Heritage and Culture of Gujrat


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Destinations : Delhi » Ahmadabad » Bhavnagar » Gir Wildlife Sanctuary » Junagarh » Gondal » Rajkot » Ahmedabad » Delhi

Day 1-Delhi - Ahmadabad (By Flight)
On arrival check-in to hotel. Have lunch and relaxed then evening we will proceed for half day sightseeing, Ahmadabad’s 600-year old walled city for the daily guided heritage walk which goes through old quarters where you can see finely carved houses called havelis, temples and the excellent historical town planning.

Dada Hari Vav - Built during the reign of Mehmud Begda in the year 1501, Dada Hari Vav is an elaborately designed stepped well. The well lies just behind the tomb of Dada Hari. It is one of the most complicated structures of the Ahmadabad city. The basic purpose of setting up the well was to provide the travelers with cool water and a place for relaxation.

Sarkhej Roza - Lying at a stretch of 8 kms on the south western side of Ahmadabad, Sarkhej Roza was the home of the spiritual leader of Sultan Ahmed Shah named Ahmed Kattu Gang Baksh, who was a Muslim religious leader. It contains a cluster of monuments, the origin of which can be dated back to the times of Mughal rule in Ahmedabad.

When you visit Sarkhej Roza, do not forget to take a look at the tomb of Saint Ahmed Khattu Baksh, the spiritual guide of the founder of Ahmedabad city. It also houses the tomb of the Emperor Mehmud Shah Beguda and his queen. Sarkhej Roza of Ahmedabad is renowned for the marvelous buildings that lie within its premises. The architectural pattern of Sarkhej Roza is mesmerizing. The reflection of sunlight creates beautiful impressions.

Jami Masjid- Lying opposite to Mahatma Gandhi Road, on the eastern side of Teen Darwaza, Jama Masjid is one of the most splendid mosques of India. Constructed in the year 1423 A.D, the Ahmedabad Jama Masjid was established by Sultan Ahmed Shah, the founder of the Ahmedabad city.

Bhadra Fort- When it comes to monuments in Ahmadabad, Bhadra fort is one name that indeed deserves a special mention. Constructed in the year 1411 A.D. during the rule of Marathas, it was established by Sultan Ahmad Shah, the founder of Ahmadabad city. Bhadra fort in Ahmadabad is a royal fort that occupies the top most position in the Ahmadabad sightseeing tour.

The fort houses a magnificent palace, the arches and balconies of which are ornately embellished. People are of the belief that, Goddess Lakshmi had once visited the Bhadra fort and blessed the Sultan that, his city would always remain prosperous. Since times immemorial, people of Ahmadabad have been wealthy and infact, Ahmadabad has throughout been the hub of trade and commerce in the state of Gujarat. Overnight stay.

Day 2: Ahmedabad- Adalaj Vav- Ahmedabad (40 K.M Round Trip)
After breakfast you will go for excursion trip to Adalaj Vav, visit the magnificent 15th century Adalaj Vav on the outskirts of the city. Vav is the Gujarati word for a stepped well, designed to conserve water in partly covered wells with stairways leading down to the main shaft.  The Stepwell at Adalaj village has a five-storey stairway leading down to the water level, with the walls on both sides exquisitely carved with great detail. The quantity and quality of carvings is very impressive. Return to Ahmedabad for a traditional Gujarati dinner at Vishala Village, which also has an interesting museum of traditional utensils and a variety of folk performances.

After Adalaj Vav visit back to Ahmedabad and visit the following places.

Hutheesing Jain Temple- This remarkably elegant temple created out of white marble has been sacred to many Jain families, generation after generation. It was built in 1848 A.D. at an estimated cost of 10 lakh rupees by a rich merchant Sheth Hutheesing as a dedication to the 15th Jain tirthankar, Shri Dharmanatha. Traditional artisans working in stone belonged to the Sonpura & Salat communities. The Salat community constructed masterpieces of architecture ranging from forts, palaces to temples. The work of the Hutheesing Jain temple is attributed to Premchand Salat. One scholar has remarked, "Each part goes on increasing in dignity as we approach the sanctuary. Whether looked at from its courts or from the outside, it possesses variety without confusion and an appropriateness of every part to the purpose for which it was intended.

Siddi Saiyad Masque- Located near Lal Darwaza towards the Northwest corner of Bhandra Fort, Sidi Saiyyed is one of the most prominent mosques of Ahemdabad. Built in 1573 by a slave of Ahmed Shah, it is made up of yellow stone tracery. The splendid Jali screen that is framed in ten semi-circular windows and carved with extra-ordinary delicacy, depicting the complex inter-twining of the branches of the kalpa tree, is known as 'Sidi Saiyyed Jali.

Rani Rupmati Masque - Located on the Northern side of the Ahmedabad city, Rani Rupmati mosque was established by Sultan Mehmud Beghara. Named after Rani Rupmati, the wife of Sultan, the mosque was constructed during 1430-1440 AD. Some of the features that best describe the Rani Roopmati mosque of Ahmedabad, Gujarat are impressive domes, carved galleries and tall minarets. The mosque consists of three domes that are duly supported by pillars. The dome that lies in the central position illuminates the mosque with natural light.

The structural design of the Rani Rupmati mosque of Ahmedabad represents a blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture and this is what makes it stand out above all others. Due to the natural calamity that affected the Ahmedabad city in the year 1818, the mosque lost one of its minarets. The ceiling of the dome is beautified with the Hindu style patterns. The prayer hall of the mosque is of great aesthetic value, consisting of exquisite carvings.

If you have time after visiting above places, you may also visit the other mosque which you mentioned (Rani Sipris Mosque & Ahmed Shah Mosque) .

Overnight stay.

Day 3: Ahmadabad – Lothal- Bhavnagar (216KM/4 hours)
After breakfast drive to Bhavnagar via visiting Lothal.

Lothal -departs for Palitana calling in on the way at Lothal's archaeological site. Lothal is one of the most substantial remains of the Harappan Civilisation, which thrived in the Indus Valley and coastal Gujarat between 2400 and 1600BC. The ruins of the 4500-year old town show highly sophisticated systems of drainage, intelligent town planning and a knowledge of hydraulics. The site museum exhibits finds from the site that reflect the high level of maturity attained by industries of Lothal 4000-years ago.

After visiting lothal drive to Bhavnagar Overnight stay.

Day 4: Bhavnagar- Palitana – Bhavnagar (52 K.M/ 1 ½ Hrs)
After breakfast you will spend full day in Palitana.

Adinath Temple -With a slender tower over the shrine, the Adinath temple honors the first tirthankar Lord Rishabhdev of Jainism, who is said to have achieved enlightenment on this spot. Lord Rishabhdev had a sign of an Ox on his thigh and before he was born, his mother Marudeva had seen 14 dreams out of which the first was an Ox. He was the first to start the religion and that’s why he is also known as 'Adinath'.

Shri Adeshwara Temple- This temple honors Adeshwara, one of the most important tirthankars of the Jain faith. Each tirthankar is signified by a particular animal. Here you will see friezes of dragons encircling the temple, representing Adeshwara.

Lunch Break- You will have your lunch in Palitana.

Angar Pir- Next to the Adeshwara Temple is a rare Muslim shrine to Angar Pir, a Sufi saint who lived here in the 14th century when the area was attacked by Allauddin Khilji, who sought the riches of the temples on Shatrunjaya.  Angar Pir, believing in the intrinsic sacredness of the temples, even though they were to a different faith than his own, came to their protection. Through the power of his prayers and devotion, he hurled holy fire on the invading armies, thus protecting the temples from destruction.

Chaumukh Temple- Built in 1618, the Chaumukh Temple is the shrine of four faces (chau = four, mukh = face), with four images of Adinath facing the four cardinal directions.

After visiting above places drive to Bhavnagar. Overnight stay.

Day 5: Bhavnagar – Gir Wildlife Sanctuary. (270KM/ 5 hours)
Depart after breakfast for Sasan-Gir, the headquarters of the Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary, the last remaining habitat of the Asiatic lion.

In the afternoon take a mini-bus orientation drive in the Gir Interpretation Centre, where you can see a good cross-section of Gir wildlife. Stay at Gir Birding Lodge, extremely well located on the periphery of the wildlife sanctuary. Overnight stay at LION SAFARI CAMP 

Day 6: Gir-Somnath - Gir (120km round trip).
Morning drive on another route in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary. Take a day excursion to Somnath, a holy place for Hindus, with shore temples and museums. Return to Gir in time for the afternoon game drive. Stay at Gir Birding Lodge.

Day 7: Gir - Junagarh - Gondal (123KM)
Junagarh- Depart after breakfast for Junagadh. This historical city is dominated by the Uparkot Fort, a gigantic fortified complex with moats, imposing gateways, high walls, stepped wells, tanks, ruined palaces and other monuments. After visiting these places you will spend maximum time in Girnar Hill.

Girnar- In the east of Junagadh town, at a distance of 6 km  situated Mount Girnar which is considered holy by Hindus and Jains.

Several names were given to different hills and to various peaks. It was called Girinarayan in prehistoric time and now Known as  Mount Girnar.

Girnar has five principal peaks Ambaji, Gorakhnath, Guru Dattatraya, Oghad Ansuya and Kalka. Out of these five Gorakhnath is the highest and is 3666 ft. above sea level and the lowest peak is 648 ft. above sea level. The area of Girnar hills is 70 miles. . To climb the hill, a step way is built up of wide and convenient steps and on the either side of the way there are waiting spots, water places and devasthans (prayer place). The Jain temples are very old and ancient, the foundations and the plans are unchanged.

Ambaji: The famous temple of Goddess Ambaji. It is believed that this temple temple was built during the Gupta era.

Gorakhnath: This is the highest peak of Girnar Hill on which is the Dhuna of Gorkhnathji, the famous and renowned saint of Nath seet.

Oghad Ansuya: The Oghad and Ansuya peaks are difficult to approach yet worth visiting.

Kamandalkund: The step way switch from between Gorakhnath and Dattatray and winds its way descending to a lovely and beautiful place called Kamandalkund.

Dattatraya: Coming up again and resuming the step way southward the vertical peak of  Dattatraya is reached. On the top of the peak there is a small temple on the Padukas of Guru Dattatrays.

Kalika: The most difficult to approach is the peak of Kalika which is not joined by the step way but is not far away from Dattatrya though sufficiently detached.

Continue from here to Gondal, a princely town. Stay at Riverside Palace/Orchard Palace, 19th century heritage houses appointed with colonial furniture. See the Maharaja's collection of vintage and classic cars, rail saloon carriages, and other memorabilia in the heritage hotel.  Overnight stay.

Day 8: Gondal - Rajkot - Dasada (220km/5 hours + sightseeing time)
After breakfast you will explore the Gondal.

At Gondal, visit the Darbargadh Palace complex which contains the Naulakha Palace that is a festival of stone carvings and a museum of princely relics, the ayurvedic pharmacy where herbal medicines are made according to ancient principles,handloom factory and the stud farm of indigenous horses and cattle breeds. Depart for Rajkot to see the Watson Museum, which has a fine collection of archaeological exhibits, dioramas of life among the pastoral and fishing people of Gujarat, and handicrafts, and historical information. Continue to Dasada and stay at Rann Riders, an eco-resort which reflects the ethos of the region in its architecture.

Day 9: Dasada- Modhera-Patan – Ahmedabad (175 K.M Round Trip)
Modhera Sun Temple- Depart for the 11th century Modhera Sun Temple, which is a showpiece of medieval Hindu architecture with a huge stepped tank, profusely carved walls with superbly detailed sculpture, and intricate architectural planning.

As one traverses the length and breadth of Gujarat, one constantly stumbles across architectural legacies of the' Solanki' rule. You keep coming across, living spaces and monuments of another time, offering an eclectic glimpse of the artistic and ingenious beauty that makes this exotically state vibrant.

A soothing drive amidst green farmlands just 35 km away from Mehsana on the way to the temples of goddess Bahucharaji reposes the village of Modhera. Set along the backdrop of River Pushpavati, surrounded by a terra-formed garden of flowering trees and songs of birds, rests the famed Sun temple of Modhera.

As you relax and soothe your nerves, become one with nature and open your mind to the poetry in stone, dedicated to the sun god, living glimpses of the era far elapsed emerge out of the intricacies of narrative sculptures . The remains of the Sun Temples at Modhera are relics of times gone by when reverence of the natural elements fire, air, earth, water and sky were at their peak sharing space with myriad manifestations of Vedic gods. The ancient philosophy venerating natural elements and its association with humans was considered the prime force and energy of the life cycle. A walk around the serene temple campus makes you aware of the positively strong aura of energy which the place radiates and through it brings one closer to the environs.

The exclusively carved temple complex and the magnificently sculpted kund are jewels in the art of masonry of the Solanki period apparently which was also known as the Golden Age of Gujarat. Savor your voyage through time to the magnificent eons of the Golden period as you get welcomed personally by the life like icons, narrating stories and legends of Modhera!

After visiting Modhera Sun Temple Continue drive to Patan.

Patan-The Jain text, 'Kumarpala Rasa', describes Patan as a prosperous fortified town; 18 miles in circumference with 84 town squares, 52 bazaars, mints of gold and silver, well laid gardens with fountains and trees, grammar school of Sanskrit and Prakrit, numerous Hindu and Jain temples and Sahastralinga Talav.

After last Vaghela ruler, Karan Ghelo lost to Ulugh Khan in 1289 AD, the Muslims plundered the town, destroyed the temples and ruined the entire city. Today, one can barely find the traces of such a magnificent town. The most significant monuments in Patan are Rani ki Vav, Sahastralinga Talav and Khan Sarovar.

Rani ki Vav is an excellent example of subterranean architecture of Gujarat. This Vav was constructed by Udaymati, the queen of Bhimdev (1022-63 AD). The exisquisitely carved side walls, pillars, beams, series of steps and platforms lead to the elaborately carved water well. Every surface is adorned with finelly chiselled sculptures of maidens and Hindu deities, religious motifs and geometrical patterns. Rani ki Vav represents the finest of the Indian sculptures and architecture.

After visiting above places continued drive to Ahmedabad. Overnight stay in Ahmedabad.

Day 10: Ahmadabad- Delhi
After breakfast transfer to Ahmadabad to Board Morning flight to Delhi


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