clay pottery, and traditional Jain prayer items.

Frequently asked questions

Are there Buddhist monuments located at Taranga Hills?

Yes, apart from the prominent Jain temples, the higher ridges house ancient Buddhist rock-cut structures and caves containing historic idols of Goddess Taran Mata.

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