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GUJARAT A tranquil trail
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Setting out to visit the pilgrim
spots that Gujarat is famous for? This Saurashtra Darshan, club your idea of
peace and pleasure, as you visit some unmissable locales of the state
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There are a number of reasons why
one must visit the diverse state of Gujarat. Apart from the historic and
cultural glories that the state holds, Gujarat is also known for its
spiritual tourism. Saurashtra Darshan is one such tour that allows Hindus to
visit temples located in the Saurashtra region (ancient Anarta). Dwarka, one
of the places in this district, is known to be the capital of Lord Krishna's
terrestrial kingdom.
Here's a look at how the
must-visit places of the Saurashtra Darshan; and other activities you can
team it with.
Relive the past
Rajkot
How to reach?:
By road:
Rajkot is well-connected by road
to most of the major cities of Gujarat and other neighbouring states.
By rail:
Rajkot is a junction on the
Western Railway Ahmedabad-Hapa broad gauge line. It is well-connected with
important cities in Gujarat and India by rail.
By air:
Reaching Rajkot by air is quite a
possible option as the city has a domestic airport linking it to Mumbai.
What:
This city (also the former capital
of the princely state of Saurashtra) is situated on the Aji River and sprawls
with regal architecture. It also proudly boasts of its association with
Gandhiji; the house where Gandhiji lived is now a museum. The district is
also a handicraft and textile center. The towns of Wankaner and Morbi host
beautiful royal estate, some of which have been convert into heritage hotels.
Bajana, a princely state in
Rajkot, is famous for its royal safari camps to the Little Rann of Kutch,
where one can watch the wild asses in the wildlife sanctuary. Another natural
spread is that of the Rampara Wildlife Sanctuary.
Historically-inclined? The
Khambhalida caves, one that dates back to 4th to 5th century AD and are
scooped out from the local limestone rock, have three caves, the central one
being a ‘chaitya’ with a worn-out stupa.
Other sites to visit at Rajkot are
the Ramkrishna Math, Rashtriyashala, Tankara, The Lang Library, Wankaner and
Watson Museum.
Gir National Park
How to reach
Junagadh is perhaps the best
approach to the park. The railway station in Junagadh receives trains from
different cities like Ahmedabad and Rajkot and other major cities. Then, from
here it takes approximately one and half hours to reach Gir National Park.
From Rajkot:
On reaching Rajkot Railway Station
or Airport you can take a cab or bus and to reach a Limda chowk. There are a
number of privately operated vehicles that go to Junagadh at frequent
intervals.
What?
Gir National Park attracts large
number of tourists to witness the Asiatic lion, as this is the sole place all
across the world where these creatures are presently found. Once extinct,
numbers have been recovered owing to the conservation efforts. The Sanctuary
is open for tourism from 16th October to 15th June every year.
One has a number of options when
it comes to the type of tour package they are looking for. For more details,
visit http://www.girnationalpark.in/book-gir-lion-safari.html
In addition, you can also opt for
a three-day safari or a weekend tour where you can explore the flora and
fauna of the forest. In addition to the Asiatic lion, you can also spot
cheetal (deer) in the reserve.
Junagad
How to reach?:
By road:
Junagadh is 327km from Ahmedabad,
102km from Rajkot, and 113km from Porbandar, and is accessible by ST bus from
each of these places, as well as from other cities in Gujarat by way of
Veraval and Rajkot.
By rail:
Two express trains run on the
Ahmedabad-Veraval line. Ahmedabad is 7.5hrs away by train. Junagadh is also
on the Rajkot-Veraval line, with Rajkot 2.5hrs away, and Veraval 2hrs.
What:
Junagadh is known for its beaches
and religious sites. Visit Madhavpur, a scenic town situated on a sandy
coastile and is endowed with coconut trees and fertile agriculture land. It
hosts the beautiful Madhavraiji Haveli Temple in addition to the Rukmini no
choro, which marks the place where celebrated with an annual fair held by the
Mer community.Nearby are the ruins of a Shiva temple, probably from the 12th
century. Another beach located at the border of Junagadh and Amreli district
is the Sarkeshwar Beach. Wildlife enthusiasts can visit the Mitiyala Wildlife
Sanctuary. The rugged ridges with the grasses and scrubs in Mitliyala are a
safe haven to almost 11-12 lions. Even the Pania Wildlife Sanctuary is an
ecological refuge and has been home to varied species of endangered and rare
animals.
The heritage sites at this place
are Adi-Kadi Vav (one that’s carved entirely out of hard rock) and Navghan
Kuwo (a place partly hewn out of soft rock and partly built up structurally
like other wells,) Buddhist Caves (three separate sites of rooms carved out
of stone to be used as monks’ quarters) and the oldest part of Junagadh
called Uparkot.
Palitana
How to reach
By road: Bhavnagar is 56 km away
and Ahmedabad, 215 km. Private and ST buses travel to Palitana from both of
these cities as well as from several others around Gujarat and even from
Mumbai.
By rail:
Palitana is on a rail branch line,
with trains available to Bhavnagar, Ahmedabad and intermediate points.
By air:
The nearest airport is in
Bhavnagar (56 km).
What:
Along with Mts. Abu, Girnar and Chandragiri,
Shatrunjaya is one of the most sacred places for Jains. Climbing the stairs
of Shatrunjaya is, for a pilgrim, the ascent to greater knowledge along the
path to liberation. For a visitor, it can be a day’s journey into the heart
of the Jain spirituality, a passage through a new cosmology of total
non-violence and devotion.
The climb up Shatrunjaya is no
doubt the primary activity of a Palitana visit, for Jains and non-Jains
alike. The hill is 3 kms from Palitana, and the 600 m climb over 3000 stairs
to the top of the mountain is an unforgettable experience.
Several customs must be observed,
as the entire hill is sacred to Jains, not only the temples. In keeping with
the strict non-violence of Jainism, no leather products should be carried on
the mountain. Shorts and sleeveless shirts are considered disrespectful.
Permission must be obtained from temple attendants for photography.
Dwarka
How to reach?:
By road:
Dwarka is on the state highway
from Jamnagar to Dwarka. Direct buses available from Jamnagar and Ahmedabad.
By rail:
Dwarka is a station on the
Ahmedabad-Okha broad gauge railway line, with trains connecting it to
Jamnagar (137kms), Rajkot (217kms) and Ahmedabad (471kms), and some trains
that continue all the way down the coast through Vadodara, Surat, Mumbai,
Goa, Karnataka, to the southern tip of India in Kerala.
By air:
Nearest airport is Jamnagar
(137kms).
What:
Dwarka is an important centre for
Hindu pilgrimage since it is mythologically considered to be the home of Lord
Krishna. Do not miss any of the other temples along the coast and the Ved
Bhuvan, where Vedic principles are taught. Dwarka has some fine stretches of
beach, and though crowded by pilgrims, you can always find a quiet spot to
unwind. Shore birds gather in large numbers along the coast. Okha, north of
Dwarka, is a jetty, from where you can get ferries for Beyt Dwarka,an island
covered with temples. The eastern tip of the island to visit, for which you
may need to charter an entire boat, has a lovely white beach, coral reefs and
extensive marine life. Dolphins and porpoise can be seen surfacing to
breathe, sea turtles inhabit the beach, octopus,star fish, sea urchins, etc.,
abound!
Somnath
How to reach?:
By road:
Somnath is 79kms from Junagadh and
25kms from Chorwad. State transport buses and private luxury coaches connect
various centres of Gujarat to Somnath.
By rail:
Somnath is located 6kms from the
nearest railway station at Veraval.
By air:
Nearest airport is Jamnagar (137
kms).
What:
A hub of beaches, museums and
religious sites, Somnath is a must-visit when in Gujarat. While the primarly
attraction is the sacred Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva, there is a lot more you
can do. One beach to go to when at Somnath is the Ahmedpur Mandvi, a
lesser-known gem and finest piece of coastline in Gujarat. This beach also
offers many water sport adventures and opportunities for dolphin sightings.
Situated where Gujarat and Diu come together, Ahmedpur Mandvi provides a rich
blend of cultures from Saurashtra and the Portuguese influence from Diu, in
several lively fishing hamlets. You could also visit the Chorwad Beach,
Somnath Beach or Veraval.
While at Somnath, don't miss the
archaelogical museum here, one that preserves stone sculptures, inscriptions
and pottery from several periods. It also has the remains of the ancient
shrine reconstructed by the Chalukyan Maharaja Shri Mularaja Deva Solanki of
Anhilvada Patan.
Apart from this, another
historical site is the Sana Caves.
You can opt to visit the religious
sites at Somnath as well: Bhalka Tirtha & Dehotsarg, Mai Puri Masjid,
Somnath Mahadev Temple, Sun Temple among others.
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DNA22MAR15
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