Famous for its Swaminarayan Temple, Gadhada is a foremost town on the pilgrim map of Gujarat. The Swaminarayan Temple was built in 1829 AD; it is a classic piece of architecture with a high plinth, spacious square, assembly hall and large sarais (low cost eateries). Sahajanand Swami, born as Ghanshyam in Chhapaia near Ayodhya, was certified with spiritual powers at an early age. During his several wanderings he came to Saurashtra, where he was introduced to Swami Ramananda, his religious high priest and established the Swaminarayan Sampradaya.
A saint of great spiritual attainment, he was one of the few to have been worshipped as an incarnation of God during his lifetime. He not only spread religious discourses, but also spearheaded a reformist movement, which brought a wide cross-section of the people into the mainstream. The sect has now evolved into powerful socio-religious movement with comprehensive appeal and its temples adorn the state in all its glory. The fair, Jal-jhilani Ekadashi is held in the complexes of the Swaminarayan Temple on Bhadrapad Sud 11th, which is attended by a large number of devotees.
