Pindara Group of Temples, Pindara, Devbhoomi Dwarka

About Pindara Group of Temples

The Pindara temples stand close to the sea in Pindara village, in Kalyanpur taluka of Devbhoomi Dwarka district, roughly 30 km east of Dwarka. The site has five small stone temples and a long pillared hall inside an enclosure, and is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India as a monument of national importance. For anyone interested in how temple building developed in Gujarat, it is one of the oldest groups of its kind in the region. Local people call the place the Durvasa Rishi Ashram.

The temples are dated to between the 7th and 10th centuries, during the time of the Maitraka and Saindhava rulers of Saurashtra, with some shrines placed in the 8th century. Excavations in the 1960s brought to light many sculptures and Saindhava coins. In 2007, the remains of further temples were found under the sea just north of the group, including the base of a Shiva linga, suggesting that part of the complex was lost to rising waters or earthquakes. Tradition links the village with the sage Durvasa and with Pindtarak tirtha, where, according to local belief, the Pandavas offered pinda to their ancestors; pilgrims still come to the area for shraddha rites. These are traditions rather than recorded history.

Most of the shrines have a square sanctum with plain walls and a stepped, pyramid-like roof of the phamsana type, an early form seen in coastal Saurashtra. One east-facing temple, called the Dhyan Mandir or old Sun temple, has a five-tiered roof decorated with small horseshoe-shaped motifs. Another has a carved panel showing the marriage of Shiva and Parvati above its doorway. The site is quiet and largely unvisited, so it suits travellers with an interest in history and archaeology.

Pindara Group of Temples timings

Usually open from sunrise to sunset as a protected site. Check locally before visiting.

Timings change on festivals, eclipses and special days. Please confirm locally before you travel.

How to reach Pindara Group of Temples

By air

Porbandar Airport is about 90 km away; Jamnagar Airport is about 100 km away.

By train

Dwarka railway station is about 35 km away; smaller stations on the Jamnagar–Dwarka line are closer.

By road

Pindara is reached by local roads off the Jamnagar–Dwarka highway. Hire a taxi from Dwarka, as public transport to the village is limited.

Festivals at Pindara Group of Temples

Pitru Paksha (ancestral rites at Pindtarak)Sep/Oct
Maha ShivaratriFeb/Mar
Janmashtami at nearby DwarkaAug/Sep

Visitor tips

Dress code: Modest clothing is recommended. Remove footwear if visiting any shrine where worship is offered.
Entry: Generally free; the site is protected by the ASI. Check locally for any ticket requirement.

There are few facilities at the site; carry water, a hat and snacks.
Combine the visit with Dwarka and Nageshwar in a day trip by taxi.
Respect the protected monument: do not climb on the structures.
Coastal winds can be strong; visit in the morning or late afternoon.

Places to visit near Pindara Group of Temples

Dwarkadhish Temple, DwarkaOne of the Char Dham, about 35 km away
Nageshwar JyotirlingaShiva temple near Dwarka, about 30 km away
Harshad Mata Temple, GandhaviCoastal goddess temple, about 50 km away

Frequently asked questions

What is the Pindara Group of Temples?

It is a group of five early stone temples and a pillared hall from the 7th to 10th centuries, protected by the ASI, near Dwarka in Gujarat.

Why is Pindara called the Durvasa Rishi Ashram?

Local tradition links the site with the sage Durvasa, and the temples are known by that name in the area.

How far is Pindara from Dwarka?

It is roughly 30–35 km east of Dwarka by road.

Is there an entry fee at Pindara?

The site is generally free to visit, but check locally as rules can change.

What are the Pindara Group of Temples timings?