Hello and welcome back everyone!
So, I hope all of you must be back into mainstream lives leaving behind memories from your summer holidays.
Yet, for the passionate travellers, and travelogue writers - you must be planning where to head next esp. during Puja vacations or Diwali break.
Well, your friend Prabhasini is back with her own travel experiences to share.
And, the first place within India is - Bhuj Nahi Dekha to Kuch nahi dekha.
Welcome to Bhuj located in the colourful district of Kutch in Gujrat, with really creative people with hearts of gold, where trade rules the lives of many - where principles of trust and honesty are still alive and thriving. While shopping I had mistakenly left my umbrella at a shop yet, I got it back the next day - a call to the shop owner and he came to return it; despite a Sunday-which is holiday. So, you can trust people here.
To go to Bhuj - the easiest way to get there is from Mumbai - by Jetairways flights or trains like Dadar-Bhuj express or Kutch express or Bhuj Ac Superfast. One can also go by bus and book them easily through goibibo.com
Next, upon reaching there, you wonder where to stay. Well, I would suggest that you book at Hotel Prince where I was staying with my Mom and Dad. It is conveniently located very near to both the railway station and the airport. Also, the places worth visiting are nearby this hotel. So, its most convenient to stay here. Also - the breakfast is free and ranges from Poha, Idli - Sambhar, fruits, biscuits, tea or coffee, omelette, bread-toast, suji-halwa etc. The staff are very - very friendly here. There are two restaurants here - the Toral - for the pure vegetarians where you are served Gujrati thali with a wide range of dishes on platter and Jesul where you have both veg and non-veg options. Both are equally great. This hotel has many types of rooms to choose from which you can see for yourself before booking and prices are reasonable. A deluxe AC room costs 4000 INR for double occupancy. Discounts and group discounts are applicable. Also, upon pre-booking there is complimentary airport drop-and-pickup facility too.
Now, that you got a great room to freshen up and stay, where to head next. Well, you can a get a car from the hotel for which you have to pay extra charges, but I would suggest taking a auto. Step out of the hotel reception and you are into the main road with many autos plying. You can get a bargain of 350 for 4 hrs and explore. The best thing here is that many auto-drivers will tell you short yet interesting stories about different places across the city and you can have a better view and feel as well.
The timings of the major tourist places are from morning 9:30 to 12 or 1 pm and again from 3pm to 6 pm. So plan your visit accordingly.
Here are a few places within Bhuj that you can check out -
Aina mahal - 20rupees / person. Photography Charges 50 extra.
Prag mahal - 30 / person
Inside there are many things to see ranging from the paintings, gifts, swords and weapons, glass and ivory doors, make up kits and dressing tables, various items used by these royals in their households, etc. The most exciting is the climb up the clock tower, where staircases have been carved out from a single pillar with geometrical alignments of 30 degrees in the lower stack and 60 degrees in the upper stack and 90 degrees at the end of each floor - with each floor having 10 approx. stairs. And, while you climb up or get down, indeed you feel you go up a never ending flight of stairs as you do not see where it begins or ends, so, when you actually go up and reach the podium from where you can see the entire Bhuj from every length and breadth, you actually feel like achieving something.
About 42 km from Bhuj is Anjar is a small town in Kutch said to be founded around 640 AD and is one of the oldest town here. The primary tourist spots are the shrine of Jesai Toral and the bungalow of James Mcmurdo . Other interesting places to visit include Ajaypal temple and the holy shrine of Pinjora Pirknown for its spirituality and serenity. The famous Jesai-Toral fair is organized here to celebrate the colourful culture of the Kutch district. Anjar is famous for its block printing works, nutcrackers, scissors and penknives.
Further beyond are many interesting places too like Mata Na Madh, Dhodharo, Khavda, Bhadreshwar, Mundra, Bahuntar Jinalay. and many more.
Well, the good news is your Hotel Prince will help you plan your trip to all these places.
The Land of craft and creativity, the land of trade, the Land of hardwork, trust and honesty celebrates Rann of Kutch Utsav each year around October. And they welcome you to stay with them for sometime and be part of their celebration while they sprinkle some of their colours in your lives.
Indeed Bhuj nahi Dekha to kuch Nahi Dekha. Kuch din to gujaro Gujarat mei…
For reaching out to me with your feedback or sharing your own travel experiences, email me here -
aamiprabhasini@gmail.com
or follow me on twitter @PranWin
Stay tuned till the next article which will document another travel experience. Till then,
Stay Healthy, Stay Happy, Stay Safe.
So, I hope all of you must be back into mainstream lives leaving behind memories from your summer holidays.
Yet, for the passionate travellers, and travelogue writers - you must be planning where to head next esp. during Puja vacations or Diwali break.
Well, your friend Prabhasini is back with her own travel experiences to share.
And, the first place within India is - Bhuj Nahi Dekha to Kuch nahi dekha.
Welcome to Bhuj located in the colourful district of Kutch in Gujrat, with really creative people with hearts of gold, where trade rules the lives of many - where principles of trust and honesty are still alive and thriving. While shopping I had mistakenly left my umbrella at a shop yet, I got it back the next day - a call to the shop owner and he came to return it; despite a Sunday-which is holiday. So, you can trust people here.
To go to Bhuj - the easiest way to get there is from Mumbai - by Jetairways flights or trains like Dadar-Bhuj express or Kutch express or Bhuj Ac Superfast. One can also go by bus and book them easily through goibibo.com
Next, upon reaching there, you wonder where to stay. Well, I would suggest that you book at Hotel Prince where I was staying with my Mom and Dad. It is conveniently located very near to both the railway station and the airport. Also, the places worth visiting are nearby this hotel. So, its most convenient to stay here. Also - the breakfast is free and ranges from Poha, Idli - Sambhar, fruits, biscuits, tea or coffee, omelette, bread-toast, suji-halwa etc. The staff are very - very friendly here. There are two restaurants here - the Toral - for the pure vegetarians where you are served Gujrati thali with a wide range of dishes on platter and Jesul where you have both veg and non-veg options. Both are equally great. This hotel has many types of rooms to choose from which you can see for yourself before booking and prices are reasonable. A deluxe AC room costs 4000 INR for double occupancy. Discounts and group discounts are applicable. Also, upon pre-booking there is complimentary airport drop-and-pickup facility too.
Now, that you got a great room to freshen up and stay, where to head next. Well, you can a get a car from the hotel for which you have to pay extra charges, but I would suggest taking a auto. Step out of the hotel reception and you are into the main road with many autos plying. You can get a bargain of 350 for 4 hrs and explore. The best thing here is that many auto-drivers will tell you short yet interesting stories about different places across the city and you can have a better view and feel as well.
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| Shooting place of various films and serials |
The timings of the major tourist places are from morning 9:30 to 12 or 1 pm and again from 3pm to 6 pm. So plan your visit accordingly.
Here are a few places within Bhuj that you can check out -
1. Aina mahal and Prag Mahal-
Both Aina Mahal and Prag Mahal are located within the same complex near Hamirpur lake. Aina Mahal was built by Rao Lakhpatji in 1761 while Prag Mahal - which largely resembles an European architechtural style is a 19th century building. Both have separate entry fees - which for Indians is -Aina mahal - 20rupees / person. Photography Charges 50 extra.
Prag mahal - 30 / person
Inside there are many things to see ranging from the paintings, gifts, swords and weapons, glass and ivory doors, make up kits and dressing tables, various items used by these royals in their households, etc. The most exciting is the climb up the clock tower, where staircases have been carved out from a single pillar with geometrical alignments of 30 degrees in the lower stack and 60 degrees in the upper stack and 90 degrees at the end of each floor - with each floor having 10 approx. stairs. And, while you climb up or get down, indeed you feel you go up a never ending flight of stairs as you do not see where it begins or ends, so, when you actually go up and reach the podium from where you can see the entire Bhuj from every length and breadth, you actually feel like achieving something.
2. Kutch Museum -
Interested in knowing the various tribes in Kutch and getting to know their embroidery better. Head here - the oldest museum in the state of Gujarat. And you can learn about the different groups of people living here - their lifestyles and look into their own unique style of weaving and embroidery and the fact that textiles play a major role in Kutch economy. Also you can know about the various coins used here, the different works on ivory, lacquer, silver etc. Except Wednesday - its open on all days and entry fees is 5 rupees.
3. Ram Kund
Ramkund well is a square stepwell, 56 feet on a side, with sculptures portraying characters from the Ramayana, as well as the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu along the walls. When one walks down to the water you find the temperature dropping and when you stand near the kund you find a strange yet pleasant cool - and - calmness which was not there on the road. This is inexplicable to me, but a very unique experience.
4. Swami Narayan Temple.
A very beautiful and a huge complex, this is a very big and holy temple of Swami Narayan - the shrine is made of spotless white marble. Sit there beneath the trees and a cool breeze sweeps off all the stress from your face & rejuvenates you. Prayers inside the peaceful ambience of the temple seems to have connected you spiritually with the divine. This was built in the school premises after the earthquake in which the original shrine located elsewhere was destroyed. A must visit for all.
5. Sharad Baugh Palace.
During evening but an hour before 6 pm visit Sharad Baugh Palace. The beautiful gardens and the chirping birds would set the tune for a perfect melodious evening and also connect you deeper with mother Nature. The inside has a few artefacts and items used by the royals which you can see. The main attraction here is the gardens though.
6. Bharatiya Sanskruti Darsan
Located south along the College Road(which leads away from the lake past Alfred High School, the Ramkund stepwell and the Swaminarayan temple),, it is a Kutchi cultural centre, containing an excellent collection of Kutchi folk art and crafts, especially from the more remote regions of the district, collected by a forest service official as he traveled around doing government work. There are also exhibits of rural architecture, paintings, textile arts and archaeological specimens.
Entry fees for Indians - 10/- for foreigners 50/-.
Next if you wish to explore Kutch further, go beyond Bhuj.
Mandvi about 50 km away from Bhuj is a very Popular beach to visit and it was the principal port of Kutch and of Gujarat for hundreds of years until the rise of Mumbai.
One can visit shipbuilding yards and also visit the Tower of Wager - where wealthy shipowners would once gather to scan the horizon. Wander around the Vijay Vilas Palace and marvel at the items brought from far-off ports, and the architecture itself that shows a global awareness in its mixture of styles. A must try here - is the Dabeli.
Just 8 km southeast of Bhuj, Bhujodi is a major textile center of Kutch. You can watch the artisans work here live, and some may be friendly to let you give it a try as well. A kilometer from Bhujodi is the Ashapura Crafts Park, set up by a corporate non-profit wing to help artisans display and sell their work and organizes dance and music events on weekends.
5. Sharad Baugh Palace.
During evening but an hour before 6 pm visit Sharad Baugh Palace. The beautiful gardens and the chirping birds would set the tune for a perfect melodious evening and also connect you deeper with mother Nature. The inside has a few artefacts and items used by the royals which you can see. The main attraction here is the gardens though.
6. Bharatiya Sanskruti Darsan
Located south along the College Road(which leads away from the lake past Alfred High School, the Ramkund stepwell and the Swaminarayan temple),, it is a Kutchi cultural centre, containing an excellent collection of Kutchi folk art and crafts, especially from the more remote regions of the district, collected by a forest service official as he traveled around doing government work. There are also exhibits of rural architecture, paintings, textile arts and archaeological specimens.
Entry fees for Indians - 10/- for foreigners 50/-.
Next if you wish to explore Kutch further, go beyond Bhuj.
Mandvi about 50 km away from Bhuj is a very Popular beach to visit and it was the principal port of Kutch and of Gujarat for hundreds of years until the rise of Mumbai.
One can visit shipbuilding yards and also visit the Tower of Wager - where wealthy shipowners would once gather to scan the horizon. Wander around the Vijay Vilas Palace and marvel at the items brought from far-off ports, and the architecture itself that shows a global awareness in its mixture of styles. A must try here - is the Dabeli.
Just 8 km southeast of Bhuj, Bhujodi is a major textile center of Kutch. You can watch the artisans work here live, and some may be friendly to let you give it a try as well. A kilometer from Bhujodi is the Ashapura Crafts Park, set up by a corporate non-profit wing to help artisans display and sell their work and organizes dance and music events on weekends.
About 42 km from Bhuj is Anjar is a small town in Kutch said to be founded around 640 AD and is one of the oldest town here. The primary tourist spots are the shrine of Jesai Toral and the bungalow of James Mcmurdo . Other interesting places to visit include Ajaypal temple and the holy shrine of Pinjora Pirknown for its spirituality and serenity. The famous Jesai-Toral fair is organized here to celebrate the colourful culture of the Kutch district. Anjar is famous for its block printing works, nutcrackers, scissors and penknives.
Further beyond are many interesting places too like Mata Na Madh, Dhodharo, Khavda, Bhadreshwar, Mundra, Bahuntar Jinalay. and many more.
Well, the good news is your Hotel Prince will help you plan your trip to all these places.
The Land of craft and creativity, the land of trade, the Land of hardwork, trust and honesty celebrates Rann of Kutch Utsav each year around October. And they welcome you to stay with them for sometime and be part of their celebration while they sprinkle some of their colours in your lives.
Indeed Bhuj nahi Dekha to kuch Nahi Dekha. Kuch din to gujaro Gujarat mei…
For reaching out to me with your feedback or sharing your own travel experiences, email me here -
aamiprabhasini@gmail.com
or follow me on twitter @PranWin
Stay tuned till the next article which will document another travel experience. Till then,
Stay Healthy, Stay Happy, Stay Safe.
A very detailed blog … liked it.
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