Tuesday, January 23. 2007
Rajkot, Gujrat, India
Overview:
There is nothing more fascinating than a place that combines the old and the new with seemingly effortless ease. Rajkot, one time capital of Saurashtra as also the headquarters of the British in India. The place that Mahatma Gandhi visited and stayed in more than any other place - a place where archaic princely grandeur lives hand in hand with the bustle of modern industrial development. Rajkot has a special place in the history of the Indian freedom struggle, with Gandhi and other leaders spending time here to plan and strategize moves that would ultimately lead India and all Indians to freedom.
Rajkot is also a centre for the world famous Gujarati handlooms and handicrafts. As for its cuisine, food from Gujarat is famous for its sweet and sour flavour as well as its snacks and sweets. Rajkot offers the finest in this cuisine. There is also the anticipation and excitement of its festivals. All in all, Rajkot is a place you would be hard-pressed to miss when looking for exciting places to visit.
Population: About 1,002,160
Climate: Rajkot is generally pleasant but summer temperatures hit as high as 42 degrees and extend from March to June. Monsoons are from July to September and can sometimes be accompanied by strong winds and heavy rain along with cyclonic storms in May and June.
Main Language(s): Gujarati, Hindi and English
Time Zone: GMT + 05:30
Phone Area Code: 0281
Best Time To Visit: October to February are the best times to make a trip to Rajkot.
Airport Distance from City Center: 2 kms
Taxi Rates from Airport to City: Private taxis service available for Rs. 60 to Rs. 70 approx. to city centre.
Places To Visit:
Watson Museum and Library
Dedicated to Colonel James Watson, a political agent of Saurashtra from 1886-89,this museum occupies place in the Jubilee Gardens. Among the exhibits are copies of artefacts from Mohenjodaro, 13th-century carvings, temple statues, natural history exhibits, and dioramas of local tribal costumes and housing styles. A huge marble statue of Queen Victoria stares down at visitors from her throne. Other exhibits include collections of statues, silverware, textiles, ancient coins and rare books making a case for the rich cultural traditions of Saurashtra.
Gondal
Gondal is situated a little away from Rajkot and has some very impressive buildings from the past. Chief among them is the Naulakha Darbargadh Palace, which continues to be one of the greater attractions of the place.
Jamnagar
Again a little removed from the main city of Rajkot to the west is the 450-year-old city of Jamnagar. At the centre of the city is a lake around which are located two majestic buildings-the Kotha Bastion and the Lakhota Palace. The Kotha Bastion is an arsenal while the Lakhota Palace is a museum with collections of art, craft, and sculpture. Celebrated for its colourful tie and dye fabrics, it is also an important centre for brocade embroidery (zardozi), pearl fishing, hand printing and gold and silver jewellery.
Lal Pan Lake and Randerda
Really scenic picnic spots, these two places see a lot of tourists through the year. The views are quite splendid and despite the crowds that inevitably throng the place, there is enough serenity to make one's day.
Morvi
Morvi is a slightly off-track tourist destination north of Rajkot. Take a walk on the swinging bridge that is quite the real thing. It shakes, creaks and rocks in the same way that people do when they are on it. An interesting way to spend one's evening.
Wankaner
On the way to Kutch from Rajkot, you will come across the Royal Palace of Wankaner. Converted into a hotel, this one time palace is one of the state's most exotic holiday resorts today. A museum, a game reserve, and the erstwhile Maharana's vintage car collection are some of the attractions that the place has to offer.
There is nothing more fascinating than a place that combines the old and the new with seemingly effortless ease. Rajkot, one time capital of Saurashtra as also the headquarters of the British in India. The place that Mahatma Gandhi visited and stayed in more than any other place - a place where archaic princely grandeur lives hand in hand with the bustle of modern industrial development. Rajkot has a special place in the history of the Indian freedom struggle, with Gandhi and other leaders spending time here to plan and strategize moves that would ultimately lead India and all Indians to freedom.
Rajkot is also a centre for the world famous Gujarati handlooms and handicrafts. As for its cuisine, food from Gujarat is famous for its sweet and sour flavour as well as its snacks and sweets. Rajkot offers the finest in this cuisine. There is also the anticipation and excitement of its festivals. All in all, Rajkot is a place you would be hard-pressed to miss when looking for exciting places to visit.
Population: About 1,002,160
Climate: Rajkot is generally pleasant but summer temperatures hit as high as 42 degrees and extend from March to June. Monsoons are from July to September and can sometimes be accompanied by strong winds and heavy rain along with cyclonic storms in May and June.
Main Language(s): Gujarati, Hindi and English
Time Zone: GMT + 05:30
Phone Area Code: 0281
Best Time To Visit: October to February are the best times to make a trip to Rajkot.
Airport Distance from City Center: 2 kms
Taxi Rates from Airport to City: Private taxis service available for Rs. 60 to Rs. 70 approx. to city centre.
Places To Visit:
Watson Museum and Library
Dedicated to Colonel James Watson, a political agent of Saurashtra from 1886-89,this museum occupies place in the Jubilee Gardens. Among the exhibits are copies of artefacts from Mohenjodaro, 13th-century carvings, temple statues, natural history exhibits, and dioramas of local tribal costumes and housing styles. A huge marble statue of Queen Victoria stares down at visitors from her throne. Other exhibits include collections of statues, silverware, textiles, ancient coins and rare books making a case for the rich cultural traditions of Saurashtra.
Gondal
Gondal is situated a little away from Rajkot and has some very impressive buildings from the past. Chief among them is the Naulakha Darbargadh Palace, which continues to be one of the greater attractions of the place.
Jamnagar
Again a little removed from the main city of Rajkot to the west is the 450-year-old city of Jamnagar. At the centre of the city is a lake around which are located two majestic buildings-the Kotha Bastion and the Lakhota Palace. The Kotha Bastion is an arsenal while the Lakhota Palace is a museum with collections of art, craft, and sculpture. Celebrated for its colourful tie and dye fabrics, it is also an important centre for brocade embroidery (zardozi), pearl fishing, hand printing and gold and silver jewellery.
Lal Pan Lake and Randerda
Really scenic picnic spots, these two places see a lot of tourists through the year. The views are quite splendid and despite the crowds that inevitably throng the place, there is enough serenity to make one's day.
Morvi
Morvi is a slightly off-track tourist destination north of Rajkot. Take a walk on the swinging bridge that is quite the real thing. It shakes, creaks and rocks in the same way that people do when they are on it. An interesting way to spend one's evening.
Wankaner
On the way to Kutch from Rajkot, you will come across the Royal Palace of Wankaner. Converted into a hotel, this one time palace is one of the state's most exotic holiday resorts today. A museum, a game reserve, and the erstwhile Maharana's vintage car collection are some of the attractions that the place has to offer.
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