Bhavnagar Travel Guide
Location :
Bhavnagar is located in the peninsular part of the state of Gujarat, in
the western region of India. It is 203 km from Ahmedabad and 690 km from
Mumbai (Bombay). It is near the Gulf of Cambay, a part of the Arabian
Sea. Bhavnagar is at sea level. Though Bhavnagar is near the coast and
experiences coastal climate, yet it has hot summers (April-June).
Winters are cool (November-February). It experiences southwestern
monsoon rains during (July-September). As Bhavnagar is near the
coastline, it is generally humid throughout the year.
About Bhavnagar :
Another important coastal city of princely origin is Bhavnagar, with
ports, salt works, ship building and ship breaking yards along the
Bhavnagar coast. The city has associations with Mahatma Gandhi, who went
to university here, and relics of his life can be seen at Gandhi smriti
in the 1895 AD Barton museum building, which also has a fine collection
of coins, stamps, guns and other arms, sculpture and folk arts.
Bhavnagar has myriad relics of it’s princely rule-the Maharajahs
commissioned architects like Sir William Emerson, the architect of the
Victoria memorial, to endow the city with great buildings of the 19th
century like the Takth Sinhji hospital. Victoria park is a great place
for strolls and you can spot a variety of birds, and occassionally
antelope,jackal and hare. Gaurishankar lake is another popular place for
evening strolls, picnics and birdwatching. Do not miss the Takteshwar
temple-situated on an incline off one of Bhavnagar’s busiest roads,
it is a place of incredible tranquility and views over the cityscape to
the sea.
Getting There :
By Air : flights are available for Bhavnagar from
Mumbai
By Rail : railway station on Ahmedabad-Bhavnagar railway line
By Road : Ahmedabad (200 km), Rajkot (178 km),
Vadodara(280 km)
By Local transport : Local buses and non-metered auto
rickshaws
Tourist Attractions :
Takhteshwar Temple
Takhteshwar Temple (1893 AD) is located on a hill, on a high plinth,
offering a commanding view of Bhavnagar. The high shikhara rising above
the pillared rectangular mandapa makes it an important landmark.
Barton Library
Barton Library (1895 AD) is a beautiful two storeyed building,
appropriately designed for a road junction. It has two wings and a
central tower, constructed in ashlar stone masonary, with Gothic arch
windows and a sloping roof with Mangalore tiles. It is one of the oldest
libraries of Gujarat and also houses a museum.
Gangajalia
Gangajalia (1893 AD) is a temple dedicated to Gangadevi, with a
chhatri, pavilion and bridgeall in white marble. It is located in the
middle of a former tank. It was designed by Sir John Griffith, principal
of Sir J J School of Arts, Bombay.
Nilambag Palace
Nilambag Palace, now a heritage hotel, is a magnificant building set
amidist a huge estate of 10 acres. It was designed by a German
architect, as a royal residence in 1859 AD. It combines elements of
Indian architecture with a modern outlook.
