At the heart of Vadodara, a city known for its rich history and deep-rooted culture, lies the grand statue of Sarveshwar Mahadev in the middle of the picturesque Sursagar Lake. Towering at a height of 111 feet and adorned with a golden coating worth ₹12 crore, this magnificent idol of Lord Shiva draws the admiration of both locals and tourists. The lake itself traces its origins back to the mid-17th century. Every year on Mahashivratri, the grand procession (Shivji ki Sawari) from the city culminates near this lake, followed by an awe-inspiring Maha Aarti that attracts thousands of devotees.
Historically, this lake was known as Chandan Talav. According to legend, in ancient times, a king named Chandan from the Dora community of Rajasthan ruled this region and the settlement was called Chandanavati in his honor. Although this is recorded in the ‘Baroda Gazetteer’, there is no concrete historical evidence to support it. It’s believed that the lake inherited its name from the village. In the mid-18th century, a man named Sureshwar Desai from Vadodara undertook the development of the lake. During the 18th century, the Desaigiri of Vadodara was under Raja Kriparam, with Dahyabhai and Veereshwar Pandya serving under him.
After Raja Kriparam, his son Kanwar Mancharam inherited the estate but lacked interest in managing it, eventually deciding to sell this hereditary office. Sureshwar Pandya, the son of Veereshwar, purchased Desaigiri as well as the Raja’s haveli. At that time, Sursagar Lake, as we know it today, did not exist. Instead, there was a large crater-like pit known as Chandan Talav, which filled during monsoons and dried up in the summer. Sureshwar developed the area and transformed it into a proper reservoir, giving rise to the name ‘Sursagar’. Later, during Maharaja Malharrao Gaekwad’s reign (around 1870–75), retaining walls and ghats were built around the lake. Underground channels were constructed to manage overflow, draining the water into the Vishwamitri River. At that time, this lake was the city’s main source of drinking water. Further strengthening was done under Sayajirao Gaekwad’s rule. 
The lake measures 1,057 feet in length, 665 feet in width and 12 feet in depth.
The installation of the 111-foot-tall statue of Sarveshwar Mahadev in the center of the lake was the initiative of the ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram Trust’ in collaboration with the Vadodara Municipal Corporation. Work on the statue began in 1996 and was completed in 2002. On the auspicious day of Mahashivratri, the statue was inaugurated by the head of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, Swami Maharaj. This monumental statue stands on 23 pillars buried 78 feet deep. Made using steel, copper sheets and reinforced concrete, the foundation and pillars were designed based on ancient principles of “Ashtasiddhi Yantra Vidya”, numerology, astrology and colour science. 
The structure is designed to withstand natural calamities such as earthquakes and storms. Originally painted black, the statue of Lord Shiva features his signature crescent moon on the head, a snake around the neck and Rudraksha garlands. In one hand, he holds a trident with a damaru at its center, while the other hand is raised in blessing.
In 1996, under the leadership of local MLA Yogesh Patel, the Satyam Shivam Sundaram committee decided to coat the statue in gold. Around 17.5 kilograms of gold was used, costing ₹12 crore. Donations poured in from India and abroad. The task of applying the gold coating was immensely challenging due to the statue’s location in the lake. Before gilding, the statue was cleaned with chemicals, then coated with zinc, followed by copper and finally gold. This delicate work was carried out by Rajendra Nayak and his team from Odisha, renowned for gilding over 50 temples across India including the Sai Temple in Shirdi. In 2023, the statue was ceremoniously unveiled once again on Mahashivratri by Gujarat’s Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
In 2018, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation undertook renovation and beautification of the Sursagar Lake area. Permanent lighting systems were installed around the statue at a cost of ₹20 lakh. A pedestrian walkway and seating areas were created for the public, along with food stalls to enhance the experience. The lake remains a major attraction for locals and tourists alike. Visitors can enjoy paddle boating in the tranquil waters. The cost for a half-hour ride is ₹50 for adults and ₹25 for children. Along the lake’s banks, there are temples dedicated to Akkalkot Swami and Hanuman. Just across from the lake stands the prestigious Music College established by Sayajirao Gaekwad III.
