RELIGIOUS GUJARAT

RELIGIOUS GUJARAT 

Gujarat is high on Holy Tourism due to its inception of all-embracing religious faith ranging from caste to caste. The major religions followed are Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. Muslim Religion, Christianity, Parsi, Sindhi and other many more religions are followed with faith all across Gujarat. Since ancient times, Gujarat is noted for its temples. The temple of Somnath dedicated to Shiva is the first among the 12 Jyotirlings in India.Somnath is an eternal shrine build way back during 10th century, believed to be built during Mahabharata times. Also known as Someshwar Mahadev, it is the seventh temple built to commemorate the glory of Lord Somnath known as Bhaireshvar in the Satva yug, shravanikeshwar in the Treta Yug and Shrigaleshwar in Dwapar Yug. Hill-top shrines like Ambaji, Palitana, Girnar and Pavagadh are similarly prominent in legend and historical - should be are historical. Palitana is a hilltop place of pilgrimage for Jains. 863 temples of all sizes crowd the hill which has to be paced on foot. Stone and marble spires with their rich detail of carving make for Palitana’s architectural splendor.

AHMEDABAD 

It is the largest city in Gujarat. It is the Seventh largest city in India with population of approximately 6 million. Ahmedabad is the fastest growing city of India, and ranked third as the fastest growing cities worldwide. It is located on the banks of the River Sabarmati, 32 km from the state capital Gandhinagar. The city has witnessed the establishment of scientific and service industries, the expansion of the information Technology sector, and significant improvements in transportation and communications. Ahmedabad's population is growing, which has resulted in a construction and housing boom. From the tourism point of view the city is blessed with Gandhi Ashram – Place where Mahatma Gandhi launched the freedom movement against the British, Syed Sayed Mosque, Stepwells, Jumma Masjid, etc. are some of the famous Tourist Hotspots in Ahmedabad.

LOTHAL 

Lothal is one of the most famous sites of Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilization. Lothal is located approximately 80 km southwest of Ahmedabad. Present day Lothal is in the middle of quiet agricultural field, where you can see no inhabitants around the site. But in the ancient time (2000 BC), it is thought to have been a bustling commercial center with bead factories and dockyard for exporting the products. Four millennia have passed and we can only imagine the full scale of the city and people who lived there, but some artifacts, such as toys and perforated pots, can be viewed in the nearby museum. In the rainy season and winter, Lothal is a very comfortable to place to visit, with greenery surrounding the site. You will be able to spend quiet time thinking about the lost civilization. 

PALITANA 

The hustling, dusty town of Palitana, 51km southwest of Bhavnagar, has grown rapidly to serve the pilgrim trade around Shatrunjaya. Your best bet for general information is the helpful manager at Hotel Shravak.

BHAVNAGAR 

Bhavnagar is a hectic, sprawling industrial centre with a colourful old core, that makes a base for journeys to nearby Shatrunjaya and Blackbuck National Park.

SOMNATH 

Somnath’s famous, phoenix-like temple stands in neat gardens above the beach, 6km southeast of Veraval. The sea below gives it a wistful charm. The small town of Somnath is an agglomeration of narrow, interesting market streets with no car traffic, so it's easy to walk around and enjoy. Somnath celebrates Kartik Purnima, marking Shiva’s killing of the demon Tripurasura, with a large colourful fair. It is home to one of the 12 Jyotirlings of India, the temple city of Somnath or PrabhasPatan is situated in the state of Gujarat on the Arabian Sea. It is said that the original temple of Somnath was built by the Moon God and was made of gold. After it was razed to the ground, it was rebuilt with silver by Ravana. When the silver temple was knocked down, it was reconstructed in wood by Krishna. And when this was pulled down, an edifice of stone was erected by Bhimdev.  This is the first among the twelve Jyotirlings. Since ancient times, PrabhasPatan has been a pilgrimage, being the confluence of the mythological Saraswati, Hiranya and Kapila. Legend has it that Lord Shiva's Kalbhairavlinga is situated at Prabhas. It is also associated with the moon as the Moon God is also said to have worshipped this Shivling. This is also the reason why this temple is popularly known as Somnath, the one named after the moon.

PORBANDAR 

The port town of Porbandar, located between Veraval and Dwarka, is famed as the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi - The Father of the Nation. Kirti Mandir is the major attraction for tourist where Putlibai, Gandhiji's mother, had given birth to Gandhiji. Behind Kirti Mandir is Navi Khadi, where Kasturba, Gandhiji's wife was born. This friendly beachside town on the southeast coast is Gujarat now builds its reputation on cement and soda ash, and is well off the tourist map. You can’t swim here due to rough, repugnant seas; in fact, you can’t do much except stroll the tree-lined streets enjoying the invigorating sea breeze, visit the former house of the loin-clothed fakir, or pay respects at a neighbouring shrine. Back towards Jynbeeli bridge you’ll find some lovely mangroves replete with birdlife.

In ancient times, the city was called Sudamapuri after Sudama, a compatriot of Krishna, and there was once a flourishing trade from here to Africa and the Gulf. The Africa connection is apparent in the number of African-Indians, known as Siddis, who form a separate caste of Dalits.

DWARKA 

Dwarka literally feels like the end of the earth. This remote pilgrimage town at the extreme western tip of the Kathiawar peninsula is one of the four most holy Hindu sites in India – Krishna is said to have set up his capital here after fleeing from Mathura. It’s a well-organised town, busy with pilgrims and farmers. Men wear white clothes and red turbans, and both men and women are weighed down with gold nugget-like jewellery. It gets packed with pilgrims at festival times. Archaeological excavations have revealed five earlier cities lying just off the coast – submerged as the sea encroached.

Photos

Itinerary

• Day 1

  ARRIVAL AHMEDABAD / LOCAL SIGHTSEEING

  Arrival at Ahmedabad, Transfer to Hotel, Later visit Gandhi Ashram, Hutheesing Jain Temples, Akshardham Temple & Stepwells of Adalaj. Later, visit the Utensil Museum followed by Dinner at Vishala [An ethnic Village Theme Restaurant] [optional] serving a variety of delicious Meals. Overnight at Ahmedabad Hotel

• Day 2

  AHMEDABAD / LOTHAL / BHAVNAGAR (175 Kms)

  After breakfast, depart for Bhavnagar. Enroute visit Harappan Era site – Lothal [A perfect place to get an insight of the IndusValley civilization]. After visit of Lothal continue drive to Bhavnagar. Upon arrival visit Gangajaha, Barton Museum, Gandhi Smriti Museum & Takhteshwar Temple . Overnight at Bhavnagar Hotel

• Day 3

  BHAVNAGAR / PALITANA / SOMNATH (270 Kms)

  After breakfast, depart for Somnath. Enroute Visit Palitana. It is locsted south west of Bhavnagar. It is about 182m above sea level and is the base for the nearby hill top complex of Shatrunjaya. "SHATRUNJAYA" literally means the place of victory and is Jain's most sacred pilgrimage site. Later in afternoon depart for Somnath. Overnight at Somnath Hotel

• Day 4

  SOMNATH / PORBANDAR / DWARKA (235 Kms)

  After breakfast, proceed for Somnath local Sightseeing like Triveni Sangam, Shardha Math, and Bhalka Teerth, Somnath Temple. Later depart for Dwarka. Enroute visit Porbandar. Continue drive to Dwarka. On arrival at Dwarka, visit the famous Dwarkadhish Temple for evening aarti. Overnight at Dwarka Hotel

• Day 5

  DWARKA / AHMEDABAD (445 Kms)

  After breakfast, Visit Gomti Ghat and Bhakeshwar Mahadev Temple. Later depart for Ahmedabad. Later if time & energy permits visit the Night Market at Law Garden in the evening. Overnight at Ahmedabad Hotel

• Day 6

  AHMEDABAD HERITAGE WALK & SIGHTSEEING / DEPART AHMEDABAD

  After early breakfast at 7.00 am, proceed to Swami Narayan Temple for Heritage Walk Guided Tour of old walled city of Ahmedabad. The walk ends at Jumma Mosque at 10.30 am. Visit Green House for snacks [optional] and visit Siddi Sayed Mosque located right opposite. Later return to hotel & check out. Drop to Ahmedabad airport
  Overnight at Ahmedabad

Notes

Daily Departures

Hotels

Hotel Courtyard By Marriott Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad

Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad

Hotel Novotel Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad

Hotel Lords Inn Somnath

Somnath

Hotel Dwarkadhish Lords Eco Inn Dwarka

Dwarka

Hotel Lemon Tree Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad

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