West India - Gujarat

The most convenient entry point into Gujarat is through the metropolis of Ahmedabad. The city contains some very fine museums, the Calico Museum of Textiles being considered among the world’s finest. Ahmedabad’s walled city is a living testimony to its heritage of crafts as women walk by in dazzling embroidered garments and flashing ethnic silver jewellery. Traditional Ahmedabad combines mosques of inspired workmanship, wooden Jain temples, unique stone stepwells and houses with ornately carved wooden balconies and window screens. Modern Ahmedabad, just across the River Sabarmati spanned by four bridges, is a showpiece of contemporary architecture with designs by Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn and the best known Indian architects. Ahmedabad is a convenient base for a number of excursions, Modhera being the best known. 106 km away, this is one of the very few sun temples in the country. Palitana, 215 km away, is a hilltop place of pilgrimage for Jains. 863 temples of all sizes crowd the hilll which has to be approached on foot. Stone and marble spires with their rich detail of carving make for Palitana’s very special appeal. Portuguese rule in India included the territories of Goa, Daman and Diu, the last two lying within the state of Gujarat.

Gujarat’s loveliest beach and the state is well endowed with them is Ahmedpur Mandvi whose chief attraction is the ethnic beach resort. Cottages modelled on rural Gujarati architecture look out onto a secluded beach, one of the state’s chief centres for water sports.

Udaipur and its environs, easily accessible by air and road from Bombay, are another facet of Rajasthan. Far from being surrounded by flat arid desert, Udaipur is situated in the lap of the thickly wooded Aravalli hills. Three lakes form an attraction of the city whose focal point is the towering cluster of honey coloured palaces that go to make up the complex of the City Palace and other palatial apartments.

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Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad blends harmoniously an ancient heritage with a vibrant present. The city's prosperous and eventful past and present is embodied in its rich kaleidoscope of history, art and culture, rich architecture and imposing monuments. Tourists can visit Ahmedabad throughout the year.

HOW TO GET THERE :

Air : I.A. connect Ahmedabad with Bombay,Delhi,Bangalore,Madras,Jaipur,Indore, and Calcutta. East West Airlines also connects Ahmedabad with Bombay.
Rail : Ahmedabad is directly connected to Bombay, Delhi, Calcutta, Madras, Trivandrum, Varanasi etc.
Road : Ahmedabad to : Baroda (Vadodara) 113 km, Mt. Abu 228 km, Udaipur 252 km, Jaipur 657 km, Bombay 545 km, Delhi 1076 km, Gandhinagar 25 km, Modhera 110 km, Nal Sarovar 71 km and Lothal 80 km.
Local Transport : Taxis, Auto rickshaws, City buses available.

CONDUCTED TOURS :

Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Corporation Tour (Tel: 392789).

Tour 1. Daily 0800 to 1200 hours. Fare Rs.40.
(Places Covered: Siddi Sayyed's Mosque, Gandhi Smarak, S V P National Memorial, Hathisingh Temples, Dada Hari Vav, Shaking Towers, Kankaria Lake, Balvatika, Zoo, Shah Alam Roza, Geeta Mandir, Rani Sapri Mosque)
Tour 2. Daily 1430 to 1830 hours. Fare Rs.40.
(Places covered : Siddi Sayyed's Mosque, Kochrab Ashram, Gandhi Smarak, Ranchodji Mandir, I I M, Sundervan, Bhavnirjar, Saikhej Roza, Vishala Sanskar Kendra Museum, National Institution of Design, Balvatika, Rani Sipri Mosque)

PLACES OF INTEREST

Ahmed Shah's Mosque, Balvatika 4 kms, Teen Darwaza and Bhadra Fort, Daria Khan's Ghummat 3 km, Siddi Sayyad's Mosque, Gita Mandir 3 km, Swami Narayan Temple 2 km, Hathisinh Mandir 2 km, Jhulta Minar 3 km, Jumma Masjid .5 km, Kankaria Lake 4 km, Rani Sipri's Mosque and Tomb 2 km, Rani Roopmati Mosque .5 km, Rauza of Shah Alam 3 km, Sabarmati Ashram 6 km, Siddhi Sayyad Mosque .5 km, Dada Hari Vav 4 km.

MUSEUMS & ART GALLERIES (Closed days are within the bracket)

Calico Museum of Textiles, Calico Mills, Tel: 68172. (Wed. and bank holidays)
Shreyas Folk Art Museum. Entry fee : Adult Re.1. (Mondays & school vacations)
Gandhi Smarak Sanghrahalaya, Gandhi Ashram Sabarmati, Tel: 408677. (Mondays)
L.D. Institute of Indology, Navarangpura, Tel: 442463. (Mondays)
National Institution of Design, Tel: 79672 / 573.
Tribal Research & trg. Museum, Ashram Rd, Tel: 446148. (Sun. & bank holidays)
N.C. Mehta Art Gallery, Sanskar Kendra, Paldi, Tel: 78369, 76507. (Mondays)
Kite Museum, Sanskar Kendra, Tel: 78369. (Mondays)
Veechar Utensil Mumseum, Vasna Tolnaka, Tel: 466134. Fee : Rs.3. (Sundays)
Natural History Museum, Kankaria, Entry Fee : Re.0.50.

EXCURSIONS :

Adalaj Vav 19 km, Lothal 80 km, Patan 113 km, Nal Sarovar 71 km, Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram 6 km, Gandhi Nagar 25 km, Modhera (Sun Temple) 106 km.

PACKAGE TOURS ARRANGED BY TOURISM CORPORATION OF GUJARAT LTD. (TCGL)

The following tours are operated from 15th October to 15th June every year.

5 day Saurashtra Darshan Tour : Departs Ahmedabad every Fri at 6.30 A.M. and returns at 9.30 P.M. on Tue. (Visits Rajkot, Jamnagar, Dwarka, Bet-Dwarka, Porbandar, Somnath, Sasangir, Veraval, Junagadh, Virpur, Palitana, Lothal).
Tariff : Rs.825/- per person (from Ahmedabad) for dormitory accommodation, Rs.850/- (from Baroda) for dormitary accomodation.
5 day Gujarat & Rajasthan Tour : Departs every 1st & 3rd Sat. from Ahmedabad and every 2nd and 4th Saturday from Baroda at 6.15 A.M. ( Visits Shamlaji, Kesariaji, Udaipur, Chitorgarh, Nathdwara, Charbhuja, Haldighati, Ranakpur, Mount Abu, Ambaji, Khumbharia, Modhera and Bahucharoji).
Tariff : Rs.990/- per person (from Ahmedabad) for deluxe accommodation. Rs.1015/- (from Baroda) for sharing Double room. For further information and bookings of the above tours please contact :

Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited,
Dhanraj Mahal,
Apollo Bunder,
Bombay - 400 039, Tel : 2024925/6866.

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE :

Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd., H.K. House, Ashram Road, Tel: 449683.
Tourism Corp of Gujarat Ltd., Airlines House, Lal Darwaja, Tel: 354526.

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Rajkot

Rajkot, the former Capital of the princely state of Saurashtra was founded by the Rajput Chief Kunwar Vibhuji in the 16th century, Rajkot is famous for its Bandhani Sarees, mirror-work, patch work, bead work and silk embroidery.

Best Season : October to March.

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION :

Air : I A connects Rajkot with Bombay and Vayudoot connects Rajkot with Bombay and Kandla. East West Airlines also operate flight from Bombay-Rajkot.
Rail : Rajkot is a junction on the Western Railway broad gauge line.
Road : Rajkot to : Bombay 798 km, Ahmedabad 218 km, Junagadh 98 km, Jamnagar 86 km, Dwarka 238 km, Porbandar 178 km,Bhavnagar 165 km,Sasangir 155 km. Gujarat State Transport bus connect Rajkot to all major cities of state.
Local Transport : Unmetered taxis, Auto rickshaws, Tongas and few private cars.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Aji Dam 8 km, Mahatma Gandhi's Home (Kaba Gandhino Delo), Lal Pari Lake & Renderda 4.8 kms, Sardar Smriti Bhavan, Watson Museums & Jubliee Gardens.

EXCURSIONS

Jadeshwar (60 kms), Virpur (64 kms), Bhid Bhanjan (60 kms), Manas Mandir (14 kms), Gondal (38 kms), Wankaner (50 kms).

INFORMATION CENTRES :

Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited,
Bhavnagar House,
Jawarhar Road, Rajkot, Tel : 31616.

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Jamnagar

Jamnagar is known for its tie-&-dye work on fabrics, silken & gold embroidery. Tourists can visit Jamnagar throughout the year.

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION :

Air : Indian Airlines service connects Jamnagar with Bombay and Bhuj.
Rail : Jamnagar is directly connected with Ahmedabad and Bombay. Hapa Jn.(9 km) from Jamnagar is another convenient railhead on the broad guage terminus
Road : Jamnagar to Palitana 246 km, Rajkot 86 km, Ahmedabad 304 km, Somnath 257 km, Dwarka 148 km. Gujrat State Transport services connect Jamnagar with Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Bhuj, Porbandar, Rajkot, Junagadh, Somnath.
Local Transport : Unmetered Taxis, Autorickshaws tongas and city bus available.

INFORMATION CENTRES :

District Information Office, Lal Bungalow compound, Near Circuit House, Tel : 76296.
Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited,
H. K. House, Ashram Road, Tel : 449783, 449172.

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Dwarka

Situated on the Gujarat Coast. Dwarka is one of the holiest centres of pilgrimage for Hindus. Best Season : November to March.

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION :

Air : Jamnagar (148 km) is the nearest airport linked to Bombay & Bhuj by I.A.
Rail : Dwarka is directly connected to Jamnagar, Rajkot, Ahmedabad and Bombay.
Road : Dwarka to Ahmedabad 438 kms, Rajkot 234 kms, Jamnagar 148 kms, Junagadh 332 kms, Porbandar 120 kms, Somnath 249 kms, Bhavnagar 399 kms, Bombay 929 kms, Okha 32 kms. GSTRC buses connect Dwarka with the above places.
Local Transport : Private Taxis, Autorickshaws, Tongas available.

WHAT TO SEE

Dwarkadish Temple, Bhadkeshwar Temple, Rukmani Temple, Sunset Point, Shri Jagatguru Shankaracharya Math, Ved Havan, Light House, Shardapith Math Museum.

EXCURSIONS :

Bet Dwarka (2 kms from Okha. Ferry Service from Okha Port), Vasai 12 kms, Pindhara 72 kms, Harshad Mata Temple 58 kms, Nageshwar 16 kms, Shri Vallabhacharya 's Baithak, Okha 32 kms.

INFORMATION CENTRES :

Toran Tourist Dormitory, Near Govt. Guest House, Dwarka, Tel.313.
Office of the Administrator, Dwarka Devasthan Samiti, Dwarkadish Temple Trust.

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Porbandar

Porbandar, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, is a picturesque little seaside resort on the west coast of Gujarat. Best Season : November to March.

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION :

Air : Vayudoot has a daily flight from Porbandar to Bombay and Rajkot.
Rail : Porbandar is directly connected to Ahmedabad, Bombay Via Viramgam.
Road : Porbandar to Ahmedabad 394 kms, Bhavnagar 300 kms, Junagadh 107 kms, Rajkot 178 kms, Somnath 118 kms. State Transport Buses connect Porbandar with Ahmedabad, Dwarka, Junagadh, Keshod, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Palitana, Bhavnagar, Bhuj, Somnath, Diu.
Local Trasnport : Taxi, Auto Rickshaw, Chhakda & City Bus plies within the city

PLACES OF INTEREST

Arya Kanya Gurukul, Bharat Mandir, kirti Mandir, Sudama Mandir, Planetarium.

EXCURSIONS :

- Harshad Mata Temple 38.6 kms, Madhapur Temple 64.3 km, Mul-Dwarka 28.8 kms.

TOURIST INFORMATION :

Toran Tourist Bungalow, Chowpaty, Tel.: 22745 / 21476.

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Somnath Veraval

Somnath also known as Prabhas Patan has religious and historical significance. The Somnath Temple has one of the 12 Jyotirlingas or Shiva shrines and is one of the most important pilgrim centres for Hindus. Season : November to March.

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION :

Air : Nearest airport Keshod (55 km) is linked to Bombay by Vayudoot services.
Rail : Nearest railhead Veraval (7 km) is connected by train to Ahmedabad.
Road : By road Somnath to Veraval 7 kms, Bombay 889 kms, Ahmedabad 400 kms, Bhavnagar 266 kms, Junagadh 85 kms, Porbandar 122 kms.
Local Transport : Private taxi, Auto-Rickshaw, Chhakada and City bus available.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Somnath Temple, Triveni Ghat, Ahilyabai Temple, Junagadh Gate, Bhalka Tirth, Dehotsarga, Manipur Masjid, Museum.

EXCURSIONS :

- Chorwad 26 kms, Sasan Gir 43 kms.

INFORMATION :

Manager, Somnath Temple Trust, Prabhas Patan, Tel.21200, 21694

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Sansan Gir

Gir Forest is today the only place in the world outside Africa, where the lion can be seen in his natural habitat. The forest also harbours a variety of smaller animals and birds. Other predators are the panther and the hyena. The Indian Deer, Sambar, Chital (spotted deer), Nilgai (blue bull), Chinkara and the Chowsingha (four horned antelope) are found here, alongwith the bear and the long tailed langur. Season : The Sanctuary is open to visitors from Mid-October to Mid-June, While during monsoon months the Sanctuary remains closed.Permission to visit the sanctuary is given by Forest Department, Sasangir on arrival.

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION :

Air : Nearest airport Keshod (100 kms) is connected by Vayudoot with Bombay.
Rail : Sasan is the railway station, on the meter-guage line. However, the most convenient railhead is Junagadh (65 kms).
Road : Sasangir to Ahmedabad 895 km,Rajkot 160 km,Junagadh 65 km,Veraval 43 km.
Local Transport / Sightseeing : Jeeps and Matadors can be hired from the Forest Department, Sasangir, and also guides.

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Junagadh

Stippled with hills, Junagadh derives its name from an 'old fort'.
Best Season : October to April

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION :

Air : Nearest airport Keshod 37 km & Rajkot 99 km. Rajkot is connected to Bombay by I.A. & Vayudoot. While Keshod is connected to Bombay by Vayudoot.
Rail: Junagadh is connected by train to Ahmedabad.
Road : Junagadh to Bombay 802 km, Rajkot 99 km, Ahmedabad 315 km, Keshod 37 km, Sasangir 58 kms, Somnath 92 kms, Porbandar 107 kms, Palitana 213 kms, Jamnagar 184 kms. G.S.R.T.C. bus services connect Junagadh with Bhavnagar, Ahmedabad, Gir, Rajkot, Bhuj, Dwarka, Somnath, Palitana, Surat, Vadodara, Porbandar.
Local Transport : Taxis, Auto-rickshaws, Tongas & City Bus services available.

WHAT TO SEE

Ashoka's Edicts, Uparkot Fort, Shrine of Narsi Mehta, Willingdon Dam, Mahabat Maqbara, Damodar Kund, Girnar Hills & Temple (8 km.Situated at a height of about 610 metres one has to climb nearly 2000 steps to see the magnificent Jain Temples), Darbar Hall Museum (Diwan Chowk,Tel.21685); Sakkarbag Museum, Sakkarbag Zoo.

EXCURSIONS :

- Chorwad 66 kms
- Prabhas Patan 92 kms
- Sasangir 58 kms,
- Tulsi Shyam Hot Springs 160 kms.

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Information provided by Department of Tourism. Ministry of Tourism and Culture. Government of India.