Places of worship in Songadh
- 01
Gomukh Mahadev Temple, Don
A Shiva temple in a hollow below a plateau at Don village, where water flows year-round from a cow-mouth spout, with a small monsoon waterfall nearby.
- Time needed
- 1 to 1.5 hours
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Weekday mornings; the waterfall is best in the monsoon
- Tickets
- No ticket. Remove footwear, dress modestly and keep to the paths around the kund. Visiting hours are not published.
- 02
Mahakali Mata Temple, Songadh Fort
A shrine to Mahakali on the summit of Songadh Fort, the focus of a large Dussehra fair attended by people from surrounding villages, especially local tribal communities.
- Time needed
- 30 to 60 minutes beyond the climb
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning, or Dussehra day for the fair
- Tickets
- No ticket is published. Remove footwear at the shrine, dress modestly and ask before photographing devotees. Fair arrangements are made by the district administration, so check the date locally.
- 03
Rokadiya Hanuman Temple, Gunsada
A well-known Hanuman temple at Gunsada on the Songadh-Ukai road, built below ground level beside an old banyan tree, with a large feast held at Hanuman Jayanti.
- Time needed
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning; avoid Hanuman Jayanti and Ram Navami if you dislike crowds
- Tickets
- No ticket. Remove shoes, dress modestly and ask before photographing inside. Opening hours are not published; go during daylight.
Forts in Songadh
- 04
Songadh Fort
A Gaekwad-era hill fort above the town of Songadh, the early seat of the dynasty that later ruled Baroda. It is a short, easy climb to old gateways, ruins and a long view over the Tapi country.
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- October to February, and early morning; avoid the monsoon when paths are slippery
- Tickets
- No ticket price, opening hours or visitor facilities are published. Visit in daylight, ask locally at the town about the best approach, and avoid the fort during the Dussehra fair if you want a quiet visit.
Day trips in Songadh
- 05
Ukai Dam and Vallabh Sagar
A large dam across the Tapi river about 13 km from Songadh, finished in 1972, with the Vallabh Sagar reservoir behind it. Go for the water and the open views, not for formal sights.
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- After the monsoon, from October to February, when the reservoir is full and the weather is mild
- Tickets
- Entry rules, fees and hours are not published; the dam is a working irrigation and power structure, so security restrictions may apply. Ask at the gate or at Songadh.
