Gujarat: A temple stands tall, through years of rain and shine

A few kilometres off from the Anklav town of Gujarat stands a temple dedicated to Hindu deity ‘Lilagari’. Many people visit the temple driven by faith. The temple situated in the midst of a canal holds a unique place in the hearts of people.

Anand:Having survived multiple attempts of demolition, a temple surrounded by water dedicated to Hindu deity ‘Lilagari’ in Anand district of Gujarat still stands tall after 150 years.

A few kilometres off from the Anklav town of the state the temple transformed the barren land on which it was constructed into a lush green farm.

A few years back, labourers of Anand-Mahi irrigation department stumbled upon the place of worship during earth digging work for the proposed Anklav-Gadhawal canal project.

Speaking about the temple, the deputy executive engineer of Anand-Mahi irrigation department, Kiranbhai Shukla said, "This ancient temple existed here when we started the construction work of our Anklav-Gadhawal canal project. The construction was hampered during the earth digging work itself when we tried to demolish the temple in order to shift it to another place. The labourers got fainted and machines stopped functioning in the process."

"It was then decided by the higher authorities to continue with the construction of the canal as the temple will get washed away in canal water with time but that was not the case," he said.

"There has been no adverse effect on the temple from the gushing water of the canal even after 30 years. Many people visit the temple driven by faith. The temple situated in the midst of a canal holds a unique place in the hearts of people,” he added.

According to local people, the railway authorities too faced difficulties in the execution of the Dedicated Freight Corridor project from Mumbai to Kandla. Thereafter, even railways diverted the route of the corridor to continue with the laying of the tracks.

A large number of devotees flock to the temple to celebrate the Navratri and Patotsav festival.