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Modern, as compared
to most of the other cities of Gujarat, Bhavnagar was founded by
Bhavsinhji Gohil, the rulers of Sihor in 1723 AD. It was the time
of persistent Maratha raids of the States of Saurashtra. During
one such raid the Maratha army under Pilaji Gaekwad took the chiefs
of Lathi and Gariadhar as hostages due to their inability to pay
tribute. Bhavsinhji joined these chiefs and made good escape after
a heroic fight. Aware of the reprisal that this defiance was to
invite, Bhavsinhji decided to shift his capital from Sihor. With
the twin objectives of taking advantage of the sea as a defensive
measure and to secure the advantages of maritime trade, he selected
a site near the coast, which came to be known as Bhavnagar. The
prompt suppression of the Kolis, piracy boosted the confidence of
the traders and the capital soon grew into a thriving port. The
last princely ruler Late Sir Krishna Kumar Singhji handed over the
administration of his State to the people's representative in 1948
on the advice of Gandhiji.
Bhavnagar is an intermediate port with a natural harbour. To overcome
the difficulty of siltation and to ensure the floatation of ships
even with receding tides a lock gate 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.
Places
of Interest :
Gandhi Smriti
Established with an objective of keeping Gandhian thought alive,
Gandhi Smriti is a living monument to Gandhiji. Opened in 1955,
the institution hoses a Gandhi picture gallery, museum, Khadi Gramodyog
Bhandar and a library. The institution has kept alive Gandhiji's
association with Bhavnagar and the States of Saurashtra.
Barton
Library & Museum
Situated in the heart of the city, this is the oldest and the
renowned library of Saurashtra, which has evolved into a cultural
centre. Housed in a spacious complex, its reading room attracts
large number of readers who do not have access to various newspapers,
magazines and periodicals. The coin-collection is the chief attraction
of its museum.
Takhteshwar
Temple
Made of pure marble and constructed in late nineteenth century,
the temple is situated on a hillock near the Takhteshwar railway
station on the railway line between Bhavnagar and mahuva. The
picturesque view from the temple adds to the serenity of the
place.
The
Cenral Salt Research Institute
Housed in a large and imposing building, the institute works
for the improvement of salt quality and enhancing salt production.
Gogha
Historically, a nursery for the Kathiawad seafarers, the fortune
of this port-town has fluctuated with the growing and diminishing
might's of European seapowers and big-neighbours Surat, Khambhat
and Bhavnagar. Portuguese target of fury, the port was burnt
thrice for frightening the Muslim lords of Gujarat and keeping
British at bay. The burning of Rahimi, 1500-ton pilgrim ship,
was the last show of Portuguese power, off the coast of Gogha.
With English ascendancy at sea, importance of Surat grew at
the cost of Khambhat and Gogha. It temporarily flourished
during 1860s due to boom in trade resulting from American
War of Independence. This uptrend was short-lived due to growth
of neighbouring Bhavnagar, at a distance of 13 kms, which
offered better facilities. The port-town continues to contribute
its valued share as a minor port. Town has a historical Jain
temple of Navkhanda Parshwanath from where a horde of bronze
idols have been discovered.
Gopnath
A beautiful hemlet on the coast of the Gulf of Khambhat and
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.
Khodiyar
Mata
It is a famous shrine commemorating the family Goddess of
the former Bhavnagar State. The deity is held in great reverence
and the shrine with 36 pillars and vast mandap presents a
serene sight
Access 15 kms. from Bhavnagar and 4 kms. from Sihor
Mahuva
A minor port, Mahuva is famous for its handicraft work in wood
and ivory. Lacquer work on wooden furniture and toys are its speciality.
Its fertile land bears `Jamadar' mangoes akin to Alphonso. There
is an old mosque, Laxminarayan Temple and a Jain Dehrasar Temple.
Sihor
Before Bhavsinghji founded Bhavnagar this was the capital of Gohil
rajputs. Excellent wall paintings depicting Bhavnagar ruler Wakhatsinhji
with battle scenes, armies, cavalries, etc. are found in Sihor
Darbargadh. Brahma Kund is known for its excellent quality of
water.
Talaja
Situated on the slope of a hill crowned with a Jain temple nearby
and at the confluence of Talaji and Shetrunji rivers, Talaja is
famous for its Buddhist Caves. These caves are cut into isolated
conical rocks. There are 30 such caves with 15 to 20 tanks for
storing water. They are simple and wanting in ornamental carving.
The only cave possessing some ornamentation is known as Ebhal
Mandap. It is a big hall measuring 23 x 21 x 15.5 metres. There
are no cells within the hall. On the facade of the cave, there
are chaitya windows with a broad band of vedika below them. The
town is the birthplace of renowned Gujarti saint-poet Narsingh
Mehta. The cave devoted to Kalvo Daitya is also of interest.
Delvada
The town is famous for its Juma Masjid with shaking minarets.
It was built during the reign of Mohammad Tuaghlaq.
Palitana
A 56 Kms. drive from Bhavnagar, Palitana lies at the foot of the
Shatrunjaya Hill, with the Shatrunjaya River flowing to its south,
making this place one of the most picturesque places of pilgrimage
in India. The sacred hill rises in a crescendo of magnificent
temples - 863 in all - that soar 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. Amongst all the Jain temples, Palitana temples
are considered to be the most sacred. The most important temple
is that of the first Terrthankara. Kuwarpal Solanki, a great Jain
patron, built the earliest temple. It has a fabulous collection
of jewels, which can be seen with special permission. It takes
about two hours to cover the 4 kms long ascent. When you reach
the top, the air is clean and the Shetrunjaya River looks glistening
like a foil of silver spread on the ground. Pilgrims and even
priests are not allowed to stay overnight because the Temple City
has been built as an abode for the Gods. Tourists cannot carry
any leather item. The 600-metre climb to Shatrunjaya is usually
made on foot. Dolis or lift-chairs are also available for the
ascent.
Gaurishankar
Lake
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 could
be seen with special permission.
How
to get there Air :
Various domestic airlines connecting Bombay and Surat. Rail :
It is on the western railyway line. It is 761 Kms. from Bombay
and 260 kms. from Ahmedabad. Road :
State transport buses and private luxury coaches connects
various centres of Gujarat. It is situated 791 Kms. from Bombay
via Ahmedabad, 200 Kms from Ahmedabad via Sihor.
