Jai Vilas Palace – It Is The Land Mark And Important Destinations Of Gwalior

JAI VILAS PALACE

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GWALIOR

Jai Vilas Palace is one of the important heritage attractions of Gwalior city and was rated among well maintained palaces of Madhya Pradesh state. It is just close to another popular Usha Kiran Palace. It is not in the Gwalior fort campus which is north of Jai Vilas Palace.

It also have a museums where we can see the glimpse of royal splendor, life-style, art and culture during scindia dynasty rule. Museum is part of palace in which 25 rooms have been allocated for Jivaji Rao Scindia Museum. It is open from visitors from 10:00hrs till 17:00hrs and Closed on Every Wednesday.

It’s the signature of the imperialism of Gwalior, the plush residential palace of scindias where currently Scindia family resides and one of its part turned into museum called Jiwaji Rao Scindia Museum. It is in the heart of the city and close from railway station and bus stand.

The palace was built in 1809 AD by Jiwaji Rao Scindia, and designed by Lt. Col. Sir Michael Filose, the palace is still occupied by the current successors of the royal family, and the construction of the palace was as an attempt to bring the palace of Versailles to Gwalior.

The area of the Jai Vilas Palace is 1240771 square feet and it is particularly famous for its large Durbar Hall. The interior of the Durbar Hall is decorated with gilt and gold furnishings and adorned with a huge carpet and gigantic chandeliers. It is 100 feet long, 50 feet wide and 41 feet in height.

The architecture of the palace is a mix of British-Italian and Indian constructive style, which reflects an inspiration and architectural idioms of Tuscany and Coithian styles.

There are 35 rooms which have turned to a museum, the first part of the museum has a wide collection of old-arms, and the most attractive part is to see the original Dhal (Shield) of the Jhansi ki Rani, on the ground floor the antiquity of the royal time yet very modern the ‘Silver Serving Train’ with cut glass carriages, which served the royal food to the royal guests on the dining table along with wine and cigars, the chairs back-rest has the royal crest of Gwalior.

Special tours can be organized for visitors and tourists groups after normal museum hours in the evening 5pm onwards. Tourists can be experience the culture and heritage of the region through music and dance performance organized along with dinner or high tea on the palace lawns. The visitors are hosted to an exquisite experience with unmatched hospitality.

By Air

The city Gwalior has its own Airport which is only 08 km away to the heart of the city.Many air travel agencies fly their flights from Gwalior to Delhi, Agra, Indore, Bhopal, Mumbai. Delhi International airport, which is nearly 321 km from Gwalior, is the main connecting airport for international travelers. Jai Vilas Palace is in South-West to Gwalior airport. 

By Train

Nearest railway station to visit Jai Vilas Palace is Gwalior junction which is in North-East direction from palace and South of Gwalior fort. Palace is just 2kms from railway station. It is close to Gwalior Junction railway station.

By Bus

Jai Vilas Palace is inside Gwalior city so can be reached by road from any place in city or from nearby tourist destinations like Agra, Delhi, Orchha, Shivpuri, Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, Chanderi etc. Gwalior City bus stand is close to railway station in eastern direction where hotels like Tansen Residency, Regency etc are close to it. Bus stand is about 3kms from palace.

Maheswar Fort – It Was Built By Akbar In 1601 As He Was Mughal Emperor

MAHESWAR FORT

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KHARGONE

Maheswar or Ahilya fort is situated in the metropolitian city of Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh State of India. The history of Maheshwar dates back to more than 4000 years back. The city also finds a mention in Mahabharta and Ramayana as well but the name of the city in these epics is 'Mahishmati'.

Akbar built the fort after he came into power in the year 1601. In the late eighteenth century, Maharani Ahilya Bai took over as the queen of Holkar Dynasty.

This place is associated with several myths and was known as Mahishmati in ancient times. Now it is known with the name ‘Maheshwar’ which is derived from God of Gods ‘Mahesh’ which is a name of Lord Shiva. The word Maheshwar is means in Hind “abode of Lord Mahesh”.

She transformed this riverside city into a peaceful and prosperous land when the rest of India was facing an uneasy time. She built many temples and buildings that still lend the city the aura of times of yore. The Ghats of the city, named after the dynasties like Peshwa Ghat, Fanase Ghat, Ahilya Ghat are another feature that give Maheshwar a distinctive look. Experience the real life of rural India, moving past you at a leisurely pace.

The Fort is the most visited attraction in the city. The magnificent fort houses an archaeological museum that displays antiques and different possessions of Holkar Dynasty. The main attraction of the fort is the life-size statue of Rani Ahilyabai seated of the throne. The festival of Dusshera is special in the fort as procession carrying a small shrine is taken down the fort for public viewing.

This sprawling Fort now has turned into a luxurious 4 star hotel with very few luxury rooms for tourists who are coming to visit Maheshwar and its adjoining tourist attractions like Mandu, Omkareshwar, Indore, Ujjain etc.

By Air

Nearest airport is Indore (91 km), connected with Bombay, Delhi, Bhopal and Gwalior.

By Rail

Nearest Railway stations are Barwaha (39 km), Khandwa (110 km), Indore (91 km) and Mhow on the Western Railway.

By Road

Regular buses are available from Barwaha, Khandwa, Dhar and Dhamnod

Silent Valley National Park Offers Several Wildlife Packages For Travellers

Explore Silent Valley National Park

Tucked away in the folds of the Nilgiri Hills in Palakkad is a pristine valley, a spectacular patch of green nursing a rich palette of varied habitats- The Silent Valley National Park. With an area of 237.52 sq km, this dramatic landscape which is a unique preserve of tropical evergreen rain forests bursts with a luxurious collection of flora and fauna.

This stunning national park offers several wildlife packages for travellers.

Karuvara Trekking

Karuvara is a waterfall in Panthamthodu, 5 km away from Mukkali which is the base camp of the Silent Valley National Park. Trek through this trail which provides ample opportunities for bird watching. The journey to the waterfalls is in itself one scenic adventure. Immerse yourself in the magic of this rich swathe of greenery and tread on to reach the pristine Karuvara Falls.

Specifics: Maximum number of persons in one group is five and minimum three. Duration of the trip is 4 hours. Each group will be accompanied by a guide. The recommended season for visiting this area is from August to September and December to March. No bathing is permitted in the waterfall. Availability of this programme will depend on local weather. Advance booking is necessary.

Keerippara Trekking

Keerippara is the ideal package for those interested in wildlife. You may amble up the path snaking through the forest feasting your eyes on the magnificent canvas of greenery and wildlife conjured up by nature. Listen to the orchestra struck up by birds as you explore this slice of heaven. The trail runs through a tangle of forest types in the buffer zone of the Park. Trek through the evergreen and moist deciduous forests before venturing into the secondary grasslands at Keerippara. This refreshing trail offers mesmerising visuals of butterflies and birds flitting above.

Specifics: Maximum number of persons in one group is five and each group will be accompanied by a guide. The time span for the trek is 4 hrs. Advance booking is necessary for this programme. 

For tourist information and other logistics, please contact:

Wildlife Warden

Silent Valley Division

Mannarkkad, Palakkad,

Kerala - 678582

Email: mail@silentvalley.gov.in

Website: http://silentvalley.gov.in/SilentHome.php 

Gangtok Got Award For Cleanest Tourism Destination In India

Gangtok awarded the Cleanest Tourism Destination; 4 things not to miss when you are there

The idea of travelling to Sikkim makes most of us travellers really excited. After all, the lush green mountains, the waterfalls, and the snow-capped peaks are just too beautiful. But now, here's one more thing that is all set to make the state capital Gangtok a bigger tourist attraction.

The city of Gangtok has been awarded as the Cleanest Tourism Destination by the Union Ministry of Tourism at a time when the Swachh Bharat Mission is in full swing in the country.

The award was handed over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi a few days back in the national capital. he Sikkim delegation participated in a workshop organised by the Urban Development and Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation for implementing the flagship programme, Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban and Gramin), at Vigyan Bhawan, in New Delhi. The workshop was inaugurated by the PM Modi and attended by Union Ministers of the concerned departments, chief ministers of many states and ministers in-charge of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

Chandigarh and Mysore on the other hand, were felicitated for 'Clean Cities in million plus population' category.

In case you are planning a trip to Gangtok, here are a few things you must not miss:

Visit monasteries

You can't not explore monasteries when you are in Sikkim. Gangtok is one destination which is known to have some of the most beautiful Buddhist monasteries in the country. And each of these monasteries has centuries of history. The oldest one is the Rumtek Monastery, which was built in 1700 and is now a major Buddhist learning centre in the whole country. Enchey Monastery, on the other hand, was built in 1840 and was honoured by Lama Drupthob Karpo, who was believed to have flying powers. Do-drul Chorten, on the other hand, was built in 1945 and happens to be one of the stupas housing some of the most ancient Buddhist relics.

Yak safari at Tsomgo Lake

When you are in Gangtok, a visit to the famous Tsomgo Lake is a must. Located at a beautiful spot within the mountains, this serene glacial lake is surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks that make for a breathtaking view. When you go to this place, make sure you take the yak safari--nothing else will make you feel more beautiful than a ride on the back of an yak across the lake.

Visit Nathula Pass

After spending some time at the Tsomgo Lake, head to the Nathula Pass. Located higher up at an altitude of 14,140 feet, this pass is the Indo-Chinese border and requires a permit to visit. The tourists can actually see China from this side of the border. In ancient times, this pass was a part of the Silk Route.

Eat  at MG Marg

The MG Marg, located right at the heart of Gangtok city, is an amazing place to eat out. If you are looking for delicious bites with the panoramic views of the mountains, the Bakers Cafe is the perfect place to be. The food served here is unexpectedly good and the views from the window-side table is unparalleled. For the best Tibetan morsels, visit the Taste of Tibet, which has been also rated as the Top Pick by Lonely Planet. And if you want to have good quality Chinese food with the view of the MG Marg, Chopsticks is the place you must head to. When you are taking a walk on the MG Marg, don't forget to pay a visit to Roll House--this place serves the best momos and rolls in town.

Coming In November - Kerala Will Soon Be Home To This New Tourist Destination For Travellers

Coming in November: This new destination for nature and adventure lovers in Kerala

We won't be surprised if you haven't really heard of Karapuzha. But those who have visited the Wayanad district of Kerala, might have come across this place and felt pleased to have discovered such a beautiful place.

Whoever knows anything about Karapuzha, would remember the place for its natural beauty. And this lush green landscape owes itself to the presence of the Karapuzha Dam, built on the Karapuzha River, a tributary of the Kabini River.

The good news is, very soon, this place will be an official tourist destination. According to a report by The Hindu, the Irrigation Department is all set to tap the tourism potential of the Karapuzha irrigation project.

Now, don't make the mistake of assuming it will take time to come up. The fact is, an amount of Rs 6.98 crore has already been invested on the area to set up a new tourism site on five hectares of land.

While a rose garden with a view of the dam-top has been set up on four hectares of land, tourist attractions including an open air theatre with a seating capacity of 600, a cafeteria, a children's garden, and stalls for for souvenirs, handicrafts and spices have been set up.

Although the construction work of this project started in 2014, a fund transfer row between the Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation (KIIDC) and the Regional Agriculture Research Station (RARS) delayed it.

While now it seems like a matter of time that the place starts attracting tourists from all parts, beautification of the dam-top and landscaping of the front portion are already on progress. Also being constructed are gazebos, tourism facilitation centre, walkways, and the parking area.

Talking about the tentative opening date of this tourist site, a source from the Irrigation Department told The Hindu, ""We are planning to open the destination to tourists by the first week of November". He also added that an amount of Rs.28 crore for the third phase construction works of the destination and they were preparing a master plan for the proposed project.

The Hindu report further reveals that the a 110-acre front area of the dam site is also being explored by the authorities for further expansion of the tourism project. Also coming up are several adventure activities like powered hang glider, speed boating on the dam, ropeway to connect little islets on the reservoir, and a laser fountain.

Kerala Is One Of The India’s Most Beautiful States

BEST OF KERALA

Squeezed between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, Kerala is one of India’s most beautiful states. The rivers that make up the region’s backwaters are the star attractions. Further south are the beaches of Kovalam, while inland the mountainous Ghats are covered in a blanket of spices and tea plantations.

What to see

Venice-like, the shady streets of Alappuzha (Alleppey) are set around a grid of canals that spill into the watery highways of Kerala. As the gateway to the backwaters, this is the place to soak up village life before taking a trip on a houseboat. Lakes & Lagoons offers gorgeous accommodation on traditional rice boats.

With guesthouses and restaurants perched perilously along a cliff edge, Varkala is a sight to behold. It’s also more laid-back than Kerala’s other beach resort, Kovalam.

Munnar town in the Western Ghats isn’t much to look at, but wander just a few miles outside the city and you’ll be engulfed in a sea of tea trees and mountain scenery. Book into one of the tea estates-turned-guesthouses such as Ambady Estate.

Only in Kochi can you find giant fishing nets from China, ancient mosques and Portuguese houses. Don’t miss the fantastic Hindu murals in the Mattancherry Palace.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is a green medley of rice paddies and spice plantations. You’re almost guaranteed to see wild elephants here. Entry is as part of a guided jeep safari that can be arranged at the entrance.

Where to eat

For good-value, authentic Keralan food, drop by Sreepadman in Varkala. A hole-in-the-wall with a view, this is where you will rub shoulders with rickshaw drivers rather than tourists. Located near the Devaswom Building, it also has seating out the back with temple views.

Located in Munnar’s main bazaar, Rapsy Restaurant is packed with locals, lining up for Rapsy’s famous paratha and biryani. It also makes a decent Spanish omelette.

You’ll hear the buzz about Dal Roti before you arrive – it has the best food in Fort Cochin. Owner Ramesh will guide you through his North Indian menu, which includes melt-in-the-mouth Mughlai parathas and Hyderabadi biryani.

Chakara is an 1860s heritage home that’s been restored to its former glory. The creative menu combines traditional Keralan cooking, such as Alleppey fish curry, with European dishes such as tuna niçoise.

Rambling Pachyderm Palace lies outside just the gate of Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary. It consists of simple rooms and a good restaurant that serves excellent curries and biryanis.

Where to stay

Just six miles from Alleppey, Green Palms Homes is a series of homestays set in a picturesque backwater village. Your host can double as a guide to the village and will also prepare three Keralan meals a day if requested. You can hire bicycles here or take cooking classes.

Villa Jacaranda is a romantic retreat set amidst a subtropical garden, near Varkala. The four large rooms are elegantly furnished with white bed linen and period furniture. The delicious complimentary breakfast is served on your veranda.

Set in the hills of Munnar, the Windermere Estate is a luxurious yet intimate country retreat. There are rooms in the main farmhouse and newer, garden cottages, all with views. The plantation grows cardamon and coffee.

The gorgeous Olavipe Homestay is set on a 40-acre farm surrounded by backwaters. The restored mansion dates back to the 1890s and is a traditional Syrian-Christian home with large, breezy rooms, all skilfully finished with original period décor.

When to go

Avoid monsoon season between June and October, and visit between December and March when temperatures are a pleasant 30ºC. In February, March and April, festivals take place in Kochi, Kottayam and Kollam, featuring traditional Kathakali dancing.

Prashar Lake - Exciting Activities Get Nearer To The Mind When One Consider To Travel Prashar lake

PARSHAR LAKE

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MANDI

Parashar Lake is located at an height of 2730 m above sea level. Its in Mandi District of Himachal Pradesh. With deep blue water the Lake is held sacred to the sage Prashar and he is regarded to have meditated here.

Framed by snow-capped peaks and looking down on fast flowing river Beas, the Lake can be approached via Drang. Every year in the month of June, famous traditional fair is held here. Several camping sites are also located here and it is the base for numerous easy and hard treks.

The lake is situated at an avg. height of 2730m (8,960 ft) in the lap of mountains. The deep blue lake lies in a saucer shaped valley and is surrounded by snow-capped peaks.

The primary inflows to the natural sweet water lake are rain water and glacier run off/melt water and the lake depth is unclear as of now. There is a little floating island in between the lake which keeps on revolving and changes its position at regular intervals which is quite unique.

The lake has been named after the sage Prashar (father of Vedavyas) who has mediated here and is a pristine spiritual place.

Alongside the lake there is an old three storied pagoda shaped temple dedicated to the sage Prashar. The temple and a small ground alongside the lake offers great scenic natural beauty and provides the feel of heaven. This temple was built by Raja Ban Sen of Mandi in the 14th century and is capped with a roof of slate tiles and has a wealth of wood carvings.

The area has been surrounded by the dense forest and is awesome place to relax and connect with nature. An entire amazing panorama of snowy mountain ranges is visible from this location.

At the top of the valley, one can be surrounded by lash green spots with cows, lambs, horses grazing and small mud huts made by Gaddis and Gujjars. The good part is that the area is completely pollution free, clean, calm, less populated, and totally untouched by the modern amenities.

In nutshell it is a must visit place for trips, picnic, and group parties.The road to the Prashar is very adventurous and breathtaking. The road goes through a patch of dense lush green jungle and wild hens can be easily spotted on the way.

By Bus:  An HRTC bus runs on this route on daily basis. The bus starts from Mandi bus stand @ 7 AM and reaches the Prashar (via Kataula and Bagi) @ 11AM appro. The same returns from Prashar @ 1:30 PM and reaches Mandi @ 5PM approx.

The last HRTC bus makes an overnight stop at Suda village, between Bagi village and Prashar Lake.

Buses do not ply to Prashar Lake in peak winters because of snowfall and bad road conditions.

Get The Ecstasy Feelings While Paragliding At Gangtok

PARAGLIDING IN GANGTOK

Paragliding in Gangtok is becoming an increasingly popular adventure sports. And why not. Who would not love to see the magnificent Himalayan range and the snow peaks from the sky as you fly like a bird and the look below to see the stunning mountain landscape of Sikkim and Gangtok. 

Actually there is no experience or training required to enjoy paragliding in Gangtok. Because the operators here offer Tandem Flights. Which means that an experienced and certified pillot will accompany you. Both pilot and the passenger sit safely and comfortably in harness which is attached to the paraglider. The pilot takes care of the entire flight and its navigation. So after an easy take off, you will only enjoy the flight with breathtaking views. 

  

However you should be physically fit and within normal weight limits (90 kgs). While the pilot does the bulk of the job, you will need to participate in take off and landing. So wear sneakers, jeans/trousers etc. 

Paragliding location and flights in Gangtok 

There are two types of paragliding flights you can enjoy and both are offered with Tandem Flights which means there will be a certified pilot with you. 

The first type of Paragliding flight is known as Medium Fly. As the name suggests, you will fly at a medium altitude of about 1300 - 1400 meters and will get a lovely aerial view of Gangtok township as well as that of Himalayan snow peaks. The take off location for Medium Fly Paragliding is at Baliman Dara near Gangtok. The flying time is 5-10 minutes. Landing takes place at a stadium field at Reshithang Sports Village. 

The second type of paragliding flight is High Fly where you will fly at a higher altitude. The take off location is at Bulbuley Dara further up from Reshithang village in Ranka (near Gangtok). The take off location altitude is 2,200 meters. 

The landing zone (the stadium field) is at an altitude of 1,150 meters, about 4kms from the take off point. Among amazing views of the mountains, you will also see Taktse International School at Pangthang, Bojoghari village and Tashi View Point. The total flying time in high fly is 20-30 minutes. 

Note that Baliman Dara and Bulbuley Dara are the only two certified paragliding take off locations in east Sikkim (both are near Gangtok). 

Indicative Rates 

Medium fly: Rs. 2,500/- per person. 

High Fly: Rs. 4,500/- per person. 

You should make advance booking. The operators can arrange hotel pickup and drop at additional cost. It can take up to 2 hours for the entire paragliding trip including flying time and ground movements.  

Paragliding Operators in Gangtok 

There are several of them. Here are the most well known ones: 

1) Sikkim Paragliding Adventure Sports Cooperative Society Ltd. 

They started paragliding operation in 2010. They have all Sikkimese pilots who have been trained by the Sikkim Government. The operator is affiliated with Paragliding Association of India (PAI) and is the state representative of PAI in Sikkim. Other than usual tandem flights, they also offer Paraliding tours for visiting experienced paragliding pilots and also para trekking expeditions to explore and discover Sikkim from the sky. 

Booking Office: 

Reshithang Sport Village, Ranka 

Near Banjhakri Water Fall (about 100 meters ahead) 

Phone: 03592 - 649053, Mobile: +91 9547116119 

Email: fly@sikkimparagliding.org 

Head Office: 

Kazi Road, Gangtok 

Mobile: +91 9547116119; Email: fly@sikkimparagliding.org 

2) Fly Sikkim Adventure 

They are the first Paragliding operator in Sikkim and have certified pilots trained from Paragliding Association of India. 

Booking Office: 

Reshithang Sport Village, Ranka 

Located next to Sikkim Paragliding Adventure Sports Cooperative Society 

Phone:  +91 9197207767 (O),+91 98515 88593, +91 97350 17094 

Email: flysikkimadventure@gmail.com 

Kalimpong Hill Station - It Is Very Well-Known For Its Wide Range Of Exotic Vegetation, Orchids And Cactus.

KALIMPONG HILL STATION

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WEST BENGAL

Situated on the lower ranges of the Himalayas, Kalimpong offers panoramic vistas of the Teesta Rangit Valley in Sikkim. Kalimpong is situated on the northern edge of West Bengal in East India. It is about 53 km from the hill station of Darjeeling.

Kalimpong is located at an altitude of 4,100ft. Because of its relatively lower altitude compared to Darjeeling or Gangtok, the weather is milder and pleasant for most part of the year. And therefore it suits all tourists who are looking for such pleasant weather combined with magnificent views of Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan snow peaks, sweeping landscapes and lush greenery. 

Numerous view points to get lovely sight of the Kanchenjunga snow peaks, monasteries, temples, tourist complexes, heritage buildings, parks, flower nurseries, heritage schools, charitable institutes and more. 

There are standard local packaged tours available. Take a taxi from the market stand and get set for local sightseeing tours. You can plan east Kalimpong in about 4 hours and west Kalimpong in another 4 hours. On other days make day trips to some lovely places like Lava, Loleygaon and Pedong, enjoy the drive and see the attractions & view points around those places. 

Kalimpong offers a wide range of accommodations. There are several heritage hotels and lodges, all inclusive tourist complexes, luxury hotels & resorts, as well as budget hotels, homestays and guesthouses.

The above link would give a glimpse and my reviews of a select set of such hotels. However use the search box below to find all the good hotels in Kalimpong. You can then sort the list by price, property type etc, go through the amenities, guest reviews & scores and book a hotel at attractive low rate. This service is provided by World's no.1 online hotel booking site.

By Air

The nearest airport is Bagdogra near Siliguri, The taxi fare from the airport to Kalimpong is about Rs 1,500. This airport is connected to Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati. International travelers can get connecting flights from Kolkata or Delhi. Both are well connected with many cities in India and abroad.

By Train

The nearest rail is New Jalpaiguri. This is well connected to most of the major cities in India.

By Bus

The Kalimpong city is well connected to other cities in Sikkim and the neighboring states by bus services.

Somnath Temple - One Of The Most Legendary Temples Of The Western Coast Of India

SOMNATH TEMPLE

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JUNAGADH

Somnath temple stands at the shore of the Arabian ocean on the western corner of Indian subcontinent in Veraval District of Gujarat State. This pilgrimage is one of the oldest and finds its reference in the ancient texts like Skandpuran, Shreemad Bhagavat, Shivpuran etc.

 It is the holy place of the Aadi Jyotirling Shree Somnath Mahadev and the sacred soil from where Bhagvan Shri Krishna took his last journey to his neejdham ( Dont forget to visit Bhalkatirth, the temple with a unique idol of Lord Krishna along with the hunter who shot the Lord in his feet with his spear).

Somnath temple of Gujarat is one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva which is situated 79 kms from Junagadh and 25kms from Chorwad. Somnath Temple is located in the prabhas kshetra near veraval and is one of the most legendary temples of the western coast of India.

This most sacred and very important pilgrim centre for Hindus, is also called Prabhas Teerth - the Prabhas pilgrimage place. Here it is said, that Lord Shiva ended his incarnated form and returned to his celestial abode.

The legends says that somnath is as old as creation which is built by none other than the moon God himself. The remains of this temple of somnath depicts the story of a city which withstood the shocks of time and survived the attacks of destroyers.

The temple has an imposing architecture and is a beautiful sight facing the blue expanse of the Arabian Sea. A short distance from the Somnath temple is Bakhla Tirth located, where Lord Krishna was said to have been struck by the stray arrow of a Bhil tribal.

 The present temple, kailash Mahameru Prasada is built in the chalukya style of temple architecture and reflects the inherent skill of Sompuras, Gujarat’s master masons.

Somnath temple is being regarded as the ideal sacred place of the Hindus that survived the ravages of time. The study of Indian history reveals that the somnath temple was invaded by the different conquerors who came to India and even some looted its wealth and others destroyed some parts of it.

 Many legends are attached to the somnath temple regarding its origin and existence. The other names of the temple of somnath are deo pattan,Prabhas pattan, or somnath pattan in the past, the somnath temple was considered as the treasure trove of wealth and goodies that were looted away by muslim rulers.

By Air

The nearest airport is Keshod. Located at a distance of about 55 km from Somnath, this domestic airport is well connected to Mumbai. There are flights at regular intervals from Mumbai to Keshod. Mumbai is in turn well connected to all important cities in the country as well as to various other important places in the world. After reaching Keshod airport one can easily avail of any local means of transportation like bus or else hire a car to reach Somnath.

By Train

Veraval is the nearest rail head which is merely 7 km from Somnath. A special train "Somnath Express" runs from Ahmedabad to Veraval. Ahmedabad is the state capital of Gujarat and is well linked by rail not only to different places in the state of Gujarat but also to many of the prime cities in India.

BY Bus

 A good network of roads connects Somnath to the different important places in the state of Gujarat. The state capital Ahmedabad is 400 km away; Junagadh, Bhavnagar and Porbandar are at a distance of 85, 266 and 122 km respectively but all of them are well linked to Somnath by roads and buses ply on these road routes. In fact Bombay which is 889 km from Somnath is also connected to it by road.