About Jamnagar

Founded in 1540, Jamnagar is the Abode of the Jam - the Jadeja Rajput rulers of Nawanagar. The city was built around the small Ranmal Lake. For centuries it was renowned for its pearl fisheries, a naval base of some importance, and a certain type of tie-and dye fabrics. Today, it is more popular for having the only Ayurvedic University in India and a temple listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

Places of interest

Rozi and Bedi Ports

These are attractive seaside picnic spots and offer good fishing facilities. So, if you are tired of the chaos of the city, it is the place to spend some time in peace.

Lakhota Palace and Kotha Bastion

Jamnagar

Lakhota Palace is reputed as one of the major tourist attractions among the tourists visiting Jamnagar. Located in the center of Old Jamnagar on an island in the middle of a lake, two old structures namely Lakhota Fort and Kotha Bastion are sure to captivate you. The terrace of Lakhota Fort displays a fine collection of sculptures that date back to the time of yore. The Kotha Bastion is Jamnagar's arsenal. It has a fine collection of sculptures, coins, inscriptions and copper plates and the skeleton of a whale. Its major attraction is an old well, the water of which can be drawn by blowing into a small hole in the floor.

Pratap Vilas Palace

Pratap Vilas Palace is a distinct place to visit for a variety of reasons. It has a foreign architecture with Indian carvings that give it a totally distinct appeal. It was built as a mimic of Victoria Memorial Building of Calcutta but the domes built on it are according to Indian architecture, out of which 3 domes are made of glass. Carvings of creepers, flowers, leaves, birds and animals on the columns add to the attraction of this magnificent palace. Permission is required to see the palace from the Jamsaab office.

Bhujio Kotho

Bhujio Kotho enjoys a distinct place among the tourists due to its height and circumference. It is believed that the monument was constructed for protection during the invasions. It has five floors and on the first floor there are guns placed in each directions. On the upper floor a tank is constructed to store water and on it's peak a dancing peacock is placed.

Khijadia Bird Sanctuary

Its a unique wet land area with sea water on one side and fresh water on one side. This area was declared as a Khijadia Bird Sanctury on 6th November 1982. Before independence, a check dam had been built for storing the waters of the Ruparen River just near the sea, so gradually over the years with fresh water of the rain and river on one side and salt water of the sea on the other side, a unique area came up where both varieties of vegetation came up, gradualy, The area of this Sanctury is 605 Hectares. There are 3 Watch Tower for bird watchers, as well as inspection paths leading deep into the foliage One can find both types of sea and shore birds watching the arrival of the Cranes during sunset for roosting is a fantastic experience.

About 12 KMS from Jamnagar. Some of the birds found here are : Black Necked Stork, Black Ibis, Black wing stilt, Black winged kite Aadil at Khijadia watchtower, Brahmini Kite, Cattle Egret, Pheasants tailed Jacana, Green Stone Plover, Green Shank, Grey Patridge, Indian Skimmer, Imperial Eagle, Indian Pond Heron, Indian Robin, Little Tern, Purple Moorhen, Black Tailed Godwit, Combduck, Common Crane, Demoisele Crane, Common Teel, Dunlin Birds at Khijadia, Gargeni, Grebes, Marsh Harrier, Pintail, Painted Stork, Shoveler, Wigeon Duck, Pale Harrier, Sanderlings, Snake Birds.

Marine National Park, Narara, Pirotan

India's first marine sanctuary, has various parts where one can visit: one of them is Pirotan island which is about 16 nautical miles away in the Arabian Sea near Jamnagar and spreads over an area of about 458 km2. Located about 7 km from the city centre. The Marine National Park and Sanctuary comprises an archipelago of 42 islands noted for their coral reefs and mangroves. It is possible to see dolphins, finless porpoises and sea turtles and a variety of colourful tropical fish. The entire forest has various marine life forms. The area also attracts a huge number of birds. The best period to visit is October to March.

Barda Wildlife Sanctuary

Barda wildlife sanctuary was declared as sanctuary in February 1979. Covers an area of 192.31 sq. km, the sanctuary faces the Arabian Sea. Also known as Rana Barda and Jam Barda, as once this area belonged to the ex-princely state of Ranavav or Porbandar and Jamnagar.

Eventhough, the sanctuary area is small, it does having abundant floral diversity and one can find hilly terrain, flat plains, number of rivulets, streams and two dams - Fodara dam and the Khambala dam in the area. The sanctuary straddles two rivers, the Joghri and Bileshvary. Kileshwar, a temple and camping site developed by 'Jamsaheb' of Jamnagar, is a beautiful in Barda Sanctuary.

The place is quite hilly and the height may range from 79.2m-617.8m. One can enjoy trekking through Barda Hills. For this, one must take entry permits from the forest department. It is best to go during summer season, because in summer months all the streams may dry up and gives the place a dry look. Choose the trails called Kedi used by the Maldharis tribes. This trail usually starts from the top of the Kileshwar hill from near the temple complex of Kileshwar Mahadev and down into the valley and into the forest. During this trek, one can spot different butterflies, birds, snakes etc. During the trek one can find different, butterflies, birds, hyenas, snakes, etc.

Around 4000 people is inhabited in this sanctuary including the ethnic races such as Maldharis, Bharvads, Rabaris and Gadhvis.

Some 650 plant species boasts the park that include Gorad, Babul, Dhav, Rayan, Ber, Jamun, Amli, Dhudhlo, Bamboo etc.

Leopard, Hyena, Leopard, Wild boar, Sambar, Chital, Chinkara, Wolf, Jackal, Bluebull etc are the main animals that can be found in this sanctuary. There are rare and endangered Spotted Eagle and Crested Hawk-Eagle alongwith other numerous bird species.

Balahanuman Temple

where Ramdhun Sri Ram Jay Ram Jay Jay Ram is being chanted non-stop since the last 45 years. And it is a world record registered with The Guinness Book of World Records.

This temple faces the Lakhota Lake (man made) which is a nice place to spend ones time.

Jain Temples

located at "Chandi Bazaar" area in Jamnagar are worth visiting. They are historic temples built around 1564-1622.

Vardhman Shah’s Temple

  

Vardhman Shah’s Temple is a delightful shrine and one of the four main Jain temples in Jamnagar. The foundation stone of this shrine was laid in 1612, during the reign of Jam Jasaji I and was completed in the year 1620. Fifty two very small temples or ‘Deri’ were built around the temple in 1622.

Shantinath Mandir

  

Shantinath Mandir  is situated, south-west of Bedi Gate, in Jamnagar. The temple has intricate carvings and the walls are adorned with fine murals, which depict the life of Jain saints. The floor is made of marble and decorated with distinctive Jain patterns in yellow, black, white and red.

Darbargadh (Maharajah's palace)

the old royal residence of Jam Sahebs and the most important historical complex in Jamnagar, reflects the fusion of Rajputs and European style of architecture. The semi- circular palace complex consists of a number of buildings with very fine architectural features and detailing. It has some fine examples of stone carvings, wall paintings, fretwork jali-screens, ornamental mirrors, carved pillars and sculpture. The walls outside have carved jarokha balconies in the Indian tradition, a carved gate and Venetian-Gothic arches.

Ayurved University

Jamnagar is famous for his Ayurved University. Dhanvantri Mandir was built under the personal supervision of Dr. Pranjivan Manekchand Mehta, Chief Medical Officer of Guru Govindsingh Hospital. After independence it gained the status of Ayurved University.

Pratap Villas

A beautiful palace inspired by the 'Victoria Memorial' of Calcutta with beautiful traditional carvings of birds, animals, creepers and plants. Its three domes are made of glass. The palace was built during the rule of His Royal Highness Jam Ranjitsinhji. A must see for all tourists.

Solarium

Known as the Ranjit Institute of Poly-Radio Therapy. A slowly revolving tower provides full day long sunlight, that provides Solar Therapy facility. It is open after working hours for the visitors

Dwarka

The world famous ancient town of Dwarka needs hardly any introduction. Located on the confluence of Gomati River and the Gulf of Kutchh. Dwarka is Lord Krishna’s town. The original temple of lord Krishna is believed to be constructed by Vajranabhji, the great grand son of Lord Krishna. The existing temple is a 15th / 16th century structure constructed in Chalukya style in 27 m x 21 m area. Its tallest peak is 51.8 m high, its east-west length is 29 m and north-south width is 23m. It is said that Dwarka's pilgrim starts receiving fruits of Ashwamedh Yajna from the moment he commences his journey towards Dwarka.

To know more about Dwarka log on to
http://www.pndwarka.com/home.html

Kileshwar Temple

Kileshwar is an old Shiva Temple. The history behind the place is of Mahabharata Period, it is believed that the Pandvas stayed at this place during their "Vanavas" period.

Gopnath

Gop Hill is a favorite spot for pilgrims as well as adventure seeking people.

Ashapura Temple at Ghumali

According to folk lore, in the 14th century, Jam Unndji came from Sindh area with an army to conquer Ghumali, but he could not conquer, so after that his son Bamaniyaji came and surrounded Ghumali with a huge army, at that time, the king Bhaman Jethwa, escaped to Ranpur via the route of Kileshwar. So Bamniyaji attacked and destroyed Ghumli. On the same night Goddess Ambaji came in his dream and told him that, as she has granted the wish "Asha" of his father to conquer Ghumali, he should make a temple in her name.

Shopping

Jamnagar is renowned for its silk, gold embroidery, silver ware, bandhani (tie-and-dye) fabrics and Nutcrackers (especially the ones made for betel nuts). There are many reputed shops that offer premium quality handcrafted items at attractive prices.

Apart from this, the city is also dotted by many religious shrines. This has made it an important spiritual center. For this matter of fact, Jamnagar is also known as 'Chhoti Kashi'. Besides, the city is a hub of big industrial houses. India's largest private company, Reliance Industries has established one of the world's largest refineries at Moti Khadvi village. Essar Oil, another big refinery of the country, also comes from Jamnagar.