Tadkeshwar Mahadev Temple, Abrama

Tadkeshwar Mahadev Temple stands on the bank of the Wanki river near Abrama town in Valsad district, Gujarat. It is more than 800 years old and among the oldest temples in the district. The shrine was designed without a roof so that sunlight reaches the lingam, which is about 6 to 8 feet long, and this gives the temple its name. Fairs are held nearby at Maha Shivaratri and in the month of Shravan.

Tradition says the stone was found in bushes on the river bank in May 1215, and that wasps swarmed from it and killed people who tried to break it. A roof was built twice, but the first burned and the second fell in, after which Shiva is said to have asked in a dream that no roof be built, since he needed the sun's rays. The open top is about 22 feet across, and at noon the sun shines directly on the lingam.