- Location: Western India, Gujarat
- Founded in: 10th century AD by Siddhraj Jaysinh
- Best Time to Visit: October to March
- Local Transport: Non metered auto rickshaws
- Places to See: Thali building, Rudra Mahalaya, Bohra Muslims Mansions
- Souvenirs: Local wares, handicrafts
Siddhpur, Sristhal, is a pious city in Gujarat. Rig Veda mentions it to be existing in earlier days as the Dashu village. Legend has it that the great sage Vyasa donated his bones to God Indra at this city of Sidhpur. Located at the junction of the Ganga and the Saraswati Rivers, it is said that the Pandavas visited this place during their exile. In the 4th and 5th century AD, Gurjara people from Iran settled here. In the 10th century, the city was ruled by the Solankis. During this time, it is said that Siddharaj Jaisimha killed a demon Barbara who was troubling the sages meditating here. Thus, he came to be called Siddharaja. At this time, Sidhraj Jaisingh had his capital in the city of Sidhpur, or Sidhraj’s town. Siddhraj built a temple, which was dedicated to Lord Shiva and the Rudra Mahakala. This temple came to be known as the Rudra Mahalaya. As it was associated to Siddhraj, the place came to be known as Sristhala.
In the 12th century, Muhammad Ghori conquered Sidhpur, and killed many in the raid. The entire Solanki Empire came under the Sultanate after this. Sidhpur attracted every Islam conqueror and soon all the temples were reduced to ruins, especially by Alauddin Khilji. The Marathas released the city from the Muslim clutches and finally the city went to the British, when the Marathas got defeated by them. There was a treaty by which Sidhpur became a part of Baroda State along with Patan. However, the Marathas did not try to revive Sidhpur. Therefore, the spiritual capital of yore just died its own quiet death.
Sidhpur History
Sidhpur was found by the Solanki ruler Siddharaja Jayasimha. He contributed maximum to the city and brought it to the level of being the spiritual capital. He built many temples but the entire kingdom of Sidhpur, the land of Siddhraj was razed down by Aladdin. Yet today down the ages, there are many temples, which have survived the attack. The River Saraswati is outside the city towards the east. A temple is dedicated to Madhava. There was a Ghat and a flight of magnificent steps. Today the temple is destroyed but the Ghat is visible. The quiet town, not a popular tourist spot, the erstwhile capital of Gujarat has the chimera of the past in its construction. The past grandeur now in ruins still attracts tourists for its Bohra wads. The streets here are quite empty and that is a very unusual thing in India. Down the ages, Sidhpur is a small quiet tranquil town with a nice local market.
Sidhpur lies on the banks of the River Saraswati. Skanda Purana mentions this place as Sristhala. Siddharaja Jayasimha was a Gujarat ruler and he built a majestic temple for Lord Shiva. He named this temple the Rudra Mahalaya. The temple was constructed in 12AD. Sidhpur is home to many ashrams, Kunds, temples and buildings which are sacred. All of them are found on the banks of the River Saraswati.
Places to Visit
Sidhpur or the pious city has the mark of a proud soldier wounded now. The erstwhile magnificently erected capital today bears no semblance to its past. The tourist coming here looks for glamour, grandeur and elegance all of which he surely finds but the embers of the past still are felt here in this quiet city. Sidhpur offers to the traveler the past nostalgia as the travel kitty. The beautiful ambience and the quietness with which it has suffered the historical events is the highlight of a visit to this city.
Sidhpur
Situated on the banks of the River Saraswati, this pilgrim spot is a place where there are lot of temples, ashrams, and sacred structures. The Bohra Muslims once occupied this pious city. The joie de vivre here is the sheer beauty of seeing the city with its well laid roads and paved streets. The natural flow of the River Saraswati eastwards gives the city an air of purity. The Hindus gather near the shores of this River to perform rituals. Thus, the joie de vivre in this city is just to feel the ambience of the place. One can find the following places here:
Ashram
Kapil Muni Ashram: This is the place where the ceremonies and rituals of the Hindus are performed. There are three sacred wells here called the Kunds. The Bindu Sarovar, Alpa Sarovar, and the Gyan Vapika.
Buildings
Thali Building: This is located on the other side of the River Saraswati; Ahilyabai Holkar was the Indore queen and she constructed this building. This was a very famous queen of the Marathas who encouraged building such constructions.
Rudra Mahalaya: This magnificently constructed temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was constructed by Siddhraj Jaisingh. This is a three-storied shikhara. It has 1600 pillars and 12 entry doors. The central portion is a Mandap and there are porches on the north, south and east and a sanctum in the west. There are 11 shrines dedicated to Rudra in this edifice. The gate on the east was decorated with an elegantly carved Toran. It had stairs, which led to the River Saraswati. These lovely constructions were ruthlessly destroyed by Ahmed Shah and Ulugh Khan. This happened in the 13th century. A mosque was built with the remnants of the wall.
Mansions of the Bohra Muslims: The Bohra Muslims form a major part of the city of Sidhpur. This richly cultured community has become popular all across the world. This community is still attached to Sidhpur. They still visit this city for important ceremonies. These Bohra Muslims developed the city hundreds of years ago with wealth that they earned and built beautifully constructed mansions with well-paved streets, lanes with lovely plans, mosques, and stupendously decorated structures. Thus Bohravad is a perfect spot to visit the unique experience of going through this city structures is a memorable one.
Town
Vadnagar: This is 42 km from the city of Sidhpur. The Hindu Puranas mention this and Hiuen Tsang who was a famous traveler from China also has put it down in his travelogue. This happened in the 7th century. The rich flourishing town is witness to Arjun Bari Gate inscription. The inscription confirms the works of King Kumarapala in this city in the 11th century AD.
Lake
Sharmistha Talav: This town is situated on the banks of the Sharmistha Talav. It has a lovely walk and is in the shape of the moon. There are lots of steps going upto the tank. The reflection of the city in the lake is a scenic paradise and the entire place is magnificent.
Kirti Toran: This is situated on the banks of the Sharmishta Talav. This is found on a lane that proceeds downwards from the Arjun Bari. This is one of the few constructions that remains now and has survived the onslaught.
Thus, the city of Sidhpur with its architectural excellence and the intricately carved stones is a remarkable sight. Thus, the city with all its elegant edifices and the astounding magnificence is a city to reckon with.
