Today morning drive to Dasada / Bajana 97 km enroute visiting Adalaj Stepwell, Modhera Sun Temple & Patan.
Adalaj Step-well : Situated 17 km north of Ahmedabad, this step well at the village of Adalaj is another fine example of magnificent architectural form. ‘Adalaj Vav’ is richly carved. Every pillar and wall surface is covered with leaves, flowers, birds, fishes and friezes of ornamental designs.
Modhera: The Sun temple of Modhera is one of the finest examples of Indian architecture of its period. Built in 1026 A.D. the temple is dedicated to the Sun-God, Surya and stands high on a plinth overlooking a deep stone-steeped tank. Every inch of the edifice, both inside and outside is magnificently carved with Gods and Goddesses, birds, beasts and flowers. Sun Temple of Modhera was built by King Bhimdev I (1026-27) and bears some resemblance to the later and far better known, Sun Temple of Konark in the state of Orissa, which it predates by some 200 years. Like that temple, it was designed so that the dawn sun shone on the image of Surya, the sun God, at the time of the equinoxes. The main hall and shrine are reached through a pillared porch and the temple exterior is intricately and delicately carved. As with the temple of Somnath, this fine temple was ruined by Mahmud of Ghazni.
Patan: Home of the famous patola silk saris, Patan is a beautiful old town with Jain temples and carved wooden houses. Rani ki vav (step well) is an excellent example of subterranean architecture of Gujarat. The exclusively carved side walls, pillars, beams, series of steps & platforms lead to the elaborately carved water well. Every surface is adorned with finely chiselled sculptures of maidens & Hindu deities, religious motifs & geometrical patterns. Drive to Dasada/Bajana for an overnight stay in a hotel.
Enjoy a morning safari to Little Rann of Kutch today. Kutch’s Little Rann: The Asiatic Wild Ass, also known as the “Gudkhur,” is a critically endangered species that is native to the area and the sanctuary’s main attraction. Nilgai, black buck antelope, chinkara gazelles, Indian wolves, Indian desert foxes, jackals, and smaller cats are among more creatures that might be spotted. A haven for bird watchers as well. The main dryland birds include Mcqueen’s houbara bustards, chestnut-bellied and spotted sandgrouse, Indian coursedrs, 13 species of larks and sparrow larks, 5 species of quails (including buttonquails), thick-knee, desert warblers, desert & variable wheatears, aquila eagles, short-toed snake eagles, six species Vulture species have been identified as five.Apart from all these you can hope to see greater & lesser flamingo, three speices of pelican, spoonbill, demoiselle & common cranes, and a number of ducks in flocks of several thousand during winters.
Post lunch, an excursion to Wadhwan, the historic walled town is centre for bandhni tie & dye weaving and metal crafts.
Today, after breakfast, drive to Mandvi. Mandvi is located on the banks of the Rukmavati River, barely a km from the Arabian Sea at the Gulf of Kutch. The town has a very pleasant climate throughout the year and was a summer retreat of the Kutch Maharaos. The center of attraction at Mandvi is the Vijay Vilas Palace, a royal abode set in the middle of well-laid gardens with water channels and marble fountains. The architect and craftsmen from Jaipur designed and constructed the palace in 1920 AD. The palace has all the elements of Rajput architecture and draws largely on the plan of palaces of Orchha and Datia. The central high dome on the pillars, the Bengal domes on sides, the windows with coloured glass, carved stone jails, domed bastions at the corners, extended porch and other exquisitely stone carved elements, make the palace worth visiting. It owns a private beach, maintained in an eco-friendly manner to preserve its pristine beauty. For these reasons, this palace has been used as the setting in many Hindi films and has now become a popular tourist destination.
Mandvi has some very beautiful houses belonging to rich merchants. Their architectural style reflects the fusion of Indian & European styles of architecture. The Swaminarayan temple is also one such example with it’s brightly painted exterior and elaborate plaster decorations. Other interesting buildings are a girls’ high school (a former palace) built by Rao Lakhpat (1741-60 AD) and a light house. This old palace is a replica of the Aaina Mahal of Bhuj, with intricate stone carvings. There is a wind farm on a picturesque beach nearby. Overnight at MANDVI.
Gondal: Two mansion guest homes opened as heritage hotels include the Riverside Palace in Gondal, a government of India-designated heritage hotel, and the Orchard Palace in the same town. These properties’ interiors are furnished with antiques, period pieces, and other items from the Raj era. The Royal Garages, which house vintage and classic cars, and the Naulakha Palace, which is a festival of stone carvings and houses royal memorabilia including toys from the late 19th and early 20th century, silver caskets that carried messages and gifts for the Maharajah, elephant howdahs, and royal portaits, are the highlights of staying at these properties. A renovated railroad waggon serves as the royal saloon suite, which has its own drawing room, dining room, bedroom, and bathroom. Overnight
Drive to Junagadh after breakfast, stopping in Jetpur (31 km) along the way to see its screen- and block-printing studios and yarn-dyeing centre.
At the base of Mount Girnar, which is covered in temples, and on the northern edge of the Gir forest, Junagadh is located in the Saurashtra area. The fort that surrounded the mediaeval town is where the city gets its name.
Return to Gondal to spend the night.
Drive to Rajkot (39 km) to take a flight to Mumbai or to the airport in Ahmedabad to continue your journey.
