An 18th century coastal city, Bhavnagar was the capital
of an erstwhile princely state.Bhavnagar was founded
by Bhavsinhji Gohil, the rulers of Sihor in 1723 AD.It
is an intermediate port with a natural harbour. To overcome
the difficultyof siltation and to ensure the floatation
of ships even with receding tides a lockgate has been
constructed at the concrete jetty. For the tourist it
is a convenientbase for visits to the town of Palitana
and the sacred hill of Shatrunjaya.It is a premier cotton-exporting
seaport on the
south-eastern Saurashtra coast. Today Bhavnagar is a city
buzzing with people, students, marketplaces, educationalinstitutions,
and industries. It is a beautiful blend of modernism and traditionalism.People
of this city are simple, easygoing and downright modest. The
entire atmosphere isthat of peace and comfort. It is known
for its hospitality and generosity. 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.
General Information..
Temperature : Ranging between 23 - 40 deg cel in summer
and between 13 - 31 deg cel in winters Clothing : Cottons in summer and woollen in winters. Rainfall : 56 cm from June to September Languages Spoken : Gujarati, Hindi, English
Places of Interest :
Gandhi Smriti : It is a living monument to Gandhiji.It was opened
in 1955.This is a sort of complex attached to a clock
tower in the heart of the city.The tower bells with
music and timings on all four sides.The smriti has a
Gandhi picture gallery with photos on the Life of Mahatma
Gandhi from birth to death,a small museum of ancient
things,a big departmental Khadi Gramodyog Bhandar and
a first class, well established and a well arranged
running library.
Gopnath : A beautiful hemlet on the coast of the Gulf of Khambhatand
at a distance of 10 kms. from Talaja, the talukaheadquarter
of Bhavnagar district is Gopnath; vying foreminence
on the tourist circuit with development of aheritage
hotel - Gopnath Bungalow - the pleasantsea-shore retreat
of Gohil rulers of Bhavnagar. TheBungalow, built in
a European colonial style with cottages and mansionssurrounding
the courtyard, faces the sea and offers beautiful view
of the gulf. Itattracts marine life enthusiasts for
the variety of the kind found in the rocky shoalson
the coast. It is also renowned for the temple of Gopnath
Mahadev, whereNarsingh Mehta is believed to have performed
penance.
Takhteshwar Temple : Built on a small hill top, the holy temple of Lord
Shiva named in the memory of Maharaja Takhtasinhjiis a
very popular place.It sia made of pure marble and constructed
in the late nineteenth century.The picturesque view from
the temple adds to theserenity of the place.Thousands
of people pay their visit daily tothis hilly place
Velvadar : This is a protected area or sanctuary for the Black
Bucks.Once upon a time there were thousands of Black Bucks
in this area but now the number is slowly decreasing.So
the area is now protectedby the forest department of the
state.Wild life lovers often visit this place.
Barton Library & Museum : One of the oldest monuments in Bhavnagar, it is
a favourite spot for men of all age group.Old age people
prefer to sit here and read newspaper, dailies, magazines
to spend their time.Old books, manuscripts, rare coins,
arms and armour used by the rulers of Bhavnagar are
on display at the Barton Library andMuseum.
