Once the capital of a princely state, Bhavnagar is home
to several lakes and temples. Founded in 1743 AD, by Bhavsinhji
Gohil, on the site of a small village of Vadva, near the
creek, Bhavnagar was once a flourishing port. Today, however
the only activities related to the sea near Bhavnagar take
place at the port of Ghogha and at Alang, which has also
Asia's largest ship breaking facility.
Gandhi Smriti Library, a museum, a gallery and a memorial
to the Father of the Nation are worth seeing. Gaurishankar
Lake and Takhteshwar temple are popular picnic spots lending
an enchanting view from the hilltop. Its coastline is with
ports, salt works, shipbuilding and ship breaking yards
along the Bhavnagar coast. Its business today is vastly
different, for it is a premier cotton-exporting seaport
on the southeastern Saurashtra coast.
For the tourist, Bhavnagar serves as a convenient base
to visit the Jain temples at Palitana on the Shatrunjaya
Hills and the Velvadar Sanctuary, the home of the famous
Indian Black Buck.
Prime Attractions
Gaurishankar Lake:
It is A beautiful picnic spot near the Lake. There is
also a well laid out park.
Lock Gate:
The first of its kind in Gujarat, the seawater here is
impounded by the lock gates to keep ships afloat during
low tide, which can be seen with special permission.
Velavadar Black Buck Sanctuary:
This is the home of the Indian black buck. Velavadar in
the Bhal region of Saurashtra is a unique grassland ecosystem
that has attracted fame for the successful conservation
of the black buck.
Once found in open plains throughout the country and the
state of Gujarat, the Velvadar National Park boasts of the
largest population of black bucks. This exclusively Indian
animal is perhaps the most graceful and beautiful of its
kind.
Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research
Institute:
The more-scientifically inclined may enjoy their visit
to the Central Salt and Marine Research Institute. This
institute is located on Waghavadi Road and enjoys immense
popularity.
Samaldas College:
Among Bhavnagar's many attractions is Samaldas College,
just over a hundred years old, a frontline institution that
claims Mahatma Gandhi as one of its students. Do visit the
Barton Library, again a place which age has not withered.
Palitana:
A 56 kms drive from Bhavnagar, Palitana lies at the foot
of the Shatrunjaya Hill, with the Shatrunjaya River flowing
to its south. The sacred hill rises in a crescendo of magnificient
temples numbering 863 in all, soaring in marble splendour
to the top of the hill.
The temples were built over an impressive span of 900 years
with each generation of pilgrims making its contribution
to the shrines of Shatrunjaya. The 600-metres climb to Shatrunjaya
is usually made on foot. 'Dolis' or lift-chairs are also
available for the ascent.
How to Get There
Air:
Various domestic airlines connecting Bombay and Surat.
Rail:
Bhavnagar is on the Western Railway line. It is 761 kms
from Bombay via Ahmedabad and 788 kms via Virangam.
Road:
State transport buses and private luxury coaches connect
various centres of Gujarat. It is situated 791 kms from
Bombay via Ahmedabad, 200 kms from Ahmedabad via Sihor.
