Gujarat Trails

Arrive Ahmedabad and transfer to your hotel. Ahmedabad is Located on the banks of the river Sabarmati; the city was founded by Sultan Ahmad Shah in 1411. Today it is one of the fastest growing cities of India and is an immense repository of tradition, history & culture. Its famous walled area is one of the finest examples of community living & the city thrived as the textile capital & was nicknamed “Manchester of the East' in 1888. This multicultural city is home to some of the finest Indo-Sarcenic mosques & Jain temples.

The old city of Ahmedabad is dotted with labyrinthine by lanes called 'polls'. The exquisite carved wooden mansions and havelis are in no manner less than their stone counterparts in Rajasthan. The city also offers a rich architectural legacy that blends Hindu and Muslim schools of architecture, stone and brick with arches, domes and vaults, carved pillars, trefoil designs besides the modern buildings designed by the famous French architect, Le Corbusier, and Louis Kahn.

Later proceed for city tour of Ahmedabad covering

Gandhi Ashram: On a quite peaceful stretch of the Sabarmati River, Mahatma Gandhi set up a simple retreat in 1915. This was his Satyagrah Ashram and for many years it was the nerve centre of India’s freedom movement. It was from here, in 1930, that Mahatma began his famous Dandi March to the sea to protest the Salt Tax imposed by the British. Hridaya Kunj, the simple cottage where he lived, is now a national monument and preserved as it was during the Mahatma’s lifetime. Post this visit Hutheesingh Jain Temple, built outside the Delhi Gate in 1850 by a rich Jain merchant, the Hutheesingh Temple is the best known of Ahmedabad’s many ornate Jain temples. End your sightseeing with a visit to Akshardham, the Swaminarayan temple of Gandhinagar, is a modern complex, built in traditional Indian architectural style from 6,000 metric tons of pink Rajasthan sandstone, carved by expert artisans from Bansipahadpur. The temple is set in a multi-acre garden called Sahajanand Van, with intricate sculptures of Hindu Gods. There is a gold-leaf copper sculpture of Lord Swaminarayan that faces similar sculptures of Gunatinand Swami. The interiors have beautiful columns in rosewood that rise to a high dome. Akshardham remains closed on Mondays.Return to your hotel.Overnight stay at Ahmedabad hotel.

After breakfast proceed for day excursion to Statue of Unity.

An iconic 182-meter-tall statue, a tribute to the Iron Man of India, is being built at the Sadhu-Bet Island, approximately 3.5kms south of Sardar Sarovar Dam at Kevadia in the Narmada district of Gujarat This inspiring memorial site, with a number of edutainment components, is located between the Vindhyachal and Satpura Ranges rising weir Narmada River, impounded by Garudeshwar, the Sardar Sarovar Dam and the town of Kevadia. The majesty of this grand monument is enhanced by a picturesque backdrop. Its unique location will prove to be beneficial for eco-tourism and regional development.Later drive back to Ahmedabad. Overnight stay at Ahmedabad hotel.

After breakfast check out and drive to Dwarka, with enroute visit Jamnagar and be witness to a part of history that has played an extremely major role in the shaping and nurturing of the vast culture of Gujarat, Jamnagar is something that every Gujarati is proud of. Popularly referred to as the Jewel of Kathiawar, the city of Jamnagar is a must-visit in the western Indian state of Gujarat. This is due to it being home to a plethora of beautiful lakes, a stunning coastline, and ancient structures. Formerly known as Nawanagar, the city of Jamnagar was established by an heir of Lord Krishna, Shri Ram Javal on the banks of River Nagmatti and Ragmatti. Later the city received a European facelift under the supervision of the famous cricketer KS Ranjit Sinhi and architect Edward Lutyens. This rich and diverse past of the city has resulted in multiple attractions, which comprise of ancient and natural sites of interest. Be it a part of our rich Indian history or something close to nature, Jamnagar is ready to serve the needs of any globetrotter.

Later visit Bala Hanuman Temple: Shri Bala Hanuman Sankirtan Mandir, Bala Hanuman Temple is located at the south-east side of Ranmal Lake in Jamnagar. The temple as the name suggests is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Apart from Lord Hanuman’s idol, the temple also has idols of various Gods like Lord Ram, Lord Lakshman, and Goddess Sita. The local people have deep faith in this temple and so hundreds of people visit the place daily. The best time to visit the place is during the evening aarti. The beautiful lights, chants, and the hundreds of devotees during the time of the aarti offer a sensory explosion. It is an experience to be lived.

Arrive Dwarka and transfer to your hotel to complete check in formalities. The small coastal town of Dwarka is one of the four most holy Hindu pilgrimage sites in India. It is here that Krishna founded his capital after leaving Mathura. Excavations have revealed 5 earlier cities at the site, all submerged. The present town dates largely to the 19th century and attracts thousands of pilgrims to celebrate the Holi, Diwali and Janmashthami festivals. The multi pillared Sabha Mandapa leads to a 60-pillared sanctum sanctorum that dates back 2500 years as per the scriptures. Overnight stay at Dwarka hotel.

After breakfast visit Dwarkadhish Temple – Dwarka is known all over the world for the Dwarkadhish temple, the 'Lord of Dwarka'. This temple is also known as the Jagat Mandir or the temple of the world. This temple was constructed over 1400 years ago and houses the image of Lord Krishna. This temple is one of the most famous pilgrimage places for the Hindus and attracts pilgrims from all over the world. This temple is magnificently built on the traditional lines and has five floors supported by 60 columns. The temple is profusely carved from the base to the pinnacle. The temple is built of sandstone. The interior is simple while the exterior is covered with elaborate carvings. Later visit 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. This small temple, 1.5 km north of the city, is an architectural masterpiece. The temple walls are decorated with beautiful paintings and sculptures.

Later visit Bet Dwarka: Bet is situated at 30kms from Dwarka and is surrounded by sea from all sides. One can reach Bet from Dwarka through Okha by road. On reaching Okha port jetty, one can reach Bet through a little sea journey in a launch or in a small boat.Arrive Bet Dwarka and visit Nageshwar Temple or Nagnath Temple is located on the route between Gomati Dwarka and the Bett Dwarka Island on the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat. Later visit Gopi Talav: This is the place where Lord Krishna used to play with his Gopikas. There is a small pond where it is said that Lord Krishna used to play with the Gopika Strees (Gopika Women). Return back in the evening. Overnight stay at Dwarka hotel.

After breakfast drive to Somnath enroute visit Porbandar. Porbandar, the coastal heritage town of Gujarat is located on the Saurashtra peninsula, on the Arabian Sea. This city is described in Skanda Purana as Sudamapuri and Ashmavati and had a flourishing trade with Africa and Arabia. As per the legends, this city was the main link of the great friendship between Lord Krishna and Sudama. Porbandar was established as a capital by Rana Sartanji in 1785 AD. The most impressive feature of Porbandar is the city planning and the stone buildings with ashlar masonry and rich carving, the facades of the houses on either side of the streets, with windows and carved gateways. Porbandar is also associated with Mahatma Gandhi, the father of nation as he was born here. Today, fine quality silk and cotton are manufactured here. There are also chemical factories and cement works.Later visit Kirti Mandir – Kirti Mandir was the house of the Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba, his wife. This place is situated near the place where the Mahatma Gandhi was born. This place is now a small museum and has a Gandhian library and a prayer hall.Also, visit Sudama Dwarka Temple, this temple is dedicated to Sudama who was the childhood friend of Lord Krishna. Located at the centre of Porbandar, it is one exceptional temple in India which is dedicated to this great devotee of Lord Krishna. Built with white marble this temple has several carved pillars which decorate the temple, open from all sides this temple has a shikhara which is decorated with splendid architecture and carvings. These carvings are also visible above the pillars and the arches which adjoin the pillars. With such architecture, this temple is dedicated to the shrine of Sudama which is built in simple structure.Later continue to drive to Somnath.Arrive Somnath and transfer to your hotel to complete check in formalities. Somnath is mainly known for the legendary shore temple of Somnath, which is dedicated to the Lord Shiva.The legendary shore temple of Somnath is one of the twelve most sacred shrines dedicated to the Lord Shiva. The temple contains the Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva. As per the legends, the Somnath temple is very old and was originally built-in gold by the Somraj, the Moon God. Later, it was rebuilt by Ravana, in silver; then by Krishna in wood and Bhim Dev in stone. In all, the Somnath temple was rebuilt and destroyed eight times. This temple was finally rebuilt in 1950 with the support of Sardar Vallabhabhai Patel. The current temple was built as per the traditional designs on the original site by the sea and is a serene, symmetrical, and sinuous structure. Today, this majestic temple is a replica of the earlier temple.Return back in the evening. Overnight stay at Somnath hotel.

After breakfast, check out and drive to Rajkot airport, to board your flight to your destination city.