Duration: 08 Days & 07 Nights

Destinations Covered: Ahmedabad (1Nt) - Jamnagar (1Nt) - Dwarka (1Nt) – Somnath ( 01 Nt ) –Sasan Gir ( 01 Nt) – Diu ( 01 Nt) – Bhavnagar ( 01 Nt)- Ahmedabad dep.

Itinerary:

DAY 1: ARRIVAL AT AHMEDABAD

Highlights: Gandhi Ashram, Akshardham temple.

Morning Arrival at Ahmedabad, Meet, Greet & transfer to hotel, check in to hotel. Later Proceed to local City Tour visit of Gandhi Ashram, Hathi Singh Jain Temple,Adalaj Step Well Akshardham Temple rest of the day leisure. Overnight stay Ahmedabad.

Gandhi Ashram : On a quiet 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 against 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 life-time.

Hutheesingh Jain Temple : Built outside the Delhi Gate in 1850 by a rich Jain merchant, the Hutheesing Temple is the best known of Ahmedabad’s many ornate Jain temples.

Adalaj Step-well : It is situated 17kms north of Ahmedabad. The step well at the village of Adalaj is another fine example of this magnificent architectural form. Adalaj Vav is richly carved, every pillar and wall surface covered with leaves and flowers, birds and fishes and friezes of ornamental designs.

Akshardham : Lord Swaminarayan, born in Chapaya in Uttar Pradesh, took a seven year piligrimage in Gujarat to preach his religion. He built six temples, the first being at Kalupur in Ahmedabad. 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 up to a high dome.

The first floor galleries house a museum portraying the 500

parahansas, a letter to his guru, Ramanand, a piece from an old tree from Chapaya, his pure wool shawl, a replica of his old home, a diorama of the lord on a horse and other displays. The galleries outside have a state-of –the –art exhibition using Chez Integrovation shows, audio-visuals, multi-media, dioramas fo the life of Lord Swaminarayana and from the Hindu epics to introduce visitors to the concept fo the Akshardham movement, founded in 1907 AD to promote the preachings of Lord Swaminarayan.

Overnight at Ahmedabad.

DAY 2: AHMEDABAD – JAMNAGAR (330 Kms/6 hrs) Highlights: Bala Hanuman Temple , Lakhota Lake.

After breakfast check out & drive to Jamnagar. Evening visits of Bala hanuman temple. Overnight Jamnagar

Bala Hanuman Temple : Bala Hanuman Temple is a pilgrim place venerated by the devotees of Lord Rama. It is a world famous temple, known for the continous 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, 24hours a day. Overnight stay at Jamnagar.

DAY 3: JAMNAGAR – DWARKA (150 KMS / 3 Hours)

Highlights: Dwarkadish Temple , Nageshwar Temple , Bet Dwarka.

After breakfast check out from the hotel & drive to Dwarka. Upon arrival check in & free till lunch. Thereafter visit Bet Dwarka – Nageshwar Jyotirlingas – Gopi Talav – Rukhmani Temple. Overnight at Dwarka.

Dwarka: An ancient city, housing one of the principal pilgrimages - ‘Dwarkadhish temple’ of Hindus. According to the legend, Lord Krishna moved to this coastal town to set up a capital. Marine excavations of the Dwarka coast have revealed important evidences of ancient city, which probably include the ‘Dwarawati’ of the ‘Krishna Lila’. Today, it is not only a major pilgrimage site but a pleasant spot for a beach holiday.

Another popular place in Dwarka, part of the Dwarkadhish Temple is Sabha Mandap. It is a 60-pillared hall, which houses almost 2500 years old scriptures. The hall has ‘jharokhas’, offering a nice view of the nearby flowing Gomti River.

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.

Nageshwar Temple or Nagnath Temple is located on the route between Gomati Dwarka and the Bait Dwarka Island on the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat. The Jyotirlinga enshrined in the Temple of Nagnath is known as Nageshwar Mahadev and attracts thousands of pilgrims all round the year. This powerful Jyotirlinga symbolizes protection from all poisons. It is said that those who pray to the Nageshwar Linga become free of poison.

The Rudra Samhita sloka refers to Nageshwar with the phrase 'Daarukaavane Naagesham'

Rukmani Temple : This temple stands 2 km away from Dwarka City. The local explanation given for this distance is an old legend. They say, once Lord Krishna and his wife Rukmini went to the sage Durvasha to invite him for dinner at Dwarka. He agreed on the condition that Krishna & Rukmini would have to pull his chariot instead of any animal. The couple happily obliged. While pulling the chariot, Rukmini became thirsty so Lord Krishna prodded his toe into the earth to draw a spring of the holy Ganga water. Rukmini took a sip without offering Durvasha. Annoyed by her impoliteness he cursed Rukmini that she would be separated from her beloved husband. Hence Rukmini temple is located 2 kms away from Dwarka's Jagat Mandir. Maybe 2500 years old, but its domed mandapa and stepped sanctuary cannot be older than the 12th century in its present form.

The exterior of the Rukmini Temple is richly carved. It has a panel of sculpted naratharas (human figures) and a panel of sculpted gajatharas (elephants) at the base. The traditional spire of the main shrine contrasts strongly with the hemispherical dome of the pavilion. The garbhagriha (inner sanctum) has a recessed seat on which the present image of Rukmini, wife of Lord Krishna, was consecrated. The usual sculptures of god and goddesses, along with male and female figures, are seen on the exterior of the shrine.

Overnight stay at Dwarka.

DAY 4: DWARKA – SOMNATH (240 Kms/5 hrs)

Highlights: Kirti Mandir , Somnath Temple.

After breakfast check from the hotel & drive to Somnath. Enroute visits of Porbandar – Kirti Mandir, Sudama Temple… Later drives to Somnath, Visits of Somnath Temple, and Bhalka Tirth… O/n Somnath

Kirti Mandir : Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born & lived here until he was twelve. It stands in the corner of a large courtyard in the west of town. A Swastika on the floor in a small room marks the actual spot. It houses many collections of Gandhian memorabilia. There is also an exhibit of photographs, some with English captions, and a small workshop.

Somnath: One of the most revered & an important center of culture & nationalism. The legendary temple contains a ‘jyotirlinga’. Looted & destroyed, built & rebuilt several times, it represents the eternal beauty & strength of the Indian society. The present splendid structure was rebuilt about five decades ago, at the exact spot where the original shrine was located. The iron man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was instrumental in the construction of the present temple.

Overnight stay at Somnath.

DAY 5: SOMNATH – GIR (50 Kms/1 ½ hrs)

Highlights: National Lion Sanctuary

After breakfast drive to Gir .

Countine Drive to Sasan Gir.Sasan Gir, Popularly known as Gir, the most famous loin sanctuary in India. And the one place in the subcontinent where Asiatic Loins can be found in the wild. Sasan Gir on the southwestern border of Surasthtra peninsula in Gujarat and is home to nearly 400 Asiatic loins.

The Santucary was created in 1913 to provide protections to the largest Surviving groups of the Asiatic loins and was given the status of the sanctuary in 1965; the numbers of loins has been steadily on the rise since 1980.This is the only place in the World outside the African continent where the loin can be seen in its natural habitat.

The loin safaris are popular among tourist & jeep are freely available for touring the forest. Though the most famous inhabitants of the park are Asiatic loins it also provides natural habitat to a lot of other species like chital, chinkara (Gazelle) four horned antelope. Leopard .nilgai, spotted deer, wild boar and wild ass.monkeys, parrots and peacocks, and birds etc.,

Afternoon enjoy the Safari to National Park.

Overnight at the Hotel.

DAY 6: GIR - DIU (90 Kms/ 2 hrs)

Highlights: Diu Fort , Nagoa Beach

After breakfast drive to Diu. Evening leisure at Beach.

St.Paul's church : The Church adorned with curiously treated volutes & shell-like motifs and the magnificient wood carving is considered to be the most elaborate of all the Portugese churches in India.

St.Thomas Church Museum : A hunge edifice in gothic architecture was built in 1598. A part of it has been converted into a museum an Archeological treasure house.

Diu Fort : This majestic structure stands onthe coast of Diu sentinel. Once inside, you are overwhelmed by the gaunt majesty of the ancient stone work which transports you to a bygone era of gallant soldiers where time stands still.

Nagoa beach : The Nagoa beach is exceptionally beautiful & quiet. In the exceptionally beautiful horse-shoe(semicircular) shaped beach.

Overnight at the Hotel.

DAY 7: DIU –PALITANA - BHAVNAGAR ( 200Kms/ 4 hrs).

Highlights: Palitana , Takhteshwar Temple, Gaurishankar lake

Palitana is the gateway to the Shatrunjaya hill and one of the Jainism's holiest pilgrimage sites. There are about 863 temples on the top of the hill, exquisitely carved in marble and built over a span of 900 years. To visit the temples on the Shatrunjaya hill one has to climb 600 m up the hill. So today we will ascend the Shatrunjaya hill either on foot or in Doli or lift chairs. After reaching the top of the hill we will visit the Jain temple. The temple which is dedicated to Shri Adishwara, the first Jain Tirthankara (apostle) is one of the most magnificent temples and the most sacred temple on Shatrunjaya hill. The Muslim shrine of Angar Pir is also situated near the temple. After visiting the temple we will visit the Chaumukha or the four faced temple. It has an image of Adinath facing out in the four cardinal directions.

Bhavnagar was founded by Bhavsinhji Gohil in 1723 AD near the Gulf of Khambhat, on a carefully chosen strategic location having potential of maritime trade. Till independence, Bhavnagar State was ruled by the Gohil Rajput clan.

The old town of Bhavnagar was a fortified town with gates leading to other important towns of the region. The Darbargadh (royal residence) was located at the center of the town. The rulers of Bhavnagar subsequently shifted to Motibag and Nilambag Palace.

Bhavnagar a major port, for almost two centuries, trading commodities with Africa, Mozambique, Zanzibar, Singapore & the Persian Gulf. This flourishing maritime trade resulted in the high rate of urbanization, surplus wealth and cosmopolitan culture of the town.

Present day Bhavnagar owes much to the vision of the past ruler Sir Takhtsinhji Gohil. The town planning schemes were desingned & implemented under the guidance of progressive rulers of Bhavnagar. During the reign of Sir Takhtsinhji, the British State Engineer Proctor Sims supervised the construction of Barton Library, High Court, Alfred High School and Sir Takhtsinhji Hospital.

PLACES TO VISIT

Gaurishanker Lake : A beautiful picnic spot near the lake. There is also a well laid out park.

• Takhteshwar Temple : Situated on a hill, the site provides a panoramic view.
• Lock Gate : The first of its kind in Gujarat. The sea-water here is impounded by the lock gates to keep ships afloat during low tide, which could be seen with special permission.

Over Night stay at Bhavnagar.

DAY 8: BHAVNAGAR - AHMEDABAD( 200Kms/ 4 hrs).

Highlights: Lothal

After breakfast drive to Ahmedabad for Onward destination en route they can visit Lothal also.

Lothal: A perfect place to get an insight of the Indus Valley civilization. The most dominating site at Lothal is the massive dockyard spanning an area of 37 meters by 22 meters perhaps the greatest work of Maritime Architecture. Lothal was also famous for its arterial streets, microbes of gold, ivory and coppersmiths' workshops, potteries and underground sanitary drainage. It is located at a distance of 78 kms from Ahmedabad. (Closed on Fridays).