KABIRVAD
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Kabirwad is a famous place situated on an island in the middle of the river Narmada.It can be reached by boats which operate to and from the Shuklatirth Shiva temple. It is an incredible grove of a Banyan tree which has grown over the years and now occupies an area of almost 3 kms. The place is named after the famous Saint Kabir who lived here for many years. It also has an imposing Kabir Temple where visitors & worshippers come to pray. Thus people visit Kabirwad not just for historical reason but also to enjoy the solitude and sanctity offered by this huge Banyan Tree .From Bharuch to Jhanor via Shuklatirth, there is a place known as Kabirmadhi. From here a boat ride brings people to the river island.
Kabirwad is a famous place situated on an island in the middle of the river Narmada.It can be reached by boats which operate to and from the Shuklatirth Shiva temple. It is an incredible grove of a Banyan tree which has grown over the years and now occupies an area of almost 3 kms. The place is named after the famous Saint Kabir who lived here for many years. It also has an imposing Kabir Temple where visitors & worshippers come to pray. Thus people visit Kabirwad not just for historical reason but also to enjoy the solitude and sanctity offered by this huge Banyan Tree .From Bharuch to Jhanor via Shuklatirth, there is a place known as Kabirmadhi. From here a boat ride brings people to the river island.
kabirvad
is famous banyan tree.The nearest distance for reaching this place is Bharuch
around 15 to 20 kms by road. This famous place is on banks of river
Narmada.narmada is consider very pious river of Gujrat.Kabirvad is also name
with saint Kabir.There is belief that that kabirvad is more than 500 years old.
Kabirvad Timings
Temple Hours: daily from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.
Boat rides area available every
20-30 minutes. (for last ride timings ask locals)
How to Reach Kabirvad
By Bus: Nikora Village Bus Stop
By taking an Auto-rickshaw.
By Taxi/ Cab
Places to See
1.Kabir Temple
The
island of Kabirvad houses a Kabir Temple with a shrine devoted to the great
poet and philosopher Saint Kabir. The temple is a circular structure with
pillars on all side upholding it. The temple is the perfect place for people
who believe in the ideologies of Saint Kabir and a spiritual abode for others
alike.
2. Golden Bridge
The golden gate bridge is an architectural
paragon built during the days of the British empire. It was initially known as
the Narmada Bridge, but later got nicknamed Golden Bridge due to the heavy
expenditure on it. The bridge connects the Ankleshwar and Bharuch cities and is
over 1.4 kilometres long and perfect for a drive, ride across the golden bridge
and take a close look at the architectural wonder that still stands tall after
132 years despite being subjected to floods and earthquakes.
3. Gayatri Mata Temple
The Gayatri Mata Temple is another temple
located along the banks of river Narmada 13 kilometres from Kabirvad, the
temple is devoted to Goddess Gayatri Mata. The temple has ample seating along
the river ghat with spectacular views of floating diyas(earthen oil lamps) on
the river Narmada and the new Sardar Bridge. The temple also has an area where
the devotees can take a dip in the river and pay their respects. Once a year, a
Maha Aarti takes places when a 1000 diyas are lighted and set afloat on the
river Narmada making it the most visited time of the year.
4. Nilkanteshwar Temple
The Nilkanteshwar Temple is situated on the
banks of the river Narmada in Zadeshwar Chowkdi around 13 kilometres from
Kabirvad. The temple is devoted to Lord Shiva and the walls of the temple are
adorned with inscriptions of 1008 names of Lord Shiva. The waterfront at the
temple makes for the best views during sunsets, you can also take a boat ride
in the river. The temple has a lawn and a peaceful praying area, the Aarti time
during the evening is when it receives maximum visitors. The temple also has
arrangements for food and accommodations for devotees visiting from afar.
5. Narmada Park
Narmada park is a huge garden on the coast
of the river Narmada 13 kilometres from Kabirvad, it is perfect for a leisurely
stroll in the evening with views of the peace laden Narmada river and the
upcoming Narmada bridge. The garden also houses a separate play area for kids
making it a perfect spot for the whole family.
6. Shri Swaminarayan Temple
A beautifully constructed temple, about 13
kilometres from Kabirvad near the Zadeshwar Chowkdi area in Bharuch. The temple
is devoted to Lord Swaminarayan and is a calm and peaceful place that sees a
mix of locals and tourists alike, it also has a sprawling garden spread across
the front where you could sit and spend time in the tranquil ambience of the
temple. The temple also serves meals in the afternoon and evenings for the
devotees visiting.
Things To Do
The island is a heaven for nature
lovers, you can take a walk around the area and just spend your time under the
banayan tree canopy and have a picnic on the lawn. The area also hosts a large
number of friendly monkeys. You can feed the monkeys bananas and another
fruits. You can also a take swim in the narmada river close to the shore.
Kabirvad
is a natural wonder, with its unique generous canopy of Banyan trees. It is a
secluded little getaway in the middle of the sea offering all its visitors
solace and sanctity. With a rich legend and deep rooted history, quite
literally, Kabirvad makes for a great day trip especially for all the history
lovers out there.
Tips For Visiting Kabirvad
1. Don't stay back at the island
after dark, the island has a bat infestation and it may be unsafe to stay after
dark
2. Avoid getting down into the river in the monsoon months, the water gets murky and can be dangerous.
3. There aren't a lot of food options available on the island apart from some fruits and corn sold by a couple vendors. So, if you plan on staying there longer you would be better off carrying some snacks of your own.
2. Avoid getting down into the river in the monsoon months, the water gets murky and can be dangerous.
3. There aren't a lot of food options available on the island apart from some fruits and corn sold by a couple vendors. So, if you plan on staying there longer you would be better off carrying some snacks of your own.
Etymology
Kabirvad is a banyan
tree located on a small river island in Narmada river. It is Bharuch
district, Gujarat, India. The tree and place is associated with 15th
century mystic-poet Kabir. There is a temple dedicated to Kabir. It is
believed that the banyan tree was sprouted from Datoon (twig used as a
toothbrush). The place is religious site as well as popular tourist spot.
The island of Kabirvad is surrounded by a
host of myth and legends. The most illustrious one says that during his time of
residence in Kabirvad, Saint Kabir threw his Datun(a twig used as a toothbrush)
onto the ground and a Banyan tree sprouted from it and the tree then later
multiplied into over 3000 trees. The island also draws its name from the two of
the central components of this legend, Saint Kabir and Vad(Gujarati for Banyan).
Nearchus, an admiral of Alexander
the Great, described a large specimen on the banks of the Narmada River,
possibly Kabirvad. The tree's canopy was so extensive it sheltered 7000 men. It
was later described by James Forbes (1749–1819) in his Oriental Memoirs (1813–1815)
as nearly 610 m (2,000 ft) in circumference with over 3000 trunks. Currently
the area of its canopy is 17,520 m2 (4.33 acres) with a
perimeter of 641 m (2,103 ft).
