Shree Shyam Baba Mandir - Surat

Shri Shyam Baba Temple in Surat, also known as Shri Shyam Mandir, Suratdham, is a major Hindu temple dedicated to Barbarik, who was blessed to be worshipped by the name Shyam in Kali Yuga. The temple dates back to the Mahabharata period and is an important religious site for devotees. Shri Shyam Baba Temple is a major Hindu pilgrimage site located in Surat, Gujarat, especially famous among devotees of Khatu Shyam Ji of Rajasthan. The temple is established by Shri Shyam Seva Trust and was inaugurated on the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami in 2017. The architecture of the temple is extremely grand and attractive. It is 150 feet high and 125 trucks of marble, 100 kg of gold, and 1100 kg of silver have been used in its construction. The temple complex is spread over 5000 square feet, in which a 19 feet long gold urn has been installed. Special pujas, bhajans, and prasad distribution are organized in the temple on special occasions such as Shyam Baba's birth anniversary, Ekadashi, Janmashtami, Radhashtami, and Diwali. The temple mainly worships Lord Shyam (Khatu Shyam Ji), who is considered to be a form of Lord Krishna. This place is a center of prosperity, peace, and spiritual advancement for the devotees. The idols of Salasar Balaji and Shiv Parivar are also installed in the temple complex, which are the center of attraction for the devotees. It is said about the facilities of the temple that clean toilets and resting places, shoe keeping facilities, bhajans and religious discourses, prasad distribution and bhandaar arrangements, distribution of 501 kg milk cake and Chhappan Bhog on special occasions. To reach the temple, one has to cover a distance of about 10 kilometers from Surat railway station. The temple can be easily reached using local transport such as auto-rickshaws, taxis, and bus services. The temple is visited by a large number of devotees every day, which shows the deep devotion of the devotees towards the temple. The devotees of the temple believe that Khatu Shyam Ji fulfills the wishes of the devotees. The story of the temple tells that according to the legend, Khatu Shyam Ji was blessed by Lord Krishna to be worshipped in his name in Kaliyuga.