Viramgam Travel Blog: Top Tips for a visit!

Viramgam is a small town in the Ahmedabad district of Gujarat, located at a distance of about 65 km from the Ahmedabad city.

The trip to Viramgam was a rare trip that just the two of us (Bhavin and me) made, primarily due to the lack of any interesting company. The bike ride, back and forth, is something I remember as much if not more than the town itself. It was a cool winter morning and Bhavin rode the bike while I was the pillion, though the cold wind and the winter chill made me stop Bhavin at least thrice to empty my constantly over-filling bladder. Noteworthy town on the way was Sanand, where the construction of the Tata Nano plant was in full swing back then.

Another stunning side temple

Bhavin on his FZ 16

Bhavin had found the place online, and we both had little idea about what to expect. Google map helped us figure out the geography of the town well and we kind of knew what to expect where, but the place was still a surprise. The town has two major lakes/ ponds - Gangasar Lake and Munsar Lake. 

Gangasar lake is just a pond with a road which crosses it right in the center (we used this road for making a Bhavin-on-his-super-bike video), while Munsar lake is the one to look out for. Ganesar has quite a bit of historical and religious relevance. It was apparently built 800 years ago by the Muslim Sufi saint Hazrat Alaudin Shah Chisty and was scared to one and all for all these years. Its sad to see it demise now.

Inverted we stand (cheesy!)

The main temple (still functional)

Dog outside the main temple

Munsar Lake has no water to speak of, just a puddle in the middle and lots of dirt scattered around. But it has one of the most amazing temple complex all around the lake, made up of hundreds of big and small temples arranged beautifully. Out of these only one is functional and that is on the extreme end of the dried pond. And that is where we started our mandir-darshan. I do not remember the god in the temple, but this is the cleanest part of the entire area. As one starts walking around the pond, and start exploring the temples, the realisation comes about the pathetic way in which we treat our historical treasures. The temples are now the shitting grounds for the kids and adults alike. The dirt as well as the stench is almost unbearable in some parts.

One of the bigger side temples

Sleepy dog, of course

Bhavin, Munsar talav can be seen in the background

Temple top

The temples (despite the dirt, general public apathy and age) still manage to look stunning. None of these  (except the main temple) have any deities, but the carvings all around give a fair idea about how it must have looked in its heyday. Now its just the ruins, soon even these would cease to exist.

I have always loved ruins and this place was no different, despite all the muck around. One could see the amount of time and money that was spent by the kings who got these marvellous structures built. I also loved to see the coexistence of nature with these man-made structures, though am sure with time they will not survive.

The temple and the pond

Dog on Bhavin's bike

It was with a very heavy heart that we left the town by the afternoon, taking a new route through the main town. The filth around the temple was a norm in the town, rather than an exception. I was very very surprised by the sad state of affairs everywhere, dirt was everywhere, or perhaps the town had unseasonal rains and hence the dirt, stench and the pigs running around. Or maybe we just ended up in the worst area of the town.

A lane in the town

The town cross-road

I rode the bike back to Ahmedabad and had an absolutely great time.The weather was great and there was almost no sun at all. Of course, it was riding the FZ which made all the difference.

How to travel?

Viramgam is well connected with Ahmedabad by buses as well, but bike travel is highly recommended! The roads are pretty good and in good weather you will love the ride. There are many dhabas on the way and there is no need to carry any food, except some chocolates and water.

Here is the map if you intend to bike/ drive:

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