Lakulisha Temple
Kayavarohan, Gujarat · Lord Shiva · Lakulisha · Shiva Temple
Ancient Pashupata centre and ASI-listed Shiva heritage site near Vadodara.
Kayavarohan in Vadodara district is revered as the centre of Lakulisha Pashupata Shaivism, with an ancient Shiva temple and archaeological remains. Archaeological Survey of India’s Gujarat monuments list includes Kayavarohan among protected sites — classified manually from ASI national-importance inventory for this batch.
History
Lakulisha tradition places the 28th avatar of Shiva here; medieval and modern restorations layer on older stone temple fabric documented by ASI.
Pilgrims en route to Vadodara or Pavagadh often stop for darshan of the Lakulisha-associated linga and campus sculptures.
Stories
Where Shiva is said to have descended as Lakulisha
Kayavarohan, also called Karvan, is believed by the Pashupata Shaiva tradition to be the place where Shiva descended in the form of Lakulisha, counted as his 28th incarnation. The name comes from kaya, body, and avarohan, descent. Tradition also says the town has existed through all four ages, and that a linga here was installed by the sage Vishwamitra in the Ramayana era.
A centre of the Pashupata sect
Lakulisha is described as a second-century Shaiva reformer who propounded the Pashupata doctrine, and Kayavarohan is regarded as his birthplace. Excavations here have yielded ancient sculptures, copper coins, and images of Kartikeya and Uma Maheshwara, now kept in a local museum. The Shiva temples are said to have been damaged during invasions between the 11th and 17th centuries, and the Lakulisha temple was rebuilt in the late twentieth century.
Good to know
Lakulisha / Pashupata Shaiva centre
ASI Gujarat protected-monuments inventory reference
Vadodara district heritage Shiva stop
Getting there
Road from Vadodara (~30 km) or Bharuch direction; nearest air/rail via Vadodara.
Best time to visit: Oct – Mar