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Situated about 250 km away from
Ahmedabad ,
Bhavnagar is an important trading
centre for cotton goods manufactured in Gujarat.
Bhavnagar lies in the southeast corner of the peninsular region of Gujarat
known as Kathiawad or Saurashtra. 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: 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 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. 
EXCURSIONS
Shihor: An interesting excursion from the
Vijay Vilas
Palace is Shihor, with its historic old palace of the Maharaja of
Bhavnagar, featuring gardens, wall
paintings and woodcarvings. It can also be used as a base to visit Alang
Ship Breaking Yard, the Jain temples of Talaja, the historic town of
Vabhipur and the Velavadar National Park.
Alang: A modern wonder of Gujarat, the
Ship-Breaking Yard at Alang is a fantastic spectacle in itself. It is
located on the coast between Bhavnagar
and Talaja. Large ships from America, Europe, Asia are brought here to be
scrapped.
The reason behind the selection of this site was the nature of its tide,
suitable for such maritime activities and the proximity of industrial
zones that could utilize its metal and other scrap. It's India's largest
ship-breaking site. Here supertankers, container ships, warships and other
vessels are reduced to scrap by 20,000 workers toiling day and night.
Gangajaha:
In the midst of a tank, stands the temple of Gangadevi with a
'chhatri' or partition. Designed by Sir John Griffiths, the white marble
building was built at the behest of Maharaja Takhtsinghji in memory of
Maharani Majirajba in 1893 AD.
Khodiyar Mata: Situated 4 kms from Sihor, is a famous shrine
commemorating the family Goddess of the rulers of the former Bhavnagar
State. The deity is held in great reverence and the shrine with 36 pillars
and a vast 'mandap' presents a serene sight. The views are absolutely
breathtaking.
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.
For travel
Agents & Tour Operators in Gujarat - Click here
WHERE TO STAY
Bhavnagar has a reasonable choice of
places to stay. There are a few budget hotels near the railway station,
which also has retiring rooms. The more up market options are available in
Darbargadh, towards the bus stand and around the bus stand itself.
For
Hotels & Restaurants in Bhavnagar - Click here
NEARBY CITIES
Palitana: 55 kms.
Rajkot: 165 kms.
Ahmedabad :
203 kms.
Click Here for Bhavnagar City
Map
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Bhavnagar City
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Network Map Of Bhavnagar City