Bhavnagar, in the Indian state of Gujarat, is a port city on the coastal region of the Saurashtra peninsula abutting the picturesque Gulf of Cambay. Bhavnagar is primarily a business town, close to Alang which is the biggest ship breaking yard in South Asia. People coming in for business in Alang make Bhavnagar their base as all the offices are situated here.
The main places of interest for a tourist in Bhavnagar are the markets in the old city, alive and full of character, with overhanging wooden balconies and sections reserved for specific trades such as the cloth bazaar, the silver bazaar and so on.
How to Reach Bhavnagar?
By Air : Bhavnagar is connected by air to Mumbai by regular flights. From the airport one can take taxi into the town.
By Rail : Bhavnagar has trains that run daily to Ahmedabad and Mumbai.
By Road : State transport buses and private bus operators run regular services to Bhavnagar from Ahmedabad (51/2 hrs), Vadodara, Junagadh, Surat and Bhuj.
Best Time to Visit Bhavnagar
The best time to visit Bhavnagar is between October and March when the weather is relatively cool. The summer months can get seeringly hot with temperatures rising into the mid 40 degree centigrade mark. the monsoons also hit this town in June and July so it would be best to avoid these months too.
Things to do in Bhavnagar
Bhavnagar the famous port city of Gujarat has a limited range of things to do and see. You can visit the various temples in the city which are an architectural delight or pack a picnic lunch and head to Gaurishankar Lake. Shop till you drop at the markets in the old city or take a trip to Palitana or Blackbuck National Park. Gorge on delicious Gujarati food or delve into the Chinese or continental fare available in the city. Come and be a part of Mahashivratri – a festival devoted to Lord Shiva.
Places Near Bhavnagar
Palitana and the Blackbuck National Park are some of the interesting places near Bhavnagar that you can visit.
Palitana a 50 km drive southwest of Bhavnagar lies at the foot of the Shatrunjaya Hill. Shatrunjaya - ‘the Place of Victory’, over hatred and worldly things. The hilltop complex is dotted with as many as 863 temples, most of them in beautifully carved marble, built over a span of 900 years. The earliest temples, constructed in the 11th century, were more or less destroyed during the Muslim raids in the 14th and 15th centuries. Most of the present temples were built from the 16th century onwards, with each generation of pilgrims making its contribution to the shrines.
Most visitors make the 600m climb on foot, and that takes two hours at the very least. ‘Dolis’ (chairs on poles lifted by four bearers) are also available. As you climb higher along the wide steps, accompanied by other pilgrims, more and more temples come into breathtaking view and the sound of murmured prayers grows ever louder. It is a truly spiritual experience. The hilltop also provides an excellent view, which, on clear days, can take in Bhavnagar in the northeast and the Gulf of Cambay in the south.
The Blackbuck National Park at Velavadar lies 55 km north of Bhavnagar. This is a unique grassland ecosystem that has become famous for its successful conservation of the blackbuck, wolf. Blackbuck, the exclusively Indian antelope, is perhaps the most graceful of its kind - the male sports ringed horns that have a spiral twist of three to four turns and are around 70 cm long.
Hotels in Bhavnagar – Choice is Yours
There are numerous hotels in Bhavnagar ranging from 3-star, 4-star and 5-star deluxe to budget hotels.