Stambheshwar Mahadev Temple: The magical disappearing mandir of Gujarat

The Stambheshwar Mahadev Temple is a 150-year-old shrine dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva and one of the oldest such temples in India. It’s located in the small village of Kavi Kaboi in Jambusar, Gujarat, just a few meters from the shore, between the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Cambay. While the temple’s architecture is not particularly remarkable, its unique location makes it one of India’s most significant religious sites. The Stambheshwar Temple of Gujarat is is famously known as the ‘Gayab Mandir’.

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India is home to many ancient and intriguing temples, including the Stambheshwar Mahadev Temple, which is known for disappearing twice a day. This lesser-known Shiva temple, also called the Gayab Mandir or Lost Temple, is in Gujarat and attracts visitors from all over because of this daily phenomenon.

Why does this temple disappear?

Situated just a few meters from the seashore, the Stambheshwar Mahadev temple gets submerged during high tide and reappears when the tide goes out. This happens twice a day as the sea level rises and falls. According to records, the sanctum, or garbha griha, is completely covered by seawater during high tide, with only the top of the temple remaining above water.

Legends of the Stambheshwar Temple

The Skanda Purana, one of the 18 Hindu Puranas, mentions this temple. It is said to have been built by the Devas (Gods), led by Kartikeya, the son of Bhagwan Shiva. The story goes on to say that Kartikeya killed a demon named Tarakasur.

Here’s how the story unfolds: Tarakasur, although a demon, was a devoted follower of Bhagwan Shiva. He wanted to become very powerful, so he performed many ‘tapasya,’ to impress Bhagwan Brahma. When it was time to ask Bhagwan Brahma for a boon, Tarakasur cleverly requested protection from death. Since death is unavoidable, he asked for another boon: to be killed only by a six-year-old son of Bhagwan Shiva. Bhagwan Brahma granted this wish.

Tarakasur thought he was now immortal and began to slaughter Gods. To stop this, Bhagwan Shiva created his son Kartikeya from his third eye. When Kartikeya turned six, he killed Tarakasur by driving a spear into his chest. While the Gods celebrated Tarakasur’s death, Kartikeya felt sad for killing a devotee of Bhagwan Shiva and sought atonement for his actions. Bhagwan Vishnu comforted him that his act was not a sin but that of valour, as he did not kill an innocent being.

Despite this, Kartikeya still felt guilty. Bhagwan Vishnu advised him to establish and worship Shiv Lingas. Kartikeya set up Shiv Lingas in various places across the country, and the Stambheshwar Temple is one such shrine. This act helped Kartikeya find peace and absolve his sins.