TOURISM DESTINATIONS

IN DISTRICTS OF
GUJARAT
TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN
BHAVNAGAR

PRESENTED BY:
TITHEE PUROHIT
BHAVNAGAR
◦ Bhavnagar is a city in the Bhavnagar district of the Saurashtra
region of Gujarat.
It was founded in 1724 by Bhavsinhji Takhtasinhji Gohil.
◦ It was the capital of Bhavnagar State, which was a princely state before it was
merged into the Indian Union in 1948.
◦ It is now the administrative headquarters of the Bhavnagar district.
◦ Bhavnagar is situated 190 kilometres away from the state
capital Gandhinagar and to the west of the Gulf of Khambhat.
◦ It has always been an important city for trade with many large and small scale
industries along with the world's largest ship breaking yard, Alang which is
located 50 kilometres away.
◦ Bhavnagar is also famous for its version of the popular Gujarati snack
'Ganthiya' and 'Jalebi'.
◦ The culture of Bhavnagar reflects in its artworks and handicrafts.
◦ The Bhavnagar city is famous for its lovely beadworks, beautiful jewelry
designing and unique painting.
◦ The Bhavnagar city promotes and encourages the traditional Bhavnagar Folk
Dances such as Kathiavadi folk dances which are even today performed in the
royal palaces by artisans.
 MAP OF
BHAVNAGA
R
NISHKALANG
TEMPLE
◦ Nishkalank Mahadev Temple is a Hindu
temple located at Koliyak near Bhavnagar,
Gujarat.
◦ Situated in Koliyak Beach, it is one of the
rarest sea temples in India.
◦ The temple has 5 distinct swayambhu Shiva
lingams on a square platform and each is
having a Nandi statue facing it.
◦ This temple is submerged during high tides
in the sea and emerges during low tides to
reveal itself majestically, promising its
devotees to wash away all sins.
◦ The temple is believed to be built by the Pandavas after the Kurukshetra War.
◦ Legend says that after killing all the Kauravas, Pandavas began to feel guilty for their sins.
◦ To discover reclamation for their sins, Pandavas consulted Krishna who handed them a black
flag and a black cow and asked them to trail and said when both the flag and the cow turn
white, they will all be forgiven.
◦ Lord Krishna also asked them to apologize to Lord Shiva after that.
◦ They followed the cow everywhere it took them and acknowledged the flag for many years to
various places, yet the shades did not change.
◦ Finally, when they reached the Koliyak Beach, both turned white and soon the Pandavas
meditated on Lord Shiva and apologized for the sins committed by them.
◦ Lord Shiva impressed by their prayers, showed up in lingam form to each brother.
◦ Hence, they named it as Nishkalank Mahadev which means being spotless, clean, and
innocent.
BY AIR: Bhavnagar airport
BY RAILWAY: Bhavnagar terminus railway station.
BY ROADWAY: Roads leading to Bhavnagar and further to Nishkalank Mahadev Temple are
in good condition.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: October- March
REFERENCE-
https://travel-blog.waytoindia.com/nishkalank-mahadev-temple/
ACCOMODATION-
◦ Saanvi Resort
◦ Hotel Relax Inn
◦ SPOT ON 65265 Hotel Asopalav
VICTORIA PARK
◦ On the edges of the Gaurishankar Lake lies
the well-conserved Victoria Park.
◦ Sprawling over two sq km, Victoria Park
was designed in the year 1888 by Mr.
Proctor Sins for Maharaja Takhtasinhji of
the Bhavnagar city.
◦ The biggest species found in this park are
Leguminoceae and Poaceae.
◦ There are 223 bird species, 15 mammalian
species and 20 reptile species.
ONLY BY ROADWAYS: by bus, car etc.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: November to February
REFERENCE
• https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g679050-d2667776-Reviews-Victoria_Park-Bh
avnagar_Bhavnagar_District_Gujarat.html
ACCOMODATION
◦ Krushnapriya Guest House
◦ Good Night Resthouse Cot Basis
◦ Hotel City Pride
MALNATH SHIV
TEMPLE
◦ At a distance of 28 km from Bhavnagar,
Malnath Shiva Temple is a Hindu Temple
located near Bhavnagar, Gujarat.
◦ Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is
beautifully positioned in the middle of green
slopes and streaming waterways.
◦ The temple is built in the traditional
Gujarati architecture and houses a rock-
carved Shivalinga in the sanctum.
◦ The best time to visit Malnath Shiv Temple
is between October and March when the
weather is fairly cool and the surroundings
are come alive with lush greenery and
meandering streams.
BY ROADWAY: Bus / Cab
BEST TIME TO VISIT: October to March
REFERENCE:
• https://www.trawell.in/gujarat/bhavnagar/malnath-shiva-temple
ACCOMODATION:
• No accomodation available.
TAKHTESHWAS TEMPLE
◦ It is constructed in a Gujarati style with 18
ornate pillars, and a main hall before the
sanctum which houses an idol of Lord
Shiva.
◦ Marble stairs offer access to devotees from
the bottom of the hillock to the main
courtyard of the temple.
◦ It is believed that the temple was
commissioned by Maharaja Takhtsinhji in
the 1893 AD.
◦ He was anointed as the Maharaja of
Bhavnagar, after the death of his father,
Jaswantsinhji in 1870.
◦ Maharaja Takhtsinhji was a Rajput chief of
the Gohil clan before rising to the ranks to
be king.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit is between November–February.
BY ROADWAYS: By bus.
BY RAILWAYS: You can opt for a train to connect to Ahmedabad and Mumbai with frequent
connections.
BY AIRWAYS: Bhavnagar Airport is about 3.5km from town and is reasonably well
connected to major cities of India.
REFERENCE:
• https://www.gujarattourism.com/saurashtra/bhavnagar/takhteshwar-temple.html
ACCOMODATION:
• Sweet dream dormitory
• Shree avezika comfort
 BLACKBUCK
NATIONAL PARK
◦ This beautiful, 34-sq-km park that is an hour’s
drive north of Bhavnagar, encompasses large
areas of pale, custard-coloured grassland
stretching between two seasonal rivers and is
famous for its blackbucks – beautiful, fast
antelope that sport elegant spiraling horns as long
as 65cm in mature males.
◦ Some 1800 inhabit the park, alongside blue bulls
and birds such as wintering harriers from Siberia.
◦ There are over 120 species of birds that can be
found in the park and around.
◦ The sanctuary was established in July 1976, as
an initial protected area of about 18 sq km.
◦ In 1980, another 16 sq km were added to increase
the total area to 34 sq km.
◦ BY ROAD: Velavadar Blackbuck National Park is located 47km from Bhavnagar.
◦ BY RAILWAY: Velavadar Blackbuck National Park is located 47km from Bhavnagar which is
nearest railway station.
◦ BY AIRWAY: Velavadar Blackbuck National Park is located 47km from Bhavnagar airport.
◦ BEST TIME TO VISIT: Winter season.
REFERENCE:
• https://www.gujarattourism.com/saurashtra/bhavnagar/velavadar-blackbuck-national-park.htm
l
ACCOMODATION:
◦ The Blackbuck Lodge, Velavadar
◦ Blackbuck Safari Lodge-Velavadar
◦ Hotel Hilton
GHOGHA BEACH
◦ At a distance of 26 km from Bhavnagar,
Ghogha Beach is a stunning beach on the
coast of Gulf of Kutch at Ghogha town in
Bhavnagar district of Gujarat.
◦ It is one of the popular beaches in Gujarat,
and among the most visited tourist
attractions in Bhavnagar.
◦ Ghogha Beach offers spectacular views of
the Arabian Sea.
◦ The coastline at Ghogha that stretches for
about a km is highly popular with the local
people who visit the spot with family and
friends to laze off and relax in the sun as
part of Bhavnagar tour.
◦ The ancient Barwada Masjid was built in
623 AD and is one of the oldest mosques in
India.
◦ Besides, the beach is famous for Ghogha - Dahej Ro-Ro ferry service. The ferry service takes
one and half hour to travel between Ghogha in the Saurashtra region and Dahej in Central
Gujarat.
◦ ONLY BY ROADWAYS: Bus or cab.
◦ BEST TIME TO VISIT: Ghogha for hot-weather activities are from mid February to mid
April and from mid October to early December.
REFERENCE:
• https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g679050-d2649490-Reviews-Ghogha_Beach-B
havnagar_Bhavnagar_District_Gujarat.html
ACCOMODATION:
◦ Shubhdev Resort
◦ Santu Basil - An Eco Resort
• Hotel The Basil Park
PURAM BET ISLAND
◦ At a distance of 6 km from Ghogha and 30
km from Bhavnagar, Piram Bet is a small
island in the Gulf of Cambay, Gujarat.
◦ Also called Piram Island, it is one of the
beautiful islands on the coastline of Gujarat.
◦ The Piram Bet Island is covering over an
area of about 186 acres.
◦ History says that the island was under
Muslim soldiers of Delhi Sultanate in the
early 14th century and was captured by
Mokhadaji Gohil, the Gohil chief of Umrala
in 1325 CE.
◦ His demands came to the knowledge of
the emperor Muhammad bin Tughlaq who
was then quelling a revolt in Gujarat.
◦ He killed Mokhadaji in 1347 CE and destroyed the fort of Piram Island.
◦ The island fell into obscurity after the destruction of the fort. Later in 1729,
Mulla Muhammad Ali, a merchant from Surat, built a fort on Piram Bet with an intention
to establish himself as an independent chief.
BY ROADWAYS: Car
BY WATERWAYS: Boat.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: August-September.
REFERENCE:
• https://www.trawell.in/gujarat/bhavnagar/piram-bet-island
ACCOMODATION:
• Lords Resort Bhavnagar
• Hotel White Rose
• Hotel City Pride
GAURISHANKAR
LAKE
◦ Gaurishankhar Lake, also known as the
Bhavnagar Lake.
◦ It was made in 1872 as a water reservoir for
the general public on the edges of the
Victoria Park.
◦ the Gaurishankhar Lake, along with the
adjoining Bal-vatika, is a famous picnic spot
for the people of Bhavnagar.
◦ There is a forest nearby the city constitutes
over 1 lakh trees.
◦ Nurseries amidst the forest cultivate a
unique variety of flora that leave tourist
awestruck.
◦ During the festival season, the Gaurishankhar lakeside becomes a perfect venue for various
fairs, which adds to its popularity.
Best Time to Visit: October to December & January to March.
ONLY BY ROAD WAYS: Bus
REFERENCE:
• https://www.trawell.in/gujarat/bhavnagar/gaurishankar-lake-bor-talav
ACCOMODATION:
◦ Santu Basil - An Eco Resort
◦ Krushnapriya Guest House
◦ Iscon The Fern Resort & Spa, Bhavnagar.