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Velavadar Blackbuck National Park

With a vehicle, you will be able to visit more sections of the park, but without one, you can still take nice hikes through the grasslands and even if you do have a vehicle, getting out and walking around is recommended. Entry fees is Rs. 20/- for a vehicle with up to 6 Indians or $20 for a vehicle carrying Foreigners. Foreign visitors without a vehicle are charged $5, and photography is $5. All these fees are taken from the general park listings and change frequently, so please call the park beforehand and verify the same (Call Bahumali Bhavan, in Bhavnagar at Tel: 0278 242 6425 between 10:30am and 6pm or call the Park directly at Tel: 0278 288 0342). Guides can be hired at the park (call ahead to reserve one), or you may hire a guide from elsewhere (many private tourism companies are available in Ahmedabad or Bhavnagar), but note that a private guide has to pay the entry fee for himself too.

The park is closed for the monsoon from June to October, and the best time to visit is winter, from December to March, when you can catch the bird population at its greatest, and avoid the stifling summer heat.

This is in Veraladar Blackbuck National Park




Takhteshwar Temple
Situated on the hillock in the center of the city, this popular landmark is a Shiva temple constructed way back in 1893 and named after its patron Takhtsinhji. Sitting on the serene marble courtyard of the temple one can have a panoramic view of the entire city as well as the surrounding landscape.
 




Barton Library
The Barton Library is a beautiful two storeyed building, appropriately designed for a road junction. It has two wings and a central tower, constructed in ashlar stone masonry, with Gothic arch windows and a sloping roof with Mangalore tiles. It is one of the oldest libraries of Gujarat and also houses a museum.


Gandhi Smriti
The memorial built in remembrance to the Father of Nation commences varied activities. The ground floor housing the Barton museum is a repertoire of archeological remains from the surrounding regions. The Gandhi museum on the first floor takes one on a dramatic journey through the life of the Mahatma.
 

Tadhavaj Hill
On the confluence of the rivers Shatrunai and Talaji on the hill top the town of Talaja is located. Carved out in the hills are Buddhist caves or monasteries which were built thousand of years ago. A pleasant climb up the hill brings one to magnificently built Jain temples.



Gopnath Mahadev Temple and Beach
Located on the shore of the seaside on the Gulf of Khambat, this Shiva temple is where the devotional poet Narsinh Mehta supposedly had his spiritual experience almost 500 years ago. Set on the seashore, the temple is an ideal spot for all wanting a spiritual and natural trip. The coast in this area is full of tiny islands and offers a picturesque delight to the onlooker.



Khodiyar Temple
Khodiyar temple, named after the principle deity, venerated by the royal family and the natives around, was built in the year 1911. The temple visited by thousands of pilgrims is located on the banks of the Khodiayar Lake, which attracts tourists from all the surrounding areas. Quite often followers of the goddess walk long distances to revere the goddess.


Brahm Kund
22 km away from Bhavnagar in the quite locale is situated the town of Sihore which was the ancient capital of the Gohilwad Kingdom. The royal palace and its mural speak about the grandeur of the era in which it was built and the many temples built around the town speak of the spiritual inclining of its inhabitants. The Gautameshwar temple lake and the Shiva temple built on its bank is one of the most exquisite examples of this region.



Palitana Temples
Palitana located 51 km south west of Bhavnagar is known for being the largest cluster of Jain temples. There are in total 863 temples from base to the peak of the Shatrunjaya hill, where the Palitana temples are located. The path is climbed through 3950 steps spanning 3.5 km up the Shatrunjaya Hills.

The construction of temples of Palitana spanned over a period of 900 years and was structured in two phases. From the 11th to12th centuries AD as a part of the resurgence of temple building all over India, the first phase of temple architecture was constructed. The second phase followed later, from the 16th century AD onwards. Muslim invaders destroyed some of the earliest temples built in the 11th century AD, during the 14th and 15th centuries AD. No one person can be attributed for the construction of these magnificent temples rather it was the effort of the wealthy businessmen who were followers of Jainism.




Talaja Hill, Dist:Bhavnagar

The serene town of Talaja on the banks of Shetrunji River, has around 30 ancient Buddhist caves cut into the rocks, with perfectly identifiable carvings of Boddhisatva. The most impressive structure is the Ebhala Mandapa, a large hall with four octagonal pillars in the front.


Nilambag Palace
Nilambag, the royal palace now converted into a heritage hotel reflects the grandeur of the eighteenth century and is set amidst vivid lawns and gardens. The pillared porticos, stepped arches, pleasant center courtyard, turning marble staircase, dining hall furnished with European chandeliers and the historic library takes one back to the era of royalty and splendor.



Gangajalia Lake
This picturesque lake located in the heart of the city was at one point a dry rubbish dump yard which has now been rejuvenated by the corporation. A jogger’s park runs along the scenic lake with inbuilt speakers along the walk way to serve as a treat for the ears.




Gaurishankar Lake and Victoria Forest
The vast lake spreading over an area of 381 hectares is also locally known by the name of Bor Talav after the illustrious Dewan Shri Gaurishankar Oza. Conceived and built in 1872 as a water reservoir for drinking water, today is one of the most preferred tourist as well as picnic spot in the city. The adjoining bal-vatika along with the musical fountains, planetarium, boat house and many more attractions provide ideal entertainment for a day out with nature and family.

Near the lake is a mini forest, a repository of flora and fauna, with more than 1 lakh trees which provides a serene ambience bringing one close to nature. One of the few city-forests in India, this natural haven provides shelter to varied species of flora and fauna. Within the forest premises there are two nurseries which cultivate plants for gardens and forests.
 

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