Gondal, Rajkot Overview

Around 35 kilometres south of Rajkot lies the quaint city of Gondal. The city is known for its collection of automobiles as well as its efficient road network which was the best during the olden days. The city retains its grandeur and sense of royalty with the help of the Riverside Palace and the Darbargadh. The Riverside Palace which was built in 1875 is now a heritage hotel whose enormous grounds double into a forest reserve where individuals can occasionally spot deer and rare bird species. The Darbargadh, on the other hand, is a 17th-century palace whose main feature is the excellent arches that are scattered across the grounds. The palace is also known as the Navlakka Palace and is open to visitors for a small fee. Aside from this Gondal also hosts a bustling marketplace which sells humble goods and has winding streets which enhance the cities beauty.

About Gondal

Gondal is located, 35 kms away from Rajkot, in the state of Gujarat. It is one among the most popular ones in Gujarat, being a princely state after independence. One can experience the past era while travelling through the city. There is a rich variety of places to visit in the city including palaces and museums. It has excellent connectivity of roads since the pre-independence era. The city has developed as an ideal tourist destination and has accompanied the development of the tourism industry in the state of Gujarat. It has a beautiful collection of automobiles which are now a part of the museums in palaces.

The city comes under the Kathiawad association of Gujarat. The city has a solid connection of roads built to connect the neighbouring cities. One can see people still living in vintage structures and raw houses of the post-independence era. There are antique colonial style furniture, chandeliers and other embellishments located in the city. There are also many temples built with Lord Swami Narayana being the chief deity. Palaces, including the Naulakha Palace, Gondal Palace and Riverside Palace are famous tourist destinations.

History of Gondal

Gondal was founded in 1643 by Thakore Shri Kumbhoji from Jadeja dynasty. The city has further remained under Jadeja dynasty. Bhagvant Singhji was considered as one of the finest and most notable rulers of Gondal. Under his reign, Gondal developed with the best medical services, public works and railways. The city became well known as a trade centre. Further, during the post-independence period, the city remained a princely state. The palaces and forts built earlier have been transformed into museums and hotels for tourists visiting the city

Places to Visit in Gondal

The city of Gondal is known for its palaces. The Naulakha palace is the oldest in Gondal and dates back to the 18th century. It consists of beautiful stone carvings, balconies, staircases as well as courtyards. Another important palace includes the Gondal palace. It is best known for its collection of cars including vintage cars as well as modern sports cars. This collection of exclusive automobiles can be seen in the museum located inside the palace.

Gondal is also known for temples, built in reference to Lord Swami Narayana. Shri Ramnath Dham located in the city and homes the statue of Shri Amba Mata. It has attracted devotees in search of spiritual and internal enlightenment. Shri Bhuvaneshwari Pith is also a very famous temple in Gondal. It homes the idol of goddess Bhuvaneshwari, considered as the creator of the Universe. Apart from this, there are museums, forest reserves which are also famous to attract tourists.

Best time to Visit Gondal

The best time to visit Gondal is during the winters and late monsoons. The climate during this time of the year is cold and pleasant. Many tourists visit the city during this time to experience the beauty of the city. The temperatures rise high during summers up to 40 degrees Celsius, this makes touring difficult.

How to Reach Gondal

Gondal is very well connected to the neighbouring cities by means of roads. One can reach there by private vehicles as well as public vehicles like buses and cabs. The nearest airport is in the city of Rajkot which is located just 35 kms away from Gondal. The nearest railway station is also located in Rajkot.