Destination : Ahmedabad (1n) | Balaram (2n) |Balasinore (1n) |Rajpipla (1n) |Utelia (1n) Bhavnagar (2n) | Palitana (1n) | Gondal (1n) | Wankaner (1n)
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Ahmedabad
Morning Arrival At Ahmedabad Airport / Railway Station, Meets, Greet And Transfer To Hotel, Later City Tour Visits Of Gandhi Ashram, Hathee Singh Jain Temple, Adalej Step Well, Akshardham Temple.
Adalaj Step Well
The Step Well Was Built In 1499 A.D. By Queen Rudabai Wife Of Veer Singh, The Vaghela Family. The Designs On Its Walls And Pillars Include Leaves, Flowers, Birds, Fish And Other Breathtaking Ornamental Designs. In The Past, These Step Wells Were Frequented By Tourists And Caravans As Stopovers Along Trade Routes. The Five-Storied, Step-Well Located In The Sleepy Village Of Adalaj Is A Marvel Of Architecture. This Unique Water Work Is An Excellent Blend Of Hindu And Islamic Styles. The Intricately Carved Monument Served Religious And Utilitarian Purposes Of The People Around Though Its Origin Is Marred By Tragedy. The Indo-Islamic Style Of Architecture, Which Developed In India In The Early Centuries Of The Medieval Period, Is Neither A Local Variant Of Islamic Art, Nor A Modification Of Hindu Art, But It Is An Assimilation Of Both The Styles, Though Not Always To An Equal Degree. The Architecture Of This Well Also Shows The Influence Of The Earlier Solanki Rulers Of Gujarat. Built Entirely Of Sandstone, One Can Enter Into This Step-Well From Three Sides, Which Consist Of Octagonal Landings With Huge Carved Colonnades And Intricately Carved Niches. The Step-Well Served Both Ritualistic As Well As Utilitarian Needs.
Hathee Singh Jain Temple
It Was Built By Seth Hathee Singh In 1850. It Is Easily Distinguished By Its High Carved Column, Visible From Road. Built Entirely Of White Marble Embossed With Smooth Carvings Of Dancers, Musicians, Animals & Flowers, This Serene Temple Is Dedicated To Dharmnath, Whose Statue Stand In The Main Temple. It Has A Paved Courtyard Surrounded By An Imposing Row Of Cloisters Containing 52 Shrines, Each With An Image Of A Tirthankara, Profusely Decorated With Rich Carvings, One Containing The Marble Image Of The 15th Tirthankara. The Temple Is A Two-Storied Structure With Elaborate Porches On Three Sides And Front Porch Crowned By A Large Dome.
Sabarmati Ashram - Gandhi Ashram - Harijan Ashram - Satyagraha
It’s Located On The Western Bank Of The Sabarmati River. Ashram Was The Residence Of Mahatma Gandhi. From This Ashram Gandhi Started The Dandi March In 1930. The Ashram Now Has A Museum, Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya. The Museum Building Was Erected (Designed By Architect Charles Correa), And Memorial Activities Were Then Started Here. One Of The Important Activities Undertaken Is The Establishment Of A Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya. Initially Started In 'Hriday Kunj,' Gandhi's Own Cottage In The Ashram, The Sangrahalaya Has Now Shifted To Its Own Well-Designed And Well-Furnished Building. Exhibits At The Museum Includes: Gandhi Quotations, Letters, And Life Size Oil Painting Gallery.
Akshardham Temple (Monday Closed)
Akshardham Is A Unique Cultural Complex That Celebrates The Past, Addresses The Present, And Blesses The Future. It Upholds The Universal Values Of Humanity And Symbolizes The Glory Of Indian Culture. It Is A Huge Temple Built In Pink Stone And White Marble. The Central Attraction Of This Temple Is Idol Of Swaminarayan Is Sitting Posture Of 3.3 Mtrs. Universal Ideals Of Indian Culture Are Brought To Life Through The Most Modern Exhibition Technology. Shows, Walk-Through Dioramas, Audio-Visuals, Light And Sound Programs, And Surround Experiences Within The 45,000 Sq. Ft. Of Exhibition Space, Educate And Enthrall Visitors. The Sahajanand Hall Depicts The Life Of Lord Swaminarayan. The Mystic India Addresses The Quest For Eternal Happiness Through A 14-Screen Multi Media Show. The Nityanand Hall Visualizes Values From The Upanishads, Ramayana. The Audio Animatronics Show Features The Lifelike Assembly Of Statues That Sing And Speak. The Water Show Reveals India’s Ancient Secret Of Inner Light Through An Upanishad Story Of Nachiketa, A Nine Year Old Boy, Who Bravely Confronts Yamraaj, The God Of Death, And Receives From Him The Knowledge That Has Made India, A Land Of Enlightenment. Performed By Live Actors, With A 70-Feet High Water Screen, Water Features, Fire Spreading On Water Along With Several Fireballs, Powerful Lasers, All Enhanced By A 10.2 Surround Sound System, It Is A Uniquely Entertaining And Educational Show With A Spiritual Message. The 45-Minute Show Takes Place Every Evening (Except Monday) At Akshardham.
Overnight Stay Ahmedabad.
Ahmedabad – Patan – Modhera – Balaram (280 Kms / 6 Hrs)
Patan – Patola - Patan Patola Of Weaving
Patan Is Famous For Patola Weaving. Salvi Community Of People Is Working With Patola. The Queen Of Textiles Is The Patola Woven By Only Few Families Of Patan. The Technique Used To Weave The Patola Is The Rare Double Ikkat Style Which Involves Dyeing Both The Wrap Threads In The Pattern Of The Final Fabrics Before Setting Them On The Loom. Patan Is Also One Of The Centers For Mushroo, Fabrics Woven As A Combination Of Silk & Cotton With The Latter Forming The Backing. While In Preparing Patola Colouring And Design Pattern Are Evolved On Each Thread. Different Colour And Pattern Are Matched Exactly On Horizontal And Vertical Threads In Weaving. The Patola Was Traditionally Woven In A Sari Length Of 5 To 9 Yards By 45" To 54" Width. The Range Now Extends To Include Tablecloth Borders Scarves, Handkerchiefs.
Patan Timings 09:30 Am To 06:00 Pm / Closed On Special Festival
Modhera – Sun Temple
Modhera Sun Temple Is Finest Example Of Hindu Architecture In Gujarat. The Sun Temple At Modhera Dates Back To Early 11th Century Ce And Was Built By King Bhimdev I In 1026 Ce. The Sanctum Was Designed To Allow The Sunlight To Illuminate The Main Statue, No Longer In The Temple. The Quality & Quantity Of Carvings Along Its Walls Describing God, Other Figures & Erotic Positions Are Exceptional. In Front Of The Temple Is A Colossal Tank, Which Was Once Known As Surya Kund Or Rama Kund. The Tank Has A Series Of Carved Steps Leading To The Bottom. Several Miniature Shrines Adorn The Steps Of The Tank - Which Is An Art Gallery In Itself.
Later Proceed To Little Rann Of Kutch. Overnight Stay Dasada / Bajana / Patdi / Zainabad.
Overnight Stay Balaram.
Rani Ki Vav, Patan Step Well - Architecture
It Was Built By The Queen Udaymati, The Wife Of Bhimdev. It Is The Best Example Of Such Architecture For Water Wells That Is Peculiar To Gujarat. There Are Wonderful Carved Images In The Niches Of The Walls Of This Multi Storied Step Well. It Was One Of The Largest And The Most Sumptuous Structures Of Its Type. It Became Silted Up And Much Of It Is Not Visible Now, Except For Some Rows Of Sculptured Panels In The Circular Part Of The Well. Among Its Ruins One Pillar Still Stands Which Is The Proof Not Only Of The Elegance Of Its Design, But Also Excellent Example Of This Period. A Part Only Of The West Well Is Extant From Which It Appears That The Wall Had Been Built Of Brick And Faced With Stone.
Balaram – Balasinore (260 Kms /5.5 Hrs)
Balasinor Is An Erstwhile Princely State And A Trip Is Incomplete Without A Visit Or Stay At The Residence Of The Royal Family (Which Has Now Been Converted Into A Heritage Homestay). Arguably The Star Of Balasinor, Rajasaurus Narmadensis Is A Carnivorous Dinosaur Species Of The Cretaceous Period Which Roamed The Narmada Regions About 65 Million Years Ago. Paleontologists From The Geological Survey Of India Stumbled Across The Bones Of An Undiscovered Species At Balasinor In 1983 And It Was Only In 2001, That Paleontologists From Universities In United States Arrived To Study The Fossils. They Realised They Had The Partial Skeleton Of An Undiscovered Species, And Named It, Quite Literally, The "Regal Dinosaur From The Narmada". Today, A Dinosaur Fossil Park Exists At The Spot With The Fenced Area Spread Over More Than 70 Acres. Unless You Are A Paleontologist Yourself, Do Book A Guided Tour Hosted By Princess Aaliya Sultana Babi. She Has Developed Deep Expertise In The Area And Works Closely With The Paleontologists Who Have Been Visiting The Region. Be Prepared To Be Awed As She Helps You Spot Fossils Of Different Body Parts, Dinosaur Eggs And What Not.
Overnight Stay Balasinore.
Balasinore – Rajpipla (180 Kms / 4 Hrs)
This Town Is 36 Km From Sardar Sarovar Dam, And 98 Km From Bharuch. It Was Once The Center Of A Princely State. The Palace Is Used For Film Shoots Throughout The Year.
Overnight Stay Rajpipla.
Rajpipla – Uthelia (210 Kms / 4.5 Hrs)
Utelia Was Founded In 1786 By Bhav Sinhji, A Member Of The Vaghela Rajput Clan That Once Ruled Much Of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Malwa And Rewa. The Palace Utelia Was Built Around The Turn Of The Century To Replace A Wooden Palace By Nekamdar Thakore Saheb Sur Sinhji. The Palace Utelia Is A Typical Work Of The Indo-Saracenic Architectural Style With European Influences, And Features 5 Domes, Pillared Galleries, Balconies And Porticos.
Overnight Stay Uthelia.
Uthelia – Velavadar National Park – Bhavnagar. (140 Kms / 3 Hrs)
Velavadar National Park
Velavadar National Park Is A 65 Kms From Bhavnagar. Park Is Open From Mid Oct To Mid June. The 34 Sq Kilometer Black Buck National Park Covers The Highest Concentration Of This Indian Antelope Anywhere In The Country. It’s Famous For Its Blackbucks, Which Support Impressive Spiraling Horns- As Long As 65 Cm In Mature Males. Nilgai, Jungle Cat, And Indian Fox Are Frequently Seen While Touring The Park. Birdwatchers Can Spot Rare Species Like The Stoicka’s Bushchat And A Large Root Of Harrier-Hawks. We Can Go Into Park With Our Own Car, As This Car We Can Use It To Explore The Park. Velavadar Is Also One Of The Few National Parks In India Where The Indian Wolf Is Proliferating Successfully. There Is A Forest Department Run Tourist Accommodation Complex In The Park.
Overnight Stay Bhavnagar.
Bhavnagar
Gandhi Smriti
The Little Known Fact That Mahatma Gandhi Went To The University On Bhavnagar. Established With An Objective Of Keeping Gandhian Thought Alive, Gandhi Smriti Is A Living Monument To Gandhi Ji. Opened In 1955, The Institution Houses A Gandhiji.
Barton Museum & Library
It Was Established In 1882 & Open For All From 1885. Barton Museum Is Located At Gandhi Smriti In Bhavnagar. This Is Principally An Archaeological Museum. On Display Here Are Coins, Weapons, And Wood Carvings, Farming Implements, Fossils And Archaeological Finds. Also A Very Good Collection Of Stamps Are Here.
Overnight Stay Bahvanagar .
Bhavnagar – Palitana (70 Kms / 2 Hrs)
Palitana Jain Temple
Palitana Is One Of The India’s Most Pilgrim Centers. The 600-Metre Climb To Shatrunjaya Is Usually On Foot. Lift Chairs (Dolly’s) Are Also Available. Mount Shatrunjaya Hardly A Kilometer Away From The Town, Which On Both Sides By Minor Temples, Include Museums. The Mountain Is Associated With Rishabhdev, The First Tirthankar, Also Known As Adinath. Palitana Site Is Scared To Jains Who Believe To Lord Adinath. There Are Superb Views In All Directions. The Temple Was Built In Different Periods But Most Of Them Follow A Similar Architectural Style Of Shikhara Or Towers On The Rooftop And Shrines Open On Four Side. Temples Are The Adishvara Which Is Said To Have Been Built In The 12th Century But Renovated Twice Since With A Tall Shikhara Made Up Of Many Small Towers. The Three Storey Vimala Sah Temple Built In The 14th Century With The Statue Towering Over All Three Floors And The Motisah Temple Of The 19th Century. On Shatrunjaya Hill Around 3500 Steps Are There. A Photography Permit Is Available In Front Of The Main Entrance. The Museum Located 400 Meter Before The Start Of The Steps At The Bottom Of The Hill, Displays A Collection Of Jain Arte Facts.
Overnight Stay Palitana .
Palitana – Gondal (170 Kms / 4 Hrs)
Naulakha Palace (Gondal)
Gondal Was The Princely State Ruled By Jadeja Rajput. Gondal Main Attractions Are Its Palaces & Buildings. The State Became Distinguished For Its Number Of Educational And Public Institutions. The Naulakha Palace Was Erected Around 1748 Ad In The Darbargadh Or Walled Palace Complex Of The Rulers, And Since Then Has Been Extended By Successive Rulers. Naulakha Palace Is A Festival Of Stone Carving With Jarokha Balconies. The Former Living Quarters Of The Palace Have Been Converted Into A Private Museum Exhibiting Textiles, Brassware, Royal Wardrobes, And Library, Silver Caskets That Carried Gifts And Messages For Maharaja Bhagwat Sinhji. Guests Staying At The Riverside Palace Or Orchard Palace Are Given A Guided Tour Of The Naulakha Palace.
Vintage Car Collection (Gondal)
This Is Very Much Interesting For Car Lovers. Its Collection Includes A 1910 New Engine, The Delage D8, Daimler, And The Grand 1935 Mercedes Seven-Seat Saloon Are Examples Of Supercharged European Cars Of The 1920s And '30s Known For Their Superbly Crafted Bodywork And High Performance. American Cars In The Collection Include A 1935 Packard Two-Door Convertible Coupe, The 1930s Buick Convertible And The 1935 Ford Convertible. Imposing American Cars Of The 1940s And '50s Include A 1941 Cadillac Saloon, A 1947 Cadillac Convertible, A 1947 Buick Convertible, A 1947 Oldsmobile, The 1940s Studebaker Convertible, The 1947 Lincoln V12, And The 1950s Cadillac Eldorado Limousine. Most Of Cars Are Restored To Original. This Museum Is Open Morning 0900 Hours To 1200 Hours & 1500 To 1700 Hours.
Overnight Stay Gondal.
Gondal – Wankaner (110 Kms / 2.5 Hrs)
Two Palace Guest Houses, The Royal Residency And The Royal Oasis Are Now Heritage Hotels. The Royal Oasis Is Situated On The Banks Of The Machchhu Lake Amidst A Serene Orchard Of Leafy Trees, The Warbling Of Birds And An Atmosphere Of Cool, Meditative Calm. It Also Houses A Grand Indoor Pool In The Art Deco Style With An Early Twentieth Century Step-Well Located Near The Palace Grounds. Wankaner Reflects The Hospitality And Grandeur Of Old Kathiawar.
The Royal Oasis Is Now A Heritage Hotel. The Royal Oasis Is Situated On The Banks Of The Machchhu Lake Amidst A Serene Orchard Of Leafy Trees, The Warbling Of Birds And An Atmosphere Of Cool, Meditative Calm. It Also Houses A Grand Indoor Pool In The Art Deco Style With An Early Twentieth Century Step-Well Located Near The Palace Grounds. Wankaner Reflects The Hospitality And Grandeur Of Old Kathiawar.
Wankaner To Ahmedabad Drop (220 Kms / 4.5 Hrs)
Today In Time Transfer To Ahmedabad Airport To Board Flight For Your Hometown. Let’s Stay In Touch On Facebook/Email And Meet Again On Another Memorable Holiday. See You Soon!
