Shamlaji Temple Illuminated with Colorful Lights for Janmashtami: Free Light & Sound Show Timing
When festivals approach, religious temples of deities undergo unique arrangements through various experiments to enhance the attraction for devotees and religious appeal within the temple premises. The famous pilgrimage site, Shamlaji Temple, is beautifully illuminated with colorful lights. To attract devotees during Janmashtami, the pilgrimage site has introduced a unique laser lighting and sound attraction. A laser and lighting show is organized on the occasion of Janmashtami. This laser show is held from 8 PM to 1 AM. However, the light and show will be canceled if it rains. No charges are applied for this show.
It is a 130-kilometer journey from Ahmedabad to Shamlaji, which takes approximately two and a quarter hours.
Temple’s Spectacular Display
The state government provides grants to enhance the grandeur of religious places and increase devotees’ faith. Accordingly, a grant was also utilized for laser lighting and sound at Shamlaji. At night, laser lighting and sound began at the temple, with laser lighting creating colorful images of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shamaliya, making the temple a center of attraction. The temple displayed an amazing view of the colorful forms of the deity, captivating the hearts of the devotees with devotional music. Thus, the laser lighting and sound at Shamlaji Temple attracted a large number of people.
Religious Significance
In Hinduism, the temple of Lord Shamlaji, which holds special significance in the Vaishnav tradition, is believed to have been constructed with the blessing and command of Mahadevji after thousands of years of penance by Brahmaji. Due to the white flag atop the temple’s spire, Shamlaji is also known as “Dholi Dhjawala” (One with the White Flag).
Historical Significance
It is believed that the construction of the Shamlaji Temple, depicting images of the stories and glory of all 18 Puranas of Hinduism on its outer walls, was done between 94 to 102 AD.
On the exterior walls of the temple, images depicting events from the Mahabharata and Ramayana are also engraved. However, in 1762 AD, the temple was renovated by the nearby ruler of Tintoi, and the copper plates installed at the entrance of the temple mention this renovation. The temple primarily enshrines the form of Lord Vishnu, and it is believed that this form was envisioned by Brahmaji during his thousand years of penance here and was realized with the blessings of Lord Shiva.
A white flag flutters atop this temple, which is why the deity enshrined here is also known as “Shamaliya Sheth” and “Dholi Dhjawala.” Every year, on Kartik Sud Poonam, a fair is held at Shamlaji, which holds special significance for the nearby residing tribal communities.
