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Gandhidham
Brief
Gandhidham was specially built for displaced persons after partition. It is a well-planned and prosperous city. Monument of Mahatma Gandhi and the other temples are a treat to the eyes. Khavada is famous for its handicrafts and the Flamingo colony can be approached from here. Bhadreshwar, nearby, is a famous Jain pilgrimage centre. The architecture of the temple is such that the presiding deity is visible from the ground floor as the first floor. Other local monuments include a step-well, a mosque and a palace. Kandla a major port, the only free trade zone of the country, is very close by.
History
The Maharaj of Kachchh, gave Gandhidham to the Sindhi refugees from Pakistan, on the condition, that they develop a major township, which was necessary to develop Kandla port, then an isolated creek. Being good businessmen and a hardworking race, the Sindhis agreed and Gandhidham is now a well-planned, prosperous city.
Culture
The Institute of Sindhology offers an insight into Sindhi literature and culture. With a view to harness the cosmopolitan culture of Gandhidham under one roof, the Shah Latif Art Centre, under the aegis of the Bharatmuni Trust was recently inaugurated. The centre aims to preserve and promote traditional arts like dance, drama, painting, music, sculpture, handicrafts etc.
Climate & Geogaphical Location
Gandhinagar has a moderate climate with pleasant mornings and evenings, especially in summer. While summers are very hot and dry and can shoot upto 45 degrees, in winter it drops down to as low as 2 degrees. Gandhinagar is located around 60 Km from Bhuj in the Saurashtra belt.
How to Reach
Gandhidham is well connected by rail, road and air. By air, the nearest airport is at Bhuj at 60 Km and is well connected to Mumbai. By rail, the nearest railhead is at Gandhidham and is well connected to different parts of the country. By road, State transport buses and private luxury coaches connect various centres of Gujarat. By sea, the nearest seaport is at Kandla at 16 Km.
Tourist Places
Bhadreshwar.
It is a famous Jain pilgrimage centre. The architecture of the ancient Shiva temple is such, that the presiding deity is visible from the ground floor as well as the first floor, with some beautiful sculpture chiselled on the outer walls. Other local monuments include a step well, Sol Thambhi Mosque, Jagdu Shah Palace, Lal Shabhar Mosque, Chokunda Mahadev Temple - a visit that will expose you to many religious traditions of India, congregated in one region.
Bhuj..
Bhuj, a flourishing walled city is the most important town in the area. The old part of this walled town is a tightly packed maze of narrow winding streets, where horse drawn tongas go about their business and the odd camel trundles past. It is a town with some character, where you breathe the air of the past, rub shoulders with tribal people turned out in colourful traditional costumes and where friendly shopkeepers in the bazaar have not learnt the art of high-pressure sales. An ancient city that reflects the very essence of the region, it is embellished with fine monuments, palaces and gardens in a windswept land.
Others
KERA - Kera finds a place on the tourist map mainly due to the 10th century Shiv temple. The town was destroyed in the earthquake of 1819. At the Muslim shrine of Gulam Ali Shah, Urs is held every year attracting devotees from all faiths.
KHAVADA - It is a historical place and is famous for its handicrafts and cattle rearing in Banni.
PURNESHWAR - It is about 35 Km from Bhuj. It is a 9th/10th century AD temple, raised on a high plinth and has some fine sculptures on display.