Sunset at the Temple

Located in Vadodara district of Gujarat, Kayavarohan Shiv temple is one of the sixty-eight ‘teerthas’ (Pilgrimage) of Lord Shiva as mentioned in the Shiva Purana. According to the legends, Lord Shiva took the incarnation of Lakulish in this temple. Lord Shiva took the form of a brahmin child so the place is known as Kayavarohan. Kayavarohan lingam represents the formlessness and uniqueness of Lord Shiva. 

Visitors enjoying peace and serenity at the temple around sunset.

Sunset at the Temple

Partial Solar Eclipse at Sunset in Kayavarohan

We end our series of images from India with a spectacular sighting on October 25, 2022 of a partial solar eclipse at sunset in Kayavarohan, Gujarat, India. The moon passed in front of the sun causing a partial solar eclipse, the last solar eclipse of 2022.

Viewing a Partial Solar Eclipse
Oblivious to a Partial Solar Eclipse

An Old Banyan Tree

The banyan fig tree is famous for its aerial roots, which sprout from branches and eventually reach the soil. In India, the Banyan Tree is considered to be one of the most venerated trees. For centuries, it has been likened to the shelter that God provides for his devotees. Other references to the Banyan tree come in the form of it being known as the “Tree of Life.”

The tree in the image below is in Kayavarohan and is believed to be over 250 years old.

Roots of a Banyan Tree
Old Banyan Tree

Rose-ringed Parakeet

The rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri), also known as the ring-necked parakeet (more commonly known as the Indian ringneck parrot), is a medium-sized parrot. This is one of the few parrot species that have successfully adapted to living in disturbed habitats; it has withstood the onslaught of urbanization and deforestation. Spotted these parrots at a birdfeeder in Kayavarohan, Gujarat, India.

Rose-ringed Parakeet

Archaeological Museum Kayavarohan

Numerous Hindu icons, number of copper coins and a stone quern have been found from Kayavarohan, Gujarat, India. A grand head of Tapasvi, the image of Kartikeya and an idol of Uma Maheshwara are some of the rare and unmatched archaeological specimen discovered from Kayavarohan. 

Historical Statues in Kayavarohan Museum
Old Statues in Kayavarohan Museum

Kayavarohan – Heritage Site

Kayavarohan, Gujarat, India is a place of great archaeological importance and the Archaeological Survey of India has listed Karvan as a heritage site and has set up a special museum for the remains found around this site. Karvan is one of the major sites of Indian Heritage.

Antique Statues in Kayavarohan Museum
Ancient Statues in Kayavarohan Museum

Old Temples in Kayavarohan

Walking through Kayavarohan, one can find many old temples with Shiva lingam. A lingam, sometimes referred to as linga or Shiva linga, is an abstract or aniconic representation of the Hindu god Shiva in Shaivism.

The famous Kayavarohan lingam (housed at the famous Shiva Temple) represents the “formless” but a unique, exceptional iconic form of Shiva bearing the image of a meditating yogi, who holds parchments in one hand and citron (Matulinga) in the other. The image on the right has a smaller replica of the form at the location where the original lingam was first housed. The image on the middle bottom shows a lingam that is partly below the ground and is as tall as a human.

Old Temples in Kayavarohan

Kayavarohan Shiva Temple

Kayavarohan, Gujarat, India harbors the Brahmeshwar Jyotirshivlang temple, claimed to have been founded by Maharshi Vishwamitra. It has been held that the incarnation of Shiva in Lakulish has merged with the linga. Here are images of the popularly visited temple lighted up for Diwali.

Flowers at the Temple
Color at Maheshwar Temple Kayavarohan
Colors at Maheshwar Temple
Lakulish Shiv Temple Kayavarohan

Kayavarohan Excavations

Kayavarohan or Karvan is a village in the Vadodara district of the state of Gujarat, India. Kayavarohan is considered as the birthplace of Lakulisha, the second century C.E. Shaivite revivalist, reformer and propounder of the pashupata doctrine. It is an important religious place on account of its Lakulisha temple.

The village and its surrounding areas are of great archaeological significance. Ancient sculptures and relics belonging to the 2nd century have been excavated from this place.

Kayavarohan Plaque
Kayavarohan Archaeological Site