Travel Guide

One of the highly discussed entertaining and mesmerising natural spots in India with regards to travel destinations is Gujarat and the place is indeed known for its culture rich and humongous heritage characteristics. Predominantly categorised for places hosting some of the exotic forts and vibrant monuments, the state of Gujarat is infused with exceptional historical events and backed by the brilliance of its ancient architecture. Cherished memories have always been the result of visiting Gujarat and its staggering sculptures coupled with adventurous terrains are truly to be experienced once in a lifetime.

Representing the bold face of Gujarat is the might of monuments, forts and Palaces that speak for the rich history hosted. Although a number of major religions namely Hinduism, Islam and European style is very much showcased on the works pertaining to architecture and traditional artifacts, Forts and monuments do exhibit the language of its history and culture. One of the many famous forts spread across Gujarat is situated in Ahmadabad and its builder Sultan Ahmed Shah named the fort after ‘Bhadra’ who happens to be a Hindu Goddess, also otherwise known as an incarnation of ‘Kali’ under the Hindu religion. Constructed during the medieval period in 1411, the Bhadra Fort along with Teen Darwaja are major tourist attractions. Visitors witness the Teen Darwaja or the triple gate which was once used as an entrance to the Bhadra fort and the colourful windows placed all over Bhadra fort is also considered to be an eye-catching part besides its arches incorporating rare inscriptions.

The magnificent forts spread across the land of Gujarat are mated to prestigious history and the classic blend of Hindu, Islam and European engineering with regards the construction methodology is by far very unique and dashing.

Forts : 

Lakhota Fort – Jamnagar

Pavagadh Fort – Panchmahal District near Baroda

Uparkot Fort – Junagadh

Dabhoi Fort – major gateway for Narmada Dam

Old Fort – Surat

Bhujia Hill Fort – Bhuj

Ilva Durga (ancient fort) – Idar

Dhoraji Fort – Porbandar

Okha Port – Dwarka

Zinzuwada Fort – Rann of Kutch

Lakhpat

Lakhota Fort : Jamnagar

A once upon a Palace of Maharaja of Nawanagar, this Fort today stands as a Museum with unique collection of Sculpture of the bygone era of 9 to 18th century A.D. It also houses Pottery from the ruined medieval village from the surrounding Jamnagar area. This fort like palace has semi circular bastions, turrets, a pavilion with guard rooms housing swords, powder flasks and musket loops.

An arched stone bridge with balustrade connects the Lakhota Palace with the town. Located close to the Lakhota Fort is the Koath Bastion, which is famous for being the arsenal, built by the Royal family of Jamnagar. One of the most interesting areas of the complex is an old well, from which water can be drawn by blowing in to a small hole on the floor.

Pavagadh Fort – Panchmahal District near Baroda

The Pavagadh Fort stands out as an exemplary historical monument, which is famous for its architectural brilliance. It is build atop a Hill with rocky terrain surrounded by other hills in vicinity. Accessible from cities nearby like Baroda and Ahmedabad, Hindus and Jains visit the place due to its religious fervor. The then Sulatan Muhammad Beghada, knew that it was not an easy task to vanquish the fortifications of Pavagadh Fort, so he built a city, now known as Champaner, near the Fort to launch a siege on the Pawagadh Fort.

Uparkot Fort – Junagadh

Uparkot Fort is a historical monument of the medieval era which came to existence during the Nawabi rule of Muslim Mohammad Beghda and Hindu Chudasama rulers. The artichitectural gradeur of the Fort is the reminiscence of the past heritage.The Fort is passed through stages of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, British colonization, Islamic invasions and the nawabi grandeur. The Fort has ruins of the mosque, a Jama Masjid, Buddhist caves dating back to 2nd century A.D. It also has an ornate entrance gateway leading to the fort. The Fort wall stands 20 metre high at some places and a huge moat, some 300 ft deep.

Dabhoi Fort – major gateway for Narmada Dam

Dabhoi Fort of Gujarat is located near Darbhavati town in Gujarat. It is situated at a distance of 29 kilometer to the south-east of Baroda. It is reminiscence a Rajput fort of the 13th century.

It was founded in the early 6th century AD by great king of Gujarat, Siddhraj Jaisinh (1093-1143 AD). With four magnificent gateways, it is one of the greatest forts in India. It upholds Hindu military architecture and is notable for the architectural expertise of its four gateways, particularly Hira Bhagol which is the most beautifully carved gate named after the architect, Hiradhar, is in the east, Vadodara Gate in the west, Champaner Gate in the north and Nandod Gate in the south Many Jain scholars stayed here and enriched the Jain Granth Bhandar, a collection of ancient Jain manuscripts. Dabhoi Fort is based on the lines mentioned in the various Vastu scriptures and tomes of ancient India.

Old Fort – Surat

The Old Fort in Surat is a historically important structure. Surat is mentioned in connection with the rebellion of Gujarat in 1347 A.D. during the reign of Muhammad Tughlak (1325 to 1351). The Old Fort took shape then. In 1373 A.D., emperor Firoz Tughlak(1351 to 1388) is said to have built a fort at Surat to protect the town against Bhils who were local tribal people of this region. They rose against the Mughal ruler of India. The fort was invaded twice by Chhatrpati Shivaji Maharaj. This exquisite architectural marvel is now being used as the Municipal Office.

Bhujia Hill Fort – Bhuj

Walking around Bhuj, it is set against the dramatic backdrop of Bhujio Hill. The city of Bhuj got its name from the Bhujio Fort. Roa Godji built the Bhujio Fort for the defence of Bhuj in 1723. It is named after Bhujang Naag, the snake temple. British Colonel William Coir took over the fort in 1819. The entire big fort is built on top of hills, 160 metres high and it was mainly built for the purpose of defence against invaders.

Ilva Durga (ancient fort) – Idar

Idar is an ancient fort, known as ‘Ilva Durga’ and finds mentioned in Mahabharat and in the travelogue of the Rathore Rajputs in the Mahi Kantha agency at the time of British Raj. It is a classic example of a naturally protected hill fort, located at the southern edge of the Aravalli range. At the foothill, lay the ruins of an old palace, a fine specimen of architecture in stone with delicately carved balconies. The entry to Idar town is through a three storeyed clock tower cum entrance gate, with a huge arch and semi circular dome at the top. The road, with a colourful bazaar on both sides, leads to the tower and ends at the foothills of Idar fort.

Dhoraji Fort – Porbandar

The fortification of Dhoraji was completed in 1755 AD. The massive fort wall has several bastions, 4 main gates and 3 smaller gates, known as baris. The four main gates are Kathiawadi Darwaja in the East, Porbandar Gate in the West, Halar Gate in the North and Junagadh Gate in the South. The smaller gates are- Darbari Bari, Bhimji Bari and Sati Bari. Darbargadh in Dhoraji is located at the highest point in the town and is approached by Darbari Bari; a beautiful gate adorned with jharokha, resting on brackets of 4 elephant statues in different poses.

A finely carved entrance gate leads to Darbargadh in the middle of a courtyard. Darbargadh is a three a multi-storey structure on a high plinth. The facade is ornamented with sculptures of musicians, complex geometric pattern, images of lions in different postures on long caves, profusely carved pillars, horizontal friezes, decorative kanguras and windows framing the skyline. It is designed like a jewel box – in the same architectural style of Navlakha Places at Gondal.

Zinzuwada Fort – Rann of Kutch

The fortification of Zinzuwada dates back to the 11th century AD. Zinzuwada was a frontier fort of the Solanki rulers and the inscriptions on the fort walls by Uda Mantri, a minster of Siddhraj Jaisinh, is proof of its antiquity. The fort is built with huge stone slabs and fortification is broad enough for two horsemen to pass at a time. Zinzuwada is one of the finest examples of Hindu fortifications in India, without Islamic influence. The town Zinzuwada has four gateways in four directions: Madapol Gate, Rakshaspol Gate, Harijan Gate and Dhama Gate. Madapol Gate is one of the finest examples of entrance gateways in the Maru Gurjar architectural style. The gateway is decorated with multi layered, carved, corbelled brackets resting on pillars. Images of Ganesha, Bhairava and other protecting deities are placed in niches at a lower level on both sides.

Lakhpat Fort.

At the far northwest corner of Kutch, facing north across the Great Rann towards Pakistan, stands Lakhpat, once an important port city but now virtually abandoned for almost 200 years. A place where you can imagine the rise and decline of a great port city, and simultaneously contemplate the vast emptiness of the desert and the sea.

When the 1819 earthquake sent the Indus River on its present course to the west and the Great Rann dried up, so did Lakhpat. It was left a humble town around the ruins of its former grandness, now only with Kori Creek that still flows into the Rann . Though it requires a long journey to reach Lakhpat, the intrepid traveler will be rewarded. The 7 km fort walls, erected in 1801 by Jamadar Fateh Muhammed, are still nearly intact, and offer tremendous views out over the Rann. Due to the extremely clear desert air and remote location, the night sky is spectacular (visit near the new moon for best stargazing) and sunrise or sunset in a landscape of such endless horizons are not to be missed.

Lakhpat has religious significance for three of India’s most populous religions: Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, reportedly camped here on his journey to Mecca. The site later became a gurudwara, which holds some of Nanak’s possessions; Pir Ghaus Muhammed, a Sufi mystic who from the age of twelve devoted himself to spiritual practice and reportedly practiced half as a Hindu and half as a Muslim, is buried here in Lakhpat. His tomb is a stone construction with very complex carvings and a water tank that is said to have healing properties for skin problems; Sayyed Pir Shah’s nine-domed mausoleum has intricate carvings, doors, windows and jaalis.

Lakhpat has very few services for visitors; you can buy tea, coffee, and a basic lunch, but do not count on being able to find any other supplies.  The only accomodation is in the gurudwara, which is meant more for religious pilgrims than general tourists. Lodging is in the gurudwara dormitory; there are no private bedrooms or bathrooms. For most visitors, spending the night in Narayan Sarovar is recommended, unless you are returning to Bhuj.