Circuit GUJ/01: Coastal Saurashtra - Dwarka (1) Somnath (1) Sasangir (1) - Diu (2) Bhavnagar(2) Distances Dwarka

rka Somnath Somnath Sasangir Sasangir diu Diu Bhavnagar Bhavnagar Ahmedabad 230 kms 60 kms 150 kms 220 kms 225 kms

Recommended Access By Train to Dwarka. Trains are available from Mumbai and Many parts of India to Dwarka.
Train Name Origin Dep.Time Destination Arr.Time 20:25 23:40 22:45 22:45 DWARKA DWARKA DWARKA DWARKA 15:45 19:10 17:14 17:14 Days Of Run M T W T F S S Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y N N N N N N N N Y N Y N N N N Y N Y N

SAURASHTRA MAIL MUMBAI CENTRAL BDTS OKHA SPL OKHA EXPRESS OKHA EXPRESS #BANDRA TERMINUS *VASAI ROAD *VASAI ROAD

Accommodation Options: www.nivalink.com/gujarat

Dwarka(1 nights): Dwarka, on the west coast of Gujarat on the shore of the Arabian Sea, features in most of the legends surrounding Lord Krishna. It is from here that the grown Lord Krishna is supposed to have ruled his kingdom. Dwarka is a significant pilgrimage site for the Hindus. Sightseeing Around Dwarka are: Rukmini Temple Devi This small temple, 1.5km north of town, is an architectural masterpiece. Rukmini is the most important of Krishna's 16,108 wives. The temple walls are decorated with beautiful paintings depicting her pastimes with Krishna. Gomati, the descended Ganges, meets the sea at Chakra-tirtha Ghat. To take bath where the Gomati meets the ocean is said to offer liberation Dwarka is sanctified as the place where Lord Vishnu slew the demon Shankhasura. The Puranas mention the 12 Jyotirlingas or columns of light representing Lord Shiva which manifested in different parts of the country. One of these is located in Dwarka and is known as the Nageshwar Mahadev. Offshore from Okha, the island of Beyt Dwarka is associated with Lord Krishna. The main temple here, built in the 19th century, has several shrines and images of Lord Krishna and his 56 consorts.

Gomati Temples

Ghat

Nageshwar Mahadev Temple

BEYT DWARKA

Festival Janmashtami (birthday of Lord Krishna), celebrated in the month of August/September, is a major festival of Dwarka. Travel Tip: Check for temple Darshan timings applicable during the time of visit before planning the next days itinerary. Like other Krishna Temples, Beyt Dwarka and Dwarkadhish temple closes and reopens several times in a day.

Somnath(1 nights) The temple of Somnath, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva is situated just 5 kms off town of Veraval and 79 Kms. from Junagadh. The temple has imposing architecture and is a beautiful sight facing the blue expanse of the Arabian Sea. Sightseeing Around Somnath: Bhalka Tirth The spot where Lord Krishna was mistaken for a deer and struck by a arrow hile sleeping in a deerskin. It is said Lord Krishna was cremated at Dehotsarga at Triveni Ghat. The museum houses art treasures of various periods from Somnath. Holy waters of different rivers, 5 domes, inscriptions, pillars, 12th century toranas, 11th century stone apsaras and statues of lord Agni, lord Vishnu, Uma Maheshwara, Natraj Bhairava and Parwati. A river is holy in Hinduism, and the meeting place of 3 rivers-Hiran, Kapil and mythical Saraswati-with the Arabian sea, is triply important. The Triveni tirth is an important place of pilgrimage, specially to immerse ashes and pray for dear departed. The Sun temple of Prabhas Patan, dates from the time of the Solanki Rajput dynasty in Gujarat. Like the Sun temples of Modhera, Ghumli and Kera, it has a sabha mandap, sanctum sanctoruim and intricate carvings. This creamy colour domed temple was commissioned by the famous queen, Ahliyabhai Holkar of Malwa. 4 kms from Somnath, Veraval has a picturesque fishing harbour, . 25 kms from somnath, one of the finest beaches of Gujarat

PRABHAS PATAN MUSEUM

TRIVENI TIRTH

SURYA MANDIR

AHILYA MANDIR VERAVAL BEACH Chorwad Beach

Sasangir(1 nights) Located at 60 kms from Veraval is Sasangir. The world-renowned Gir forest is the natural habitat of the Asiatic lion. The Gir National Park and Sanctuary cover an area of 1400 square kilometers of dry deciduous forest and tropical thorn forest. The forest is home to carnivores like the leopard, jungle cat, rusty spotted cat and hyena which prey on cheetal, sambhar, four horned antelope, wild boar and hare. Gir is also a bird watcher's paradise and home to over 200 species of avi-fauna. Activities Jeep Safaris are offered by authorized jeeps at the edge of the park and is worth its cost as lion sighteeings are almost a certainty alongwith host of other wildlife

Diu (2 nights) Located at 90 kms from Veraval and 150 kms from Sasangir is Union Territory of Diu. Diu is an island and erstwhile French colony accessible from Gujarat mainland. Sight seeing options around Diu are: NAGOA BEACH Diu JALLANDHAR SHRINE Diu It is located in the Nagoa hamlet of the village of Bucharwada. The beach is exceptionally beautiful and quiet. Various water sports facilities are available. It is safe for swimming. It is located on a hillock close to the beach. This small shrine crowned with a dome, contains a niche wherein a stone carved face of Jallandhar is seen. Near by there is also a temple of Goddess Chandrika. The beach is at a distance of 1 km from Diu Town. St. Paul\'s Church built in 1610 is dedicated to our Lady of Immaculate Conception. The main facade of the church, perhaps the most elaborates of all Portuguese churches in India, is adorned with curiously treated volutes and shell-like motifs. The old St. Thomas Church has been converted into a museum which houses the antique statues, various stone inscriptions of the earlier rulers, wooden carvings, idols, shadow-clocks and other important artifacts have been collected from various sites and displayed. Among the places of tourist interest, the Fort of Diu occupies a prominent position. It is an expansive and imposing structure, situated on the coast of the island. The fort commands a magnificent view of sea. It was constructed between 1535 and 1541 AD

ST. PAUL\'S CHURCH - Diu

DIU MUSEUM - Diu

DIU FORT - Diu

There are a few more places of Interest in Diu but the Diu is best visited for a walk on the long stretches of beaches during mornings and evenings and relaxing under the shades over a drink or two during afternoons.

Bhavnagar (2 nights) Located at 220 kms from Ahmeadabad and 225 kms from Diu Bhavnagar today is a bustling town that retains some of its royal past and charm. Due to its proximity to Palitana and Khodiyar Mata temple, Bhavnagar has been a popular tourist destination. Sight seeing options around Bhavnagar are: GANDHI SMRITI Bhavnagar It is a living monument to Gandhiji. It was opened in 1955. 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 library. 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; 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. Built on a small hill top, 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. One of the oldest monuments in Bhavnagar. Old books, manuscripts, rare coins, arms and armor used by the rulers of Bhavnagar are on display at the Barton Library and Museum. Palitana - city of Jain 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 temples built over a period of 900 years. 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 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, Located just at the outskirts of Bhavnagar, this is a very popular temple with locals.

GOPNATH Bhavnagar

TAKHETESHWAR TEMPLE Velavadar

BARTON LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Bhavnagar Palitana

Sihor

Vijay Vilas Palace Khodiyar Temple