Photos of famous places in Gujarat

PORBANDAR

Porbandar, Gujarat

Porbandar, situated at the end of Saurashtra is a seaport on the Arabian Sea having pleasant beaches with beach villas. Porbandar is Birthplace of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, Porbandar is an intermediate seaport on the southwest coast of Saurashtra. To commemorate the birth of Gandhiji, a 79 feet high imposing building has been built in an otherwise simple lane of the city where Bapu was born in 1869 AD. It is also known as "White City" because of its white stone construction. Visitors are also attracted to Bharat Mandir, depicting great men and religious preceptors of India, and to the Chowpaty, which offers a beautiful view of the beachfront. Modern villas have come up lately and there is also a small parlour serving refreshments.

The very name evokes visions of Mahatma Gandhi who was born in this prosperous princely city on October 2, 1869. But the history of Porbandar goes back many centuries to Sudamapuri mentioned in the Hindu epic, Mahabharata, as the home of lord Krishna's friend, Sudama, and almost certainly the Paureliva, mentioned in the 9th century inscriptions at Ghumli. Porbandar is a paradise for bird watchers. Great flocks of flamingoes, both greater and lesser, can be seen at a remarkably close range around the coastal marshes.

PALITANA

Palitana, Gujarat

Palitana lies at the foot of the Shatrunjaya Hill, with the Shatrunjaya River flowing to its south. It is 56 kms from Bhavnagar. One of the most famous Jain Temple in Gujarat and also in India.

The sacred hill rises in a crescendo of magnificient temples numbering 863 in all, soaring in marble splendour to the top of the hill. The temples were built over an impressive span of 900 years with each generation of pilgrims making its contribution to the shrines of Shatrunjaya. The 600-metres climb to Shatrunjaya is usually made on foot. Dolis or lift-chairs are also available.

Palitana temples are considered to be the most sacred in all the Jain temples. The most important temple is that of the first Terrthankara. Kuwarpal Solanki, a great Jain patron, built the a earliest temple. It has a fabulous collection of jewels. It takes approximatly two hours to cover the 4 kms long ascent. When you are on the top, the Air is clean and the Shetrunjaya River looks glistening like a foil of silver spread on the ground. Pilgrims and even priests are not allowed to stay overnight. Tourists cannot carry any leather item. The Temple town of Palitana has some interesting handicrafts and 2 museums of Jain art - the Stapiya Kala Sangrah and the Shri Vishal Jain Kala Sansthan.

Air: Nearest airport at Bhavnagar is 62 kms away.

Rail: Palitana is on the Western Railway metre gauge line and is well connected to Ahmedabad , 277 kms. by rail and 215 kms. by road.

Road: State Transport & luxury buses ply regularly.

DWARKA

Dwarka, Gujarat

The presiding deity of Shri Krishna known as Dwarkadhish, is an imposing edifice and a superb architectural monument. Temple is spread in the area of 1800 square feet, the temple consists of a shrine that is supported by 60 pillars of granite and sandstone. On the west side of the temple is the seat of Adi Shankaracharya, the great master of Hindu faith who visited the temple in the seventh century. For the scholars, a wall poster depicting the family tree tracing the lineage to Lord Krishna offers an interesting insight into the great Indian epic of Mahabharat.

An interesting history surrounds the idol installed at this temple. It is said that, taking pity on his old devotee Badana, who used to traverse the long distance from Dakor to Dwarka, God in the form of an idol went with him to Dakor. This enraged the priests at Dwarka, who chased Badana to retrieve the idol. Badana persuaded the priests to leave the deity in return of gold, where upon the priests agreed to withdraw. By a miracle, the idol became as light as the nose-ring, which was all that the poor widow could offer. But the Lord did not want to disappoint the priests. He therefore granted them a boon that they will find a replica in Dwarka on a particular day. Unable to resist their curiosity, the priests excavated at the suggested site a little too early, and found yet to grow idol, which is now enshrined at Dwarka.

The present shrine is not likely to be older than the Mughal period. The inscriptions on the pillars and other places do not appear to be older than the 15th century AD. There must have been an older shrine, which was probably destroyed by Mohmud Begada in 1473 AD. The present temple was probably constructed during the period of the great Mughal Emperor, Akbar.

SAPUTARA

Saputara Hills, Gujarat

'Saputara' means the 'abode of serpents' and a snake image on the banks of the river Sarpagana is worshipped by the 'adivasis' (tribals) on festivals like Holi. history of Saputara says that Lord Rama spent 11 years of his exile in these very forests. Saputara has a cool bracing climate, the highest temperature even in the summer months not exceeding 28 degrees Centigrade. Saputara is situated 160 kms from Surat

Saputara has been developed as hill resort with hotels, parks, swimming pools theatres and a museum. It has several gardens, picturesque locations and a cool bracing climate even in the hot summer months making it an ideal getaway. The resort is equipped with adventure sports facilities like paragliding. The thick forest around Saputara is dotted with Adivasi tribal, villages and heir unique dance is great interest to visitors. Saputara is situated 1000m Above Sea Level.

Saputara is 160 kms from Surat, Gujarat.

JUNAGARH

Junagarh, Gujarat

Junagadh, is situated in erstwhile Saurashtra, at the foot of Mount Girnar on the northern fringes of the Gir forest . it was the capital of the western region ruled by several dynasties of rulers such as Mauryas, Greeks, Kshtrapas and Guptas.

city of Junagadh derives its name from an old fort called by the same name. Apart from being a place of pilgrimage, it is a wonderful place for nature lovers. It is also one of the few places where lions still roam free as, it is the abode of the majestic Asiatic Lion. Junagadh is a place of pilgrimage and has produced a number of saints in its long histroy. The most famous being the Gujarati saint-poet, Narsimha Mehta.

Junagadh is a veritable treasure trove of ancient temples, museums, palaces and caves. The famous rock edicts of Ashoka and the Girnar Temples are popular attractions.

JAMNAGAR

Jamnagar, Gujarat

Jamnagar was founded in 1540 AD. According to Pauranik literature, Lord Krishna established his kingdom at Dwarka, now in Jamnagar district, after his migration from Mathura and it is to this great Yadava race that the Jams of Nawanagar trace their descent. Built by Jam Raval, a Jadeja Rajput leader who migrated from Kachchh, Jamnagar was the capital for four centuries of the prosperous princely state of Nawanagar Jamnagar is the hometown of the world famous cricketers Ranjit Singh and Duleep Singh after whom the Ranji and Duleep Trophy are named in domestic Indian cricket.

Jamnagar is costal town situated 300 kms west of ahmedabad and 92 kms from Rajkot.