Navlakha Temple

Navlakha Temple at Ghumli was built by Jethwa rulers in the 11th century dedicated to the Sun god, Surya and is the oldest sun temple of Gujarat. It has the largest base (Uagati) of the temples in Gujarat, measuring 45.72 x 30.48 m. Facing East, it had a beautiful entrance arch or Kirti Toran, which is now lost. The sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha), covered pradakshina path, large gathering hall and its three shringar chokis are eye-catching. On the surrounding walking path, we find three directions with balconies. The mandapa has eight-sided pillars for support. In the small niches, we find sculptures. The entrances are two-storied. At the back wall of the temple, we find two huge elephants fighting with their trunks. In Bhadra gavaksha there is the image of Brahma-Savitri, in the west is the Shiva-Parvati, to the north is Lakshmi Narayan. The Navlakha Temple was built at a cost of Nine Lacs hence the name Navlakha. It rivals the Somnath Temple and Modhera Sun Temple in its architecture and interiors. The temple is built in Solanki style of architecture and the Maru-Gurjara style of architecture has the three entwining tusks of elephants as its trademark and is considered to be high noon of Solanki style of architect. The outside the main temple there is a temple dedicated to Ganesha, popularly known as Ghumali Ganesha Temple. This temple is said to be built in the 10th century AD.

The temple was destroyed when Ghumli was sacked by Jadeja Jam Barmaniyaji attacked Ghumli in 1313 to take revenge for the defeat of his father Jadeja Jam Unaji, who had come from Sindh and but was defeated in 1309 by Jethwa ruler Rana Bhanji