E.M.E. Temple

    The Shiva temple located at E.M.E (popularly known as E.M.E temple) in the cantonment near Fatehgunj is made up of aluminum and some alloys. The temple preserves some good sculptures of Gujarat.

     It has idols of Gods and Godesses beautifully placed on both the side walkways. During night the temple looks very attractive with the glowing electric bulbs.

Kalika Mata Temple

     At the summit of Pavagadh hill, 762 m above sea level, is the temple to Mother Kali, which is the oldest in the area, dating from the 10th-11th centuries. Hindu pilgrims were coming to visit this temple from long before the development of Champaner as a major city, and they continued for hundreds of years after its decline, right up to the present day. To reach the temple at the summit is about a 5 km walk along a jungle footpath to the top of the hill; otherwise, there is a cable car which will haul you to the summit from about the midway point, which is the last place accessible by road.

    The temple has large fortifications and an open chowk in front, with two altars for sacrifices, and an array of lights for special occasions. The idol of Kalika Mata in the inner sanctum is only the head, the mukhwato, painted in red. Also present are full idols of Mahakali and the yantras of Bahuchara. The temple is open from very early to quite late, to accomodate pilgrims arriving at all hours. The Machi Haveli is a rest house available for pilgrims.

Ranchhodrai Temple-Dakor

   
      The Ranchodrai Templet at Dakor is said to have become alternative site of Krishna worship to Dwarka at the request of a devotee. The sacred tank and the temple and the sacred Gabbar Rock.

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

       H.D.H. Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 3,December 2000.

       Famous for being the Home Town of Sardar Vallabhai Patel. In his memory, the Sardar Patel memorial has been constructed. It also showcases the life of Sardar Patel and his chronicles from his birth and also his numerous achievements.

Darbar Gadh

        Jamnagar city was founded by Shree Jam Rawal in 1540 A.D. Who originally belongs to Kutch and settled in Jamnagar, known as a Novinger at that time. Jamnagar was originally a fortified town with several gateways, famous Cricketer Jam Ranjitsinghjee was a prince of Jamnagar, and then he ruled Jamnagar from (1907-33 A. D.) Darbargadh is the original residence of Jam Sahib, it respects the fusion of Rajput and European architectural styles, Jam Ranjitsinghjee patronized two important urban designed projects in front of Darbargadh, namely Willingdon Crescent and Chelmsford Market. 

       There is a statue of Jam Ranjitsinghjee at the middle of the crescent.

     The market is in front of Darbargadh. Willingdon crescent is a two storied. Arcade with the semi-circular arches at both levels and decorative stone pillars.

    Jamsinghjee developed a new part of city on European town planning principles under the guidance of Sir Edward Lustiness architect of New Delhi

Ranmal Lake

         Around 8 km away from town, Ranmal Lake is a natural water body in which the river accumulates, another beautiful spot for birdwatching, especially during migration season.

Khijadia Bird Sanctuary

     Wildlife in Gujarat is an integral part of the travel plan in Gujarat. The Sanctuaries and wildlife parks can be a treat to watch fro any traveler. Amongst these, the Khijadia Bird Sanctuary is a bird Sanctuary housing various species of birds.

       Located at a distance of 10 Km on the north east part of Jamnagar, on the southern belt of the Gulf of Kutch, the Khijadia Birds Sanctuary got its notification in the year 1982. Wetlands all over, it has three freshwater lakes, mangroves, tidal mud humps, salty beds and everything suited to the migratory birds and waders. Two dams were erected by the then ruler of Jamnagar in order to avoid seeping of water from adjacent river Ruparen during high tides and hence, the co-existence of two varied kinds of soil - the salty wetlands on one and river freshwater on the other. This is instrumental in the variety of animals that we can see over here.

      Covering an area of 605 hectares, the Khijadia Birds Sanctuary, has three watch towers and Paddle boats are available here come handy to cross over the lakes. The position of the Sanctuary being at the western shore of the country makes it an easier route for the migratory birds to fly in.

Rozi and Bedi Ports

         Jamnagar, a city in the state of Gujarat is located in the Gulf of Kutch. Adinath Mandir sharp line of distinction can be drawn between the coastlines of Jamnagar to that of other sea coasts of India. Although the Jamnagar coastline is tidal by nature, yet they offer a few of the most spectacular beaches as well as picnic spots in the country. In addition to this, the presence of as many as 42 islands in this region makes the Gulf one of the most attractive touring destinations in India. One such destination is Rozi and Bedi Ports, Jamnagar.

        The Rozi and Bedi Ports in Jamnagar, India, has gained popularity due to the presence a number of picturesque picnic spots. However, the place gets its name from two of the major ports of the region by the name of Rozi and Bedi. These Ports of Rosy and Bedi are prominent trading hubs in the Arabian Sea. The Rozi and Bedi Ports, Jamnagar is a beautiful place for arranging picnics. This seaside picnic spot offers fishing facilities to the tourists. However, to enjoy such a pleasure, one has to take permission from the Fisheries Department. Thus, a visit to the Rozi and Bedi Ports would certainly make your visit to Gujarat last in your memory for a lifetime.

Dwarka Beach

        Dwarka is an important city for Hindu Pilgrimage. This was the kingdom of Lord Krishna. The entire city was revealed by marine excavations. The city is famous for the Dwarkadish temple or Jagat Mandir. Dwarka has fine stretches of beach and though crowded by pilgrims one can always find quiet spots too. Large number of birds could be seen on the coast. There is a small island covered with temples, a white beach, coral reefs and extensive marine life. Dolphins and porpoise can be seen surfacing to breathe, sea turtles, octopus, star fish, sea urchins etc. inhabit the beach.

Okha Madhi-Dwarka

• This place is also called okha-madhi.

• This wonderful beach comes about 22 KMS before Dwarka.

• Vast expanse of beach, clean water and sand..

•  Its the open sea here, so mostly the waves are quite strong.

Pirotan Island and Narala Island

         
       Of the 42 islands, the only ones that visitors are permitted to enter and explore are Pirotan Island, which is easier to access and therefore more popular, and Narala Island, which lacks infrastructure and can only be reached at certain times, when the tide is high enough.

        The islands are uninhabited except for the workers at Pirotan Island’s lighthouse, so enjoy the solitude and use it as an opportunity to lose yourself to the wide world around you. Armed with a little knowledge, you can spend hours walking around the tidal flats at low tide, observing the fascinating marine life as it lies exposed from the receding waters. Some of the creatures, such as jellyfish, are best left untouched. Be sure to ask the park officers what others should be avoided, but don’t be afraid to have a hands on experience with the creatures that are open to it.

Beyt Dwarka

     
         Beyt Dwarka, also known as Beyt Shankhodhar, is a small island and was the main port in the region before the development of Okha. It offers opportunities to spot dolphins, marine excursions, camping and picnicking. Most of the archaelogical ruins excavated here and religious manuscripts correspond with Beyt Dwarka as the original abode of Lord Krishna. In order to get there from Dwarka, one might need to first get to Okha port jetty (32 km), by either rail or road and then take a ferry or small boat (Rs.5/-), 5km away.

    
       Shri Krishna Temple: From here an enormous 500 year old temple is a 15 minute walk. Built by Shri Vallabhacharya, it enshrines an idol believed to be made by Rukmini. There is a story where Lord Krishna's friend Sudama presented him with rice and so the tradition is continued by the visitors who present the Brahmins here with donations of rice. There are other smaller temples in the same vicinity of Lord Shiva, Lord Hanuman, Devi and Lord Vishnu. Beyt Dwarka is also associated with the legend where Lord Vishnu slew the demon Shankhasura.
   

       Hanuman Temple: The magnificent Dandiwala Hanuman Temple is situated about 5 km east of the Beyt Dwarka's maintemple. It also has facilities of accomodation for visitors who might want to perform special worships. One of the rare features of this temple is the idol of Hanuman's son Makardwaja. It is said that the celebate Lord Hanuman impregnated a fish with a drop of his perspiration, which conceived and gave birth to a son as strong as Lord Hanuman. Legend also says that during the famous war of Lanka, Ravana kidnapped and kept both Lord Ram and Laxman in Patal (the world underneath the earth). Hanuman chose this place to enter Patal and had to fight Makardhwaja, who was guarding it. This is where they met and recognized each other as father and son. Hanuman Jayanti evokes a large celebration here. Also, on Dashera, the idol of Shri Krishna is adorned like Shri Ram, who is carried here for a special visit on a palkhi (palaquin).

Rukmini Devi Temple-Dwarka

          This temple stands 2 km away from Dwarka City. The local explanation given for this distance is an old legend. They say, once Lord Krishna and his wife Rukmini went to the sage Durvasha to invite him for dinner at Dwarka. He agreed on the condition that Krishna & Rukmini would have to pull his chariot instead of any animal. The couple happily obliged. While pulling the chariot, Rukmini became thirsty so Lord Krishna prodded his toe into the earth to draw a spring of the holy Ganga water. Rukmini took a sip without offering Durvasha. Annoyed by her impoliteness he cursed Rukmini that she would be    separated from her beloved husband. Hence Rukmini temple is located 2 kms away from Dwarka's Jagat Mandir. Maybe 2500 years old, but its domed mandapa and stepped sanctuary cannot be older than the 12th century in its present form.

     

             The exterior of the Rukmini Temple is richly carved. It has a panel of sculpted naratharas (human figures) and a panel of sculpted gajatharas (elephants) at the base. The traditional spire of the main shrine contrasts strongly with the hemispherical dome of the pavilion. The garbhagriha (inner sanctum) has a recessed seat on which the present image of Rukmini, wife of Lord Krishna, was consecrated.
       The usual sculptures of god and goddesses, along with male and female figures, are seen on the exterior of the shrine.

Dwarkadhish Temple-Dwarka

         The main temple at Dwarka, situated on Gomti creek, is known as jagat mandir (universal shrine) or trilok sundar (the most beautiful in all the three worlds). Originally believed to be built by Vajranabh, the great grandson of Lord Krishna, more than 2500 years ago, it is a glorious structure seeming to rise from the waters of the Arabian Sea. Its exquisitely carved shikhar, reaching 43 m high and the huge flag made from 52 yards of cloth, can be seen from as far away as 10 km. The grandeur of the temple is enhanced by the flight of 56 steps leading to the rear side of the edifice on the side of the river Gomti. The temple is built of soft limestone and consists of a sanctum, vestibule and a rectangular hall with porches on three sides. There are two gateways: swarga dwar (gate to the heavens), where pilgrims enter, and moksha dwar (gate to liberation), where pilgrims exit.

      
The lower part of the Dwarkadhish temple is from the 16th century and the soaring steeple with its numerous clusters of small towers is from the 19th century. The main part of the temple has five storeys, reaching to a height of over 100 feet. The exquisite carvings on its exterior display daring eroticism, a multi-layered mythic intensity and extraordinary continuity of design. In contrast, the interior of the temple is striking in its simplicity, with the only exception being the elaborate ornamentation around the shrine to the idol of Dwarkadhish.

      Inside, the sanctuary is a hive of voices, colors, incense and movement. With faith, for many it can also transform into a space of inner silence and unity with the divine.Open from 7am-12:30pm and 5pm-9:30pm

Bala Hanuman temple-Jamnagar

     On the southeast corner of the lake is the Bala Hanuman temple, famous for its continuous chanting of the “Sri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram” since August 1st, 1964, for which it is even listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.

      You can visit the temple to be witness to their prolonged act of religious devotion and even join in if you wish to contribute to the effort, especially at night, during the more difficult sessions.

Gomati Ghat Temples-Dwarka

      
             On the banks of river Gomti, there is a Shiva temple, as well as smaller shrines of Lord Rama, Lord Krishna and Krishna's friend Sudama around the ghat, where pilgrims have worshipped for at least 100 years. One can also hire a boat and move across the river to get a panoramic view of Dwarka.

Nageshwar Jyothirlinga Temple-Dwarka

       Located on the route between Dwarka city and Beyt Dwarka Island on the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat is this important Lord Shiva Temple.
  
       It is enshrined by one of the 12 swayambhu (self-existent) jyothirlingas in the world, in an underground sanctum. A 25 m tall statue of a sitting Lord Shiva and a large garden with a pond are major attractions of this rather serene place.
      
      Some archaeological excavations claim five earlier cities at the site.

About Gujarat

    Aavo Padharo
Aavo Padharo, words of welcome in the language of Gujarat because it is here that these words ring truely and the guest is 'God' and the people of Gujarat are gregariously friendly, inviting and will entice you to come again and again.

Here in Gujarat you will discover centuries of history as spanning the geological core of the earth onto a fascinatingly vibrant future. Gujarat is unique in its geological and topographical landscape. From volcanic outpourings through bedrock to fossil fields of indegenous dinosaurs; from the art of the neolithic cave painter to the stone masterpieces of a series of civilized architecture. Gujarat has it all.

Ancient cave paintings to historic murals, natural and man made caves. Art, history, music, culture, all dovetail within each other to form a wondrous matrix that is the cultural exuberance of the people of the state.

Fast Facts About Gujarat
 Location
Western tip of India

 

Location
Western tip of India

Area
196077 sq. km.

Population
5.06 Crore (as on 1st March 2001)

Capital
Gandhinagar

Language
Gujarati

Religion
Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Sikhism, Christianity

Time
GMT +5:30

Currency
Indian Rupee

Climate
Wet in the southern districts and Desertic in the north-west region

Winter
November to February (12 - 29 Celsius)

Summer
March to May (29 - 41 Celsius)

Monsoon
June to October (27 - 35 Celsius)

Name of the Districts
Ahmedabad, Amreli, Anand, Banaskantha, Bharuch, Bhavnagar, Dahod, Dang, Gandhinagar, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Kutch, Kheda, Mahesana, Narmada, Navsari,  Panchmahal, Patan, Porbandar, Rajkot, Sabarkantha, Surat, Surendranagar, Tapi, Vadodara, Valsad

Major Cities
Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, Bhuj, Junagadh, Jamnagar

Total No. Of Talukas
226

Emergency Numbers
Emergency  108
Police  100
Fire  101
Ambulance  102
General Inquiry - Phone  197
Toll Free  1800 233 7951 | 1800 233 9008

Transport - Air
International  Ahmedabad
Domestic  Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Surat, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Bhuj

Ports
Major Kandla
Minor Mandvi, Mundra, Sikka, Okha, Porbandar, Veraval, Bhavnagar, Salaya, Pipavav, Mahuva, Jafrabad, Hazira

Major Beaches
Mandvi-Kutch, Dwarka, Chorwad, Gopnath, Tithal, Porbandar, Dandi, Nargol, Somnath, Ahmedpur Mandvi, Dumas

Hills
Saputara, Pavagadh, Girnar, Taranga, Shatrunjaya

Major Industries
Electronics, Information Technology, Textiles, Petrochemicals, Agriculture, Cement