Shabari Dham Temple, Subir, Ahwa – The Story of Lord Rama, Ber & Shabari
Video of Shabari Dham
Shabari Dham is a popular mythological destination on a hill, Chamak Dungar, near Subir village on Ahwa – Navapur road in the Dang district. Surrounded by Purna Wildlife Sanctuary, Shabaridham temple is the spot where Lord Rama met a Bhil woman, Shabari. Lord Rama, his brother Lakshman ate the berries offered by Shabari mata at here. The stones on which they are assumed to sat are still worshiped.
The first reaction I had when I saw Shabari Dham was: How could it, a place in remote Dangs, be so developed? Given the right atmosphere, the breezing winds could take you to heaven. I certainly didn’t expect Shabaridham to be infrastructurally sound. Come and uncover further…
The Berry Story
From Ramayana, we well know that Devi Sita was forcibly taken away by Ravana. Lord Rama had sprung off a search mission to find his consort. During this mission, Lord Rama and Lakshman arrived at the hilltop, on which Shabari was said to be waiting for them for years.
The seekers took rest over there. Meanwhile, they were offered a fruit called ‘Ber’ by Shabari.
Here’s an intriguing point about the berries, the fruits were served with Lord Rama only after tasting each of them (Shabari tasted them), to ensure that they all are sweet. How sweet!
The Developed Temple
The present temple hosting the statues of Ram, Lakshman and Shabari was built in 2004. The Ramayana story is painted on the walls around the temple.
In the last few years, the temple surroundings have been adroitly developed. Surroundings like,
Parking space
Concrete road to the top
Neat pavements
Fountains
Lavish gardens
Drinking water coolers
A big thumbs up for it!
Eat & Stay
Unlike other places of the Dang, Shabari Dham has a couple of hotels and accommodation options just below the temple.
Two Kathiyawadi hotels serve pretty good food.
Accommodation has two choices.
- Forest Rest House
It lies on Subir-Navapur Road.
Contact number for booking: +91 9898111639 - Maa Shabari Farm House and Resorts
It lies behind the Shabarimaa temple.
Contact number for booking: +91 9426164526
How to Reach
Shabari Dham is half an hour distance from Dang district headquarters, Ahwa.
Via jeeps you can reach to Subir from Ahwa.
Distance Matrix
From | To | Distance in km / Time in hr |
Ahwa | Subir – Shabaridham | 30 km / 45 mins |
Saputara | Subir – Shabridham | 70 km / 90 mins |
Surat | Subir – Shabaridham | 130 km / 3 hr |
Valsad | Subir – Shabridham | 125 km / 3 hr |
However, a lot of tourists take another route.
Ahwa – Pampa Sarovar – Shabari Dham.
I too recommend this way. Sign boards to reach Pampa Sarovar are well placed on the road.
Nearby Attractions
Doctor Lakhu bhai – The Self Educated Orthopedist
Lakhubhai is a scholar in orthopedics. Well, for the record, he has no formal education in the field still people from all over the south Gujarat knock his doorstep.
For what? “Dukhavo dur karva, hadka sidha karva, desi dava leva.” 🙂
He’s very, very popular in the area.
You ask anyone on the road, “Lakhubhai, Aamsarpada” and he’d tell you the directions to reach his clinic. Visit his reign if the degree holder doctors couldn’t heal you. Give a shot!
Contact Number of Lakhubhai: +91 9408613874
There’s also another personality, Jatru baba of Lambasonda. However, I didn’t meet him personally so I will stay mum.
Harun Bhai from Vansda town, sell and send parcels of Desi medicines to various metro cities. I recommend you contact him first before visiting any of the aforementioned people.
Contact Number of Harun Bhai: +91 9426573822
Shabari Kumbh Mela
The first Shabari Kumbh Mela was organized in 2006 by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader, Swami Aseemanand. The Shabari Kumbh Mela had sparked a few controversies at that time.
Adivasis demanded a ban on the Mela, stating that it had no sanction in any religious text.
Next Shabari Kumbh Mela is planned in January 2016. (Rumors)
This article is part of the Vacation Publishing Spree.
Time To Go!
Now, it’s your turn. Share, spread and comment! All is yours. 🙂
Darpan Dodiya
An update about the Lakhu Bhai:
So I recently came across more details of Lakhubhai on Google Maps. He is now showing up on Google as,
“Lakhubhai Choriya, Orthopedics”.
Now whether or not his method works is disputable.
This is the exact location of him: https://goo.gl/maps/Fz4gsYXKiuN2
Google Maps states the village as Badinagavtha and I can confirm that it is the same.
Bharat Patel
Darpan,
Very good information. Fantastic Job… !
Keep up good work.
Darpan Dodiya
Thank you Mr Bharat
Bhaudip Gandhi
good job
Darpan Dodiya
Thank you 🙂
sanjay zatakia
Helpful information good job
Darpan Dodiya
Thank you! 🙂
Jayesh
Hi l am jayesh I visited shabridham and I need oneday hotel booking please contect hotel no.
Darpan Dodiya
Hi Jayesh. Accommodation and hotel details are already present in this post. Please scroll up and read related section.
Anant shah
We will go saputara 20 August 3night stay we are 14 person somebody say about you in way how many destination coverd by us what site refer
Darpan Dodiya
I can’t correctly understand what you are looking for.
Kiran Shah
We want to visit Dang & nearby worth seeing places in 2 days. Kindly guide us. We are from Surat.
Darpan Dodiya
Please refer to this article: Tourist Places in Dang
Krunal Patel
Hii! I am Krunal Patel. Actually I created Facebook page on Subir Dang Shabaridham so I need help that how to improve my Facebook page. Please give me suggestion. Thank you.
Darpan Dodiya
I had a look at your Facebook page.
People will like your page when you post quality content that can actually be useful to them.
In recent 2,3 posts, you’ve posted photos of flower and Good Morning/Good Night messages — those are not at all related to Subir.
So, start posting good photos/good content and your page should’ve more reach.
You can use photos from this website –with proper credits.
Pravin Shah
We have visited Shabridham. We also visited Giramal and Pampa sarovar. You have given very good information in this article.
Sandeep Vidyarthi
Thanks for information, good work keep going
Darpan Dodiya
You’re welcome! Happy Journey!
Ray Ban
Saved as a favorite, I really like your blog!
Khegan
Very nice information…..can you please post some photos of maa shabri resorts if you have.
Darpan Dodiya
Thanks Khegan!
Sorry, I don’t have photos of resort.
If you plan to visit Shabari Dham, I request you to take some photos. It’ll be greatly helpful to tourists.