Shiv Temples in Dangs, Gujarat

Three shiv temples at Khatal, Chinchli and Morzira – all on the banks of river Purna, are believed to be built between 15^th and 18^th century. Shiv temple at village Khatal, 20 km from Ahwa off Ahwa-Vyara road, is believed to be the oldest among the three. Idols of lord Ganpati and lord Brahma and sculpture on pillars indicate the timing of early 15^th century. These temples are built in Hemadpanthi architectural style. The style is named after its introducer and founder, the prime minister named Hemadpant, in the court of Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri in Maharashtra. The specialty of this style was that no mortar or lime-stone was used in the construction. The temples were constructed by fixing the stones or mould one above the other.

Khatal Shiv Temple

The Hemadpanthi temples are divided into three parts: the entry is called Sabha Mandap, the middle portion Antrayal and the last is called the Gabhara.

Another important way to recognize the Hemadpanthi Temple is the carvings on the entrance to Gabhara. There are a fixed set of carvings starting with ‘Toran’ on the innermost lining then the ‘Anand Sthar’ followed by ‘Kalash’ and lastly the carvings of ‘Vyaal’. Vyaal is an old animal, presently extinct but its said that tiger (Vagh) in its present form has evolved from Vyaal. The Anand Sthar is generally depicted on the entrance of the Gabhara or in the later stages of the carvings is on the Pillars of the temple. But Anand Sthar is most important part of Hemadpanthi Temple and has to be there in each and every temple built in the style of Hemadpanthi.

Temple at Chinchli, around 40 km from Ahwa on Ahwa-Nawapur road, is believed to be built in the early 18^th century by Ahalyabai Holkar. Ruins have been repaired by the villagers. Morzira is a village located 28 km from Ahwa on Ahwa-Navapur road. The ruins of a shiv temple are found on a stream en route village Don from Morzira. 

Khatal Shiv Temple

Don Village, Dangs, Gujarat

Don is a village situated around 40 km south-east from Ahwa off village Morzira on Ahwa-Chinchli road. Adjoining Don is village Manur of Kalwan taluka of Nasik District. The road from Morzira to Don is under construction. Another road passes from Maharastra via Chinchli, Babulghat and Saler fort.

Don Village, Dangs, Gujarat

 Surrounded by hills, Don is situated at 3500 feet above MSL, the highest among the villages of the District. To its south-west is a valley formed by Purna river. Don has pleasant climate throughout the year. Water is available in plenty. The place has potential to become a hill station. 

View of Saler Fort, Maharashtra

Waghai, Dangs, Gujarat

Waghai, the gateway to the District, is so called because of the abundance of tigers in former years. Situated on the banks of Ambika river, it is a terminus on the Bilimora-Waghai narrow gauge section of the Western Railway. It is on the Bilimora-Ahwa state highway, 46 km from Bilimora and 32 km from Ahwa.

Bilimora-Waghai narrow gauge railway line was declared open by stages between 1914 and 1929. The former Baroda State had incurred the expenditure for the construction of this line. The Gaikwar Baroda State Railways operated this railway. After the Baroda State’s merger in 1949, the management of the railways was vested with the Government of India and the rail line now forms a part of the Western Railways. The total length of the line is 63 km with two railway stations – Dungarda and Waghai in the District.

As you enter Dangs from Vansda and approach the RTO check-post, you find two roads leading in nearly opposite direction – one towards Waghai and Ahwa and another towards Saputara. Tourists can stay either at Forest Rest House run by the forest department or at Pravasi Grih run by the Zila Panchayat. Excursions from Waghai include Kilad Camp Site, Vansda National Park, Gira waterfalls, Botanical Garden, Umrakhadi waterfalls – all in the radius of 5 km from Waghai. Religious places at Waghai include the dargah of Badsha Bawa Pir and Saiyad Mahammad Shakir and temples of Amba Mata and Hanumanji. A weekly market (haat) is held here every Wednesday.

Contact Details for stay at Waghai:
Range Forest Office
(O) +91-2631-246252
Forest Rest House
+91-2631-246238