Bhavnagar (Gujarat)

Bhavnagar, the place of several lakes and temples. Bhavnagar lies in the southeast corner of the peninsular region of Gujarat known as Kathiawad or Saurashtra. Once the capital of a princely state, Situated about 250 km away from Ahmedabad, It is also an important trading center for cotton goods manufactured.

Founded in 1743 AD, by Bhavsinhji Gohil, on the site of a small village of Vadva, near the creek, Bhavnagar was once a flourishing port.

Bhavnagar serves as a convenient base to visit the Jain temples at Palitana on the Shatrunjaya Hills and the Velvadar Sanctuary, the home of the famous Indian Black Buck.

Population: 727481

Best time to visit :October to March

Places of Interest

Gandhi Smriti
It is a living monument to Gandhiji. It was opened in 1955.This is a sort of complex attached to a clock tower in the heart of the city. The tower bells with music and timings on all four sides. The smriti has a Gandhi picture gallery with photos on the Life of Mahatma Gandhi from birth to death, a small museum of ancient things, a big departmental Khadi Gramodyog Bhandar and a first class, well established and a well arranged running library.

Gopnath
A beautiful hemlet on the coast of the Gulf of Khambhatand at a distance of 10 kms from Talaja, the taluka headquarter of Bhavnagar district is Gopnath; vying for eminence on the tourist circuit with development of a heritage hotel - Gopnath Bungalow - the pleasant sea-shore retreat of Gohil rulers of Bhavnagar. The Bungalow, built in a European colonial style with cottages and mansions surrounding the courtyard, faces the sea and offers beautiful view of the gulf. It attracts marine life enthusiasts for the variety of the kind found in the rocky shoals on the coast. It is also renowned for the temple of Gopnath Mahadev, where Narsingh Mehta is believed to have performed penance.

Takeheteshwar Temple:
Built on a small hilltop, the holy temple of Lord Shiva named in the memory of Maharaja Takhtasinhji is a very popular place. It is made of pure marble and constructed in the late nineteenth century. The picturesque view from the temple adds to the serenity of the place. Thousands of people pay their visit daily to this hilly place. Velavadar

Barton Library And Museum
One of the oldest monuments in Bhavnagar, it is a favorite spot for men of all age group. Old age people prefer to sit here and read newspaper, dailies, magazines to spend their time. Old books, manuscripts, rare coins, arms and armor used by the rulers of Bhavnagar are on display at the Barton Library and Museum.

Excursion

Palitana
Palitana - city of Jam temples, lies at the feet of Shatrunjaya hills, in the eastern part of the Saurashtra. From this town a flight of steps begins and leads to a cluster of 863-hill top am temples built over a period of 900 years. On a moonlit night these ivory colored temples conjure up the vision of a fantasyland. The ornate temples have deities studded with gems and jewels. These can be reached after a 90-minute climb on foot. There is also a Muslim shrine on the hilltop

Sihor
One can also go and see Sihor that has the historic old palace of the Maharajas of Bhavnagar, featuring gardens, wall paintings and woodcarvings. The ship-breaking yard at Alang is also nearby

Vijay Vilas Palace
The Vijay Vilas Palace was built in 1906 AD by Yuvraj Vijay Sinhji of Palitana member of the same Gohil Rajput clan as the Maharajas of Bhavnagar, The Vijay Vilas palace, once the country retreat, of the Gohil Rajputs offers a splendid view of the Shatrunjaya Hill and the historic Palitana temples, which are situated in close proximity. It offers a convenient base for visiting the famous temples of Palitana and an excursion of the Palitana township.

How to get there

Air
Various domestic airlines connecting Mumbai (Bombay) and Surat.

Rail
It is on the Western Railway line. It is 761 Kms. from Mumbai (Bombay) via Ahmedabad and 788 Kms. via Viramgam.

Road
State transport buses and private luxury coaches connect various centres of Gujarat. It is situated 791 Kms. from Mumbai (Bombay) via Ahmedabad, 200 Kms from Ahmedabad via Sihor.