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.
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.
- 1) 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.
- 2) 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:
- 1)
Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd., H.K. House,
Ashram Road, Tel: 449683.
- 2)
Tourism Corp of Gujarat Ltd., Airlines House, Lal
Darwaja, Tel: 354526.
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.
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:
1)
District Information Office, Lal Bungalow compound,
Near Circuit House, Tel : 76296.
2)
Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited,
H. K. House, Ashram Road, Tel : 449783, 449172.
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:
1) Toran
Tourist Dormitory, Near Govt. Guest House, Dwarka,
Tel.313.
2) Office of the Administrator, Dwarka Devasthan Samiti,
Dwarkadish Temple Trust.
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.
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
Sasan
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.
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
1)
Chorwad 66 kms
2) Prabhas Patan 92 kms
3) Sasangir 58 kms,
4) Tulsi Shyam Hot Springs 160 kms.
INFORMATION
CENTRES
1.Tourism
Corporation Of Gujarat Limited, Hotel Girnar,
Mazwadi Dawarja, Junagadh 362 001, Tel.21201 / 03.
2.Tourism Corp. of Gujarat Ltd., H.K.House, Ashram Road,
Ahmedabad, Tel.449683
3.Tourism Corp. of Gujarat Ltd.,Dhanraj Mahal,Apollo
Bunder,Bombay,Tel.2024925
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