Experience the time travel of the classic civilization in the old city of Rajkot, east of the newer centre, still has plenty of character, with narrow streets, markets, and farmers still selling ghee on street corners. Rajkot was founded in 1612 by Jadeja Rajputs, and in colonial times it became the headquarters of the Western India States Agency, Britain’s administrative centre for some 400 princely states in Saurashtra, Kachchh and northern Gujarat. After Independence Rajkot was capital of the short-lived state of Saurashtra.
Let your passion trail your root, where once stood the City of Thousand Doors – Dwarka. Dwarka literally feels like the end of the earth. Enter the city of the God, a remote pilgrimage spot at the extreme western tip of the Kathiawar peninsula. This is one of the four most holy Hindu sites in India, where Krishna Vasudeva built his capital after leaving Mathura.
The lord here blesses his devotees with wide, benevolent eyes, gazing for time immemorial, from his seat, 60 miles away from his submerged kingdom of 32,000 years old, which is twice the size of Manhattan. From the lingering existence of the folklore, scale the historicity of Lord Krishna Vasudeva, the king maker, who can reveal a lot about, what are vivid, yet unsaid truths of the Saraswat Civilization and Pre Vedic Primary Prakrit.
Behold, as the famous, phoenix-like temple of Somnath will stand gazes at you in neat gardens above the beach, 6km southeast of Veraval. The sea below gives it a wistful charm of the endless time. Somnath celebrates Kartik Purnima, marking Shiva’s killing of the demon Tripurasura, with a large colourful fair, a spectacle worth witnessing. Legend had it that the moon God Somraja first erected Somnath, a temple made of gold. This was rebuilt by Ravana in silver, by Krishna Vasideva in wood, and by Bhimdev in stone; all bedecking the Phallic Stone, the heart of the temple, one of the 12 most sacred Shiva shrines, known as jyotirlinga.
Witness the self-illuminating temple in the coastal serenity that even prompted the most unwelcoming visit of the infamous looter Mahmud of Ghazni from Afghanistan. Gazni was baffled with the wealth of the temple, which also included 300 musicians, 500 dancing girls and even 300 barbers. It took two days to take the temple town, where 70,000 Hindu defenders were slaughtered. So began a pattern of Muslim destruction and Hindu rebuilding that continued for centuries. The temple was again razed in 1297, 1394 and finally in 1706 by Aurangzeb, the notorious Mughal ruler. After that, the temple wasn’t rebuilt until 1950.
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival at Rajkot and proceed to Dwarka.
Arrive at Rajkot and proceed to Dwarka (250 kms - 5 hours). Visit Dwarkadheesh Temple in the evening. Dwarkadheesh Temple is one of the most significant and visited Lord Krishna Temples in India. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 2 : Temple visits in and around Dwarka.
Early morning visit Okha for the Beyt Dwarka. Beyt Dwarka is an island accessible over a short boat ride where a prominent Lord Krishna Temple is located. Upon return visit Nageshwar Mahadev Temple enroute. Nageshwar temple is believed to be one of the 12 Jyotirlinga Temples. Visit Rukmini Devi Temple, Gomati Ghat Temples after returning to Dwarka. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 3 : Dwarka - Somnath
Travel to Somnath (240 kms - 4.5 hours). Enroute visit the Harsiddh Mata temple offering excellent views of the Arabian Sea. Visit Somnath Temple, a renowned Shiva Temple and considered one of the 12 Jyotirlinga Temples and one of the most visited Shiva Temples in India. Time permitting visit Bhalka Teerth. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 4 : Departure
After Breakfast, proceed to Rajkot (200 kms - 4 hours) for onward Journey
Inclusions
Exclusions
|
HOTEL DETAILS |
|||
|
CATEGORY |
STANDARD |
DELUXE |
LUXURY |
|
Dwarka |
Hotel Krishna Inn or similar |
Goverdhan Greens Resort or similar |
Dwarkadhish Lords Eco Inn or similar |
|
Somnath |
Hotel Somnath Sagar or similar |
Hotel Sukh Sagar or similar |
Lords Inn or similar |
COST DETAILS FOR PACKAGE (Rates Valid from 1st July to 30th Sep, 2015)
Per Person Price
|
CATEGORY |
STANDARD |
DELUXE |
LUXURY |
|
Min. 2 Pax |
10500 |
12100 |
14600 |
COST DETAILS FOR PACKAGE (Rates Valid from 1st Oct to 31th Mar, 2015)
Per Person Price
|
CATEGORY |
STANDARD |
DELUXE |
LUXURY |
|
Min. 2 Pax |
11200 |
12600 |
15200 |
Terms & Conditions:
Note:
In Case of exceptional circumstances where we are not in position to provide Hotels mentioned, shall offer similar Hotels
All tourists are advised to take comprehensive Insurance of their own
The timings given in itinerary and program may change without notice, keeping in mind local development
Visit to all Museums in program are subject to their remaining open on day of visit as per rules of competent authority
All Cost quoted are in Indian National Rupee
All expenses which are not included in the cost of package shall be paid directly by tourist at the time of checkout
The festival dates in India are based on Hindu system of astrology which is subject to the movement of moon in relation to earth. Therefore, there may be change in dates of festival by one day. We may alter the program by one or another to visit the festivals
All wildlife national parks remain closed from July till September due to monsoon
Supplements will be charged extra during festivals or fairs
Standard check-in time is 1400 hrs & check-out time is 1200 noon
Any hike in Govt. Taxes, Fuel etc., will attract a surcharge, to be paid prior to the departure date
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