February 2, 2026 
Important Days and Dates
The temple is a major center for pilgrimage, especially during specific lunar dates:
- Khodiyar Jayanti (Magha Sud Ashtami): This is the most important day, celebrating the birth of the Goddess. In 2026, it falls on January 26.
- Varana Mela (Fair): A grand 15-day folk fair is held annually starting from Khodiyar Jayanti. It is one of North Gujarat’s largest cultural events.
- Navratri: Both the Chaitra and Ashvin Navratri are celebrated with great fervor, including traditional Garba and special rituals.
- Full Moon Days (Poonam): Every full moon day attracts thousands of devotees who travel on foot (pad-yatra) to seek blessings.
How to Reach
Varana is situated in the Sami Taluka of Patan District.
From Delhi
- By Air: Fly from Delhi (DEL) to Ahmedabad (AMD). From the airport, hire a taxi or take a state transport (GSRTC) bus to Varana (approx. 130–150 km).
- By Train: Take a train from Delhi to Ahmedabad Junction or Patan. From Patan station, Varana is about 45 km away and can be reached via local buses or taxis.
From Ahmedabad
- By Road: It is approximately a 3-hour drive (130–150 km) via the Mehsana-Radhanpur highway. Frequent GSRTC buses and private taxis are available from Ahmedabad.
- By Train: Take a local or express train from Ahmedabad to Patan, then proceed by road for the remaining 45 km.
About History of the Temple
The Varana Khodiyar Temple has a history spanning over 100 years. The Goddess Khodiyar is believed to have been born around 700 AD in the Charan community. According to local legend, the Goddess is the protector of the “Vadhiyar” region. The current structure is a beautifully designed modern shrine built to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims. The temple is especially revered by the pastoral communities (Charan, Ahir, Bharwad, and Rabari) who believe the Mother Goddess provides protection to their livestock and families.
Main Poojas Performed
The rituals at Varana focus on the “Shakti” form of the Goddess:
- Aarti: The primary daily ritual. The Morning (Mangala) and Evening (Sandhya) Aartis are the most attended.
- Saan-ni Offering (Main Ritual): Unique to Varana, devotees offer Saan-ni (a traditional mixture of crushed sesame seeds and jaggery/sugar). This is considered the most auspicious offering to the Goddess here.
- Lapsi Prasad: Offering Lapsi (broken wheat dessert) is a common tradition for fulfilling vows (Mannat).
- Chadi Utsav: During the annual fair, special processions and ceremonial flag hoisting (Dhwaja Rohan) are prioritized.
Attire (Dressing Guidelines)
While there is no “strict” legislative dress code, the temple follows traditional Vedic decorum:
Men:Recommended to wear Dhoti-Kurta or Kurta-Pajama. While formal shirts and trousers are accepted, shorts and sleeveless tops should be avoided.
Women:Recommended to wear a Saree or Salwar Kameez with a Dupatta. Modest clothing that covers the shoulders and knees is required.
Restrictions:Avoid western outfits like mini-skirts, ripped jeans, or revealing clothing, as they may hinder entry to the inner sanctum.
Official Websites
- Government Website:Patan District – Varana Temple (Official)
- Temple Trust:While many Khodiyar temples have websites (like Rajpara), the Varana temple is primarily managed by a local trust. Official updates are often shared via the Gujarat Tourism – Varana Temple portal.
Description
Important Days and Dates
The temple is a major center for pilgrimage, especially during specific lunar dates:
- Khodiyar Jayanti (Magha Sud Ashtami): This is the most important day, celebrating the birth of the Goddess. In 2026, it falls on January 26.
- Varana Mela (Fair): A grand 15-day folk fair is held annually starting from Khodiyar Jayanti. It is one of North Gujarat’s largest cultural events.
- Navratri: Both the Chaitra and Ashvin Navratri are celebrated with great fervor, including traditional Garba and special rituals.
- Full Moon Days (Poonam): Every full moon day attracts thousands of devotees who travel on foot (pad-yatra) to seek blessings.
How to Reach
Varana is situated in the Sami Taluka of Patan District.
From Delhi
- By Air: Fly from Delhi (DEL) to Ahmedabad (AMD). From the airport, hire a taxi or take a state transport (GSRTC) bus to Varana (approx. 130–150 km).
- By Train: Take a train from Delhi to Ahmedabad Junction or Patan. From Patan station, Varana is about 45 km away and can be reached via local buses or taxis.
From Ahmedabad
- By Road: It is approximately a 3-hour drive (130–150 km) via the Mehsana-Radhanpur highway. Frequent GSRTC buses and private taxis are available from Ahmedabad.
- By Train: Take a local or express train from Ahmedabad to Patan, then proceed by road for the remaining 45 km.
About History of the Temple
The Varana Khodiyar Temple has a history spanning over 100 years. The Goddess Khodiyar is believed to have been born around 700 AD in the Charan community. According to local legend, the Goddess is the protector of the “Vadhiyar” region. The current structure is a beautifully designed modern shrine built to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims. The temple is especially revered by the pastoral communities (Charan, Ahir, Bharwad, and Rabari) who believe the Mother Goddess provides protection to their livestock and families.
Main Poojas Performed
The rituals at Varana focus on the “Shakti” form of the Goddess:
- Aarti: The primary daily ritual. The Morning (Mangala) and Evening (Sandhya) Aartis are the most attended.
- Saan-ni Offering (Main Ritual): Unique to Varana, devotees offer Saan-ni (a traditional mixture of crushed sesame seeds and jaggery/sugar). This is considered the most auspicious offering to the Goddess here.
- Lapsi Prasad: Offering Lapsi (broken wheat dessert) is a common tradition for fulfilling vows (Mannat).
- Chadi Utsav: During the annual fair, special processions and ceremonial flag hoisting (Dhwaja Rohan) are prioritized.
Attire (Dressing Guidelines)
While there is no “strict” legislative dress code, the temple follows traditional Vedic decorum:
Men:Recommended to wear Dhoti-Kurta or Kurta-Pajama. While formal shirts and trousers are accepted, shorts and sleeveless tops should be avoided.
Women:Recommended to wear a Saree or Salwar Kameez with a Dupatta. Modest clothing that covers the shoulders and knees is required.
Restrictions:Avoid western outfits like mini-skirts, ripped jeans, or revealing clothing, as they may hinder entry to the inner sanctum.
Official Websites
- Government Website:Patan District – Varana Temple (Official)
- Temple Trust:While many Khodiyar temples have websites (like Rajpara), the Varana temple is primarily managed by a local trust. Official updates are often shared via the Gujarat Tourism – Varana Temple portal.
