9 Places to Visit near Rajkot within 100 kms (2024)

Ideally located at the confluence of Nagamati River and Rangmati River, Jamnagar is a city on the coast of the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat. About 92 km from Rajkot, and 310 km from Ahmedabad, it one of the famous Gujarat tourist places.

Often called the Jewel of Kathiawar, Jamnagar is an industrial city of Gujarat brimming with exquisite Rajput architecture and a pristine coastline. Ranjit Singh reconstructed the city on European town planning principles, under the guidance of Sir Edward Lutyens - architect of New Delhi. Jamnagar is also known as the Chhoti Kashi as the whole town is dotted with several Hindu and Jain temples, which are the must-visit attractions as part of Jamnagar holiday packages.

Known as one of the stunning destinations of Gujarat, Jamnagar is home to the first marine sanctuary in India and the largest oil refinery in the world. Pratap Vilas Palace, Ranmal Lake, Lakhota Palace and Museum, Bala Hanuman Temple, Darbar Gadh, Adinath Jain Temple, and Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary are some of the top tourist places in Jamnagar.

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Located in the foothills of Mount Girnar, Junagadh is the seventh-largest city in Gujarat, and among the best tourist places in Gujarat. It is about 91 km from Somnath, 103 km from Rajkot, and 319 km from Ahmedabad.

The literal meaning of the term 'Junagadh' is an 'old fort' which derives from Uparkot, an ancient fort built in the 4th century CE on a plateau in the middle of the town, and is the major attraction of Junagadh holiday packages. Besides, Mahabat Maqbara, Durbar Hall Museum, Mount Girnar, Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden, Ashoka's Rock Edicts, and Buddhist Caves are some of the best Junagadh tourist places.

Influenced by four major religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Islam, the city is home to many festivals that are celebrated throughout the year. The major festival celebrated in Junagadh is Bhavnath Fair held on Mahashivratri and is celebrated with much fanfare all over the city. Besides, Parikrama in October / November and Navratri are the other festivals celebrated in Junagadh with great enthusiasm.

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At a distance of 41 km from Junagadh and 66 km from Rajkot, Khambhalida Caves are the ancient rock-cut Buddhist caves situated at Khambhalida village in the Rajkot district of Gujarat. Also known as Rajkot Caves, it is one of the popular historical places to visit near Rajkot.

Dating back to the 4th or 5th century AD, the Khambhalida Caves are a group of three Buddhist caves situated at the foot of a small hill on the banks of a spring. These Caves were discovered in 1958 by P. P. Pandya, a prominent archeologist. It is said that they were carved in the limestone rocks by the Saint of Dinyan Branch of the Buddha tradition. It is also said that many Buddha Saints from Junagadh came to these caves for meditation and there is an inscription on a stone here that states Asoka might have come to this place for his meditation.

Among the three caves, the central one contains the stupa which is known as the chaitya cave. The entrance of the chaitya is flanked by two large sculptures of the Bodhisattvas. On the right is the figure of Padmapani under an Asoka-like tree with a female companion and five attendants. There is a yaksha-like dwarf on the left of it holding a basket. The figure on the left side of the entrance is probably Vajrapani and this sculpture is considered as one of the most ancient ones in India. The second such sculpture of Vajrapani came into existence 400-500 years thereafter at Cave No.2 of ...

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At a distance of 42 km from Rajkot Junction, the Rampara Wildlife Sanctuary is a dense woodland situated near Khijadiya village near Rajkot, Gujarat. It is one of the major places of wildlife in Gujarat, and among the best places to visit as part of Rajkot packages. It has been selected as an alternate place for the Asiatic lion breeding center in Gujarat.

A former shooting reserve owned by the erstwhile princely state of Wankaner, Rampara was acquired by the government in 1975, declared as a reserve forest in 1983, and notified as a Sanctuary in 1988 to protect the natural vegetation and the wildlife of the area. Covers over an area of around 15 sq. km, the sanctuary is located near the river of Machchhu, which is drained by two streams named Pat a gala vonklo and Vaghrigalo vonklo.

Among the best wildlife sanctuaries near Rajkot, the sanctuary has plain terrain in the middle with hillocks at the periphery and undulating terrain in between. The shrubby land spread with patches of grasses harbors a large number of species of plants, birds, and mammals. The Rampara Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajkot is renowned for housing an entire troop of mammoth antelopes, regarded as the Indian Blue Bulls, popularly addressed by the name 'Nilgai'. Other animals like wolf, jackal, hyena, common fox, and ...

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At a distance of 46 km from Junagadh and 60 km from Rajkot, Jalaram Bapa Mandir is a Hindu temple located in Virpur near Rajkot, Gujarat. Situated near Kodhaldham Temple, it is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in Gujarat and among the best places to visit in Rajkot.

Jalaram Bapa popularly known as Bapa was a Hindu saint born in 1799 to Pradhan Thakkar and Rajbai Thakkar in the village of Virpur, Gujarat. His mother Rajbai Thakkar was very fond of saints and sadhus and no saint could go from Virpur without receiving the hospitality of Rajbai. He was a devotee of the Hindu god Rama. At the age of 18, Jalaram Bapa became a disciple of Shri Bhojalram of Fatehpur. With blessings of his guru, he started 'Sadavrat', a feeding center for sadhus and saints as well as the needy. This tradition of feeding people continues to this day in Virpur.

The temple is an actual resident house of Jalaram Bapa where he lived till his last breath. The main attraction in the temple is the portrait picture of Jalaram Bapa and original photo of Bapa which has been taken before one year of his death. The idol of Bapa is in standing posture wearing a white turban and a dhoti- kurta and holding a stick in the left hand.

Jalaram Bapa's birthday is celebrated at the temple with great pomp every year on 7th day Shukla paksha of the Hindu month of Kartika. A huge fair is conducted at Virpur on the occasion and millions of devotees visit Virpur to pay their respect to the saint and have ...

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At a distance of 7 km from Virpur, 47 km from Junagadh and 67 km from Rajkot, Shree Kodhaldham Temple is a holy temple situated near Kavgad in Gujarat. Located on Virpur-Jetpur road, it is one of the popular religious places in Gujarat and among the must visit temples as part of Rajkot Packages.

Dedicated to Maa Khodiyar, the foundation stone for the temple was laid in the year 2012 and was opened for the public in 2017. Built by Shri Kodhaldham Trust of Leuva Patel community, Shree Khodaldham Temple is one of the largest comprehensive Hindu Temples, measures 299 feet long and 135 feet high. The temple houses the idols of Maa Khodiyar along with Maa Amba, Maa Bahuchar, Maa Verai, Maa Mahakali, Annapurna, Gaurtal, Randal, Butbhavani, Momai, Chamunda and Shihori.

Khodaldham has a distinctive architecture that displays the tradition of Leuva Patel community. Its unique architecture and spiritual aura make this temple a must visit for the devotees as well as tourists. Besides Khodaldham, one can also visit the temples of Shri Mahadeva, Shri Ram Darbar, Shri Radhakrishna, Shri Shrinathaji, Shri Ganesha and Shri Hanuman in Khodaldham temple complex. There is a big garden beside the temple maintained by the forest department, housed with many plants both medicinal, and flowering. The temple authorities also provide battery operated vehicles for senior citizens. Besides, refreshment stalls outside the temple provide snacks and local food items.

Timings: 6 AM - 9 ...

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At a distance of 10 km from Junagadh Junction, Girnar Hill is a sacred mountain situated in Junagadh, Gujarat. It is one of the popular Jain places of pilgrimage in Gujarat, and among the must-visit places as part of Junagadh Tour.

Spread over an area of about 70 miles, Mount Girnar is older than the Himalayas and the Jain temples upon it are amongst the most ancient in the country. It has five principal peaks Ambaji, Gorakhnath, Guru Dattatreya, Oghad Ansuya and Kalika. Out of these, Gorakhnath is situated at an altitude of 3672 feet and is the highest point in Gujarat. For centuries, Mount Girnar has been one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Gujarat and indeed in all of Western India, with 866 Hindu and Jain temples spread over its 5 summits. For Jains, this place is considered holy as this is the Nirvana Kshetra of 22nd Tirthankara Neminath and for Hindus, this place is considered holy as Dattatreya stayed here.

One will have to climb 10000 steps to reach the final summit. Trek to Girnar Hill starts from Girnar Talati, which is about 6 km from Junagadh Junction. While ascending the stone path that connects the temples along the 5 summits, one will pass temples of many different sects of Hinduism. Among the must-visit sightseeing places in Junagadh, the Bhavnath temple dedicated ...

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At a distance of 16 km from Jamnagar Railway Station, Khijadiya is a bird sanctuary located at Khijadiya Village in the Jamnagar district of Gujarat. Situated off the coast of Kutch, it is one of the popular bird sanctuaries in Gujarat, and among the must include places in Jamnagar sightseeing packages.

Covering an area of about 6 Sq.km, the Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary is unique having both freshwater lakes, salt, and freshwater marshlands. It was officially declared as a sanctuary in 1982. However, it became a natural habitat for local and migratory birds before India's independence when the then rulers constructed a small check dam on Ruparel River for storing the waters. This dam created a unique ecosphere with the freshwater lakes on one side and the salty water of the sea forming marshes on the other to support not only a variety of fauna but also flora. The main sanctuary covers the area around the Ruparel and Kalindi rivers towards the northeast of Jamnagar.

Among the major Jamnagar tourist places, the sanctuary is a true heaven for all bird lovers as it is home to more than 250 species of resident and migratory birds, including globally threatened species such as Dalmatian pelican, Asian openbill stork, Black-necked stork, Darter, Black-headed ibis, Eurasian spoonbill, and Indian skimmer. ...

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At a distance of 10 km from Jamnagar Railway Station, Pirotan Island is an island situated in the Gulf of Kutch near Jamnagar. It is one of the beautiful islands in Gujarat and among the top places to visit in Jamnagar.

Spreads over an area of 3 Sq. km, Pirotan Island is one of the 42 islands which compose the first Marine National Park in India. It is one of the two islands in the Marine National Park opened for tourists, other one being Narara Island. Pirotan Island is a gem for the people who love nature and adventure as it gives an opportunity to witness the colourful coral reefs, mangroves, and incredible aquatic creatures like jelly fish, octopus, star fish, sea snakes, hermit crabs, sea horse, sea slugs, green sea turtles and dolphins. One can also spot some beautiful birds such as pelicans, herring gull, sea gull, and black-headed gull in the unruffled setting of nature.

Pirotan was originally known as 'Pir jo thaan' signifying the sacred place of Saint Khwaja Khizer Rahmatullahialaih. The holy shrine of the saint is also located on the island. The island also houses a lighthouse. The island is uninhabited except for the workers at Pirotan Island's lighthouse, the forest guard, and the Mujhavar (Server) at the Holy Saint Khwaja Khizer shrine. Most visitors come in the morning with the high tide and leave by evening. So, one can spend hours walking around the tidal flats at low tide, observing the fascinating marine life in solitude.

Pirotan Island ...

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