Eastern Gujarat

If ‘Indian palace hotels’ evoke an immediate picture of Rajasthan – think again. Gujarat’s share of superb regal inheritances offers sound competition to her neighbouring state – many scattered around her northern borders.

Since Ahmedabad will be invariably be the place you first land in, prepare for noise, dust, traffic chaos, crowds…never mind, use this opportunity to taste Gujarat first – this city has the most incredible eating houses.  Even though the more orderly Gandhinagar close by is the capital, ‘Amdavad’ as this city is known is the biggest, with its international airport and is the central point from where to take off on road journeys all over Gujarat.

Your palace-hopping tour could take you to meet several ‘Sinhs’ – (lions), a surname attached to owners of princely abodes, usually rising cheek-by-jowl with the village that once served them. And now, in an interesting role reversal, they serve the village, by ensuring modern day urgencies like electricity, water, medical care… for the tourist, this means a joyous welcome into their sparkling homes, as you are guests of their beloved ‘yuvaraj’(Prince). Gujarat has scorching, cruel summers, water is hard to come by – and you’ll appreciate the ways these enlightened families help them cope. Especially because they personally ensure that tourism dollars go a long way in keeping local crafts alive, educate their young, and respect the environment – despite little help from their state government that focuses largely on industries.

And they’ll personally accompany you to dinosaur parks and to sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation; unknown spectacular temples, bird-watching, wild-life safaris, and their unique ‘step-wells’ – all guaranteed to blow you away with their beauty!

Highlights

  • Heritage preservation is big here
  • Rural stopovers are still proudly “Gujarati”; hence an unspoilt charm
  • Incredible Jain temple sculptures in very clean settings
  • Remnants of one of the oldest ever civilisations
  • Unspoilt, uncrowded beaches in the southern coast
  • The famed, many-splendoured Gujarati food, a favourite with foreigners

Places to Visit & Stay

Poshina

A charming village you can explore from Darbargadh Poshina – a seemingly endless Palace, with several rooms and hidden gardens – yet the hosts are everywhere! Personally ensuring your comfort, or telling you not to miss making an early morning wish at the Army of Terracotta horses (astounding!) at the Poshina village. The Sinhs have done so much good with tourism money, in creating self-sustaining water solutions for Poshina village – with hands-on help from some very committed European guests.

Danta

Its foremost attraction: the Bhavani Villa Palace, way up on a hill, so you’ll really feel like king of all you survey. The owners rate ‘conversations’ as one of the main reasons they love welcoming travellers here; so enjoy your enlightening chats! Many photo opportunities wandering around their old abandoned palace alongside, and speechless moments at the Khumbariya Jain temples the hosts will drive you to.  Horse riding enthusiasts can enjoy a quick gallop around their environment-friendly farmlands.

Chitrasani

Here there is no crumbling palace…but a superbly restored, gigantic heritage property – with exquisite gardens to make you feel like the Mughal emperor Shah Jehan on an evening walk!  Chitrasani is a great location to take off to many interesting local destinations nearby.  At the Balaram Palace, gardens are intelligently planned to assist in rain-water flow, an ancient spring-water source that is a rare ‘natural’ pool to swim in, fresh vegetarian organic delights (especially their orange juice!) are some of the ways you’ll feel happy to be in this eco-sensitive destination.

Eastern Gujarat