RAJKOT and places around it worth a visit

Rajkot is located in the central place of Saurashtra region, also known as Kathiawar after its Princely State and is famous for Kathi horses. Rajkot is a vibrant city with a population 1.5 million and is also an Industrial Capital of entire Saurashtra region. Rajkot is also the place where Mahatma Gandhi spent his School days.

1. Gir Lion Sanctuary: The only abode of Asiatic Lions, Deers, etc. is a National Park which is approximately 145 kms. from Rajkot city i.e. 2 hours 30 mins by road.

2. Junagadh: It’s an Old fort city with a rich Indian culture and religious heritage situated at the foot of Girnar hills housing Emperor Ashoka’s Shilalekh dating 3rd Centuary B.C. approximately 102 kms. From Rajkot city i.e. 1 hours 54 mins. by road.

3. Dwarka: One of the Holiest and the Seven most ancient city of Mahabharat time, Capital city of Lord Krishna, having famous Dwarkadhish temples; approximately 222 kms. from Rajkot city i.e. 3 hours 50 mins by road

4. Somnath (The Protector of Moon GOD) Temple: The Oldest Lord Shiva temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, in the country, is also the death place (Prabhas Patan) of Lord Krishna, who was an Avtar of Lord Vishnu. The architecture of the Temple is built in the Chalukya Style and also has a very famous ”Arrow Pillar” with an inscription in Sanskrit which states that the temple is situated at such a place that there is no land in between the Somnath Seashore to Antarctica. It is approximately 191 kms. from Rajkot city i.e. 3 hours 14 mins by road.

5. Diu: Wonderful island city, featuring Portugese Heritage sites, churchs and other interesting Architectures like The Old Fort and the Meuseum; approximately 215 kms. from Rajkot city i.e. 3 hours 37 mins by road.

6. Jamnagar: This city is now famous for the Biggest refinery of the world: Reliance and Essar Oil which are situated on the way to the city from Rajkot. It also has a Darbargarh Palace and Pratap Vilas Palace. It is also known for its beautiful Marble Jain temples. approximately 90 kms. from Rajkot city i.e. 1 hours 37 mins by road.

7. Palitana: A major Pilgrimage city for Jains situated at the foothills of Shetrunjay Parvat has beautiful Jain temples situated on the top of the Shetrunjaya Parvat as well as at Hastagiri, another beautiful place near palitana, approximately 164 kms. from Rajkot city i.e. 2 hours 56 mins by road.

8. Madhavpur-G: Wonderful coastal highway with a gorgeous virgin beach it is also known for its Meditation Centre of Osho where Swami Brahma Vedanta resides and gives lectures daily approximately 240 kms. from Rajkot city i.e. 4 Hours by road.

9. Lothal: Unarguably the Oldest city excavated in India, dates back to 2400 BCE, it was one of the port cities of the ancient Indus Civilization, now famously known as Harrapan civilization. Although being so old, this city had a very profound drainage system in place and an exemplary Town Planning. approximately 175 kms. from Rajkot city i.e. 3 Hours by road.

10. Daman: Situated in the South Gujarat it is one more Union Territory and again an Island city just like Diu. Daman was discovered by Vasco De Gama and since then Portuguese settled over there for over 400 years. approximately 545 kms. from Rajkot city i.e. 9 Hours 35 Mins by road.

11. Udaipur: It is known as the City of Lakes, and famous for Rajput era Palaces, glorious history, culture and Scenic locations. It is also known as the Venice of the East. It has City Palace, Lake Palace, Jagdish Temple etc. other place are worth a visit. approximately 475 kms. From Rajkot city i.e. 7 Hours 39 mins by road.

12. Mount Abu: This is a famous Hill Station located in the state of Rajasthan bordering with Gujarat. It is refered to as an Oasis in the Desert as its heights are home to Rivers, Lakes, water falls, and ever green forests. Approximately 404 kms. from Rajkot city i.e. 7 Hours 40 mins. by road.

13. Okha: Historically this was the Place of Domicile of Lord Krishna. It is another Island surrounded by sea and is also a Coastal Town. approximately 252 kms. from Rajkot city i.e. 4 Hours 20 mins. by road.

14. Mehsana: It had the First Water Park in Eurasia and still the Largest in Gujarat. It is also very close to one of the only two SunTemples in India Modhera. approximately 259 kms. from Rajkot city i.e. 4 Hours 44 mins. by road.

15. Kutch: This district has various places like Bhuj, Gandhidham, Kandla, Narayan Sarovar etc. which are all worth a visit. This district has the Rann of Kachchh and the Gulf has been named after it. Ecologically this place is very rich due to the Banni Grass lands (Marshy Wet lands) and several sanctuaries located in this district.