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Bhuj
Around Bhuj > Excursion
[ Mata no Madh | Hamisar
Lake | Puraneshwar | Lakhpat
| Narayana Sarovar | Koteshwar
| Anjar | Gandhidham | Bhadreshwar
| Dholavira | Cenotaph Complex
| Kakkad Bhit Yaksha | Lallubhai
Haveli | Roman Catholic Church | Madresa
Mosque | Diu | Swaminarayan
Temple ]
Mata no Madh (90
km),
Mata no Madh is an old temple believed to be 1,200 years old. The
temple is dedicated to the family Goddess of Kuchh rulers. The temple
has many unusual features and its treatment of dimensions and of
space is unique.
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 Hamisar
Lake
In the centre of the Hamisar Lake are the numerous
royal cenotaphs built in red sandstone. Some of these are specimens
of fine carvings on stone. Of these funerary monuments, Rao Lakhpatji's
Chhatri is the largest and the best preserved. With Maharao Lakhpat's
death, 15 of his consorts too gave in their lives on the funeral
pyre as evident from the memorial stone.
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 Puraneshwar
A temple tour of Bhuj commences with Punareshwar
(35kms from Bhuj) noted for its 9th century Solanki temple and a
palace at Vadimedi where religious rites are performed
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 Lakhpat
A further 100kms away from Puraneshwar is an 8th
century temple dedicated to the goddess of the ruling family. This
place, Lakhpat boasts of a beautiful landscape where a fort in ruins
can be visited along with a tomb and a mosque noted for their fine
carvings. A nearby gurudwara is historically significant, as Guru
Nanak is believed to have visited this site while he was on his
way to Mecca. Few of his relics are retained here.
Lakhpat, once a flourishing post, and now deserted, reminds one
that in ancient times, ships sailed to West Asia from Gujarat's
West Coast. Time stands still at Lakhpat, recalling to mind an era
long past, through the many sites in the city, including the Sikh
Gurdwara, and the 200-year tomb or Dargah of Ghaus Mohammed Kaba.
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 Narayana
Sarovar
Narayan Sarovar is one of the five holy lakes of
India. Narayan Sarovar means the Lake of Narayan, a name of Vishnu.
There are five sacred lakes here. There is a temple complex in one
of these lakes. This site is the holiest of the Hindu pilgrim points
in Kuchh, which finds reference in ancient texts.
The architecture is ancient and awe-inspiring. Surrounding the
Narayan Sarovar are 108 gaumukhs, symbolizing 108 names of God,
from which holy water issues forth. Fully bloomed lotus flowers
in the lake impart an inspiring message of purity and detachment.
Koteshwar, another place on the Mahotsava route, is also a site,
which pilgrims invariably visit. Other places worth visiting are
Snake Temple at Bhujiyo Hill Fort, Vegetable Market, Hatkeshwar
Temple and Alfred High School.
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 Koteshwar
Koteshwar is an ancient pilgrim site which is famous
for its temple overlooking the sea. Possibly, it was associated
with Buddhism at one time as Hieun Tsang visited it and later a
Buddhist arch was discovered here.
It is an ideal place to enjoy the sunset. Shooting pictures is
prohibited in this zone.
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 Anjar
Anjar is situated at 46km from Bhuj, near Gandhidham.
It is mainly known for the samadhi (tomb) of Jesal Toral, and the
bungalow of James Macmurdo, which is a veritable museum of Kuchhi
Art. Places worth visiting here are the Ajaypal Temple, the Holy
Shrine of Pinjora Pir. Anjar is also famous for its block printing
work, nutcrackers, scissors and penknives.
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Gandhidham
Situated at 60 Kms from Bhuj, Gandhidham was specially built for
displaced persons after partition. Kandla, a major port, the only
free trade zone of the country is very close by.
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 Bhadreshwar
The Jain community considers Bhadreshwar as an
important religious site. It also has shrines, mosques and temples,
as well as unique an ancient step-well.
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 Dholavira
It is an Indus Valley civilization excavation site,
210 km from Bhuj. Dhola Vira was once an important part of the Harappan
Civilisation, proving that the Harappan culture extended to Gujarat.
Excavations are still in progress. Beyond the city precincts, one
may consider Dholavira (260 kms from Bhuj) and save a full day for
a trip to this archaeological site, which is one of the 45 Harappan
sites in Kuchh.
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 Cenotaph
Complex
The cenotaph complex at Chattaradi is one of the
famous sites. These are built of red stones. Of all the tombs here
the largest and the finest is the one of Rao Lakhapat, built in
1770 AD. It is polygonal in shape with balconies and an intricately
carved roof. Other impressive cenotaphs are the ones of Rao Rayadhan,
Rao Desai and Rao Pragmal.
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Kakkad Bhit Yaksha
A few kilometers from Puraneshwar, it is located along the highway
on a hillock with 72 idols of yakshas or jakhs. The jakhs were people
of Greek or Iranian origin believed to have reached the coast of
Gujarat as the result of a shipwreck. The memorial at Kakkad Bhit
is created in honour of their many acts of sacrifice and bravery
of the local people, against the oppression of the then ruler Punara.
A big fair is held here every year.
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Lallubhai Haveli
Built in 1791 A.D., by Lallubhai, an ex-Divan of the last Nawab
of Broach, it is mainly a one-storied building with a small bungli
(room) on the second floor. Lallubhai used to hold his court here.
It has a front of carved wood, very richly designed. On the second
floor, there are arrangements for placing matchlock guns. According
to local tradition, there are underground passages in the haveli.
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Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church is an old church erected about 200 years ago
and then rebuilt in 1861 AD.
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Madresa Mosque
The Madresa Mosque is believed to be the oldest mosque founded by
Mohammad in 1038 AD. There are two inscriptions in Persian, engraved
on wooden plates, dated 1609 AD.
The pillars of the mosque and the front door of black wood are
decorated with beautiful engravings, some 200 to 300 years old.
Adjoining it is a shrine of the famous saint, Maulana Ishaqu, a
man of great learning, who died here in 1660 AD.
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 Diu
Across Ahmedpur Mandvi is the island of Diu, a
sensuous blend of sun, sand and deep blue sea. Diu is situated 125
kms from Junagadh. It is one of the country's finest beaches. Diu
is a quiet secluded island measuring less than 40 sq. kms. The total
length of the coastline of Diu does not exceed 21 km. It is connected
to the mainland of Gujarat by a causeway. The clean, cobbled streets,
the pastel houses, the catholic churches and the old bastioned fort,
the colorful fishwives in the elegant market square and the sleepy,
relaxed atmosphere - everything about Diu is pleasantly Mediterranean.
It offers some marvelous beaches. The island is also dotted by three
Portuguese churches one which has been converted into a museum housing
some rare Portuguese artifacts. Another cynosure at Diu is the Fort
of Diu, an imposing statement of power. This beautiful island in
the Arabian Sea has the river Chasi running along its northern frontier.
The climate is pleasant throughout the year.
Accessibility:
By Air: Nearest airport is Junagadh, which is connected to Mumbai
via Keshod, Porbandar and Rajkot.
By Train: It is well connected to Rajkot, Veraval and Ahmedabad.
By Road: Luxury and Semi luxury buses (private and state transport)
are easily available. Cars of various types are also available on
hire.
Places of Interest in Diu
Nagoa Beach Fortress of Panikot, St. Paul's Church, Jallandhar Shrine,
Gangeshwar Temple, Navlakha Parshvanath Temple, Jama Masjid and
Diu Museum.
 Fort
of Diu
It was built over six years from 1535 A.D., following a defence
alliance between Bahadur Shah, Sultan of Gujarat, and the Portuguese,
when Humayun, the Mughal Emperor, attacked the former. The deep
canals flanking the fort, the giant watch tower (now converted into
a lighthouse), the gaol, the cannons, the vestiges of foregone battles
(like mounds of iron shells from enemy cannons), the stone galleries,
gigantic windows and the granite expanse takes one back to another
valourous era. The mist that shrouds the fort throughout the year
completes the picture of historic adventure, romance and intrigue.
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 Swaminarayan
Temple
It is a very colourful and richly decorated temple, situated next
to the Aina Mahal.
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Information on Places around Bhuj city of Gujarat - India
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