Gujarat Itinerary

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Duration

Tour Type

Daily Tour

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Unlimited

Languages

English, Hindi

Arrival to Ahmedabad , Ahmedabad is the largest city in the state of Gujarat and the Seventh-Largest urban agglomeration in India , with a population of almost 75 Lakhs (7.4 Million) . City is Located on the banks of the River Sabarmati . The city is the administrative centre of Ahmedabad district , and was the capital of Gujarat from 1960 to 1970 ; the capital was shifted to Gandhinagar thereafter . The city was at the forefront of the India independence to promate workers’right , civil rights and political independence . Mahatma Gandhi also established Gandhi Ashram on the bank of river Sabarmati and selected Ahmedabad as his “ Karmabhumi” .

Jamnagar was founded in 1540 A.D. by Jam Raval , a Jadeja Rajput leader who migrated from Kutch . Jamnagar was the capital of the prosperous princely state of Nawanagar for four centuries . Jamnagar is also known as the ‘ Jewel of Kathiawad ‘ . It is a coastak town about 300kms west of Ahmedabad and 92 kms . Jamnagar is the hometown of the world famous cricketers Ranjit sinh and Duleep Sinh after whom the Ranji and Duleep Trophy are named in domestic Indian cricket tournaments . Jamnagar is known for its tie & dye work on fabrics , silken & gold embroidery and brass article work . The places like Pratap Vilas Palace , Ranmal Talav , Bhujia Kotha and blend of other old and ancient monuments and broad streets , imposing facades and squares make Jamnagar as one of the most beautiful cities in the saurashtra region . In addition to above ‘ PIROTAN ISLAND ‘ – only one MARINE NATIONAL PARK of its kind in india is situated almost 16 Nautical Miles away in Arabian sea from sea coast of Jamnagar . Area of the island is almost 3.0 squre kilo meters , and covered with marine trees , dense forest – “ Mangroves “ . The Pirotan island has beautiful scenarios , and Majestic view of sunrise and sunset . The entire forest & coral reef island have various marine lives , such as various types of marine species like king crabs , Hermit crabs , Ghost crabs , Scorpions , Wiper- Isosceles , sea snakes , sea slugs , etc . The forest on island is also good place to watch various species of birds .

Dwarka is believed to have been the first capital of Gujarat . The city’s name literally means the “gateway to heaven “ in Sanskrit , as Dwar means “ Gate “ and ka references “Brahma “ . Dwarka has also been referred to throught its history as “ Mokshapuri “ , “ Dwarkamti “ , and “ Dwarkavati “ . It is mentioned in the ancient prehistoric epic period of the Mahabharata . According to legend . Krishna settled here after he defeated and killed his uncle Kansa at Mathura . This mythological account of Krishna’s migration to Dwarka from Mathura is closely associated with the culture of Gujarat . Krishna is also said to have reclaimed 12 yojanas or 96 square kilometres(37 sq mi ) of land from the sea to create Dwarka . Dwarka was established as the capital in Saurashtra by the Aryans during the Puranaic . The yadavas , who had migrated from Mathura , established their kingdom here when the city was known as “ Kaushathali “ . It was during this period that the city underwent rebuilding and was named Dwarka , A friendly population of natives also prompted Krishna to settle at a Dwarka when he decide , after fighting jarasandha , the king of Magadh , to retreat from Mathura . The kingdom , also known as the Yaduvanshi empire , was established by Uugrasena , father of Kansa the then ruler and later Krishna flourished and extended its administration of his kingdom from Dwarka while residing with his family in Bet Dwarka . The city’s Dwarkadhish Temple dedicated to Krishna was originally built around 2,500years ago , but was destroyed by Mahmud Begada rulers and subsequently rebuilt in the 16 th century . The temple is also the location of Dwarka matha , also called sharada matha / peeth and “western peeth “ , one of the four peeths ( Sanskrit : “ religious center “ ) established by Adi Shankaracharya . As an important pilgrimage centre for Hindus , Dwarka has several notable temples , including Rulmini Devi Temple , Gomti Ghat , and Bet Dwarka . There is also a lighthouse at the land end point of Dwarka. Archaeologiacal investigations at Dwarka , both on shore and offshore in the Arbian sea , have been performed by the Archaeological Survey of India . The first investigations carried out on land in 1963 revealed many artefacts . Excavations done at two sites on the seaward side of Dwarka brought to light submerged settlements , a large stone – built jetty , and triangular stone anchors with three holes . The settlements are in the form of exterior and interior walls , and fort bastions . From the typological classification of the anchors it is inferred that Dwarka had flourished as a port during the period of the middle kingdoms of India . Coastal erosion was probably the cause of the destruction of what was an ancient port .

Bet Dwarka , also known as shankhodhar , is said to have been the residence of lord Krishna during his ruling years at Dwarka . It derived its name from the word ‘bet’ which translates to ‘gift ‘ and is believed that lord Krishna received it from his friend sudama .In the ancient epic , Mahabharata , Bet Dwarka is known by the name of ‘Antardvipa ‘ to which people of the yadava clan needed to travel by boat . Explorations and excavation carried out under the sea have revealed the presence of settlements whose age can be traced back to the era of the Harappan civilization and that of the Mauryan rule . In the later years , the region was under the administration of the Gaekwad clan of the state of Barode . During the revolt of 1857, Vaghers attacked the region and captured it , but had to concede defeat in two years and return the region back to the Geakwads . The best time to visit is between November and February , and during janmashtami which is celebrated with great fervor . Avoid evenings , as the boat connectivity can be sporadic and delayed . The foundation of a sea- bridge connecting Okha to Bet Dwarka has already been laid in 2017 .

Porbandar , facing directly the roaring shore of Arabian Sea , located between the world famous “DWARKA” and “SOMANATH” one of the twelve popular planning of the city is so perfectly planned that today it is an attraction to the modern town planner world wide . Amongst many other importance , Porbandar is an ascetic land of saint SUDAMA , the mahatma Gandhi , the father of nation who taught a lesson of non-violence to the present day world . Porbandar is having its importance not only from mythological point of view but it is an attraction to thousands of local and foregin tourists who visit to this holy city daily . Shravan Sud Poonam or Nariyeli Purnima is believed to be the foundation day of this holy city . As pr the mythological reference in Sudama Charitra of Skand Puran of Shrimad Bhagvad , the present Porbandar city was names after Goddess Porav , and was located along the river banks of Asmavati . The jethwa dynasty of Rajput clian ruled over this land , who was lover of art and under their royal patronage this city was beautified by construction wide roads foot paths , symmetrical buildings along the roadsides , having right angular squares , fountains , gardens , public places , temple and so on . The uniqueness of Porbandar city stone carves artistically and that is why this is popularly known as “WHITE CITY “ also .

Somnath is a magnificent temple situated in sagar kant of Saurashtra in Gujarat state . One of the 12 holy Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva is in Jyotirlinga here in Somnath . Somnath is also mentioned in Rigveda . This temple of Somnath has been very attractive in front of many destructive foreign invaders who want to lure and convert to the temple glory . Whenever the temple has tried to destroy it , then it has been built again . Somnath’s first temple is said to have existed 2000 years ago . Is in 649 AD , King Maitre of Vallabhini built a second temple in place of the temple and renovated it . In 725 , the old ruler of Sindh took his army and attacked the temple and destroyed the temple . Pratishtha king Nag Bhatt II constructed the temple for the third time in 815 using a red stone (sandstone) stone . In 1026 . Mahmud Ghazni lent the precious jewels and property of Somnath temple . After looting , slaughtering innumerable pilgrims of the temple and burning the temple and destroying it . During 1026-1042 Solanki Raja Bhimdev built the fourth temple of Bhoj and Anhilwad Patan , Parmar King of Malwa . Somnath was destroyed when Delhi Sultanate occupied Gujarat in 1299 . In 1394 it was destroyed again . In 1706 , Mughal ruler Aurangzeb again demolished the temple .

Devalia Safari Park was acknowledged as Gir National Park in 1975 . It is the only national park where a large number of Asiatic Lions can be found in their natural habitat . Regardless of being ruled by the Britishers , kings , and Nawabs prior to india’ s freedom , Sasan Gir maintained its charisma . The Nawab of the princely state of Junagarh in the early 20 th century “ protected “ and saved the lion population from getting fully disappeared . Gir National Park is the only area, outside of Africa where you can witness the majestic Asiatic Lion species in its native environment along with the diverse variety of birds and small animals . It is a significant dilemma for the maldharis , a tribe living inside the forest since the livestock is often preyed upon by lions . The Panther and the Hyena are the two such predators . Along with the long-tailed langur, bear , Sambar , Chowsingha , Chital , Indian Deer , Chinkara , Nilgai , and many others can also be found here . The final earthly home to the majestic Asiatic Lions is the Gir National Park and Lion Sanctuary snuggled in Gujarat’s Kathiawad peninsula . It houses more than 300 Asiatic Lions which are one of the world ‘s most endangered species and were on the verge of extinction each year , it is one of the famous tourist destinations .

The city of junagadh has a history dating back centuries , and the region has known many rulers in its time . The Mauryan Dynasty was one of its earliest kings . King Chandragupta constructed the uperkot Fort in 319 BCE , and the fort was an integral part of the empire for a while , before being abandoned for over 300 years only to be discovered again in 976 CE . Chandragupta’s grandson , the great king Ashoka , left his mark on the fort as well , by inscribing fourteen edicts on a boulder close by . Between 475 and 767 CE , the maitraka Dynasty ruled the region . Around 185 Bc, the region was governed by the kalinga Dynasty . Post – 1573 , Junagadh become a part of the Mughal empire . The Nawabs took over in 1730 , and their descendants continued to rule till 1949 . In 1807 , Junagadh , under the Nawabs , become a tributary state of the British Empire . As the British had no direct control over junagadh , they divided the region into 562 princely states . Post independence , these states were afforded the choice to join either India or Pakistan or become an independent entity. Two minor rulers of states that belonged to the larger state of junagadh opted to join india . This resulted in a hostile takeover of these two states by the Nawab , which angered the rulers of the other minor states , who sent troops to junagadh . After a further conflict between the two nations , junagadh finally became a part of india in 1948 . Junagadh’s culture is interstingly diverse due to the influence of the various ruling dynasties of the past . This influence is evident in the architecture , festivals , customs as well as their arts and crafts . The impressive variety of architectural influences can be seen in the Buddhist Cave Groups , the chaitua halls , the Nabghan Kuvo , Adi-Kadi Vav , Jamia Masjid , the Maqbaras or Nawabs ‘ tombs and other heritages sites in the city . Their art is showcased even in the clothes the region produces . Bandhani saris and printed , as well as embroidered fabrics , are popular here . Also popular in Junagadh are beautiful carpets . A few of the people even specialize in making beaded jewelry . Some of Junagadh’s locals are even skilled at producing wooden and marble artifacts .

As mentioned in poet Mr. Narsinh Mehta’s poem that kathiawad be a land of god , holy saints , which is importantly a part of mahatma Gandhi’s nation , is a famous place for the king of the jungle as well in Gir throughout asia , whose giant roar brings a thrill to anyone who listens to it . Rajkot city was founded by Thakorji Vibhaji in the year of 1610 and he ruled about 282 square miles area with 64 villages throughout . In 1720 the deputy subehdar masum khan belonging to sorath regiment defeated the ruler and the name of Rajkot was changed to Masumabad . After that in the year of 1732 the son of the deafeated ruler meramanji took the revenge of his father’s defeat by defeating masum khan again and kept its name Rajkot again . In the year of 1822 the British rule established an agency and kept its name kathiawad agency . The present kothi area which houses the customs and railway offices used to house the officials of that british agency during that period . During various changes there was a change in the leadershipand again the whole area belonged to the agency which is at present through railways in the year 1889 . In 1893 rail link was established between Rajkot and jetalsar . During that time mostly meter gauge trains were used and which formed the main lifeline of the transport within the areas . Due to meet the water needs of the Rajkot city which is built on the shore of the river Aaji a new lake called lalpari was established in the year of 1895 . In 1921 the political leadership of the kathiawad first met in Rajkot . And during this time lakhaji raj represented the first meet and established the first settlement of the political leadership in the area . In 1925 Mahatma Gandhi for the first time visited the city and thereby established the first educational activities . Today it is a well established centre for rural industries . In 1937 Vadhera started a wide agitation again the atrocities of Diwan Viravada and there by started the first satyagarh .And this was finally resolved by sardar vallabh bhai patel . This resolution was finally let down at a later stage and with this development mahatma Gandhi started the hunger strike to denounce this move . 1942 quit india movement was also a major contributor for Rajkot to become a major hub for the developments as well .

Akshardham literally means the divine abode of God . It is an eternal place for one to offer devotion and experience everlasting peace . Swaminarayan Akshardham at Gandhinagar is a mandir - a Hindu house of worship , a dwelling place for God , and a spiritual and cultural campus dedicated to devotion, education and unification . Timeless devotional messages and vibrant Hindu traditions are echoed in its art and architecture . The Mandir is a humble tribute to Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781- 1830) and the avatars , devas and sages of Hinduism . This traditionally – styled complex was inaugurated on october 30 th , 1992 with the blessing of HH Pramukh swami maharaj and through the devoted efforts of skilled artisans and volunteers .