The short answer
Tulsishyam Temple & Hot Springs: what visitors should know first
Worth a stop if you are already travelling toward Una or Diu, less so as a dedicated round trip from Sasan Gir itself given the distance. The temple and springs together need under an hour, so it works best folded into a longer day of driving.
History and context
The story behind Tulsishyam Temple & Hot Springs
Local tradition dates the Tulsishyam temple structure to roughly seven hundred years old, with the worshipped murti believed by devotees to be considerably older, linked in some accounts to the era of Krishna. The hot springs beside the temple have long been associated with the site's sanctity and are referred to locally as the Taptodak kunds.
Useful facts
Tulsishyam Temple & Hot Springs facts at a glance
- Location
- Gir forest tract, about 35 km from Una
- Faith
- Hindu
- Deity/dedication
- Vishnu, worshipped here in his Krishna form
- Visitor note
- Three hot-water kunds nearby; the hottest approaches boiling point
- Built
- Temple structure traditionally dated to about 700 years old
Why it matters
Why Tulsishyam Temple & Hot Springs is worth your time
Tulsishyam is one of several pilgrimage sites scattered through and around the Gir forest tract, reflecting how deeply devotional geography is woven into this landscape alongside its wildlife. The hot springs add a genuinely unusual natural feature to that pilgrimage, since geothermal springs of this kind are uncommon in this part of Gujarat.
For travellers moving between Sasan Gir and the southern coast around Una and Diu, Tulsishyam also marks a useful waypoint, breaking up a longer drive with both a devotional stop and a point of natural curiosity rather than requiring a separate trip.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The three Taptodak kunds
Natural hot springs feed three pools of rising temperature, with the hottest close to boiling and approached only with care.
- 02
A quieter pilgrimage stop
Away from Gir's main safari circuit, Tulsishyam draws devotees and curious travellers rather than safari crowds.
- 03
A natural waypoint south
It sits conveniently on routes between Sasan Gir and Una or Diu, suiting travellers already heading that way.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Tulsishyam's temple, dedicated to Vishnu in his Krishna form, is said to be around seven hundred years old, though the murti worshipped inside is held by tradition to be far older. What draws most visitors, alongside the temple itself, are the three natural hot-water kunds nearby, known locally as Taptodak, each noticeably hotter than the last, with the third close to boiling point and approached only with caution.
The setting is quieter and less visited than Gir's main safari circuit, since Tulsishyam sits toward the southern edge of the forest tract on the way to Una and the coast rather than directly on the route between Sasan and Junagadh. That makes it a natural stop for travellers continuing on to Diu rather than a dedicated excursion from Sasan Gir itself.
Most visits combine a short darshan at the temple with a careful look at the kunds, dipping a hand or foot in the cooler of the three pools if the crowd and conditions allow, before continuing the journey.
Plan with confidence
Visit as a guest, not a spectator.
- Keep a respectful distance from the hottest kund; it approaches boiling point
- Combine the visit with onward travel toward Una or Diu rather than a dedicated round trip
- Wear footwear that can handle warm stone surfaces near the springs
- Allow under an hour unless you want to linger at the temple
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- In the Gir forest tract, roughly 35 km from Una, on the way toward the southern coast
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Best time
- Cooler months for a comfortable stop; the springs are naturally hot year-round
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The temple and kunds are reached by short, level paths from the parking area, with no significant climbing. Stone surfaces near the hottest kund can be warm underfoot, so footwear is worth keeping on.
- Tickets and access
- There is no general entry fee for the temple itself; approach the hottest of the three kunds with care, as the water temperature rises noticeably between each pool, and avoid it if you have any heat-sensitive health condition.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Tulsishyam Temple & Hot Springs
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The temple and kunds are reached by short, level paths from the parking area, with no significant climbing. Stone surfaces near the hottest kund can be warm underfoot, so footwear is worth keeping on.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How far is Tulsishyam from Sasan Gir?
It sits toward the southern edge of the Gir forest tract, roughly 35 km from Una, and is better visited as a stop on the way to Una or Diu than as a dedicated round trip from Sasan Gir.
Are the hot springs safe to touch?
The cooler of the three kunds can usually be touched with care, but the hottest approaches boiling point and should be viewed rather than entered.
How old is the Tulsishyam temple?
The structure is traditionally dated to around 700 years old, though the worshipped murti is held by devotees to be considerably older.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.