SUB BHUJ DISTRICT ( BHUJ TALUKA)

:- A capital Of erstwhile Kutch state and at present main city of Kutch District. It is situated at the foot of the 580 feet high BHUJIA Hill. It was very badly ruined in the disasterous earthquake of 2001 and now it is a beautiful new Bhuj city taking breadth in new environment.

Worth-seeing places  of BHUJ City.

1.Paraag Mahal:     

This Gorgeous palace is the amalgamation construction of Gothic culture of Italian system architecture and traditional Indian architecture. Following are the divisions of praag Mahal : “ Ainaa Mahal” , “Raj vatika” , Excellent clock-Tower”, “ Teela Medi”, “Panchatan Dargaah”, “Rani-Mahal”, “Dhaneshwar Mahadev Temple” . These are worth-seeing places , and fine mansions of this palace.

2.KUTCH  MUSEUM:

Oldest museum of Gujarat State, encompassing beautiful pieces of sculptures, samples of handicrafts, products of old traditional small-scale industries of KUTCH , etc are worth-seeing master – pieces of kutch.

3.SHARAD BAAG:

It is a botanical garden, having several herbal rare trees and plants, varieties of coloured flowers, and a nursery. There is a yellow-coloured palace situated at the centre of the garden. There is a replica of “sun-Temple” of kotaay village is also a worth-seeing master Piece of art.

4. CHHATTARDI.

It is an ancient equivalent word of local dialect  for English word “ Umbrella” . it is a unique , incomparable, cultural sculptureous heritage of erst-while kutch state , constructed in the memory of the Maharao shree lakhpat singhji of kutch state.

5.HAJIRO  OF  JAMADAR  FATEH MOHEMAD  .

He was well-known as Cromwell of kutch. In his memory this worth-seeing piece of architecture,made up of wood and stone, was constructed. By the side of this monument, there is one primary school, named as “ Naniba – pathashala”, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed for some time during his visit of kutch state in 1925 A.D.

6.HAMISAR LAKE.

This is the heart of BHUJ city, where Rajendra Park is situated at the centre of this wide beautiful lake. Several birds are seen here in various seasons.

7. SWAMINARAYAN TEMPLE :

There are two Temples of this biggest religious sect of kutch, “ Smruti-Mandir”, old ruined temple due to earthquake and in its place a new very big temple is on construction at other location.

8. MAA   ASHAPURA  TEMPLE.

An ancestry goddess of kutch area, Maa Ashapura’s temple is a place of faith of all the kutch people.

9. RAM  KUND.

It is a unique water-basin of stone structure of square size with several steps leading to water from all sides and decorated by idols of GOD and Doddesses. This kund’s shape is similar to all the kunds of various sun-temples of india, which gives an indication that there must have been a “sun-temple” on the Westside, adjoins kund, but to-day there is no indication of “sun-temple”, but if excavation is done, then foundation of “sun-temple” may be available.

OTHER FAMOUS PLACES OF THE DISTRICT

Laakho Fulani of this place was a brave warrior and he fought with almighty king of Gujarat, named Mulraj Solanki. There is an ancient fort nere Kera village. Ancient Shiva Temple is as old as 1200 year, made of Mahagurfar architectyre. Such an old Temple is worth-seeing. There is Durgah of Pir Gulam Ali Shah of khoja sect. Kapil Muni’S hermitage is also situated in this village.

In Olden days people used to cross big desert on foot between Sindh and Kutch. It was very painful journey and people miss the track and wonder here and there and then die of no water and no food. To help such people a saint called Mekaran Dada trained his dog and donkey to help such people. Water and food was loaded on donkey and dog searched for needy people. Mekaaran Dada, his dog and donkey died at this place so people have Samadhi for all the three at this place. Thus it has become a pilgrimage place for the people to pay homage to Mekaran Dada,  a dog and a donkey.Every year Three-day fair is arranged around Mahashivratri at  this place to celebrate sacred messagegiven by Mekarana Dada, A dognd a donkey to help needy people, irrespective of cast, creed  and seet. This place is famous for divine person and divine land.

DIFFERENT PLACES TO VISIT OF THIS DISTRICT

1. HABBAI :Mataji Temple,inexhaustive source of water,these two places are famous of Habbai Village. Ahir hand embroidery is also famous here.

1. LODAI : Ramayan era, a story of “Shravan” is famous. He visited this place with his parents.

So a hermitage is prepared here in memory of “Shravan”. He was carrying his parents on “KAVDA” – a similar to balance- so “Shravan Kavadia” is the name given to this hermitage.

1. KOTAI : Well before the Solanki era of Gujarat, a famous ancient culture temple of sun and Lord shiva are worth-seeing at this place. Ahir hand embrodary is also very famous.

1. BLACK –HILL : Western saint Guru Dattatraya’s   sacred steps , beautiful temple as well as natural beautiful surroundings around this hill are eye-catching spots. This hill has 1552 feet height , tallest hill of kutch district.  A  Defence check post of border security force is on this hill. It is an ideal trekking sight. A very clear view of very long area of sea as well  as vast area of desert, it is possible at this place. Sea-desert-and foot valley of the hill make a beautiful triangle here. Near by there is place called “KURAN” where remains of Haddapan civilization are available here.. Black-hill known in local language as “Kalo-Doongar”  is like a kailash mountain of Kutch  District.

1. KHAVADA :  It is a north frontier of Kutch district . It is famous for hand block printing of Textile, leather hand work, Neran handicraft  soofi handicrafts, Packko handicraft and several similar handicraft are famous of this place. It is also famous for animal husbandry and for “ Flemingo City” is the north area of –Khavda.

8      ANDHOW :  It is an white stone hill . It is famous for ancient stone inscription and famous mine of yellow stone, which is used in the construction of temple of Hindu and jain religions. Four numbers of tribute to them graves of the year 976, lying in row, are also lying in this village. Allakot and sati-maata martyr- memory stone inscriptions, are also unique structures of this area. Ancient wells, water basin for animals and Mahi grave-yard are also to be seen as ancient heritage.

9. BHIRANDIYARA : Cone – shaped house (local name Bhungo) made of grass as well as sweet solid- cream of milk (Meetho Maavo)., handicraft, and a mirrored embedded embroidery by hand’s skill, are the famous articles of this village.

10.Chaadwa Rakhaal: There is one lake near samatra village, which is a famous picnic spot. This lake stores crocodiles. These is one , royal family owned, private  hunting sport area.  The vegetation in this area is good for bird watching. Because it is private property, permission is to be obtained from Royal family, for visiting Chaadwa Rakhaal.

11. HODAKO_(GHORADO):  This is famous for cone-shaped house (local bame Bhungo), made of grass in an artistic style, all types of traditional handicrafts like leather work, hand embroidery work,paako ghorado, soofi hand handicraft , Neran handicraft.

12.  SUMARAASAR :  “Jat” Style of hand made handicraft as well as hand-made leather articles is very much famous. Kala Raksa institute run by a N.G.O . kala raksa is furnished in local art and sells the quality products. Worth watching place in sumrasar .

13.  GOREWALLI  :  All traditional hand made handicrafts of Kutch are famous , which are made in this village.

14.  ZURA  :  This village is famous for hand-made bronze metal bells of various sizes, which gives sweet tones of varying frequencies, Also hand-made leather work is very good.

15.  VAANDHAAY:  This is a famous place for pilgrimage for three sects-Bhanushali,  Kadva – Patidar and yogeshwar pariwaar, for paying homage to their respective deity temples , established here . Eye catching lake with temple of Lord Rama, Goddess Umiya Maata and hermitage “ Ishwar  Ashram” are surrounding this decent lake from four sides. It is a picnic spot also.

16.  KUKMA  :  It is famous for woolen shawl, suteswar mahadev temple and Maa Ashapura temple on the hill. This village is surrounded by hillocks, which gives natural beauty to this place.

17.  DHAMAKADA- AJARAKHPUR :   Its unique ajarkh  type of printing is very much famous as the only printing  of kutch which is no where it is printed. Hand made block is also famous.

18.  HAJI-PIR:    It is one of the most famous pilgrimage places of INDIA. It is situated at the border of the desert and belongs to Soofi saints of Islamic religion. Martyr Ali Akbarshah  Zakaria fought for saving the cows and gave his life for this purpose, hence he is famous as “Haji-Pir”, In hindu calendar month “Chaitra” , a big fair is arranged every year and both Hindus as well as Muslims attend this fair. It is an example of communal Harmony of Kutch   .

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MUNDRA SUB-DISTRICT : (MUNDRA TALUKA)

1.MUNDRA:  This town is famous for the ancient, artistics constructions of several mansions located here. In local langnage these mansions are called “Haveli”. It is also famous for silver articles and other ornaments. Tie and dye type of colour printing known as “ Baandhani” ,is very famous. Modern “Adani Port” , shah Bukhari’s dargah and artistic maksbaro are worth-seeing places of Mundra Town.

2. Vasai-Bhadreshwar:  It is a popular religious centre of Jainism. There is a beautifully carved pilgrimage temple here. Chaukhanda Mahadev temple of Lord Shiva is situated at the coastal bank of the sea. Great philantrophe sheth shree Jagdushah’s palace is worth-seeing place here.

3.  PRAGPAR :  There is one big Nandi Lake, which is spread over the 50acres of land as well as Ahimshadham, a unique hospital of its type- a hospital for ailing animals. Other worth-seeing places are as follows:- Smruti Mandir, Ayur vedic Harbal plants-garden for various medicines, bird sanctuary, Nakshatra-van ect.

4.  RATADIA  :  It is famous for Lord Ganesh Temple and Lord Shiva Temple at this Place. It is worth-seeing monuments,

 NAIA SUB-DISTRICT : (Abadasa Taluka):

1.NALIYA : It is a main centre of the sub-district. A decent Temple of Lord Jangaleshwar Mahadev is situated here. Ancient stone inscriptions of Martyrdom  of this place, Jain Derasar, Chinkara animal sanctuary  etc are well-known spots of NALIYA.

2. TERA : Ancient fort, decent lake, old traditional mansions ( Haveli), kamangari school of painting depicting incidences of Ramayan, Sculptures, Jain-Architectural temple etc proves Tera as “ Heritage village of KUTCH.

3. ABADA PIR RAMPAR (ABADA WALI) : A shrine of brave warrior Abada-Adabhang, which gives name to this sub-district. Other shrines of local brave warriors are also located here. This is a historic place.

4. KOTHARA :  This is one of the five sacred pilgrimage place of Jainism, having beautifully carved panels of jain stories. It is a two storey building. It is worth – seeing.

5. JAKHAO  :  Suthari, sandhaan  and vanku are the remaining four places of sacred pilgrimage of Jainism. Thus five sacred places forms a closed Jainism tour-circuit . It is popularly known as “ Panch Teerthi  In Jainism religion.

6. PINGLESWAR MAHADEV  :  Polutionless  clean atmosphere  and neat sea-beach makes this place, an ideal tourist place . Lord Shiva’s Linga, in this temple, is an unique cone0shaped. It is a pilgrimage place also. Thia is a sea-tortoise sanctuary maintained at this place.

MANDVI SUB-DISTRICT :  (Mandvi Takuka)

1.MANDVI :It is an ancient port of India, also an international trade – centre. Ancient prosperity is visible in ancient mansions, clean sea-beach , having wind-farm for generating electricity from natural wind splashes, Vijay vilaas palace, Navlakho – bungalow, Hudio-kotho, Raneshwar Mahadev temple, ancient temple of sundarvar  Lord Vishnu, a Light-house, ancient decent port, an industry of ancient times which was famous for developing New big boats for commercial trading, It is still preparing new boats. It is a birth place of very first freedom fighter of india , Shri shyamji Krishna Verma. Hajiro of Vohra sect, Lord Kashiwishwanathtemple on the sea-beach are two popular spots of this ancient city.

2. KODAI  : Baunter Jinalaya : It is an octagonal shaped jain temple with a unique architecture to accommodate 72 nos of Jain temples. It isd a pilgrimage place fir Jain community with excellent guest house. It is on the way to Mandvi.

3. DHRABUDI : It is also a pilgrimage place on sea-beach, very near ti Mandvi.

4. GUNDIYAALI:  Famous lord of sea, Shri Dada Ravalpir has many followers and it is famous for confirming results of the wishes prayed to him in a temple,  Specially made for him. Sea-beach is very much decent sandy long strip. Another temple of sati Gundal and his brother here. Even horses are also been worshiped at this place.

5. RAAYAN:  It is a famous archeological place, where several ancient specimans  of coins, idol of bull, beads of haked earthen varities, head of  a bird, big grain – storage tanks etc, belonging to Indus civilization, are found at this place. Thus it is an archeological treasure.

OTHER SITE SEEING PLACES OF MANDVI:

1 . ASHAR- MATA. : Near nani-layeja village, a temple of Maa Ashapura, Sun temple , a good sandy sea-beach together forms an ideal picnic place. There are several agriculturally green fields, decorating the out-skirt of Nani-Layeja village.

2. SHRI BILESHWAR MAHADEV:  Near Gadhshisha village, God of several Gods, Self-emersed Lord Shiva-named as Bileshwar Mahadev’s sacred temple, Billivan, Old guest houses, and other site-seeing places are worth-seeing.

3. VIJAY VILAS PALACE:  Near Mandvi city, a gorgeous palace” Vijay Vilas Place” is hot favorite amongst Indian as well as foreign tourists. It was a seasonal staying palace of Maharao Shri  Vijayraj-ji. It is made up of Mogul architecture as well as amalgamation of Hindu architecture.

4. GODHARA : Beautiful temple of Maa Ambaamaa , museum of ancient religious stories paintings, A replica of Vaishnav Devi. It is a religious place.

5. DON:  Aayu Maata temple for devotees to pay homage to the goddess.

6. JYOTESHWAR:  Cone –shaped linga of Lord Shiva in a beautiful temple, natural beauty all around and a dam nearby makes it a religious place.

7 . RAJDA TEKRI : It is a pilgrimage place for followers of maa Ashapura.

8 . RATADIA :  A huge temple of mass Ashapura- a pilgrimage place.

9 . RAMPER VEKRA:  Temple of Lord Mangaleshwar Mahadev. A picnic and pilgrimage place.

10. GADHSHISHA  : Doongri fort , temple of amba maa , artististic Jain Temple, are the worth-seeing places of this village.

11. PANCHGANGA GADHSHISHA :   Near Ludva village, a meeting place of three rivers, Kukmavati , Ganga and Yamunaji. It is a religious and picnic spot.

12. VIRAAYATAN VIDYAPEETHA:  After the earthquake of 2001, Jain community of Bihar State, have created an educational institution at this place, to give shelter and  education to earthquake victim orphan children.

13. VIJAY SAGAR DAM:   It is a big-dam with bird watching surroundings area. It is an ideal beautiful natural site.

LAKHPAT SUB DISTRICT :(LAKHPAT TALUKA):

1. LAKHPAT  : An ancient trading port of west india, an old fort, gorgeous ancient mansions, Guru Nanakdev of Sikh sect, stayed at this place for sometime, so in memory of this occasion, a Gurudwar has been constructed at this place. Some ancient mansions of Islamic architecture are also seen at this place. Dhauns mohemed’s “KUBO” is also worth – seeing place here.

2. MATA-NO-MADDH :- Goddess of Kutch kingdom, Maa Ashapura’s magnificient  Temple is located here.Three numbers of annual celebrations- called three “Navraatries” are celebrated here as a big festivals. Pilgrims from all over india and abroad visit this place during” Navraatries” Some pilgrims visit this place by foot for about 100 kms journey to this Temple. Other places of interest are chaachar Kund, Hinglaa-Maate temple, essence sticks of “Aashapuri” brand is very much famous of this place. There isd a big guest house constructed by G.M.D.C.

3. MOOCHCHA BAAN :- Near Maata-na-madh, there is one religious place of saint Odhavramji, it is a religious and picnic place.

4. NARAYAN SAROVARF:- Situated at the mouth of Arabian sea, a huge natural lake of sweet-water, well-known from vedic era-named as Narayan Sarovar. It is one of the sacred lake of India, mentioned in vedic literature as well as ancient poorana. There is one “seat” of Vallabhachaarya shri Maha prabhuji “Tulsi-vivah” is celebrated in the hindu month “Kartik” . It is called a “must-visit” place of Hindu religion followers. There is Chinkara animal sanctuary  nere this place, Where several bird varities are also to be watched here.

5. KOTESHWAR: Nere Narayan Sarovar there is temple of Lord Shiva-named as Koteshwar. It is an ancient temple of Vedic-era situated on the hillock on the beach of Arabian sea. Sun-set overe sea, is a worth-seeing site of this place. The name of this temple is mentioned in ancient poorana and vedic literature.

6. SIYOT KOTESHWAR:- There are several Buddha caves, carved in hillocks all around indicating the spread of Buddha religion in this area. It is the western most spot of india. Inscriptions of Buddhist literature is found here on several stone structures. Buddha idols are carved several big stones.It is an historic place.

7 . ZARA HILLOCKS :- Situated  at the border of Lakhpat sub-district and big-desert of Kutch, near the village Zara. It is named as “Kuru kshetra” of the kutch, because 300 years ago a big war was fought by the people of kutch against invaders, several brave people died for the noble cause of the mother land kutch. Invader was king of sinddh, mir gulam shah kalara, who was almost defeated and it was difficult to run away from battle field to save his life. About one and quarter lakh brave warriors gave their life at this place and all were saluted as Martyrs ofKutch. Their bones are still lying in this area. This war was an unique example of communal harmony and unity of kutcchipeople barring barriers of cast, creed and religion . This was considered as biggest ever fought on the land of Gujarat. Thus this place has historic importance.

8 . RAM WADA :-  Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana visited this place.

NAKHATRANA SUB DISTRICRT :- (Nakhatrana Taluka.).

1 . DHINODHAR :- Second highest hill of kutch district, is having a delightful area of valley of this hill. It is a  “seat” of “ Nath Sampradaya” ,Jagir Dada Dhoramnath’s worship here. It has a unique cave, which is so dark like no-moon day night, even at the time of noon of the day. The experience , is worth enjoying. Huge cooking metal vessels, Dhoka-vidi, A very big fair is organized on “Shiv Raatri-Day”. Steps are there to climb this hill. It is a picnic as well as religions place. There is a “ Fossil Park” near this hill. “Infinily Resort” is an added feature of this area. There is one silent “Votcano” of kutch at aral village near this hill.

2 . POOANESHWAR MAHADEV :-   It is a 1200 years old historic place with ancient archeological importance for decent carving on stones. This Lord Shiva temple has archeological significance.

3. WADI MEDI :- It is an ancient “Shaiwa sampradaya” monastery, It is famous as  a palace of Rao Pooaraa. Several ruined remains of carved pillars of a palace can bee seen standing in abig area. There is ruined entry gate of the place and several temples of God and Goddesses of stone-carvings, which indicates its past glory.