Page 433 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

GUJAR A T  431

to attract visitors; in addition, it p Jamnagar a Rajkot
has the dubious distinction of Jamnagar district. 308 km (191 miles) Rajkot district. 216 km (134 miles)
housing local mafia dons. SW of Ahmedabad. * 447,800. SW of Ahmedabad. * 966,700.
Interestingly, large sections of ~ 10 km (6 miles) W of city. £ @ ~ 1 km (0.6 miles) NW of city centre.
Gujarat’s diasporic population n (0288) 266 3922. ( Mon–Sat. £ @ n Bhavnagar House,
originated from this district. (0281) 223 4507. ( Mon–Sat.
Founded by a local prince, Jam
Rawal, in 1540, Jamnagar’s old The headquarters of the
walled city is dominated by the Saurashtra region (southwest
Lakhota Fort, the original seat Gujarat) during the British Raj,
of its rulers, and the Ranmal modern Rajkot is a commercial
Lake, which surrounds it. The and industrial town. The centre
fort was badly damaged during of the region’s groundnut trade,
the earthquake in January 2001, it is also reputed for its handicrafts.
though visitors are still allowed Rajkot’s many 19th-century
inside. The museum in the fort buildings give it a distinctly
has fine sculptures from nearby colonial flavour. The Watson
excavation sites, dating from the Museum in Jubilee Bagh, named
9th to 18th centuries. Close by after a British Political Agent,
is the Kotha Bastion, which has a fine collection of portraits
once stored the rulers’ arsenal. of local rulers, tribal artifacts,
In the heart of the old town archaeological finds from
is the circular Darbar Gadh, Harappan sites and a large statue
Entrance to the Kirti Mandir where the Jamsahebs (as the of Queen Victoria. The impressive
Museum, Porbandar rulers were called) held public Rajkumar College, established
audiences. This structure was by the British for the sons of
also damaged heavily in the the Gujarat nobility, remains
o Dwarka 2001 earthquake, but the a prestigious public school.
ground floor is safe for visitors.
Jamnagar district. 453 km E Watson Museum
(281 miles) SW of Ahmedabad. £ The lanes leading off from Tel (0281) 222 3065. Open 9am–1pm,
@ _ Janmash tami (Jul/Aug). here are worth exploring, as 3–6pm Thu–Tue. Closed 2nd & 4th
n (02892) 23 4013. the city is famous for its tie-dye
fabric and silver jewellery. In this Sat. & Extra charges for photography.
Legend has it that about area are two Jain temples, the
5,000 years ago, Lord Krishna Shantinath and Adinath Environs
(see p683) forsook his kingdom Temples, entirely covered with Wankaner Palace, 39 km
at Mathura (see p182) and mirrorwork, gold leaf, murals (24 miles) northeast of Rajkot,
came to live on the seafront and mosaics. Close to them is an eclectic mix of Mughal,
at Dwarka, where he founded is the 19th-century Ratanbai Italian and Victorian-Gothic
a glittering new city. It is Mosque, its doors inlaid with styles. Though still inhabited
believed that the city was mother-of-pearl. In the early by the former royal family, a
subsequently submerged 20th century, Jamnagar was portion is now a luxury hotel.
under the sea. Whether or ruled by the famous cricketer Halvad, 125 km (78 miles) north
not this is myth or fact, KS Ranjit Sinhji (r.1907–33). The of Rajkot, has a 17th-century
excavations of the seabed city acquired several elegant lakeside palace.
have indeed established the public buildings and parks
existence of a submerged under his able administration.
city in the vicinity of Dwarka.
Hindu pilgrims flock to E Lakhota Fort Museum
Dwarka throughout the year. Open Thu–Tue. Closed 2nd & 4th Sat.
The city’s main temple is & ^
the towering Dwarkadhish
Temple, dating to the 16th Environs
century. Built of granite and The Marine National Park,
sandstone on a plinth area of in the Gulf of Kutch, is 30 km
540 m (1,772 ft), it is supported (19 miles) from Jamnagar. An
by 60 pillars and rises seven archipelago of 42 islands, the
storeys to an impressive park’s marine life is best vie wed
height of 51 m (167 ft). from the island of Pirotan.
Situated a short distance
to its east is the small, lavishly O Marine National Park
carved Rukmini Temple. g Jamnagar jetty. For permits
Built in the 12th century, it is contact the Park Director, Jamnagar, Statue of the first principal, Rajkumar
dedicated to Krishna’s wife. (0288) 255 2077. 8 College, Rajkot

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