An 18th century coastal city, Bhavnagar was the capital of an erstwhile princely state. Bhavnagar was founded by Bhavsinhji Gohil, the rulers of Sihor in 1723 AD. It is an intermediate port with a natural harbour. To overcome the difficulty of situation and to ensure the floatation of ships even with receding tides a lockgate has been constructed at the concrete jetty. For the tourist it is a convenient base for visits to the town of Palitana and the sacred hill of Shatrunjaya.It is a premier cotton-exporting seaport on the south-eastern Saurashtra coast. Today Bhavnagar is a city buzzing with people, students, marketplaces, educational institutions, and industries. It is a beautiful blend of modernism and traditionalism. People of this city are simple, easygoing and downright modest. The entire atmosphere is that of peace and comfort. It is known for its hospitality and generosity. The city has associations with Mahatma Gandhi, who went to university here, and relics of his life can be seen at Gandhi smriti in the 1895 AD Barton museum building, which also has a fine collection of coins, stamps, guns and other arms, sculpture and folk arts. Bhavnagar has myriad relics of it’s princely rule-the Maharajahs commissioned architects like Sir William Emerson, the architect of the Victoria.
Sightseeing
Bhavnagar offer various sightseeing options including Gandhi Smriti which is a sort of complex attached to a clock tower in the heart of the city. Also visit Gopnath; vying for eminence on the tourist circuit with development of a heritage hotel. Also visit Takhteshwar Temple, the holy temple of Lord Shiva named in the memory of Maharaja Takhtasinhji is a very popular place. Also visit Old books, manuscripts, rare coins, arms and armor used by the rulers of Bhavnagar are on display at the Barton Library and Museum.
Excursions
In excursions visit Shatrunjaya hills, in the eastern part of the Saurashtra there is a Muslim shrine on the hilltop. Also visit Vijay Vilas Palace, once the country retreat, of the Gohil Rajputs offers a splendid view of the Shatrunjaya Hill and the historic Palitana temples.
GANDHI SMRITI
It is a living monument to Gandhiji. It was opened in 1955.This is a sort of complex attached to a clock tower in the heart of the city. The tower bells with music and timings on all four sides. The smriti has a Gandhi picture gallery with photos on the Life of Mahatma Gandhi from birth to death, a small museum of ancient things, a big departmental Khadi Gramodyog Bhandar and a first class, well established and a well arranged running library.
GOPNATH
A beautiful hemlet on the coast of the Gulf of Khambhatand at a distance of 10 kms from Talaja, the taluka headquarter of Bhavnagar district is Gopnath; vying for eminence on the tourist circuit with development of a heritage hotel - Gopnath Bungalow - the pleasant sea-shore retreat of Gohil rulers of Bhavnagar. The Bungalow, built in a European colonial style with cottages and mansions surrounding the courtyard, faces the sea and offers beautiful view of the gulf. It attracts marine life enthusiasts for the variety of the kind found in the rocky shoals on the coast. It is also renowned for the temple of Gopnath Mahadev, where Narsingh Mehta is believed to have performed penance.
TAKHETESHWAR TEMPLE
Built on a small hill top, the holy temple of Lord Shiva named in the memory of Maharaja Takhtasinhji is a very popular place. It is made of pure marble and constructed in the late nineteenth century. The picturesque view from the temple adds to the serenity of the place. Thousands of people pay their visit daily to this hilly place. Velavadar
BARTON LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
One of the oldest monuments in Bhavnagar, it is a favourite spot for men of all age group. Old age people prefer to sit here and read newspaper, dailies, magazines to spend their time. Old books, manuscripts, rare coins, arms and armor used by the rulers of Bhavnagar are on display at the Barton Library and Museum.
Excursions for Bhavnagar
Palitana
Palitana - city of Jam temples, lies at the feet of Shatrunjaya hills, in the eastern part of the Saurashtra. From this town a flight of steps begins and leads to a cluster of 863 hill top am temples built over a period of 900 years. On a moonlit night these ivory coloured temples conjure up the vision of a fantasy land. The ornate temples have deities studded with gems and jewels. These can be reached after a 90 minute climb on foot. There is also a Muslim shrine on the hilltop
Sihor
One can also go and see Sihor that has the historic old palace of the Maharajas of Bhavnagar, featuring gardens, wall paintings and woodcarvings. The ship breaking yard at Alang is also nearby
Vijay Vilas Palace
The Vijay Vilas Palace was built in 1906 AD by Yuvraj Vijay Sinhji of Palitana member of the same Gohil Rajput clan as the Maharajas of Bhavnagar, The Vijay Vilas palace, once the country retreat, of the Gohil Rajputs offers a splendid view of the Shatrunjaya Hill and the historic Palitana temples, which are situated in close proximity. It offers a convenient base for visiting the famous temples of Palitana and an excursion of the Palitana township
Fact File
• Area 102.57 sq. km
• Population 727481
• Altitude Sea level
• Languages Hindi, English, and Gujarati
• Best Time to Visit October-March
• STD Code 0278
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