Architecture Tour Of Gujarat

Destination :

Ahmedabad (3n) | Bhavnagar (1n) |Junagadh (1n) |Gondal (1n) |Gandhidham (1n)

Day 1: Ahmedabad Local

Morning Arrival At Ahmedabad Airport / Railway Station, Meets, Greet And Transfer To Hotel, Later City Tour Visits Of Gandhi Ashram, Hathee Singh Jain Temple, Adalej Step Well, Akshardham Temple.

Sabarmati Ashram - Gandhi Ashram - Harijan Ashram - Satyagraha

It’s Located On The Western Bank Of The Sabarmati River. Ashram Was The Residence Of Mahatma Gandhi. From This Ashram Gandhi Started The Dandi March In 1930. The Ashram Now Has A Museum, Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya. The Museum Building Was Erected (Designed By Architect Charles Correa), And Memorial Activities Were Then Started Here. One Of The Important Activities Undertaken Is The Establishment Of A Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya. Initially Started In 'Hriday Kunj,' Gandhi's Own Cottage In The Ashram, The Sangrahalaya Has Now Shifted To Its Own Well-Designed And Well-Furnished Building. Exhibits At The Museum Includes: Gandhi Quotations, Letters, And Life Size Oil Painting Gallery.

Hathee Singh Jain Temple

It Was Built By Seth Hathee 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 Dharmnath, Whose Statue Stand In The Main 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

The Step Well Was Built In 1499 A.D. By Queen Rudabai Wife Of Veer Singh, The Vaghela Family. The Designs On Its Walls And Pillars Include Leaves, Flowers, Birds, Fish And Other Breathtaking Ornamental Designs. In The Past, These Step Wells Were Frequented By Tourists And Caravans As Stopovers Along Trade Routes. The Five-Storied, Step-Well Located In The Sleepy Village Of Adalaj Is A Marvel Of Architecture. This Unique Water Work Is An Excellent Blend Of Hindu And Islamic Styles. The Intricately Carved Monument Served Religious And Utilitarian Purposes Of The People Around Though Its Origin Is Marred By Tragedy. The Indo-Islamic Style Of Architecture, Which Developed In India In The Early Centuries Of The Medieval Period, Is Neither A Local Variant Of Islamic Art, Nor A Modification Of Hindu Art, But It Is An Assimilation Of Both The Styles, Though Not Always To An Equal Degree. The Architecture Of This Well Also Shows The Influence Of The Earlier Solanki Rulers Of Gujarat. Built Entirely Of Sandstone, One Can Enter Into This Step-Well From Three Sides, Which Consist Of Octagonal Landings With Huge Carved Colonnades And Intricately Carved Niches. The Step-Well Served Both Ritualistic As Well As Utilitarian Needs.

Akshardham Temple (Monday Closed)

Akshardham Is A Unique Cultural Complex That Celebrates The Past, Addresses The Present, And Blesses The Future. It Upholds The Universal Values Of Humanity And Symbolizes The Glory Of Indian Culture. It Is A Huge Temple Built In Pink Stone And White Marble. The Central Attraction Of This Temple Is Idol Of Swaminarayan Is Sitting Posture Of 3.3 Mtrs. Universal Ideals Of Indian Culture Are Brought To Life Through The Most Modern Exhibition Technology. Shows, Walk-Through Dioramas, Audio-Visuals, Light And Sound Programs, And Surround Experiences Within The 45,000 Sq. Ft. Of Exhibition Space, Educate And Enthrall Visitors. The Sahajanand Hall Depicts The Life Of Lord Swaminarayan. The Mystic India Addresses The Quest For Eternal Happiness Through A 14-Screen Multi Media Show. The Nityanand Hall Visualizes Values From The Upanishads, Ramayana. The Audio Animatronics Show Features The Lifelike Assembly Of Statues That Sing And Speak. The Water Show Reveals India’s Ancient Secret Of Inner Light Through An Upanishad Story Of Nachiketa, A Nine Year Old Boy, Who Bravely Confronts Yamraaj, The God Of Death, And Receives From Him The Knowledge That Has Made India, A Land Of Enlightenment. Performed By Live Actors, With A 70-Feet High Water Screen, Water Features, Fire Spreading On Water Along With Several Fireballs, Powerful Lasers, All Enhanced By A 10.2 Surround Sound System, It Is A Uniquely Entertaining And Educational Show With A Spiritual Message. The 45-Minute Show Takes Place Every Evening (Except Monday) At Akshardham. Overnight Stay Ahmedabad.

Day 2: Ahmedabad – Champaner – Ahmedabad (160 Kms / 3.5 Hrs)

World Heritage Site

Champaner Is 47 Kms Northwest Of Vadodara. The Unesco Listed World Heritage Site Of Champaner Is One Of Gujarat’s Most Remarkable Archaeological Zones. Champaner Is Famous For Its Exquisite Mosques, Of Which The Jama Masjid Is The Most Impressive. The Sculptural Hill Of Pavagadh With Its Ruined Fort Rises Beside Champaner In Three Levels. The 16th Century With Mosques That Is Considered Perfect Example Of The Gujarat Sultanate’s Indo- Saracenic Architecture. The Mosque With In The Fortified City Is Called Sharkimasjid. It Is Noted For Its Slender Minarets With Intricately Carved Basis. The Jami Masjid Has Intricate Latticework Screens And A Magnificent Pavilion At The Entrances To The Spacious Courtyard Which Is Enclosed By Domed Galleries. The Central Dome Is Three Storeys With An Opening That Allows Light Into The Prayer Hall. The Similar Nagina Masjid Has Exquisite Sculptures On The Pillars. Pavagadh Temple Is The Site For Kali Temple.

Day 3: Ahmedabad – Patan – Modhera – Ahmedabad (170 Kms / 3.5 Hrs)

Patan – Patola - Patan Patola Of Weaving

Patan Is Famous For Patola Weaving. Salvi Community Of People Is Working With Patola. The Queen Of Textiles Is The Patola Woven By Only Few Families Of Patan. The Technique Used To Weave The Patola Is The Rare Double Ikkat Style Which Involves Dyeing Both The Wrap Threads In The Pattern Of The Final Fabrics Before Setting Them On The Loom. Patan Is Also One Of The Centers For Mushroo, Fabrics Woven As A Combination Of Silk & Cotton With The Latter Forming The Backing. While In Preparing Patola Colouring And Design Pattern Are Evolved On Each Thread. Different Colour And Pattern Are Matched Exactly On Horizontal And Vertical Threads In Weaving. The Patola Was Traditionally Woven In A Sari Length Of 5 To 9 Yards By 45" To 54" Width. The Range Now Extends To Include Tablecloth Borders Scarves, Handkerchiefs. Patan Timings 09:30 Am To 06:00 Pm / Closed On Special Festival

Rani Ki Vav, Patan Step Well - Architecture

It Was Built By The Queen Udaymati, The Wife Of Bhimdev. It Is The Best Example Of Such Architecture For Water Wells That Is Peculiar To Gujarat. There Are Wonderful Carved Images In The Niches Of The Walls Of This Multi Storied Step Well. It Was One Of The Largest And The Most Sumptuous Structures Of Its Type. It Became Silted Up And Much Of It Is Not Visible Now, Except For Some Rows Of Sculptured Panels In The Circular Part Of The Well. Among Its Ruins One Pillar Still Stands Which Is The Proof Not Only Of The Elegance Of Its Design, But Also Excellent Example Of This Period. A Part Only Of The West Well Is Extant From Which It Appears That The Wall Had Been Built Of Brick And Faced With Stone.

Modhera – Sun Temple

Modhera Sun Temple Is Finest Example Of Hindu Architecture In Gujarat. The Sun Temple At Modhera Dates Back To Early 11th Century Ce And Was Built By King Bhimdev I In 1026 Ce. The Sanctum Was Designed To Allow The Sunlight To Illuminate The Main Statue, No Longer In The Temple. The Quality & Quantity Of Carvings Along Its Walls Describing God, Other Figures & Erotic Positions Are Exceptional. In Front Of The Temple Is A Colossal Tank, Which Was Once Known As Surya Kund Or Rama Kund. The Tank Has A Series Of Carved Steps Leading To The Bottom. Several Miniature Shrines Adorn The Steps Of The Tank - Which Is An Art Gallery In Itself.

Day 4 : Ahmedabad – Lothal – Bhavnagar (190 Kms / 4 Hrs)

Lothal (Indus Vally Civilization // Friday Close)

Lothal Is An Important Archaeological Site Was Discovered In 1954. This Site Is 85 Kms From Ahmedabad Towards To Bhavnagar. Lothal Is One Of The Most Significant Sites Of The Harappan Or Indus Valley Civilization Excavated In India. The City That Stood Here 4500 Years Ago Is Clearly Related To Indus Valley Cities Of Harappa And Mohenjodaro. The Remarkable Feature Of This Ancient City Is The Dockyard, (Complex Lock Gate System) Which Had Channels Through Which Ships Could Wash From The Sea And Offload Their Cargo When The Gates Were Locked. The Town Beside The Dockyard Includes An Upper Residential Area, Probably An Acropolis As It Had Private Paved Baths, And A Lower Township Which Also Has Remains Of Factories That Produced The Famous Beads, Earthenware And Metal Ware Of The Period. The Archeological Museum Can Be Seen At The Site Displays Further Evidence Of This Well Ordered Civilization, Such As Intricate Seals, Weights And Measures, Games And Jewellery. Lothal (Friday Closed)

Barton Museum & Library (Bhavnagar)

It Was Established In 1882 & Open For All From 1885. Barton Museum Is Located At Gandhi Smriti In Bhavnagar. This Is Principally An Archaeological Museum. On Display Here Are Coins, Weapons, And Wood Carvings, Farming Implements, Fossils And Archaeological Finds. Also A Very Good Collection Of Stamps Are Here.

Gandhi Smriti (Bhavnagar)

The Little Known Fact That Mahatma Gandhi Went To The University On Bhavnagar. Established With An Objective Of Keeping Gandhian Thought Alive, Gandhi Smriti Is A Living Monument To Gandhi Ji. Opened In 1955, The Institution Houses A Gandhiji.

Day 5 : Bhavnagar – Palitana – Junagadh (240 Kms / 5 Hrs)

Palitana Jain Temple

Palitana Is One Of The India’s Most Pilgrim Centers. The 600-Metre Climb To Shatrunjaya Is Usually On Foot. Lift Chairs (Dolly’s) Are Also Available. Mount Shatrunjaya Hardly A Kilometer Away From The Town, Which On Both Sides By Minor Temples, Include Museums. The Mountain Is Associated With Rishabhdev, The First Tirthankar, Also Known As Adinath. Palitana Site Is Scared To Jains Who Believe To Lord Adinath. There Are Superb Views In All Directions. The Temple Was Built In Different Periods But Most Of Them Follow A Similar Architectural Style Of Shikhara Or Towers On The Rooftop And Shrines Open On Four Side. Temples Are The Adishvara Which Is Said To Have Been Built In The 12th Century But Renovated Twice Since With A Tall Shikhara Made Up Of Many Small Towers. The Three Storey Vimala Sah Temple Built In The 14th Century With The Statue Towering Over All Three Floors And The Motisah Temple Of The 19th Century. On Shatrunjaya Hill Around 3500 Steps Are There. A Photography Permit Is Available In Front Of The Main Entrance. The Museum Located 400 Meter Before The Start Of The Steps At The Bottom Of The Hill, Displays A Collection Of Jain Arte Facts.

Day 6 : Junagadh – Gondal (80 Kms / 2 Hrs)

Ashoka Edicts (Junagadh)

Junagadh Is An Ancient Fortified City At The Foothills Of Girnar. Junagadh Name It Takes Its Name From Old Fort. The Fourth Century Bc To The Death Of Ashoka, Junagadh Was The Capital Of Gujarat Under The Buddhist Mauryas Then Later Kashatrapas And Guptas Etc. Junagadh Is Well Known For Girnar As Well As According To The Architect. Please Find The Details For Sightseeing Places As Per Below. Emperor Ashoka Inscribed 14 Rock Edicts. The Buddhist Edicts Of Ashoka, Junagadh Most Famous Monarch Remains Where It Was Placed In The Third Century Bc. The Impact Of Ashoka Edicts Somewhat Marred By A Modern Shelter And Concrete Platform. The Inscriptions Are In Brahmi Script In Pali Language & Later Added Sanskrit. The 14 Edicts Are Moral Lectures While The Other Inscriptions Refer Mainly To Recurring Floods Destroying The Embankment Of A Near By Lake, The Sudershan, Which No Longer Exists. Although Its Historic Credentials Are Irrefutable, The Admission Charge Seems A Bit Steep.

Durbar Hall Museum (Junagadh)

Durbar Hall Museum Takes Up Part Of The Former Place Of The Nawabs. It Has A Usual Display Of Weapons, Silver Chains, Chandeliers, And Palanquins. Also It’s Having A Huge Carpet That Was Woven In Jail Of Junagadh. Surrounding Rooms Contain Silver Elephant Seats And Collections Of Different Textiles. There Is A Portrait Gallery Of The Nawabs. This Is The Hall Where The Nawabs Of Previous Junagadh Used To Hold Their Court. Durbar Hall Museum Also Contain Photo Of Last Nawab With His Various Beloved Dogs.

Mahabat Maqbara (Junagadh)

Mahabat Maqbara Is One Of The Popular Examples Of Indo – Islamic Architecture Of Gujarat. It’s Built For Muslim Rulers In The Nineteenth Century. This Stunning Mausoleum Of A Nawab Of Junagadh Seems To Fizz Up Into The Sky. The Exclusivity Of The Wealth Of Silver At The Portals Teemed With Intricate Carvings And The Winding Staircase Surrounding The Four Minarets Attract A Lot Of Tourist To Its Site. The Onion Fashioned Dome Also Adds To The Entire Beauty Of The Sight.O/N Stay At Junagadh

Day 7 : Gondal – Gandhidham (240 Kms / 5 Hrs)

Naulakha Palace (Gondal)

Gondal Was The Princely State Ruled By Jadeja Rajput. Gondal Main Attractions Are Its Palaces & Buildings. The State Became Distinguished For Its Number Of Educational And Public Institutions. The Naulakha Palace Was Erected Around 1748 Ad In The Darbargadh Or Walled Palace Complex Of The Rulers, And Since Then Has Been Extended By Successive Rulers. Naulakha Palace Is A Festival Of Stone Carving With Jarokha Balconies. The Former Living Quarters Of The Palace Have Been Converted Into A Private Museum Exhibiting Textiles, Brassware, Royal Wardrobes, And Library, Silver Caskets That Carried Gifts And Messages For Maharaja Bhagwat Sinhji. Guests Staying At The Riverside Palace Or Orchard Palace Are Given A Guided Tour Of The Naulakha Palace.

Vintage Car Collection (Gondal)

This Is Very Much Interesting For Car Lovers. Its Collection Includes A 1910 New Engine, The Delage D8, Daimler, And The Grand 1935 Mercedes Seven-Seat Saloon Are Examples Of Supercharged European Cars Of The 1920s And '30s Known For Their Superbly Crafted Bodywork And High Performance. American Cars In The Collection Include A 1935 Packard Two-Door Convertible Coupe, The 1930s Buick Convertible And The 1935 Ford Convertible. Imposing American Cars Of The 1940s And '50s Include A 1941 Cadillac Saloon, A 1947 Cadillac Convertible, A 1947 Buick Convertible, A 1947 Oldsmobile, The 1940s Studebaker Convertible, The 1947 Lincoln V12, And The 1950s Cadillac Eldorado Limousine. Most Of Cars Are Restored To Original. This Museum Is Open Morning 0900 Hours To 1200 Hours & 1500 To 1700 Hours.On Stay At Gondal

Day 8 : Gandhidham - Dholavira And Late Night Ahmedabad Drop. (560 Kms / 11 Hrs)

Dholavira, Known Locally As Kotada (Which Means Large Fort), Sprawls Over 100 Hectares Of Semi-Arid Land At The North-West Corner Of The Island Of Khadir, One Of The Islands In The Great Rann Of Kutch That Remain Above The Flood-Plains In Months When The Rest Of The Desert Is Submerged By The Monsoon. Dholavira Has Two Seasonal Nallahs, Or Streams: Mansar In The North, And Manhar In The South. The Journey To Dholavira Itself Is Beautiful, Taking You Through The Saline Desert Plains Of The Great Rann, Where You Can Spot Wildlife Such As Chinkara Gazelle, Nilgai (Blue Bull, The Largest Antelope In Asia), Flamingos And Other Bird Life. The Site Was Unearthed By The Archeological Survey Of India (Asi) In 1967, But Has Been Systematically Excavated Only Since 1990. Artifacts Include Terracotta Pottery, Beads, Gold And Copper Ornaments, Seals, Fish Hooks, Animal Figurines, Tools, Urns, And Some Imported Vessels That Indicate Trade Links With Lands As Far Away As Mesopotamia. Also Found Were 10 Large Stone Inscriptions, Carved In Indus Valley Script, Perhaps The World’s Earliest Signboard. These Are Among The Most Important Discoveries About The Indus Valley Civilization, But Remain Tantalizingly Undeciphered. The Remains Show An Imposing Citadel In The Center, With A Middle And Lower Town, Each Fortified Separately, Built With Pleasingly Smoothed Structures Of Sun-Dried Brick And Stone Masonry, And With Remarkable Town Planning. Well Laid Out Lanes Lead Outward Systematically From The Citadel, With A Well-Constructed Underground Drainage System For Sanitation. There Is A Large Stadium With A Complex Structure And Seating Arrangement. Finally, Dholavira Has One Of The World’s Earliest Water Conservation Systems Ever Excavated. Satellite Pictures Show A Reservoir Underground, An Expertly Constructed Rainwater Harvesting System Extending From The Walls Of The City, Without Which The Settlement Would Not Have Thrived In The Sparse Rainfall Of The Desert. Dholavira Is One Of The Two Largest Harappan Sites In India, And 5th Largest In The Subcontinent. Like Lothal, It Passed Through All The Stages Of The Harappan Culture From Circa 2900 Bc To 1500 Bc, While Most Others Saw Only The Early Or Late Stages. The Excavation Found A Decline Of The Civilization In The 5th Of 7th Stages, After Which Were Signs Of A Temporary Desertion Of The Site. Settlers Returned Later In The Late Harappan Stage, With A Change In Their Pottery, Influenced By Cultures Found At Sites In Sindh, South Rajasthan And Other Parts Of Gujurat, But They Did Not Bring The Return Of The Civilization. Their Houses, For Example, Were Built In An Entirely New Form That Was Circular (Bhungas), And The Material Signs Were Strikingly Deurbanized And Simplified. Perhaps The Last Stage Of The Powerful Civilization Had Become Aware Of Its Future, And Was Preparing Itself For A Gradual End.