About Bhavnagar

Country: India | State: Gujarat

Ideal Trip Duration: 1-2 Days

Nearest City to Bhavnagar: Bhavnagar

Best Time to Visit Bhavnagar: October to February

Peak Season: December to February

At a distance of 168 km from Ahmedabad, 174 km from Rajkot, 192 km from Vadodara, 206 km from Junagadh, 269 km from Jamnagar, 307 km from Porbandar, 352 km from Surat, 359 km from Gandhidham, 405 km from Dwarka, 406 km from Bhuj, 535 km from Indore, 567 km from Nashik and 630 km from Mumbai, Bhavnagar is a coastal city located at the southern tip of Gujarat peninsula. Also known as Gohilwad, it is one of the popular tourist destinations in India and among the top places to visit near Ahmedabad.

Located just to the west of the Gulf of Khambat, Bhavnagar is renowned for its rich religious and cultural heritage, thriving industries, and exciting wildlife, which are the prime attractions of Bhavnagar tour packages. Boasting a natural harbor, Bhavnagar has been of strategic trade importance enjoying flourishing trade and commerce relations with lands as far as Africa as well as places of closer proximity, such as Singapore. It still serves as an important trade center for the cotton goods produced in Gujarat. The city has associations with Mahatma Gandhi, who went to university here.

According to history, the city of Bhavnagar was founded in 1743 by Bhavsinhji Gohil as a new capital for himself. The city derived its name from its founder. Also known as Gohilwad, the city was protected by a fort as it used to be the major port for almost two centuries and also the largest state in the region during the pre-independence era. Later, the city came under British jurisdiction in 1807 and finally merged with the rest of the Indian Union in 1948 becoming the first state to join with the Union of India. By the 19th century, Bhavnagar attained the status of a developed state and it was the first state in India to build its personal railway system, without any aid from the central government.

The city enjoys a prime location amidst the lapping waves of the Gulf of Khambat and the majestic splendor of art and architecture. This bustling port city is blessed with many wonderful sights right from the historical structures to serene islands, vibrant bazaars, stunning temples, and abundant wildlife sanctuaries. Takhteshwar Temple, Gandhi Smriti Memorial, Victoria Park, Nishkalank Mahadev Temple, Aksharwadi Swaminarayan Temple, Gaurishankar Lake, Barton Library & Museum, Palitana, and Velavadar Blackbuck National Park are some of the important places to visit in Bhavnagar.

Besides, Bhavnagar has always been a center of education and culture for which it is also called the 'Sanskari Kendra' of Gujarat. Many noted theatre personalities, journalists, poets, educationists, and singers like Narsinh Mehta, Ganga Sati, Jhaverchand Meghani, Kavi Kant, and Govardhan Tripathi have come from the rich and diverse land of Bhavnagar.

Bhavnagar Airport is the nearest airport which is about 6 km from the Bhavnagar Railway Station. It has well-connected flights from Mumbai. Bhavnagar Terminus is well connected by trains with Botad, Udhampur, Asansol, Kochuveli, Palitana, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mahuva, Surendranagar, Mumbai, Surat, Okha, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, and Kakinada. Bhavnagar Bus Station is the nearest bus stand that has well-connected buses from all the major cities of Gujarat and Mumbai.

The people of Bhavnagar celebrate Navratri and Janmashtami with great pomp. These are among the most popular festivals in the state of Gujarat. Navratri is celebrated for nine days in honor of the divine power, Goddess Durga, while Janmashtami is celebrated to rejoice the birth of Lord Krishna. Singing and dancing are part of the festive celebrations. Mahashivratri is another popular festival celebrated in Bhavnagar with tremendous pomp and splendor.

The climate of Bhavnagar is semi-arid with dry, hot summers, rainy monsoons, and mild winters. October to February is the best time to visit Bhavnagar as the weather remains mild and pleasant and is a great time to enjoy the sights of the city. Also, this is the time when Bhavnagar hosts many festivals.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Good
STD Code: 0278
Languages Spoken: Gujarati, Hindi & English
Major Festivals: Navratri & Janmastami
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Bhavnagar

By Air

Nearest Airport: Bhavnagar - Bhavnagar Airport (6 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Bhavnagar Railway Station (0 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Bhavnagar Bus Station (2 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Bhavnagar

Pilgrimage

#1 of 17 Places to Visit in Bhavnagar

At a distance of 3 km from Bhavnagar Railway Station, Takhteshwar Temple is a Hindu Temple situated on a small hillock in the center of Bhavnagar city in Gujarat. It is one of the oldest temples in Gujarat, and among the prime places to visit as part of Bhavnagar sightseeing packages .

Takhteshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was constructed in the year 1893 and was named after Maharaja Takhtsinhji who ordered to build the temple. Maharaja Takhtsinhji was one of the most influential rulers in the history of Bhavnagar. The entire area of the temple imparts a holistic feeling while giving the devotees a feeling of tranquility and attainment with god.

Regarded as one of the prime places to visit in Bhavnagar, Takhteshwar temple is completely made of white marble in the Gujarati .....

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Museum

#2 of 17 Places to Visit in Bhavnagar

At a distance of 2 km from Bhavnagar Railway Station, Gandhi Smriti is a memorial museum located near Crescent Circle in the city of Bhavnagar, Gujarat. Also known as Gandhi Memorial, it is one of the prominent places related to Mahatma Gandhi and among the must visit places as part of Bhavnagar Tour Packages.

Established in 1955, Gandhi Smriti is a living monument to Gandhi, whose life and ethics on truth and non-violence have been a motivation to all Indians. This two storeyed memorial preserve a huge collection of books and other memorabilia used by Mahatma Gandhi. On the first floor, there rare photographs associated with the life of Mahatma Gandhi from birth to death. The memorial deserves a must-visit from all history buffs. The library here holds a vast collection of books and memorabilia that Gandhi used.

Barton Museum is found on the ground floor of Gandhi Smriti, where you can find a broad range of artifacts like religious carvings and nut cutters that represent the .....

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Park

#3 of 17 Places to Visit in Bhavnagar

At a distance of 5 km from Bhavnagar Railway Station, Victoria Park is a man-made forest located in the heart of Bhavnagar city in Gujarat state. Situated on the edges of Gaurishankar Lake, this park is one of the oldest man-made forests in India, and among the top places of sightseeing in Bhavnagar.

Victoria Park was set up in 1888 by Maharaja Takhtasinhji of Bhavnagar city. It was designed under the supervision of Councilor Mr. Proctor Sins. Spanning over an area of 500 acres, the park is built on a triangular shape bounded with roads on all three sides. The park is maintained by the Indian Government as it is one of the oldest man-made forests in India. Thorny, scrubby, spiny and xerophytes are the vegetation mainly found in the forest.

Rich in biodiversity, the park consists of different varieties of plants, animals, reptiles, birds, and mammals namely snakes, porcupines, peacocks, hares, jackals, .....

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Pilgrimage

#4 of 17 Places to Visit in Bhavnagar

At a distance of 4 km from Bhavnagar Railway Station, BAPS Swaminarayan Temple is a beautiful temple located in Askharwadi locality of Bhavnagar, Gujarat. Situated on Waghawadi road, it is one of the well-known BAPS Mandirs in Gujarat and among the must-visit places in Bhavnagar.

Opened in 2006, BAPS Swaminarayan temple is a major religious place that serves as a place for enlightenment as well as education and entertainment for many years. Dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan, the temple was constructed by the society of BAPS Sri Seva Sansthan. The main objective of this temple is to spread the teachings and discourses of Lord Swaminarayan.

The temple was built in two stories with three domes according to traditional Hindu architecture. It is designed in accordance with the Shilpa shastras. The Akshardham mandir consists of 97 intricately carved pillars, 17 ornate domes, 220 stone beams, 57 stone screens, 3 porticos, and 256 statues of spiritual personalities in Hinduism. The temple .....

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Backwaters

#5 of 17 Places to Visit in Bhavnagar

At a distance of 6 km from Bhavnagar Railway Station, Gaurishankar Lake is a manmade lake situated in the heart of Bhavnagar city. Locally known as Bor Talav, it is one of the picturesque lakes in Bhavnagar and among the must visit places during Bhavnagar Tour.

Huge in size and colossal in beauty, Gaurishankhar Lake was built in 1872 under the guidance of Sri Gaurishankar Oza, the then Deewan of Bhavnagar. Situated on the edges of Victoria Park, the lake was spread over an area of 381 hectares. It was constructed as a reservoir to meet up water requirements of Bhavnagar citizens. Today, Gaurishankhar Lake is a famous picnic spot for the people of Bhavnagar.

The planetarium called Kailash Vatika, around Bhavnagar Lake is a great attraction for children and a great way to introduce and educate them about astronomy. Bhav Vilas Palace located in the vicinity of the lake used to be the clubhouse of the royal family. Many official events were conducted here when Bhavnagar was a princely .....

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Heritage

#6 of 17 Places to Visit in Bhavnagar

At a distance of 1 km from Bhavnagar Railway Station, Ganga Deri is a memorial situated on the banks of Gangajaliya Talao in Bhavnagar, Gujarat. It is one of the historical places to visit in Bhavnagar.

Ganga Deri is a historical monument standing tall in the middle of the city as a silent witness through the history of Bhavnagar. This marble monument was built in 1983 AD by Maharaja Takhtsinhji in memory of his wife Maharani Rajba who died in 1875 while giving birth to the heir Bhavsinhji. It was designed by Sir John Griffith, who was the principal of J.J. School of Art, Bombay.

The architectural style of the monument is a synthesis of Mughal and Rajput. Looks like a mini Taj Mahal, this elegant edifice has a chhatri, pavilion, and bridge all of which are built of white marble. The grills carved with delicate floral motifs and the columns are the distinctive features of the monument. This two storied structure was built as the centerpiece of the then Gangajaliya Talao. Though .....

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Pilgrimage

#7 of 17 Places to Visit in Bhavnagar

At a distance of 16 km from Bhavnagar, Khodiyar Mata Temple is a famous Hindu temple located at Rajpara village near Bhavnagar of Gujarat. Situated on the banks of the Tataniya Wali Lake, it is one of the important places of pilgrimage in Saurashtra and among the best places to visit in Bhavnagar.

Shree Khodiyar Mata Mandir was constructed in 1911 CE by the then Maharaja of Bhavnagar. The temple is dedicated Khodiyar Maa, a warrior Hindu goddess born in Charan caste around 700 AD. She was the main deity of the royal family of Bhavnagar and also the ancestral goddess of Bhavnagar people. The Khodiyar Mata Temple at Rajpara is one of the oldest and largest temples in Gujarat.

According to history, Maharaja Wakhatsinghji Gohil ruled the state of Bhavnagar from 1748 to 1816. He was a devout follower of Khodiyar Ma and often visited the shrine at Mandel. There he prayed to the goddess to bring her holy presence to Sihor, the then capital of Bhavnagar state. Khodiyar Ma agreed and .....

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Pilgrimage

#8 of 17 Places to Visit in Bhavnagar

At a distance of 28 km from Bhavnagar, Malnath Shiva Temple is a Hindu Temple located near Bhavnagar, Gujarat. Situated on Bhavnagar - Talaja Road, it is one of popular Shiva temples in Bhavnagar and among the best places to visit as part of Bhavnagar Tour Packages.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is beautifully positioned in the middle of green slopes and streaming waterways. The temple is built in the traditional Gujarati architecture and houses a rock-carved Shivalinga in the sanctum. The tranquility inside the temple along with the lush green environment is bound to take a visitor away from the routine life. A walk around the temple after paying respect to the Lord is quite refreshing. One can also find the idols of Goddess Durga, Lord Ganesh, Lord Krishna, and Lord Hanuman inside the temple.

Malnath Shiv Temple is surrounded by Nature. Lush verdant greenery, a waterfall, several windmills and wind farm make it an ideal place for a picnic with friends and family alike. .....

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Waterfall

#9 of 17 Places to Visit in Bhavnagar

At a distance of 24 km from Bhavnagar, Trambak Falls is a stunning waterfall located at Trambak village in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat. Situated near Malnath Mahadev Temple, it is one of the beautiful waterfalls in Gujarat, and among the best Bhavnagar places to visit.

Trambak Falls is situated on a small mountain surrounded by a little forest. It cascades down from a height of about 30 feet and creates a natural pool as it hit the ground. Serene ambiance, the roaring sound of gushing waters, lush greenery, rocky hills, and the secluded nature make it a popular picnic spot for the people of Bhavnagar as well as tourists during their Bhavnagar trip.

Trambak Falls is visited by many tourists daily. Children can spend time playing under the shade of trees while the elders can enjoy the beauty .....

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Pilgrimage

#10 of 17 Places to Visit in Bhavnagar

At a distance of 28 km from Bhavnagar Railway Station, Nishkalank Mahadev Temple is a Hindu temple located at Koliyak near Bhavnagar, Gujarat. Situated in Koliyak Beach, it is one of the rarest sea temples in India you must include in your Gujarat trip and among the most visited places of pilgrimage in Bhavnagar.

Located about a kilometer into the sea, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has 5 distinct swayambhu Shiva lingams on a square platform and each is having a Nandi statue facing it. This temple is submerged during high tides in the sea and emerges during low tides to reveal itself majestically, promising its devotees to wash away all sins. During the high tide, the idol of the lord is submerged and all that can be seen are the flag and a pillar. The temple was built with special care to withstand high tides and is truly remains an unsolved mystery to modern engineers and technology experts.

The temple .....

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Top 3 Bhavnagar Tour Packages