Bhavnagar: Discover The Cultural Capital Of Saurashtra!

If you are planning a vacation in the northwestern region of the territory of India, Bhavnagar would be a great choice in that regard. This is a city situated in the state of Gujarat, India. The exact location comes in the Saurashtra side of the state.

1723 is the year in which this particular city was founded. Bhavsinhji Takhtasinhji Gohli was the man who founded this beautiful city and brought fame and repute to it. During those days, Bhavnagar was a state itself and the areas of this city were the capital region of the same.

The prominence of the city of Bhavnagar came from the glory and pride of the maritime trade that happened in the city. The history and heritage associated with the city are quite unique and would impress you especially if you have got a taste for similar stuff. Below we have mentioned a few best places to visit in Bhavnagar.

Gaurishankar Lake

Gaurishankar Lake is a picturesque lake having high tourism prominence in the city of Bhavnagar. The popularity of this particular lake came from its huge size. People also refer to this lake as ‘Bhavnagar Lake’. This is not a natural lake, but an artificially constructed one.

The purpose behind the construction of the same was to meet the water requirements of the locals living nearby. You can spot this lake adjacent to Victoria Park which is a popular landmark in the city of Bhavnagar.

Built in 1872, Gaurishankar #Lake is also known as Bor Talav- The most preferred picnic spot in the city. #FanPost pic.twitter.com/c3YkvDRgfg

— Gujarat Tourism (@GujaratTourism) June 3, 2017

The picturesqueness of the surroundings of the park has also helped the area to evolve as a picnic destination in the city of Bhavnagar. Hence if you are visiting the location along with your friends or family, you can spend a good 2-3 hours picnicking and clicking pictures in the location. 

Gandhi Smriti

Since the state of Gujarat is often mentioned in association with Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, there are a lot of monuments and memorials in the state commemorating the personality. Gandhi Smriti is also one such museum dedicated to the memories and life events of Mahatma Gandhi in the city of Bhavnagar in Gujarat.

This museum is also known by the name, ‘Gandhi Memorial’. The inauguration of this particular museum happened in the year, 1955. You can easily access the location of the museum since it is located in the center of the city of Bhavnagar. The clock tower that can be watched from the museum is also an important landmark in the city.

A lot of books read by Mahatma Gandhi and the ones that inspired him can be found in the museum complex. You can also explore some of the unseen photographs taken in his life by visiting the museum. 

Barton Library and Museum 

Another museum set-up that can be visited while you are on a vacation in the city of Bhavnagar. It was in the year 1882, that the museum got established and inaugurated in the city of Bhavnagar. The collection of books in the museum during the time of inauguration was quite low with a count of just 5000.

Chhagan Prasad Desa was the man who contributed these collections to the library inside the museum complex. Over the years, the library developed with its collection of books and the diversity of genres available inside, making it a favorite spot for intellectuals to spend their time.

The architectural specialties and wonders in the construction of the museum and library complex are also something attracting the attention of tourists to the location. Make sure you are not planning to visit the destination on Monday, since it is a holiday for the museum and library. 

Palitana

Palitana is a heritage city you can visit while exploring the city of Bhavnagar. Palitana is not a region inside the territory of the city of Bhavnagar, instead, it is a neighboring city to the same. Apart from the heritage significance of the city of Palitana, this city is also prominent for its pilgrimage aspects.

1194 is the year in which this particular city got founded in the Saurashtra region in the state of Maharashtra. This city is located on the top of a hill accentuating its beauty and elegance from every angle. The temples that can be found in the city are all dedicated to the God figures in the religion of Jainism.

The marble structures found in abundance in the city of Palitana throw light upon the architectural brilliance of the people who constructed such an aesthetic city on a hilltop. 

Nilambag Palace

Nilambag Palace is a former palace turned into a heritage hotel attracting tourists to the destination of the city of Bhavnagar. The surroundings of the palace are maintained well with the lush green ambiance and cooling atmosphere being the major specialties of the palace.

You can choose to stay in this particular heritage hotel by Gujarat tourism if you would like to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city of Bhavnagar even without traveling to the outskirts of the city.

The khaki-colored stones used for the construction of the palace are also quite impressive if you would like to explore the aesthetic side of the structures in the city.

1859 is the year in which the palace completed its construction and got established in the city of Bhavnagar. During the period of royal reign, this palace belonged to the Gohil dynasty. 

Victoria Park

This is a protected forest area that can be visited while touring the city of Bhavnagar in the state of Gujarat. This wildlife park is spread over an area of around 2 square km. You can plan to visit the park of Victoria as well as the Gaurishankar lake on a go since both are situated in the same location, adjacent to each other.

The design works of this particular park in the city of Bhavnagar took place in the year of 1888. Mr. Proctor Sins was the artist who designed such a picturesque plan for the park. This assignment was done for the then-ruler of the city of Bhavnagar, Maharaja Takhtasinhji.

If you are a nature lover, you will definitely fall for the surroundings of the park. A reconciliation with nature is possible by visiting this park since you will be able to meet a lot of butterflies, rare organisms, and creatures and interact with them here. 

Water Lock Gate

Even if it is quite a picturesque location in the city of Bhavnagar, visiting the place needs a couple of permissions. So you need to go through a series of procedures before actually visiting the place. But all the efforts you take to visit the location are worthwhile since the sights and visuals possible in the location are absolutely mesmerizing.

This particular water lock gate in the city of Bhavnagar has got an ancientness of over 100 years making it a historically prominent location too. This was not built with a tourism purpose behind it. But over the years, tourists started getting attracted to the site.

At the time of its construction, it was built as a defensive mechanism against the low tides of water to enable smooth movements of boats. 

Bhavnagar Blackbuck National Park 

Another magnificent location in the city of Bhavnagar is best suitable for wildlife lovers and biodiversity enthusiasts visiting the location. This national park is spread over a total area of 34 square km. The vast grasslands that can be found in the location of the park are quite calming and pleasing to both body and mind.

There are a total of two rivers in the area of the national park making the location much richer and more elegant naturally. Just as the name of the national park suggests, the major species of attraction in the park is none other than the blackbucks.

Apart from the blackbucks, there are a lot of organisms and creatures living peacefully in the area of the national park attracting the tourists’ attention. The richness of the park in the diversity of its bird species is also quite attractive. 

Takhteshwar Temple

This is a Hindu pilgrimage location found in the city of Bhavnagar. This temple is built on the top of a hill attracting the attention of pilgrims even from a distant location. The overall view of the city of Bhavnagar can also be seen from the location of this temple.

So that if you are into viewpoints and stunning sceneries, you should not miss out on visiting the Takhteshwar Temple in the city of Bhavnagar.

Lord Shiva is the main deity worshipped in the shrine of this hilltop temple. The pillars and architecture of the temple are also quite attractive especially if your eyes look for aesthetics anywhere and everywhere you go.

The authentic Gujarati style of architecture is the specialty you can find here. The marble stairs of the time testify to the grandeur and splendidness of the times in which the temple has been constructed. 

Best time to visit Bhavnagar

October to February 

How to reach Bhavnagar?

Nearest airport: Bhavnagar Airport

Nearest railway station: Bhavnagar Terminus Railway Station (BVC)

Conclusion

Best choice for your Saurashtra vacation with temples, museums, libraries, national parks, nature, sights, and so on.

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