Gir National Park – Asiatic Lions Are Breathing In Their Natural Home Of This Wildlife Sanctury

GIR NATIONAL PARK

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Gir National park is situated in Junagadh district of Gujarat State of India and it is one of India’s oldest sanctuaries, and is synonymous with the majestic Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica). The only place in India to see this animal, this park can take legitimate pride in saving an endangered species, which was at the threshold of extinction in the start of the twenty-first century, by providing it a more secured habitat.

The Gir ecosystem falls in Biogeography Zone-4 (the semi arid) and Biogeography Province 4-B. Gujarat Rajwara is the last remaining abode of the Asiatic Lion, Panthera leo persica.

The Government of Gujarat has declared an area of 1412.1 sq km as Protected Area (PA) which comprises 258.7 sq km as National Park and 1153.4 sq km as Sanctuary. Besides this 470.5 sq km of forest area forms a buffer Zone as reserve, protected and unclassified forest. Thus, a total area of 1882.6 sq km makes up the Gir forest.

The largest compact tract of dry deciduous forest in the country, protected as Gir National Park and Sanctuary, covers an area of 1412 sq km in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat.

Gir has evolved to host a very stable ecosystem with tremendous regenerating, self-supporting and self-sustaining capacity due to its richness of biodiversity: 606 different plant species, 39 species of mammals, 37 species of reptiles and over 300 species of birds and more than 2,000 species of insects.

A breeding ground for migratory birds, the avifauna of Gir includes a variety of raptors and many other significant species, including Lesser Florican, Osprey, Indian Pitta, Red-headed Vulture, etc. It also supports a variety of reptiles, including the Indian python and the Indian star tortoise, and possibly one of the highest populations of Marsh crocodile in the country. Gir also has one of the densest concentrations of leopards in India.

The continuous forest, which covers a large tract, plays a pivotal role in keeping the climate moderate and also keeps the salinity levels at a low on the southern coast of Saurashtra.

Gir is essential to life in Gujarat. It helps in the smooth running of several ecological activities. Gir forms a part of the south central highlands in Saurashtra and is a catchment of important rivers like Shetrunji, Hiran, Saraswati, Shingoda, Machhundri, Raval and Datardi.

The forest helps recharge the water table due to infiltration and percolation in conjunction with soil and moisture conservation. Thus, Gir is a boon to farmers inhabiting the peripheral environs; it ensures sustained agricultural and horticultural production. Not to mention, the forest has great potential to be a centre for creating environmental awareness and imparting nature education.

The real feather in Gir’s hat, though, is the presence of the Asiatic lion. The attraction of these ironic species coupled with the aesthetic beauty of the area and the close proximity to the Somnath temple, has made Gir a popular tourist destination.

By Air

Nearest airport is Rajkot and Ahemedaba.

By Train

The closest Railway station is Junagadh and you can go via local trains from Junagadh city to Gir.

By Bus

Gir National Park is around 55 km from Junagadh City, the most common base for making a visit, and 348 km from Ahmedabad and 156 kms from Rajkot. The Reception centre is at Sasan Gir, and has a Forest Guest house maintained by the forest department, nearby the railway station.

Mahabat Maqbara Palace - It Is Announced A Defended Palace By The Archaeological Survey Of India

MAHABAT MAQBARA PALACE

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JUNAGADH

The Mahabat Maqbara is a palace-mausoleum in the Junagadh district of the Indian state of Gujarat, adjacent to the sacred Girnar Hills in Saurashtra.

Standing forgotten on the dusty streets of Junagadh in Gujarat, stands the 19th century mausoleum of Nawab Mahabat Khan II. Called the Mahabat (not Mohabbat) Maqbara Palace, also Mausoleum of Bahaduddinbhai Hasainbhai, is a mausoleum in Junagadh, India, that was once home to the Nawabs of Junagadh.

This stellar example of Indo-European architecture — as the rusty, spotty iron information board informs visitors, whose faded words stand testament to the ravages of time and neglect — has now been declared a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India, and quite justifiably so.

The construction of the Maqbara started in 1878 and finished in 1892. The Maqbara was constructed by Sheikh Bahauddin with his own funds during 1891-1896. The monument is located inside the city in a very busy area, with the High Court situated just across the street.

The etymological meaning of Junagadh "Old Fort" gives the palace its alternativ name of "The Old Fort Palace". The yellow mausoleum, Mahabat Maqbara, is a masterpiece of its kind with finely designed arches, vertical columns and elaborate stone carvings on the walls and windows.

Its silver-decorated portals, the winding staircases encircling its four tall minarets, the old step-well in the grounds, and its onion-shaped dome contribute to its splendor.

With a combination of Indo-Islamic and Gothic architecture, Mahabat Maqbara offers a sense of equality and exchange between the two cultures. The Jammi Masjid is on one side of the mausoleum while the Vazir's maqbara is on the other.

The Mahabbat Maqbara is generally closed to the public but can be seen by obtaining the keys from the mosque situated beside the mausoleum. Amongst the forts and monuments in the state of Gujarat, the Mahabat Maqbara is an exquisite example the nineteenth century art and architecture.

The doors of the main building are decorated in silver, and the minarets have rich stone carvings and large silver doors as well.

According to the marble information tablet, which forms a part of the Magbara’s front wall, the Nawab’s family has set aside Rs 8,000 a year that’s given to the village for the upkeep and maintenance of the Maqbara.

By Air

The nearest airport is at Rajkot which is just 99km away. There are frequent flights from all major cities in India.

By Road

Junagadh is well-connected to all major towns in Gujarat and has good transport facility. As Jungadh is a historical town, buses frequently ply from all part of the state. Junagadh is 99km from Rajkot, 184km from Jamnagar, 54km from Sansar Gir, 88km from Somnath and 327km from Ahmedabad.

By Train

The main railway station nearby is the Junagadh railway station, which is well-connected with other cities and has frequent trains. (Source: Junagadhonline.in; photo: Shruti Chakraborty)

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

SOMNATH TEMPLE

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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.

SOMNATH TEMPLE

SOMNATH TEMPLE

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Somnath temple is also known as Prabhas Pattan and the Shrine Eternal. Somnath is one of the 12 jyotirlinga shrines of God Shiva.

The Somnath temple located in Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat, India. Meaning of Somnath is the protector of God moon. First temple of Somnath was built before the commencement of the Christian era. Second temple was built by Vallabhi King in 480 - 768 A.D

Somnath Temple is one of the very ancient temples of India located in Gujarat and stands as a famous landmark in the Indian history. Somnath Temple is located about 79 kilometers from Junagadh in the Prabhas Kshetra near Veraval and the most legendary temples of the western coast of India. Somnath Temple is the ideal sacred place of the Hindus that survived the ravages of time. 

 The Somnath Temple is an ideal example of the ancient Indian temple architecture.The Somnath Temple is known as the eternal shrine whose glory and fame are legendary. It is believed that Somraj, the moon god, built the Somnath Temple or the Somnath Pattan out of gold.

 It was rebuilt by Ravana in silver. Again Lord Krishna, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu built it in wood. Further in the 10th century it was rebuilt in stone by King Bhimdev Solanki.

The ruins of the Somnath Temple were pulled down in October 1950 and the mosque was shifted a few miles away. The temple was built in 1951. A statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel stands in front of the temple as a mark of honour for his contribution to the building of the temple.

The Somnath Temple is visited by millions of devotees every year. It is not just the temple, but other tourist attractions like Somnath Museum, Somnath beach and Junagadh Gate also attract visitors. The Sound and Light Show held in the temple is another attraction.

By Bus

State transport buses and private luxury coaches connect various centres of Gujarat to Somnath.

By Train

Somnath is well connected to other major cities of the country via regular trains.Veraval, (5 kms.) is the closest Railway station.

By Air

There are no regular flights from other major cities of the country to Somnath. Nearest airport is Diu Airport.

Somnath-63 km away Diu Airport (DIU), Diu, Daman And Diu

Somnath-114 km away Porbandar Airport (PBD), Porbandar, Gujarat.

Somnath Prabhas Patan 362268, Junagadh, Gujarat. India.