Poshina

Balaram

Located 167 kms, An weekend retreat and hunting resort of the Lohani who rules from Jalore in Southwestern Rajasthan. A number of temples of religion importance are located along Balaram River. Balaram Ambaji wildlife Sanctuary & Jessore Hill Sanctuary are fine hill forests near the palace are home to Sloth bear, Panther,Blue bull, 4 horned antelope, Jakal etc. The Balaram Palace resort is a classified Heritage classic.

Siddhapur

Siddhapur  is an ancient sacred town on the banks of the Saraswati river. It finds mention in the Skanda Purana as Sristhala, Siddhapur derives its name from the great ruler of Gujarat, Siddhraj Jaisinh, who constructed a magnificent Shiva Temple in 12th century AD, Rudra Mahalay, at this town . The entire townscape of Siddhapur is dotted with temples, Kundas, Ashrams and sacred buildings along the a banks of the Saraswati river.

On the opposite bank of the Sarawati river, there is an architecturally interesting building, known as Thali building, built by Ahalyabhai Holkar, queen of Indore- a famous Maratha queen– who patronized many such building  projects  in all the important Hindu pilgrimage centers of India. Siddhapur  is am major center of the Bhora Muslim, who is rich and cultured community spread all over the major cities of the world.

VADNAGAR 942kms from Siddhapur)

Vadanagar finds mention in many Hindu Purnas and in the travelogue of great Chinese traveler. Hieu-en-Tsign (7th centaury), as a rich and flourishing town. The inscription on Arjun Bari Gate confirms King Kumarapal built the fortification of the city in 1152 AD.
The town sits on the high bank of Sharmistha Talav, on the bank of Sharmistah Talav is Kirti Toran. It is among the few surviving examples of the entrance gates, once a regular feature of the architecture of Gujarat in Solanki period.

Patan

Patan is an ancient fortified town, situated on the banks of the sacred Saraswati river. Vanraj Chavda, founded it in 746 AD and Patan enjoyed a privileged status of capital of Gujarat, for about 600 years from 746 AD to 1411 AD. The major Rajput clans of Chavadas (746-942 AD), Solankis (942-1244 AD) and Vaghelas (1244-1304 AD) ruled Gujarat from Patan. The glory of Patan reached its zenith during the Solanki period- the golden age of Gujarat. During these years, the city was a great place of learning and a prosperous trading center. The rulers were great patrons of fine arts and architecture and undertook construction of many civic and religious edifices in the city. The most significant monuments in Patan are Rani ki Vav, Sahastralinga Talav and Khan Sarovar. Rani ki Vav represents the finest of the Indian sculptures and architecture.

There are at least 100 Jain temples in Patan; the most important to visit is the Mahavir Swami Derasar in Dhandherwad with exquisitely carved wooden dome.  The   important   Hindu   temples  are   Kalika   Mata. Sindhwai Mata, Harihareshwar Mahadev and Brahma Kund.

Excursions :

Siddhapur (Bohravad, Rudra Mahalaya) 28kms, Vadnagar (Hatkehwar Mahadev, Kirti Toran) 70kms

Zinzuwada

Zinzuwada is a fortified town located at the southern edge of the little Rann of Kutch. The town is part of several legends related to the birth of the great Solanki ruler, Siddhraj Jaisinh, son of Minaldevi, who was born by a blessing of a saint from a nearby place.

The fortification of Zinzuwada dates back to the l1th  century AD. The fort is built with huge stone slabs and fortification is broad enough for two horsemen to pass at a time. Zinzuwada is one of the finest examples of Hindu fortifications in India, without Islamic influence. In Gujarat, another similar fort is situated at Dabhoi. The town has four gateways in four directions : Madapol Gate, Rakshaspol Gate, Harijan Gate and Dhama Gate. Madapol Gate is one of the finest examples of entrance gateways in the Maru Gurjar architectural style!

Other interesting structures outside the town are : the old sacred kund and the Jhileshwar Mahadev, dating back to the Solanki period.

Excursion :

Limidi (70kms from Zinzuwada) Dhrangdhra (74kms from Zinzuwada) Virmagam (57kms from Zinzuwada)

Halvad

Morbi

Morbi was the capital of the former princely state of Morbi ruled by the Jadeja Rajput clan. The beautiful town of Morbi is located on the banks of the machchhu river. Floods devastated Morbi in 1979 AD. The prosperous city state of Morbi and much of the built heritage and town planning is attributed to the efficient administration of sir Waghji, who came to the throne on 1879 Ad and ruled till 1948 AD. The railway station of Morbi is a beautiful example of Railway architecture, combining Indian and European architectural elements. The most important building is : Darbargadh, Mani Mandir, Wellington Secretariat, Suspension Bridge, Art Deco Palace and Lakhjdhirji Engineering College. Darbargadh  is in the bank of Machchhu, is an original residence of Morbi rulers. Now it is the only heritage hotel at Morbi.

Excursion :

Dhrangdhra (royal Places) 75 km, Wadhvan (royal Palaces, bazaar, sep wells) 107 kms Wankaner (royal Palaces, step wells) 29kms, Rajkot (princely architecture, Watson Museum, Rajkumar College, Ramkrishna Mission, Kaba Gandhi no delo) 6kms, Halvad (48kms) Maliya (royal palaces) 32 kms.

Wankaner

Wankaner derives its name from the geographical feature related to the location of the town: 'Wanka* means a bend and 'ner' means water stream in Gujarati. Wankaner literally means a bend on the stream and it is located on the bend of the Machchhu river. The Jhala Rajput clan ruled Wankaner. the capital of the former princely State of Wankaner, till Indian independence in 1947 AD. Il was one of the four princely states of Jhalawad, other three being- Wadhvan, Limbdi and Dhangadhra. Sartanji founded the princely State of Wankaner in 1605 AD. Wankaner a rich city-state, ruled Wankaner up till 1947 AD.

Wankaner was among the first few royal families of India to convert their palaces    into Heritage Hotels, which have guestrooms, maintained in the original royal style.

Excursion :

Wadhvan

Wadhvan is one of the finest examples of living fortified towns of Gujarat. The town is located on the banks of river Bhogavo and the high fort wall and several gates of the town are intact even today. Wadhvan rulers belonged to the Jhala Rajput clan and the region was known as Jhalawad having other principalities of Dhrangadhra, Limbdi and Wankaner Under Jhala rule.

The history of the town dates back to ancient times when it was known as Vardhamanpuri. It is an important center of Jainism and the footprints of Mahavir Swami lend a special sanctity to Wadhvan, among the other pilgrim centers of Jains. There are two ancient step wells in Wadhvan- Madha Vav (1294 AD) and Ganga Vav (1169 AD). Both are fine examples of subterranean architecture, typical of Gujarat. The rulers of Wadhvan have built several buildings in and around Wadhvan and the most interesting of them are Raj Mahal and Hawa Mahal.

The rulers of Wadhvan were great automobile enthusiasts and their passion for cars is reflected in their collection of Vintage, Classic and sports cars and a well-stocked library of automobile books. Raj Mahal is being converted into a heritage hotel
.
Excursion :

Gondal

Gondal, the capital of the former princely State of Gondal, was ruled by the Jadeja Rajput clan, till the independence of India. It is a fortified town located on the river Gondali. One of the oldest and most beautiful of Gondal palaces, the Navlakha Palace complex (17th century), is situated on a river bank,. The palace is approached by the high gateway with the clock tower from the town side. The grand Darbar hall, with a series of huge windows opening onto a long balcony supported by intricately carved brackets, overlooks the river. Darbar hall has large chandeliers, stuffed panthers, gilt wooden furniture and antique Beligian mirrors. Other two royal palaces- the Riverside Palace and Orchard Palace are converted into heritage hotels. The rulers of Gondal were great lovers of automobiles and one can see several Vintage and Classic cars in the royal garage.

Excursion :