Gujarat Pilgrimage Tour

Day 01 : Ahmedabad

Arrive at Ahmedabad where on arrival you are met at the airport by our representative and transferred to the hotel.
Ahmedabad, The city was built in open and spacious plane to the East of Sabarmati. It compromised of smaller known Fort as Bhadra Fort. The city fort wall was enclosed containing 12 Gates. The city of Ahmedabad went on expanding in every direction by the addition of new areas on both the sides of the river. With the well laid out beautiful buildings, lakes and mosques. In 1753 combined armies of Raghunath Rao and Damaji Gaekwad took the fort, which resulted into end of Mughal Rule in Ahmedabad. In 64 years during the rule of Gaekwad and Peshwa, city became worse. In 1818 British took over the administration of Ahmedbad. During this period Ahmedabad developed, After freshening up we will visit the following:

Gandhi Ashram In 1915 Mahatma Gandhi came from South Africa and established Ashram on the banks of Sabarmati River. The Ashram was the residence of Mahatma Gandhi. From this Ashram Gandhi started the Dandi March in 1930. The ashram now has an intereesting museum. The museum building was erected (designed by architect Charles Correa), and memorial activities were then started here

Hathee Singh Jain Temple It was built by Seth Hate Singh in 1850. It is easily distinguished by its high carved column, visible from road. Built entirely of white marble embossed with smooth carvings of dancers, musicians, animals & flowers, this serene temple is dedicated to Dharamnath, whose statue stand in themain temple. It has a paved courtyard surrounded by an imposing row of cloisters containing 52 shrines, each with an image of a tirthankara, profusely decorated with rich carvings, one containing the marble image of the 15th tirthankara. The temple is a two-storied structure with elaborate porches on three sides and front porch crowned by a large dome.

Adalaj Step well, visit step well is an architectural wonder built by Queen Rudabai and is certainly one of the finest monuments of Gujarat. It is a seven-storied structure in the form of a well with chambers one behind the other. The ‘Vav’ or stepped wells of Gujarat were used as meeting and resting-places during summer since their cool interiors offered unbelievable respite from the scorching sun outside. In the summer people warmed themselves on the spacious sunny corridors while wide verandahs offered shelter during the rains. Adalaj is a village to the north of Ahmedabad.

Akshardham Temple (Monday Closed) Akshardham is situated in the capital city of Gandhinagar, which lies near Ahmedabad. The magnificent temple is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan. It was constructed on the directions of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS Sanstha. The complex of this temple is the largest in Gujarat. Akshardham temple was inaugurated in the year 1992 and has become a major tourist attraction in India, during the last decade. It has a sprawling 23 acre area and is chiseled out in pink sandstone.
Overnight stay at Ahmedabad

Day 02 : Ahmedabad – Jamnagar – Dwarka (430 KM / Approx 07 Hrs)

Morning breakfast after proceed to Dwarka, en routing visit Jamnagar

Jamnagar : In the centre of old Jamnagar, on an island in the middle of the lake, are two magnificent old structures: the Lakhota Fort and the Kotha Bastion. Lakhota Fort is Jamnagar's Museum and its terraces display a fine collection of sculpture that spans from a period of the 9th Century to the 18th Century.
The Kotha Bastion is Jamnagar's arsenal. One of its most interesting sights is an old well, the water of which can be drawn by blowing into a small hole in the floor.

Bala Hanuman Temple : Bala Hanuman Temple is a pilgrim place venerated by the devotees of Lord Ram. It is a world famous temple, known for the continuous chanting of Jai Ram, Shri Ram. The chanting is going on since 1964 and has found a place for it in the Guinness Book of World Records. People chant the name of the Lord in shifts, 24 hours a day. After that proceed to Dwarka, and attend evening aarti.
Overnight stay at Dwarka.

Day 03 : Dwarka

Dwarka : The present temple was built from 6th to 7th century, while the original temple was believed to have been built by Krishna's great grandson, King Vajra. The 5-storied temple is made of limestone and sand. A flag is hoisted in the temple tower five times each day. There are two gateways – Swarga Dwar, where pilgrims enter, and Moksha Dwar, where pilgrims exit. From the temple one can view the Sangam (confluence) of River Gomati flowing towards the sea. In Dwaraka, there are also shrines for Vasudeva, Devaki, Balarama and Revati, Subhadra, Rukmini Devi, Jambavati Devi and Satyabhama Devi.
Morning after breakfast, visit Dwarkadhish temple. Thereafter visit Bet Dwarka & Nageshwar Jyotirling.

Bet Dwarka : Also known as Bet Shankhoddar, Bet Dwarka is only 5 kms from Okha Junction in sea and Okha is 30 kms from Dwarka. It is said to be the place where Lord Krishna lived with his family when the ruled at Dwarka. It is also the place where Vishnu slew the demon Shankhasura. Visitors make it a point to visit the Krishna temple at this site which holds much of interest to be seen and experienced.

Nageswar Mahadev : The Puranas mention 12 Jyotirlingas or columns of light representing Lord Shiva, who manifested himself in that form in different parts of India. This shiva shrine near Dwarka is one of these and is there- fore accorded great respect.

Rukmani Temple : Temple of Lord Krihsna’s wife. Attend evening Aarti Darshan at Dwarkadhish Temple – Temple of Lord Krishna.
Overnight stay at Dwarka.

Day 04 : Dwarka – Porbandar – Madhavpur Beach – Somnath (250 KM /Approx 04 Hrs)

Morning Breakfast after visit Porbandar city (Birth of Mahatma Gandhi & Sudama)
Porabandar, on the western coast of Saurashtra, Gujarat, lie the harbour city of Porbandar, better known as the birth-place (Janmabhoomi) of Gandhiji - The Father of The Nation. Porbandar is extremely rich in natural resources. It’s lengthy sea-shore, rivers, lakes, hills, valleys, fields, desolate plains; grasslands are all nature’s gift to this land.

Visit Kirti temple known as house & born place of Mahatma Gandhi. In back side house of Kasturba wife of Gandhi. Also visit of Gandhi museum, study room of Mahatma Gandhi in the Kirti temple.

Later visit of Sudama temple & continue proceed to Somnath, en route enjoy Madhavpur Beach
Madhvapur Beach is one of the beautiful sandy beaches in Gujarat. Beautiful sandy beaches lined here with coconut trees.
It is believed that Lord Krishna had married Rukmini in Madhavpur. The Legend is kept alive by holding a fair on Chaitra Sud 12 every year. There is also a Bethak of Mahaprabhuji as Shri Vallabhachrya who had given discourse on Shrimad Bhagwat for seven days here.
Later procced to Somnath, Evening Aarti Darshan at Somnath Temple - A lord shiva temple known as Jyotirling built by Moon God. Enjoy lighting and sounding Show.
Overnight stay at Somnath.

Day 05 : Somnath – Diu (90 Km / Approx 02 Hrs)

Early Morning visit Somnath Temple, attend Aarti Darsh at Somnath Temple
The Somnath Temple located in the Prabhas Kshetra near Veraval in Saurashtra, on the western coast of Gujarat, India, is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of the god Shiva. Somnath means "The Protector of (the) Moon god". The Somnath Temple is known as "the Shrine Eternal", having been destroyed many times by Islamic kings and rulers. Most recently it was rebuilt in November 1947, when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel visited the area for the integration of Junagadh and mooted a plan for restoration. After Patel's death, the rebuilding continued under K. M. Munshi, another minister of the Government of India
The present temple is built in the Chalukya style of temple architecture or Kailash Mahameru Prasad Style and reflects the skill of the Sompura Salats, one of Gujarat's master masons. The temple's shikhara, or main spire, is 150 feet in height, and it has a 27 foot tall flag pole at the top.

Later visit Bhaluka Tirth & Triveni Ghat.
Bhaluka Tirth (Bhalka Teerth) is a holy tirth (pond) in Somnath along Prabhas-Veraval highway. It is believed that this is the place where Lord Krishna was hit by an arrow shot by a hunter known as Jara. Lord Krishna was sitting under a Banyan tree in meditation when the hunter mistook the legs as a dear and shot at.

This tirtha is placed at the confluence of three holy rivers including the river Hiran. There is a small temple built under the Banyan tree on the bank of the tirtha with a majestic white idol of Lord Krishna. The pink colored foot of the Krishna and an image of the hunter Jara with folded hands are also seen in the temple.

Triveni Ghat : Triveni Ghat in Somanth is the confluence of three holy rivers namely Kapil, Hiran and a mystical River Saraswathy. It is believed that the rivers flow to the ultimate destination of Sea from here. This symbolizes the human birth, life and death. This is a sacred location for taking dip in the Triveni Sangam. It is believed that the holy bath in the waters at this Ghat offers relief from all curses and ills happened in the whole life.Triveni Ghat has a significant place in Hindu Mythology and Puranas. This ghat was mentioned many places in Puranas and great epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. It is believed that Lord Krishna paid a visit to this holy spot after he was hit by an arrow shot by Jara, a hunter. This is a highly revered place in Somnath. The famous temples Gita Mandir and Lakshminarayan temple are located on the banks of Triveni Ghat.
Later proceed to Diu. Evening Leisure at beach.
Overnight stay at Diu

Day 06 : Diu – Sasangir (90 KM / Approx 03 Hrs)

Diu : A beautiful blend of sun, sand and sea, Diu is a God's gift to those in quest of a blessed land where the weary weight of this unintelligible world can, for a while, be lightened and the waking soul can hear the music of the nature. This tiny island of breeze, beauty and serenity situated off the southern tip of the Saurashtra (Kathiawad) peninsula of Gujarat, lapped by the Arabian Sea, is a picture of calmness with superb beaches and a fascinating history. Diu was ruled by many well-known kings and dynasties during the prehistoric, ancient and medieval times. It was a Portuguese colony until 1961. It is now a Union Territory, separated from Goa in 1987.It was an important trading post and naval base from where the rulers controlled the shipping routes in the northern part of the Arabian Sea between the 14-16th centuries, here by you will visit to Diu Fort & beach,

The fort has canons, which reminds one of the struggles between bahadur Shah, Sultan of Gujarat, Mughal emperor & the Portuguese. Later visit Diu includes St.Paul Church which is founded by Jesuits, Diu Museum which is collection of wooden carving, idols, shadow clocks & so many other items.
Evening proceed to Sasan Gir and transfer to Hotel
Overnight stay at Sasan Gir.

Day 07 : Sasangir

Early Morning proceed and Visit Gir National Park (Early Morning Safari)

Gir National Park : Sasan Gir Lion sanctuary is home of some 410 Asiatic Lions. Sasan Gir is only place in world outside African continent where lion can be seen in its natural habitat.

Gir Widllife Sanctuary is the last refuge of Asiatic lions in India and the lion population residing in the park is a little over 410. The whole coverage area of Gir Sanctuary is about 560-square-mile (1,450-sq-kms). Gir is not just about Lions, the second most commonly found predator in the Gir is Leopard. Infect, Gir national park is also home to one of the largest Leopard populations in any park in India, and especially in the hotter season they can sometimes be seen at night close to the lodges. there animal residents of the Gir national park are Sambar Deer, Chital Spotted Deer, Nilgai Antelope, Chowsingha Four-Horned Antelope, Chinkara Gazelle, Wild Boar, Langur Monkey, Jackal, and Hyena and numerous birds like Paradise Flycatcher, Bonneli's Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Woodpeckers Flamingo etc.
About 10, 000 years ago lions spanned vast sections of the globe, but as the human population started to increase, trees were cut and forests were cleared to make more land for people to live in.

Now lions only in small fractions in some parts of the world and Asiatic lions, a subspecies that split from African lions perhaps 100,000 years ago, are only found in the Gir wildlife Sanctuary
Take lunch in Hotel. Enjoy afternoon Safari in Gir National Park
Overnight stay at Sasan Gir

Day 08 : Sasangir – Gondal – Rajkot (210 KM / 4 Hrs)

Morning after breakfast proceeds to Rajkot, enrooting via Gondal.

Gondal : Tourist Attractions in Gondal mainly consist of the beautiful forts and palaces. The oldest palace of Gondal, the Navlakha Palace, attracts many tourists. Constructed way back in the 17th century, Navlakha Palace is an architectural wonder that would overwhelm you with its stone carvings and delicate balconies. You can also enjoy a spectacular collection of gifts, antiques and relics at this place that are remnants of the princely times. The Riverside Palace is another site that is pretty renowned amongst the Tourist Attractions of Gondal. Positioned on the edge of river Gondali, this palace was built by Maharajah Bhagwat Singhji in 1875 AD. This palace houses many magnificent exhibits that comprise of furniture and decor displaying colonial and Indian style.

In Gondal visit Navlakha palace, it is a festival of stone carvings with balconies. It gift for Maharaja Bhagwat Sinh ji on his silver jubilee as ruler of Gondal. Visit of vintage car collection, have a collection of several vintage andclassical cars including a1910 new engine with so many imposing American cars of the 1940s. Later visit of Swaminarayan Temple, Bhuvneshwary Ayurvedic Library, which makes the herbal medicines according to ancient principal.
Later proceed to Rajkot and check in at Hotel
Overnight stay at Rajkot

Day 09 : Rajkot – Ahmedabad (230 KM / 4 Hrs)

Morning breakfast after check out at Hotel, later visit to Watson Museum & Kaba Gandhi No Delo
Watson Museum : The Watson Museum in Rajkot, India is a museum of human history and culture. Its collections precious objects of colonial period of India and History of Rajkot. It is amongst the largest and most comprehensive museum in State of Gujarat. Watson Museum is considered to be the finest amongst 7 such museums located across Saurashtra (region) and run by the State Government because it holds invaluable articles and state-of-the-art facilities like photography, guide service, reference library and sales counter of the museum"s publication.

Kaba Gandhi No Delo : Kaba Gandhi no Delo in Gujarati means the residence of Kaba Gandhi. This is Mahatma Gandhi"s ancestral house in Rajkot where he spent his childhood. The house, now declared as a national monument has a museum "Gandhi Smriti" with photographs and personal belongings of Gandhiji.

After proceed to Ahmedabad and proceed to Airport or Railway station with A wonderful happy memories.
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