Auspicious Gujarat 11 Night - 12 Day Tour

After breakfast do local sightseeing of Udaipur Set amidst the Aravalli hills of south Rajasthan, Udaipur, regarded as one of the most romantic in India. Presenting an enchanting image of marble palaces, placid lakes, attractive gardens and green hills, it has been called “the Venice of the East”. It was founded by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1568 as a traditionally planned, fortified city full of palaces, temples and Havelis. The city also became a centre for the performing arts, painting and crafts.

Begin your half-day sightseeing tour of Udaipur with City Palace and Museum. The largest palace complex in India, it is a blend of Mughal and Rajput influences. Also see the 17th century Jagdish temple, drive around the Fatehsagar Lake, and visit the ‘Sahelion ki Bari’ (the Garden for the Maids of Honor), an ornamental pleasure garden with fountains and marble kiosks. Late in the afternoon proceed for boat ride in Lake Pichola.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast check out from hotel and drive to Mount Abu enroute visit Dilwara Temple on arrival check into hotel.

Mount Abu: In the Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan has a range of natural and cultural bounties which makes it an excellent destination. The biggest draw of this charming hill town is the famous Dilwara Temples, worth a visit for their outstanding architecture, intricate white marble carvings and elegant sculptures. This ancient temple complex captures the cultural heritage of the region in all its glory.

Visit Dilwara Temples: This temple complex built in the Solanki style of architecture dates back to the 11th and 13th centuries AD. Carved out of white marble, these temples are dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras (enlightened souls). The oldest temple, the Vimal Vasahi temple, was built in 1031 AD and is dedicated to the first of the Jain Tirthankaras. The temples are very famous for the intricate carvings, especially on the pillars. But the most striking feature of this Jain temple is the marble pendant in the dome of the porch. It hangs from the ceiling like an enchanting cluster of half-open lotuses with cups so finely carved that they appear to be transparent.

In the evening have a walk at the focal point of the town, Nakki Lake and enjoy the sunset.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast full day at Mount Abu sightseeing.
Right in the heart of Mt. Abu, surrounded by rugged hills and granite rocks, is the famous Nakki Lake, which is the foremost tourism attraction. Several royal palaces and colonial bungalows surround the beautiful lake adding to the charm of the surroundings. Raghunath Temple is a famous shrine in the town, while the rock formations such as Toad Rock, Nun Rock and Camel Rock are worth seeing.
There are several view points, the most popular ones being Sunset Point and Honeymoon Point. Baylay's Walk is a pleasant 5 Km route from Nakki Lake to the Sunset Point. Guru Shikhar, the highest point in Mount Abu offers more panoramic views of the hills and can be reached by a concrete road.
Overnight Mount Abu.

Drive to Ahmedabad, enroute visiting Ambaji.
Ambaji: 94 kms from Ahmedabad is one of the major Shakti-piths of India, situated in the Arasur hills. The Ambaji Temple contains no idol, but an inscribed Yantra in the niche. Ambaji is essentially a temple town-with a temple dedicated to Goddess Ambaji at the center. The Ambaji Temple and the front court ‘Chachar no Chowk’ are aligned in the same axis of the cave at Gabbar hill-the original abode of Goddess Ambaji. The present temple was constructed a few years ago, maintaining the original architectural style. Millions of piligrims visit the temple every year-especially during Navratri to seek the blessing of Goddess Ambaji.
Overnight Ahmedabad.

Today, after breakfast, check out from hotel and drive to Somnath.
Somnath: One of the most revered & an important center of culture & nationalism. The legendary temple contains a ‘jyotirlinga’. Looted & destroyed, built & rebuilt several times, it represents the eternal beauty & strength of the Indian society. The present splendid structure was rebuilt about five decades ago, at the exact spot where the original shrine was located. The iron man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was instrumental in the construction of the present temple.
Overnight at Safari Hotel and Resort located at walking distance from Somnath temple near Veraval.

Today morning after having the pleasure to attend the morning aarti at Somnath temple, drive to Dwarka.

Dwarka: An ancient city, housing one of the principal pilgrimages - ‘Dwarkadhish temple’ of Hindus. According to the legend, Lord Krishna moved to this coastal town to set up a capital. Marine excavations of the Dwarka coast have revealed important evidences of ancient city, which probably include the ‘Dwarawati’ of the ‘Krishna Lila’. Today, it is not only a major pilgrimage site but a pleasant spot for a beach holiday.
Another popular place in Dwarka, part of the Dwarkadhish Temple is Sabha Mandap. It is a 60-pillared hall, which houses almost 2500 years old scriptures. The hall has ‘jharokhas’, offering a nice view of the nearby flowing Gomti River.
Attend evening aarti at Dwarkadhish temple.
Overnight stay at Dwarka.

After breakfast Today we visit Bet Dwarka & Nageshwar temple.

Bet Dwarka : Bet is situated at 30kms from Dwarka and is surrounded by sea from all sides. One can reach Bet from Dwarka through Okha by road. On reaching Okha port jetty, one can reach Bet through a little sea journey in a launch or in a small boat.

Nageshwar Temple or Nagnath Temple is located on the route between Gomati Dwarka and the Bait Dwarka Island on the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat. The Jyotirlinga enshrined in the Temple of Nagnath is known as Nageshwar Mahadev and attracts thousands of pilgrims all round the year. This powerful Jyotirlinga symbolizes protection from all poisons. It is said that those who pray to the Nageshwar Linga become free of poison. The Rudra Samhita sloka refers to Nageshwar with the phrase 'Daarukaavane Naagesham'

Return to hotel at Dwarka for an overnight stay.

Today we drive to Rajkot visiting Balahanuman temple at Jamnagar.

Bala Hanuman Temple : Bala Hanuman Temple is a pilgrim place venerated by the devotees of Lord Rama. It is a world famous temple, known for the continous chanting of Jai Ram, Shri Ram. The chanting is going on since 1964 and has found a place for it in the Guinness Book of World Records. People chant the name of the Lord in shifts, 24hours a day

Jalaram Bapa Temple : Bhakta's full name was Jalaram Pradhan Thakkar. He was born in the town of Virpur near Rajkot, Gujarat state of India. His mother was Rajbai Thakkar who was very religious and was told by saint Raghuvirdasji, that her second son Jalaram would be a famous advocate of duty and become a preacher of love and peace. Jalaram got his early education from his mother. From her he learnt respect, patience, self respect, duty, and grace. When he was young he was divinely inspired and constantly chanted 'Sita Ram' and wanted to devote his life to God.

Bhagar Jalaram got married when he was only sixteen to Virbai. Virbai was the daughter of Thkr Pragji Somaiya. Although Jalaram was reluctant, Virbai proved to be an asset to Jalaram in his work. Virbai always helped Jalaram and supported and encouraged him. Without Virbai's support Jalaram would have found many difficulties in his path.

In the begining Jalaram worked with his father in the business, then he joined his uncle's business but was critisized by both for his extreme generosity to sadhus and to the poor. He desired to devote himself to God without the ties of the family. Therefore he set out on a piligrimage with his wife.

At the age of eighteen Jalaram along with is guru had starded 'Sadavrat' a place where all people, sadhus & poor could go for food anytime & nobody was let out without food. Later Jalaram & his wife worked in the fields to grow their own grain. Jalaram bapa and Virbai then opened a charity house and used the grain to provide food for passing pilgrims. At times when the grain ran out Virbai was willingly ready to give away her jewellery which she had received at the time of her marriage.

It is said that once Lord Rama dressed as an old man in the guise of a sadhu came before Jalaram bapa. Jalaram invited him in for a meal. The old man complained that he was old and infirm and he needed someone to look after him. Jalaram sent his wife along the old man. She went willingly. the pair of travellers eventually came near a river. The old man gave Virbai his stick and a bag to hold. He then disappeared. At the same time a voice came to Jalarambapa at his home, saying that it was Lord Rama himself who had came to see if he was as good as the people said. He had proved he was sincere and could now fetch his wife. The stick and the bag are still on display at Jalaram bapa ashram in
Virpur.

People believe that food given by Jalaram bapa to the sadhus and other pilgrims will reach the doors of heaven. For that reason even today the Jalaram bapa ashram in Virpur continues to deed thousands of pilgrims at a time and the kitchen never runs out of food, no matter how many people are there. Not only the ashram of Virpur but all the temples of Jalaram bapa are blessed by Himself that thousands of people take their food in these temples.

Jalaram bapa's life he devoted to the charity and duty towards human being and praying.

Overnight at Rajkot.

Today we drive to Ahmedabad enroute visiting Chotila then drive to Ahmedabad on arrival check into hotel.

Chotila : On Ahmedabad-Rajkot Main Highway, Chotila town is situated at the foot of the Chamunda hill which is surmounted by the temple of the Goddess Chamunda at a height of 1173 feet.
Originally a holding of the Sodha Parmar clan, Chotila was conquered from Jagasio Parmar by the Khachar Kathis in 1566 AD. Most of the Khachar Kathi’s trace their origin to the Chotila house.
According to a legend, Jagasio Parmar of nearby town Muli was murdered by the Kathis of Khachar Kuman and Vala clans. These Kathis took possession of Chotila and then divided it into four parts (char tilas), The village thereafter came to be known as Chotila.

Overnight at Ahmedabad.

Today we do a full day excursion to Pavagadh & Dakor temple.

Pavagadh : Most of the Hindus in India have faith in goddess Mahakali, particularly from the western region covering the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan & Maharashtra. The famous and the oldest temple of Mahakaili is situated at Pavagadh, near Vadodara, one of the main cities of Gujarat. The temple has become the place of the piligrimage for almost all Hindus in India. This temple is among the three main Shaktipeeths in Gujarat.

It has been said in Hindu Shastras that after the famous Tandava dance of Lord Shiva, the various parts of the body of Sati fell at many places. These places are called Shaktipeets. It is said that the left breast of the Sati had fallen here at Pavagadh. As the name suggests, the temple is located on a mountain, near to the Champaner town.

Dakor: An interesting legend relates how Lord Krishna came to reveal himself at Dakor (Kaira District) leaving his Dwarka abode. In olden times a Krishna devotee named Bholanath used to walk all the way to Dwarka from Dakor on every full moon night to worship his beloved Krishna. The all-knowing God noticed the difficulties which his devotee was undergoing. The god told Bholanath when he was visiting Dwarka that he need not walk all the way to distant Dwarka as he had decided to stay at Dakor (Dhankpuri of olden times). So God accompanied him to Dakor.
The priests at Dwarka temple were naturally upset at the turn of events. They somehow or other wanted to get backthe stone-idol of Ranchhodrai (Krishna). Both at Dwarka and Dakor Krishna is known Ranchhodrai. It is said that he ran away from battle when Kalyavan attacked him as an ally of Jarasandh. So Krishna is called Ranchhodrai - one who ran away from the battle. The priest of Dwarka knew that Bholanath was a poor man. So they told him that he should either pay for the stone idol in gold or return it. The
only golden ornament the poor devotee had was his wife's nose ring. When the idol and the nose ring were placed in the scales they were found to be equal in weight. That is how Krishna changed his residence from Dwarka to Dakor for the convenience of a devotee. The belief is the Krishna idol of Dakor was originally from Dwarka.
On every Sharad Purnlma a big fAir Is held at Dakor. Gujaratis venerate Krishna and Dakor provides an important link in this.

After a hearty breakfast, check out from hotel and travel to Ahmedabad International Airport by Air Conditioned vehicle to board the flight for home town. (Reach 3 hours prior for international flights).