Bhuj-Kutch-Dwarka-Girnar-Somnath - Quick tour

 25^th March:

Our pre-booked train was scheduled at 3:20pm, but we were a little bit late. After taking an auto from Badarpur Border, we reach Old Delhi railway station approx 3:15pm & were able to catch the train at the last moment.

26^th March:  Mehasana, Patan

As per our planning, we have decided to deboard the train at Mehsana which was approx 30-40km away from Ahmedabad. Our train reached Mehasana at 5:20am. We get to know that there was no train for Patan in the morning. Due to covid, a single train was running between Patan & Mehsana was in the evening approx 8:05pm. So we got re-fresh using station toilet. Then we asked the local people regarding the Patan bus. They informed us that we would get a bus from the nearby Bus stop.

So we reached the bus stop but came to know there was no direct bus for Patan, Rani ki Vav. And they told that we got a directly shared cab from Radhanpur Chowk. So we took an auto & reached Radhanpur Chowk. From there we took an eco share car to reach Patan. The road was awesome, There was no pothole in the road. So we reached Patan within 1hr.

After reaching Patan chowk we took another auto to reach “Rani ki vav” as it was 5km far from Patan chowk. It was an ASI monument. As per the current rule, they asked to book tickets using an online app. But we were not able to complete the payment page. There was no offline option. There was a guard who suggested us to go inside without a ticket & took the ticket when we left the monument.

We entered the park. Yes, it was a large park & inside the park, the stepwell is situated. The stepwell is awesome. It was a seven-storied structure & only 5 stories are accessible. The design is mind-blowing. Every curve was so beautiful that we can not express beauty by words.

After these monuments, we decided to visit “Shasra Linga Tank”. It was approx 1.5km from “Rani ki Vav”. We started walking as the road was quite straightforward. It was just a way to circulate or store water & not well maintained. However, it was not worth visiting.

After that, we decided to visit Modhera Sun temple. Though, as per Google, there was a way to go to Modhera from Rani ki vav, but the bus conductor was misguided us & we reached Mehsana bus terminal again. Then we asked some local people how to reach the Sun temple. They informed us that there was a share auto option to reach there. The auto driver told us this time he was not going temple, they would like to leave us nearby chowk from where the temple distance is approx 1.5Km.

We took that auto & reached the Chowk. Using Google map we were easily able to reach the temple. Thank God, this time there was an offline ticket option. We took the ticket & entered the temple area.

The temple was beautiful. There were two buildings, Each one was curved beautifully. The design inside & outside was awesome. There was a little pond i.e stepwell, in front of the temple. There were some small turtles.

Then we came back to again Mehasana Bus stop & took a bus for Ahmedabad. We have planned to visit Sabarmati Ashram and the bus route was near the Ashram, but Google showed us that it was “temporarily closed”. So we decided to reach the Geeta Mandir Bus stop.

From here we took an auto for Swaminarayan Temple which was the first such type of temple in Ahmedabad. This was a normal temple nothing special also not large that we normally find.

From there we went to Jami Masjid & nearby cloth market. There was a large market till Teen Darwaja, but we just roaming sometime here & there.

Approx 7:30pm, we entered the Ahmedabad Station & took a rest for 4 hrs in the waiting room. As we have a train for Bhuj at 12:30am. We boarded the train & went to sleep.

27^th March: Bhuj

We had reached Bhuj approx 6:20am. Then with the help of Google, we reached the “Nilkunth Bhuvan” Dharamshala which was approx 1.5Km from the railway station. There was a dormitory option as well as a room option. We came to know there was no guest in the dormitory. So we decided to take dormitory provision which charged 350/- per head per day with 3 times food.

They asked us to take breakfast quickly as the breakfast option will be closed approx 8:30am. There was a hall for breakfast. We went there. They asked us to take the plate & bowel & a glass. On the plate, they provided us some snacks made with rice powder, fried rice (muri with namken) & in the bowl they gave us tea. The glass is typically used for buttermilk. The taste was awesome. Maybe we were hungry or we did not expect a better breakfast within 350/ budget.

They asked us to confirm whether we will take our lunch or not. We agreed. After taking a short & quick bath, we decided to visit Prag Mahal which was approx 1.2Km from the Dharamshala. Using Google Maps we had reached there. This was an old palace & it was as usual. After that, we visited Aina Mahal which was just after Prag mahal. It was 11:30am. We decided to take our lunch & went to Mandavi which is not so far from Bhuj.

After taking lunch which contains roti with ghee two sabji, Khichdi & buttermilk, we went to the Bhuj bus stop from where we got a bus for Mandavi easily. We took Auto to reach Vijay Vilas palace which was approx more than 10km from the bus stop. This palace was not so extraordinary. Anyway, we visited every nook & corner of the palace. We came to know some famous film was suited in this palace.

When we left the palace there was no option to come back to the city. We did not find any human beings there. Only some 4 wheelers pass us. We thought about how we can come back to the city as walking 10km is not possible. We did not find any house anywhere near The road. Then by chance, we found one couple also coming back from the palace who offered us the ride. We happily took the auto ride to reach Mandavi Beach & share the auto fare with them.

The beach was so cool. We were crazy to touch the water. There were lots of different types of boats & Baloon using which one can go little bit inside the sea. However, we did not opt for any of the options. We enjoyed the wave & movement of the water. Far away, the blue water touches the sky. Though there were some breaking waves near the seashore it seemed to us the sea was calm after 500mtr.

After enjoying the first view of the Arabian Sea, we taste the famous Bhuj Dabeli. It was nothing but a pao-filling with some spicy & tasty bhaji. Then we came back to the Bhuj Bus stop again & took the bus for Bhuj. There was a shipyard near the bus stop where two large ships were in progress mode.

After reaching the Bhuj bus stop, we asked the inquiry section regarding the bus for Koteswar which was another corner of Bhuj. We came to know there were some bus services are also available but the timing is minimal. The first bus was 5:30am, next was 7:30am. We decided to take the first bus in the morning.

When we reached the Dharamshala, we decide to ask them regarding the options to visit Kutch White desert. They informed us there is no other way except private cab booking. We already got the same information from the bus stand. The receptionist of the Dharamshala informed us they knew some car driver who can give us this service. So they called the person & we asked the rate & timing. As per the discussion, it was decided that we would like to opt for the service day after tomorrow. Actually, the charges were Rs. 3000/-. As this was off-season so we thought it should be a little bit less. So we did not confirm the person on the spot.

28^th March: Koteswar

Today we wake up approx 4:30am. & started walking to reach Bus stop. It was a little bit late as our mobile showed it is approx 5:20am. When we reached the bus stop the bus left the stop. Due to language problems were not able to read the bus name. We asked in the inquiry section & they confirmed the bus left the stand just now. We decided to catch the bus as the next one was 7:30am. So we requested one of the auto drivers to help us to catch the bus. The driver was easily agreed & took Rs.50/- bucks & drive his auto like an airplane to catch the desired bus. At last, We were able to catch the bus.

It was a long bus journey. The bus took 4hrs to reach the Koteswar.In between, it took 5-10 mints halts in multiple places. There were lots of Windmill here & there. We came to know anyone can invest in this windmill & some of the windmill’s owner is Amitabh Bachhan also. The bus passes “Narayan Sarovar” which is as per Hindu mythology is the sacred Sarovar & comparable to Manas Sarovar. We decided we would like to visit during our return journey.

After reaching Koteswar, we visited the temple. We were not so religious, so instead of the temple, the sea was attracted us more. The sea covered the temple on three sides. There was not permitted to go to the sea beach or more specifically, there was no sea beach. All sides were covered by bolder & army police posted there to guard the area as this is not so far from Pakistan Border.

If you find the Koteswar temple image, then you can see the area is the last point on the west. Though the public was not allowed to go tip of the land but you can feel that there is only water and the road exists only on your back. The sea was quite calm there. The salty air with scorching heat would not allow us to spend more time there. We decided to go back & visit Narayan Sarovar.

Again there was no provision to go there which was 1.5km away from Koteswar. Though there was a single road & the road would pass the places, but no one agreed to help us. So we decided to walk the 1.5km.

By walking we reached the Narayan Sarovar. It was not so interesting. There was a pond only with green water. The water is green as it was not clean. I personally not feeling it sacred or holy in this pond.

Anyway, we got the direct bus from Narayan Sarovar to Bhuj. During our journey, we came to know to visit Lakhpat fort, we need to book a personal cab which is not available from there. From Bhuj, one can book a personal cab.

After reaching Bhuj, we took an auto to visit the Swami Narayan temple in Bhuj. This is the same structure that we found in Delhi. The large temple surrounding a large garden & parking area. The inner structure is almost the same as the Delhi Akshar Dham temple.

It was approx 4:30pm, We decided to visit Shyad bugh which was near to our Dharmashala. This was a residential palace of the king of Kutch. Though the palace was damaged by the 2010 earth quack, the structure was beautiful. The whole area is nothing but a lawn & the palace is situated at the center of the lawn.

We came back to our room approx 7:00pm. We talked to the car driver for the White desert visit. He confirmed that we should start our day at approx 11am & will come back Bhuj at approx 7 pm as there was a direct bus to Dwarka at 8pm & 8:30pm. After getting dinner we took a rest for the day.

29^th March: White Desert

Today morning we have decided to leave the room as we would spend the whole day outside & took a bus in the night. But they asked us to take the breakfast though we left the room. They were too helpful, that they suggested using the toilet & take rest in the room until the driver will come.

We were impressed so much by their service. Such helpfulness we never expect from any hotel.

We started our day a little bit early to visit the Chattedi of Bhuj. It was not so far. It was a royal place with lots of structure for the memory of the king. The biggest one King of Lakhpat. It was really mind-blowing. The sculpture & the curvings are awesome. All the sculpture seems to us just a live creature. Though it was marked as “ASI” monuments, there was no sign of maintenance.

Then we came back to our room and waited for the driver. The driver’s name is Lakshman. We started at about 11:00 am. Lakshman suggested visiting Kala dungar first & then White desert. I told him that we wanted to visit the India bridge also. He told me it is nothing but a simple bridge & there is no specialty. But I wanted to go there.

After crossing approx 20km from Bhuj, I just saw a signboard where it was mentioned that cancer of tropic is passing through there. But before realizing it properly our car crosses a few kilometers. I asked Lakshman regarding this & he confirmed that we would stop there during our return visit. Then after approx 40-50km, Lakshman suggested us to take mawa from the roadside shop which is quite famous there. We took two mawa of different price. It was good.  

The road was quite good & smooth, not so wide due to construction work, but there was not a single pothole. 

When we reached India Bridge, we came to know photoshoot is not allowed there. This is the only bridge between the mainland & the opposite side of the river. This bridge is too much important for the Indian army & getting permission from the proper authority they will allow us to visit the endpoint of that area. We just met one of the guards there who provided us some water. Just saying goodbye to him, we started our journey to Kala dungar.

Approx 20km from Kala Dungar, there was a magnetic zone where the vehicle goes automatically. Lakshman showed us the same. He stopped the car, but the car went opposite side automatically.

I read some articles where it was mentioned that due to decent road structure it happens. But in reality, it was not so. I don’t know what is right or wrong.

When we reached the top of the Kala Dungar, there was a temple of Saint Datrateyo where free lunch is provided after the prayer. They also provide food to Jackle but the time was 11:30 am. We were late so not able to view those happenings.

We took our lunch there. It was poori, sabji, rice & Bundi along with buttermilk. Then we went to the other side of the temple from where one can view the white desert, the India bridge. Some people told us from this side one can easily cross India Pakistan border however there was some soft sand in the white desert due to this one can lose his balance & get lost. The view was awesome though the scorching heat did not allow us to spend more time there. Then we started our journey towards the White desert which was approx 35km.

As this is the offseason, so there was no one on the road. At the entry point, guards just noted our name & id number. During the Kutch festival, they charge approx Rs.100/- per head along with car charges. When we entered the White desert we found the remaining of the tent that was used during the festival. Lakshman told us 5km of the surrounding area will be turned into another world during the festival. Local shops along with colorful tents, the different cultural program makes this place nothing but a festive area. He showed us some Bhunga from outside.

We reached the car stand of White desert, after which the car is not allowed. Only Camel or some camel-drawn carts are allowed there. We found lots of camels are here & there. We asked a little boy for a camel ride. Firstly he asked Rs. 600/- per head, after little bargaining he was agreed to Rs.300/- for both of us.

We went approx 2km inside the desert. After reaching there the surrounding was different. It seemed like we are standing in some white land, except white there is no other color. Can able to spot some black spot which was another camels. The salt above the land clearly shown the structure of water. We tried to break some salt & found that the salt is a layer above the wetland. The camel owner told us that the salt is of no use, as this is not solid. Even Govt. does not use it. As per them, it is just a waste. After spending some time we came back to the car stand & started our journey towards Bhuj.

This time we took a stop near the signboard where it is mentioning the “tropic of cancer” pass from there. After taking some quick snaps, we started our journey back to Bhuj.

We reached Bhuj approx 6:00 PM Though today is Holi, there is no sign of Holi celebration anywhere. We asked the local people & they told us that it is not a whole day celebration here, people used to play Holi 2hrs in the morning. Anyway, after taking a quick bath from the Dharamshala (yes, they allowed us to not only use the toilet but also use the room) we went to the bus stop to take the bus for Dwarka.

Reaching the bus stop, we came to know that on-spot booking provision is not available. So we asked some other people & they suggested talking to the bus driver regarding the same. The bus conductor told us to take a seat though there were no vacant seats. Anyway, We took the seat. In between the journey, the conductor asked us to change the seat multiple times.

30^th March: Dwarka

Anyway, we reached Dwarka morning at 6:20 am. After reaching the Dwarka bus stop, we decided to book the room. We started walking towards the Dwarka temple area & find a hotel where they were ready to give room Rs.600/- per day with a 24hrs checkout option. We took a quick bath there & started walking towards Dwarka Sabji Market from where the municipality conducted the Dwarka tour facility available. When we reached there we came to know due to fewer travelers the operation is not working nowadays. They informed us that we can opt private tour also. The cost was the same for private as well as municipality tours. We talked to a private operator & booked our seats. Then we took our breakfast with Dhokla & samosa.

The tour would include four-spot like Rukhmini Temple, Gopi talav, Nageswar temple & Bet Dwarka

We first reached Rukhmini temple. This is a not very old temple with a very modern God’s sculpture. It was not impressive anymore & not worth visiting.

After that, we visited Gopi talav, only a pond with lots of fish.

Next was the Nageswar temple, again a normal shiv temple with a giant Shiv idol.

Next, we need to opt for the ferry from the Okha jetty to reach the temple. This ferry journey was awesome which help to remove all the day’s pain. The ferry cost was Rs. 20/- per head. We reached the beyt Dwarka which is a small island. There was a large temple. The outside design of the temple is good, but the inside is nothing. Maybe I am not religious so did not feel any special feeling there.

After spending some time we again crossed the sea & reached the mainland. Our bus left us in the same Market area from where it was started the journey at about 2:00pm. We then decided to visit Shivrajpur beach. As per the Facebook review, it was a calm & clean beach near Dwarka.

We asked auto drivers regarding the beach. They charged approx. 250-300/- for the same.

One of the auto drivers suggested us to take local auto which goes towards Mithapur & asked the auto to left us near Shivrajpur beach. We followed his instruction & the local auto left us the place which was approx 3km far from the beach. As there was no other option so we started walking. After 2km, one of the cars which was going towards the beach offered us a lift. We happily accept the lift & reached near the beach.

Now there is an entry gate of the beach where they asked entry fee of Rs. 50/- to reach the beach. We thought some time & found that there was a road towards the beach, beside the entry gate. We followed the road & easily able to enter the beach area.

We enjoyed the sea view a lot. We viewed the sunset from the beach. After spending some time we started walking to the same road as there was no other option to reach the location where the auto was left us. This time no one gave us a lift. So after walking that odd 3 km we reached the high road & took an auto to reach main Dwarka city.

Then we decided to go to the market for window shopping & reached near the main temple area. So we decided to visit the temple. The guard of the temple asked us to submit all the mobile & bags in their clock room. We followed their advice & easily entered the temple. The Darshan was awesome. The Temple was quite large & the outside design was good.

After the darshan, we roaming here & there till 10:00pm & then took the dinner in a nearby shop where RS. 55/- was charged per head for dinner. Then we came back to our hotel & went to the bed.

31^st March: Somnath

We wake up approx 6:00am. We wanted to visit the Bhatkeshwar temple & Sudama bridge along with Gomoti Sangam(where the Gomoti river touches the sea). We walked approx 1.5km to reach the temple. Though the temple is not worth visiting it was on the seashore & the view was good. Then we went to the Sudama Setu (aka bridge). This is nothing but a hanging bridge. We alose went to the Sangam area which is also not so worthy to visit.

After taking breakfast from the same shop where Rs. 15/- per head cost for the plate. There so many options were available like Dhokla, poha, samosa, paratha

Then we took a bus for Somnath from the Dwarka bus stand. We reached Veraval at approx 2:30pm & changed a bus to reach Somnath which is 5km far from Veraval.

After reaching Somnath, we book a hotel near Somnath Temple. From the hotel terrace, we can view the temple as well as the sea. The temple structure was awesome. After some refreshment, we decided to visit the temple. There was an old temple near the main temple. We first visited the old temple. The shiv Linga impressed me. I had touched the linga & prayer sometimes.

Then we went to Somnath Beach. Though the sea was not so clear, it was fine. In front of us the vast water where there was no limit. It was the Arabian sea. When we imagine the map it gave us some ultimate feelings.

Then we visited the New temple. The temple was awesome, gave some feelings of Swami Narayana temple. From 7:00 pm it was the aarti time so we quickly visited the main idol. The darshan was good.

After the temple visit, we roam some time in the nearby market & entered the room approx 9:30 pm. We went to the terrace. From our terrace, the temple view was really awesome. Today we came to know due to the corona breakout, Diu is not open for tourists. So we canceled the plan to visit Diu. We decided instead of Diu we will visit Junagadh which is again 90km back from Somnath towards Dwarka.

1^st April:

We started our day at about 7:00 am & took a bus for Junagadh. It was approx1.5hr journey. After reaching Junagadh we started walking towards Maqbara which was closed due to maintenance work. Then we went to Junagadh fort which was again closed for the same cause. We were very much disappointed. We decided to go to Girnar.

We reached there & took a ropeway ticket which cost Rs.700/- per head. This is Asia's highest ropeway. The ropeway travel was awesome. From the top of the hill, we can view the Girnar temple which has an awesome structure. Due to the ropeway travel, no one currently visits the temple except those who ride the hill on foot.

After came back to the bottom of the Hill, we decided to go to the Junagadh station to take the train to reach Ahmedabad. The station master told us there was a train till Sabarmati at about 11:00 pm. There was nothing to roam there. So we were taking a rest in the station waiting room.

2^nd April:

We reached Sabarmati station approx 6:20 am & after asking the station master, we came to know the next train to Gandhinagar is 8:30 am. We decided to take a rest for some time & we would take the next train.

At about 8:00 am when the booking counter was opened we went to book our ticket, we came to know there is no option to book a ticket as the train crossed the previous station & local tickets are not provided due to covid situation. We were hopeless. Then the station master suggested us to take the train without a ticket & if the Ticket checker asked then talk to him by phone. We gave us his phone number also. He also suggested us to take a seat in General Dibba.

We took the train & easily reached Gandhinagar without facing any ticket checker within 45mints. The station was empty. Except for a few passengers who deboard from this train no one was there.

We took an auto from outside the station to visit the Swami Narayan temple. This is also the same type of temple that we visited earlier in Bhuj. We then went to Adalaj ki Vav. Fo that we took a local bus to reach Gandhinagar bus stop & then took auto To reach Adalaj. It was good but not as impressive as Rani Ki vav. We visit every possible nook & corner of the stepwell. Then we took a bus for Ahmedabad which left us at Geeta Mandir bus stop at Ahmedabad.

We thought we again opt the Dharamshala so we went to the Kutchi Bhuvan Dharamshala which was 6km far from the Geeta Mandir. But they did not provide us a room. So we book a hotel near Ahmedabad Fruit market which is commonly known as Kalupur fruit market. From here railway station is not more than 1 km distance.

We put our luggage there & go to the local market. We were quite hungry, so took our dinner a little bit early approx 8:30pm. We found a biriyani shop there from where we opt te biriyani. They charged Rs.160/- per KG. It is okay-ok type.

3^rd April:

We started our day at 6:00 am. First, we went to Hatu Singh Temple which was approx 2km from our hotel. Then we visit Rani Na Haziro & Raja na haziro. Both are the Maqbara for King Ahmed Shah & his queens. Ladies are not allowed inside the mausoleum. So we visit them from outside. Then we found that it was too early to visit the local market or other monuments. Also, we were too exhausted. So we decided to go to the hotel & take a rest.

We took the whole day rest today. Also due to night-curfew, the shop was closed early these days, so we roam in the local market in the evening & took our dinner early.

4^th April.

Today is the last day in Ahmedabad. So we decided not to waste any time. We decided to visit Kankaria lake, but after asking the auto driver, we came to know that it is closed due to covid pre-caution. We started our day by visiting Sabarmati Ashram. Then for shopping, we went to Gandhinagar again.

After reaching Ahmedabad from Gandhinagar, we went to Dada Hari ki Vav. It was okay-ok type stepwell & not well maintained. This is the only stepwell where we found no water but accessible every corner of the stepwell. When we came back to our hotel we found the Jhulta Minar.

Our train was 6:30 pm from Ahmedabad. So saying Adieu to Ahmedabad, we reached the station to catch the train.