
RAJKOT TOURISM | TOURIST PLACES TO VISIT & TRAVEL GUIDE TO RAJKOT
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About Rajkot
#13 of 16 Places to visit in Gujarat
Ideal Trip Duration: 1-2 Days
Nearest City to Rajkot: Rajkot
Best Time to Visit Rajkot: October to March
Peak Season: November to February
At a distance of 90 km from Jamnagar, 101 km from Junagadh, 105 km from Amreli, 172 km from Porbandar, 173 km from Bhavnagar, 184 km from Somnath, 214 km from Dwarka, 218 km from Ahmedabad, 231 km from Bhuj, 275 km from Vadodara, 401 km from Surat and 718 km from Mumbai, Rajkot is a bustling city in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Situated on the banks of Aji and Nyari rivers, it is the fourth largest city in Gujarat and among the top places for Gujarat Tourism.
Rajkot, literally the City of Princes, is the former princely capital of Saurashtra region and now an emerging tourism destination and business hub of Gujarat. Built by Thakur Saheb Vibhaji Ajoji Jadeja in 1620 AD, the city has been a seat for the Jadeja rulers. It was named after its co-founder Raju Sandhi. In the 1720 AD, Rajkot was seized by Masum Khan, an official ruler of the Junagadh region. After 12 years, Rajkot was conquered by Jadeja clan. In the year 1807, Rajkot came under the British rule and the city of Rajkot became the capital of then Saurashtra state in 1948. It was then merging with Bombay State in 1956 and was finally reincorporated into Gujarat State in 1960. This city is also associated with the Mahatma Gandhi, who spent the early years of his life when his father was a Diwan or Prime Minister to the king of Saurashtra.
Though no more a capital, Rajkot is a fusion of architectural and historical sites of great importance. This place is renowned across the globe for its bandhni textiles, cotton textiles, woolen, jewelry, silk embroidery, handicrafts and automobile industry. Watson Museum, Kaba Gandhi No Delo, Aji Dam, Rotary Dolls Museum, Jagat Mandir, Nyari Dam, Prem Mandir, Khambhalida Caves, and Lal Pari Lake are some of the top tourist places in Rajkot. Aside from this, Rajkot holds a position in top 10 cleanest cities of India while also being the 22nd fastest growing city in the world.
There are several accommodation options available in Rajkot ranging from budget to medium, five star and business class hotels that provide outstanding services and give grand hospitality to their guests. Being the cultural and commerce capital of the Saurashtra district, there are many restaurants in Rajkot which serve unique and delicious food items.
About 3 km from Rajkot Junction, Rajkot Airport is the nearest airport which has direct flights from Mumbai and New Delhi. Rajkot is well connected by trains with Okha, Mumbai, Somnath, Varanasi, Tirunelveli, Ahmedabad, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar, Rameshwaram, Puri, Jaipur, Dwarka, Kochi, Trivandrum, Pune, Kolkata, Jabalpur, Indore, Bilaspur, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Surat, Guwahati, and Gorakhpur. Rajkot Bus station is the nearest bus station which is about 3 km from Rajkot Junction. It has well road connectivity with Ahmedabad, Surat, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Gandhidham, Bhuj, Amreli, Junagadh, Dwarka, Somnath, Vadodara, Porbandar, Okha, Mumbai, Pune, Indore, Jaipur and Udaipur.
Often referred as 'Rangilu Rajkot', Rajkot is famous for hosting several cultural events and festivals. The International Kite festival is a major and prominent cultural event of Rajkot celebrated on the occasion of Makarsankranti which usually falls in the mid of January every year. Navratri, the festival of nine nights, is another most charming festival of Gujarat during which the people of Rajkot perform Garba, a special dance form of the Gujarat state. The people of Rajkot also celebrate Modhera Dance Festival, Holi, Janmashtami, and Diwali with great pomp and fervor.
With pleasant and cool weather, October to March is the best time to visit Rajkot for sightseeing. Travellers can enjoy the nine-day festivities of Navratri festival in Rajkot usually occurring in the month of October. The combination of devotion and Garbha by the Gujarati Hindu community is renowned worldwide.
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