Best of Gujarat

AHMEDABAD - DWARKA - BHAVNAGAR - SOMNATH

8 Days / 7 Nights

AHMEDABAD

Ahmedabad is the largest city in the State of Gujarat and the Seventh- largest urban agglomeration in India, with a population of almost 74 lakhs (7.4 Million). City is Located on the banks of the River Sabarmati.

DAKOR

Dakor is a small city and a municipality in Kheda district in the state of Gujarat, India. It is prominent for its temple of Raṇchoḍrāyjī.

PAVAGADH

Pavagadh is an ancient Triassic Period location with Enriched History from periods of Treta Yuga and Dvapara Yuga. In present day, Pavagadh is a municipal operated region in Panchmahal district about 46 kilometres away from Vadodara in Gujarat state in western India.

DWARKA

Dwarka is believed to have been the first capital of Gujarat. The city’s name literally means the “gateway to heaven” in Sanskrit, as Dwar means “gate” and ka references “Brahma”. Dwarka has also been referred to throughout its history as “Mokshapuri”, “Dwarkamati”, and “Dwarkavati”.

SOMNATH

Somnath’s first temple is said to have existed 2000 years ago. Is. In 649 AD, King Maitre of Vallabhini built a second temple in place of the temple and renovated it. In 725, the old ruler of Sindh took his army and attacked the temple and destroyed the temple. Pratishtha King Nag Bhatt II constructed the temple for the third time in 815 using a red stone (sandstone) stone. In 1026, Mahmud Ghazni lent the precious jewels and property of Somnath temple. After looting, slaughtering innumerable pilgrims of the temple and burning the temple and destroying it. During 1026-1042 Solanki Raja Bhimdev built the fourth temple of Bhoj and Anhilwad Patan, Parmar King of Malwa.Somnath was destroyed when Delhi Sultanate occupied Gujarat in 1299. In 1394 it was destroyed again. In 1706, Mughal ruler Aurangzeb again demolished the temple.

BHAVNAGAR

Bhavnagar is a city in the Bhavnagar district of the Saurashtra region of the Gujarat state of India. It was founded in 1724 by Bhavsinhji Gohil (1703–1764). It was the capital of Bhavnagar State, which was a Princely state before it was merged into the Indian Union in 1948.

Trip Attractions

Law Garden Market, Dakor Temple, and key city highlights.
Mahakali Temple (sacred Shakti Peeth pilgrimage site).
Dwarkadhish Temple, Gomati River, Sabha Mandapa, evening Aarti.
Bet Dwarka Island, Nageshwar Mahadev Temple, Rukmini Temple.
Kirti Mandir (Gandhi’s birthplace), Sudama Temple, Bhalka Tirth, Somnath Temple.
Gaurishankar Lake, Takhteshwar Temple, Lock Gate, and Shatrunjaya Hill Temples (Palitana).

Itinerary

Day 1 - ARRIVE AHMEDABAD-FULL DAY CITY SIGHTSEEINH

Arrive at Ahmedabad Airport/ Railway Station On arrival check-in at the hotel. Later proceed for full day city sightseeing. Today, this city is known as the ‘Manchester of the East’, one of the highly industrialized cities in India and is also India’s Textile City. Though the capital of Gujarat was shifted from Ahmedabad to Gandhinagar, it is still the second largest industrial city in western India. Later visit Dakor Temple, enclosed by a fort wall, is situated near the bank of the holy lake Gomti in the midst of the main bazaar of Dakor. Later drive back to Ahmedabad. In the evening visit the Market at Law Garden displays beautiful textile handicrafts of Gujarat. Must visit to experience the local culture and cuisine and also shop for hand embroidered garments. Overnight stay at the hotel in Ahmedabad.

Day 2 - AHMEDABAD-DAKOR-PAVAGADH-AHMEDABAD

Today morning after breakfast proceed for a day excursion to Dakor and Pavagadh. Dakor, in its earlier phases as pilgrimage centre in Gujarat, was famous for the Danknath temple, a place of Shiva worship. Pavagadh most of the Hindus in India have faith in goddess Mahakali, particularly from the western region covering the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan & Maharashtra. Later drive back to Ahmedabad. Overnight stay at the hotel in Ahmedabad.

Day 3 - AHMEDABAD-DWARKA-HALF DAY CITY SIGHTSEEING

Today morning after breakfast proceed to Dwarka. On arrival check-in at the hotel in Dwarka. In the afternoon proceed for half day city sightseeing of Dwarka an ancient city, housing one of the principal pilgrimages – ‘Dwarkadhish temple’ of Hindus. According to the legend, Lord Krishna moved to this coastal town to set up a capital. Marine excavations of the Dwarka coast have revealed important evidence of ancient city, which probably include the ‘Dwarawati’ of the ‘Krishna Lila’. Today, it is not only a major pilgrimage site but a pleasant spot for a beach holiday. Another popular place in Dwarka, part of the Dwarkadhish Temple is Sabha Mandapa. It is a 60-pillared hall, which houses almost 2500 years old scriptures. The hall has ‘Jharokhas’, offering a nice view of the nearby flowing Gomati River. Attending evening Aarti at Dwarkadhish temple. Overnight stay at the hotel in Dwarka.

Day 4 - DAWARKA-FULL DAY CITY SIGHTSEEING

Today morning after breakfast, proceed for full day city sightseeing. Visit Bet Dwarka & Nageshwar temple. Bet Dwarka is situated at 30kms from Dwarka and is surrounded by sea from all sides. On reaching Okha port jetty, one can reach Bet through a little sea journey by a small boat. Nageshwar Temple is located on the route between Gomati Dwarka and the Bet Dwarka Island on the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat. The Jyotirlinga enshrined in the Temple of Nagnath is known as Nageshwar Mahadev and attracts thousands of pilgrims all around the year. The Rukmini temple, dating from 12 to 13 Century, was built in honour of Rani Rukmani, princess of Vidharba, which was to be married to Sishupala, but fled with Lord Krishna. Overnight stay at the hotel in Dwarka.

Day 5 - DAWARKA-ENROUTE PORBANDAR-SOMNATH-HALF DAY CIYU SIGHTSEEING

Today early morning visits the Dwarkadhish Temple and witness the Aarti. After breakfast proceed to Somnath. Enroute visiting Porbandar. Later proceed for Somnath city sightseeing. Visit Kirti Mandir the house of Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba, his wife. This place is situated near the place where the Mahatma was born. Bharat Mandir is another place to visit, which houses relief map of India and reliefs of great historical personalities who shaped India’s future. Visit Sudama Dwarka Temple, this temple is dedicated to Sudama who was the childhood friend of Lord Krishna. Later proceed to Somnath. On arrival check-in at the hotel. Later proceed for half day city sightseeing. Visit Bhalka Tirth is situated halfway between Veraval and Somnath. Overnight stay at the hotel in Somnath.

Day 6 - SOMNATH-BHAVNAGAR-HALF DAY CICTY SIGHTSEEING

Today morning after breakfast proceed to Bhavnagar, On arrival check-in at the hotel in Bhavnagar. Later proceed to half day city sightseeing of Bhavnagar founded by Bhavsinhji Gohil in 1723 AD near the Gulf of Khambhat, on a carefully chosen strategic location having potential for maritime trade. Gaurishanker Lake a beautiful picnic spot near the lake. There is also a well laid out park. Takhteshwar Temple situated on a hill, the site provides a panoramic view. Lock Gate. The first of its kind in Gujarat. The seawater here is impounded by the lock gates to keep ships afloat during low tide, which could be seen with special permission. Overnight stay at the hotel in Bhavnagar.

Day 7 - BHAVNAGAR-EXCURSION TO PALITANA

Today Early morning after breakfast proceed for an excursion to Palitana. A 56kms drive from Bhavnagar. Palitana lies at the foot of the Shetrunjaya hill, with the Shetrunjaya River flowing to its south. The sacred hill rises in a crescendo of magnificent temples 863 in all that soar 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 Shetrunjaya. The 600-metre climb to Shetrunjaya is usually done on foot. Dolis or lift-chairs are also available for the ascent. Overnight stay at the hotel in Bhavnagar.

Day 8 - BHAVNAGAR-DEPART AHMEDABAD

Today morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to Ahmedabad Airport/ Railway station to board you flight/ train back home or to your next destinations