Dhoraji

Darbargadh
The massive fort wall has several bastions, four main gates and three Baris (small gates). The four main gates are - Kathiawadi Darwaza in east, Porbandar Gate in west, Halar Gate in north and Junagadh Gate in south. The smaller gates are- Darbari Bari, Bhimji Bari and Sati Bari.

Darbargadh is located at the highest point in the town. Darbari bari is the beautiful gate leading to Dabargadh adorned with a jharokha, resting on rackets of 4 elephant statues in different poses. A beautifully carved entrance gate leads to the Darbargadh in the middle of a courtyard. Darbargadh is three-storied. There are images of sitting lions in different postures on long eaves, profusely carved pillars, horizontal friezes, decorative kanguras and windows framing skyline. It is designed like a jewel box-in the same architectural style of Navalakha Palace at Gondal.

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Ashapura Temple
The temple of goddess Ashapura is located on the left of Darbargadh. At present, the royal campus badly needs conservation. Not very far from the Darbargadh, one can walk into the streets having some of the most beautiful houses of wealthy Memon merchants.

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Upleta (19 km from Dhoraji)
Upleta is a fortified town on the banks of river Moj. The high fort wall with huge bastions, gates and small gates and the skyline of the buildings creates a picturesque composition. The Darbargadh (now a police station) is enclosed within a fortified campus. Next to it, an exceptional building, named 'Pani no Kotho', is situated. From a distance, the beautifully carved balconies on all the four sides with columns and arches give an impression of a palace building, but in reality, it houses a water tank and pumping station. It is a perfect example, showing a blend of fictions and aesthetics to create a wonderful architecture. A mosque and Jain temple in the town are beautiful specimens of architecture.

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Around Dhoraji

Kutiyana (53 km from Dhoraji)
Kutiyana is located on the banks of river Bhadar. Before independence, Kutiyana was under the rule of the Junagadh Nawabs and was populated by rich traders of the Memon community. The houses of Kutiyana reflect the high aesthetic taste of Memon Muslims. Kutiyana is a well-planned town with a central main bazaar street leading to a magnificent mosque with high minarets and impressive facade. The shops at lower level of arcade form an urban edge. The courtyards within, the water tank for vazu and the plaster-decorated architectural elements, painted in yellows, greens and blues make it a perfect representative example of mosque architecture of the late 19th century.

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