If you searched for “BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Botad,” you’re probably looking for one of two places and it’s worth knowing which before you set out.
Botad district is not home to one BAPS mandir. It’s home to several, including two of real significance in the Swaminarayan world: the large complex at Sarangpur and the mandir at Gadhada, a town where Bhagwan Swaminarayan himself spent a substantial part of his life.
There’s also a third thing people mean when they say “Salangpur” and it isn’t a BAPS temple at all. Clearing that up is the most useful thing this guide can do.
This article covers what’s where, visitor rules, timings, how to reach, and the denominational distinction that trips up a lot of first-time visitors.
Quick Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| District | Botad, Saurashtra region, Gujarat |
| District formed | 15 August 2013, from parts of Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar districts |
| Main BAPS site | BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Sarangpur Ta. Barvala, Dist. Botad, 382451 |
| Sarangpur contact | (02711) 241180 / 241181 / 241182; 9998995500 |
| Second major site | BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Gadhada large modern mandir |
| Also in Gadhada | The old Swaminarayan temple, initiated by Bhagwan Swaminarayan himself |
| Other BAPS centres in district | Barvala, Ningala, Lakheni, Lathidad |
| Important distinction | Salangpur Kashtabhanjan Dev Hanuman temple is NOT BAPS see below |
| Entry fee | Free |
| Photography | Not permitted inside the Mandir or Haveli at Sarangpur |
| Best time to visit | November to February |
The Distinction That Matters Most
This is the single most useful thing on this page, and travel sites get it wrong constantly.
Sarangpur (Salangpur) village contains two separate, major temples:
1. Shri Kashtabhanjan Dev Hanumanji Temple – the famous Salangpur Hanuman temple, the one most people picture. This belongs to the Vadtal Gadi of the Swaminarayan Sampraday. It is not a BAPS temple.
2. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Sarangpur – a separate BAPS complex with its own mandir and Haveli, run by the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS).
Practically: If you’re going for Hanuman darshan, you want Kashtabhanjan Dev. If you’re going to a BAPS mandir, that’s a different building. Both are in the same village. Say which one you mean when you ask for directions.
The Two Main BAPS Sites in Botad District
1. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Sarangpur
Address: Ta. Barvala, Dist. Botad, Sarangpur 382451, Gujarat
Phone: (02711) 241180 / 241181 / 241182 / 241240; 9998995500
This is the major BAPS presence in the district a substantial complex with a mandir and an attached Haveli, run with the organisational thoroughness BAPS is known for: elevator access, wheelchair provision, free parking, staffed information desk.
Best for: BAPS devotees, families, anyone doing the Swaminarayan circuit
Facilities: Elevator, wheelchairs on request, free parking, information desk
2. BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Gadhada
Gadhada also written Gadhpur carries particular weight in Swaminarayan history. Bhagwan Swaminarayan spent a significant part of his life here, and the town holds two distinct temples:
- The old Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, initiated by Bhagwan Swaminarayan himself. This is among the most historically significant sites in the entire Sampraday.
- A large modern mandir built by BAPS, described as massive in scale.
Note: The old mandir and the BAPS mandir are separate institutions. Visit both if you can.
Smaller BAPS Centres
BAPS also maintains centres at Barvala (S.T. Stand Road, 382450), Ningala, Lakheni and Lathidad local mandirs serving their communities rather than pilgrimage destinations.
Visitor Rules at Sarangpur
These come from BAPS’s own published visitor information. Read them before you go several catch people out.
- Remove footwear before entering the Mandir or any part of the Haveli complex. Shoe racks are provided within the Haveli.
- Photography and video are not permitted inside the Mandir or the Haveli. Mobile phone cameras must not be used. This is stricter than at many temples, and it’s enforced.
- Turn off mobile phones during your visit inside the Mandir.
- Men and women have designated areas on the main Mandir floor during Aarti and other rituals. Follow the arrangements.
- Free parking is available. Don’t park in fire zones or in front of buildings. The management doesn’t take responsibility for vehicles on the premises.
- Elevator access is available, and wheelchairs are provided on request, subject to availability. Contact the information desk.
- No bad language on the premises.
- Dress modestly shoulders and knees covered.
Timings and Aarti
Confirm directly with the mandir before travelling this matters more than usual here.
BAPS mandirs across Gujarat generally follow a two-session pattern: roughly morning through midday, then a break, then reopening in the late afternoon until evening. At the BAPS mandir in Anand, for example, Gujarat Tourism lists 6:00 AM–12:00 PM and 4:00–8:30 PM, with aartis at 6:00 AM, 7:30 AM, 11:15 AM, 7:00 PM and 8:15 PM.
But that’s Anand, not Sarangpur Timings vary between mandirs, and they shift with festivals and season.
What to do:
- Call Sarangpur on (02711) 241180 or 9998995500
- Or check baps.org, which maintains pages for individual mandirs
- Ask specifically about aarti times, since that’s usually what people are planning around
General guidance: Arrive in the morning session if you want a calmer darshan, and time your visit for an aarti if you want the fuller experience.
How to Reach Botad District
By Road
Botad district sits in Saurashtra, and Sarangpur is in Barvala taluka on the well-travelled Ahmedabad–Bhavnagar side of the region.
- From Ahmedabad: approx. 150–160 km
- From Bhavnagar: approx. 90–100 km
- From Rajkot: approx. 130–150 km
- From Vadodara: approx. 250–270 km
- From Surat: approx. 350–380 km
Roads through this part of Saurashtra are generally good. Most visitors arrive by car or hired taxi.
By Bus
GSRTC and private buses connect Botad and Barvala with Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar and Rajkot. Sarangpur is well served given the pilgrim traffic.
By Train
Botad has rail connectivity, with Bhavnagar and Ahmedabad as the larger junctions.
By Air
Bhavnagar Airport is the nearest. Ahmedabad (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International) is the main option for wider connections.
Best Time to Visit
November to February is the season across Gujarat, and it applies here.
- November–February (Winter) – Best overall. Comfortable weather for temple visits and moving between sites.
- July–September (Monsoon) – Green and pleasant, though Saurashtra humidity is real.
- March–June (Summer) – Hot. Go early morning or evening only.
Festival note: Diwali and Annakut celebrations are significant at BAPS mandirs, with elaborate food offerings arranged before the deities. Expect substantial crowds and an exceptional atmosphere. Book accommodation well ahead.
Where to Eat
Botad district is small-town Saurashtra expect simple, good, vegetarian Gujarati food rather than a restaurant scene.
Important note on food at BAPS sites: BAPS mandirs typically maintain strictly vegetarian, satvik food standards, and many devotees observe no onion or garlic. Eateries around major mandirs generally follow suit.
Around Sarangpur and Botad town Simple Gujarati thali joints and dhabas serving pilgrim traffic. Roughly ₹150–350 for two.
Kathiawadi staples – Bajra rotla with garlic chutney, sev tameta, kadhi and chhaas. This is Saurashtra’s home cooking, though preparations near the mandirs may omit garlic.
Bhavnagar (approx. 90–100 km) – The nearest city with a full range of restaurants and cafés.
Planning the Saurashtra leg? Our top 10 restaurants in Bhavnagar guide covers the nearest food city, and the best cafés in Bhavnagar list works for an evening stop.
Places to Visit Near Botad
| Place | Why Visit | Best For | Distance |
| Kashtabhanjan Dev Hanuman Temple, Salangpur | Major Hanuman temple (Vadtal Gadi, not BAPS) | Devotees | Same village as BAPS Sarangpur |
| Gadhada | Where Bhagwan Swaminarayan lived; old and new temples | Pilgrims | ~30–40 km from Botad |
| Palitana (Shatrunjaya) | One of Jainism’s holiest sites, 3,500+ steps | Pilgrims, trekkers | ~80–90 km |
| Bhavnagar | Takhteshwar Temple, Gandhi Smriti, Victoria Park | Everyone | ~90–100 km |
| Talaja Hills | Rock-cut Buddhist caves, Jain temple and Hindu shrine on one hill | Heritage lovers | ~130–140 km |
| Velavadar Blackbuck National Park | Grassland park famous for blackbuck and harriers | Wildlife lovers | ~70–90 km |
If you’re extending into Bhavnagar district, our Talaja Hills guide covers a genuinely underrated heritage site caves possibly older than Ajanta, on a hill shared by three faiths.
Suggested 2-Day Swaminarayan Circuit
Day 1: Reach Sarangpur → BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Sarangpur for morning darshan → lunch → Kashtabhanjan Dev Hanuman temple in the same village → overnight in Botad or Bhavnagar.
Day 2: Drive to Gadhada → the old Shree Swaminarayan Mandir initiated by Bhagwan Swaminarayan → the BAPS mandir → lunch → onward to Bhavnagar or Palitana.
Two days covers the district’s major Swaminarayan sites without rushing. Serious pilgrims often spend longer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir is located in Sarangpur, Barvala taluka, Botad district, Gujarat. The area also has BAPS centres in Gadhada and nearby towns.
No. The Shri Kashtabhanjan Dev Hanumanji Temple at Salangpur is separate from the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir at Sarangpur. Both are located in the same village but belong to different institutions.
No. Photography and videography are not permitted inside the Mandir and Haveli. Visitors should also follow the temple’s mobile phone guidelines.
Temple timings can vary by day, festival and season. Visitors should confirm the latest timings directly with BAPS before planning their visit.
Gadhada, also known as Gadhpur, is an important place in Swaminarayan history. Bhagwan Swaminarayan spent a significant part of his life there, and the town has important Swaminarayan temples.
Yes. The Sarangpur complex provides facilities such as elevator access and wheelchairs, subject to availability. Visitors can also use the on-site parking facilities.
Final Thoughts
BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Botad most often means Sarangpur, but the district holds more than one significant site and Gadhada, where Bhagwan Swaminarayan lived, deserves a day of its own. Before you travel, call ahead for timings, leave your camera in the car, and be clear about which temple you’re asking directions to, because Sarangpur village has two important ones and they belong to different branches. Travel Roach helps you discover these spiritual destinations with useful travel information and practical tips for planning your visit.
Have you visited Sarangpur or Gadhada? Share what the darshan timings were when you went current information from readers helps everyone planning a trip with Travel Roach.
