Shree Asha Puri Maa Temple

🏛️ Overview & History

• Name: Shree Aashapuri Mataji & Varinath Mahadev Temple, commonly known as Shree Asha Puri Maa Temple.
• Founded: 1972 by local trustees including Shri Dahyabhai Gonawala, Madanlal Bunki, Dhansukhbhai Banderia.
• Historical Background: The site previously held a small shrine. After changes in ownership and events during Mughal-era occupation, devotion revived and a new temple was constructed post-independence with land allocated by Surat Municipal Corporation .

📍 Location & Contact

• Address: 5RPH+4W9, Navsari Bazar Road, opposite SMC Swimming Pool, Surmawad (Rustampura), Surat, Gujarat 395008.
• Phone: +91 261 232 2900.
• GPS Coordinates: Approx. 21.18529° N, 72.82985° E.

⏱️ Timings

• Opening Hours: Daily from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM for darshan.
• Aarti Schedule:
• Morning Aarti: ~6:30 AM
• Noon Aarti: ~12:00 PM
• Evening Aarti: ~7:30 PM
• Note: Some sources mention evening from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM and round‑the‑clock entry until midnight , but the widely accepted community timing is 6 AM–8 PM.

🌟 Religious Significance

• Deities: Primary deity is Asha Puri Maa; the temple also houses Varinath Mahadev (a form of Lord Shiva).
• Devotee Belief: Revered as a powerful goddess who grants blessings for health, happiness, new beginnings, and wishes.
• Atmosphere: Praised for its peaceful, spiritual ambience with many devotees describing it as a "divine and energetic" space.

🛕 Amenities at Shree Asha Puri Maa Temple

• 🪔 Spacious Prayer Hall – Peaceful area for darshan and meditation
• 📿 Pooja Samagri Stall – Prasad, incense sticks, and offerings available
• 🔔 Aarti Sound System – Loudspeakers for daily aartis and bhajans
• 🚻 Clean Washrooms – Hygienic toilet facilities for men and women
• 🚰 Drinking Water Facility – Filtered water available for devotees
• 🪑 Seating Arrangement – Benches and resting space for elderly visitors
• 🅿️ Parking Area – Dedicated parking for two-wheelers and cars
• 🎥 CCTV Surveillance – Security monitoring for devotee safety
• 🌳 Green Surroundings – Well-maintained gardens around the temple
• 🚶 Wheelchair-Friendly Access – Easy entry for differently-abled devotees
• 🧹 Daily Cleaning Services – Ensures hygiene and cleanliness throughout
• 📸 Photo Zone (Outside) – Scenic areas for devotees to click pictures (restricted in sanctum)

🎉 Festivals & Community Events

• Major celebrations include Chaitra Navratri, Shivaratri, Diwali, and Poonam days.
• During festivals, the idol is richly adorned, special worship (Shringaar, Rajbhog), ceremonial aartis, and community feasts take place.

🧘 Temple Features & Amenities

• Architecture: Intricate temple design surrounded by greenery, ideal for peaceful reflection.
• Facilities:
• Drinking water, restrooms, and prasad/pooja item shops on site.
• Parking spaces available.
• Loudspeaker system for aarti and daily rituals.
• Visitor Guidelines:
• Modest dress code (no sleeveless/shorts).
• Maintain silence in prayer areas.
• Photography restricted in sanctum sanctorum—check with temple authorities.

🚗 Accessibility & Nearby Landmarks

• Transport: Easily accessible via auto-rickshaw, city bus, and private vehicles.
• Nearby: Adjacent to SMC Swimming Pool; nearest railway access at Dandu Gopala station (~0.6 km).
• Attractions: Gopi Stepwell, Umiya Mata Udyan, plus other temples in Surat worth visiting