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Gandhi's Gujarat and the Navratri
Duration :- 13 Nights/ 14 Days
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A cultural tour of India
"When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of theCreator." --Mahatma Gandhi Gujarat, made famous by its prodigal son Mahatma Gandhi who played an integral role in shaping the destiny of India, has much to offer visitors. Within Gujarat's borders lie the remains of the 5000-year-old Indus Valley civilization. As for flora and fauna, Gujarat, is made up of arid forests, deserts and is home the Asiatic lions of Gir, the wild ass of the Rann of Kutch, vast flocks of flamingoes and more.

Gujarat is also India's home to architectural, historical and cultural heritage that is best experienced during the Navratri - the festival of nine nights. Navratri honors the one Divine Force who is personified as the Mother Goddess who protects her worshippers, destroys evil and grants boons to her children. The "thanksgiving" is personified in traditional Gujarati dances that are famous all over the world.

Day 01: Monday, Sept 25, 2006 - Arrive Bombay
Namaste! We are welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands clapped together and then transferred to our hotel in Mumbai.
Overnight: Hotel Ambassador (1 night) (D)

Day 02: Tuesday, Sept 26 - Bombay / Ahmedabad (flight)
A short flight gets us to Ahmedabad, the bustling capital of Gujarat. It was founded in 1411 by King Karandev 1, the Solanki Ruler, who had waged a war against the Bhil king of Ashapall or Ashaval. After his victory Karandev established the city called "Karnavati". This Hindu kingdom of Karnavati retained its importance until the early 15th century when Gujarat fell to the Muslim Sultanate. In 1411 the city got the name Ahmedabad after Sultan Ahmed Shah. Today will be our first day viewing the many celebrations of the 9 - day Navratri festival.
Overnight: Hotel Taj Residency Ummed (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 03: Wednesday, Sept 27 - Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad was built on an open and spacious plain to the East of Sabarmati. The city of Ahmedabad expanded in every direction with the addition of new areas on both sides of the river with well laid out beautiful buildings, lakes and mosques. In 1753, the combined armies of Raghunath Rao and Damaji Gaekwad took the fort, which resulted in the end of the Mughal Rule in Ahmedabad. In 1818 the British took over the administration of Ahmedbad. During this period Ahmedabad developed and in 1915, Mohandas (better known as Mahatma) Gandhi came from South Africa and established an Ashram on the banks of Sabarmati.
Our morning cit tour covers the rich history of this city both of the Hindu and Muslims eras. Afternoon, we visit the Sabarmati Ashram, founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1915, and the Calico Museum. Another evening enjoying the Navratri festival. (B, D)

Day 04: Thursday, Sept 28 - Ahmedabad / Utelia (drive 78 kms / 1 hr)
Today we take a full day excursion to Modhera and Patan, and then continue to Utelia. The Palace Utelia is a grandiose turn-of-the-century haveli (mansion), which is an imposing structure especially when compared to the hutments that crowd its high walls. The architectural style is predominantly Indo-Saracenic, and includes domes, pillars, arches and Gujarati haveli style facades. The Palace Utelia has its own stable of horses and bullock carts for rides in the village or the surrounding countryside.
Overnight: Palace Utelia (1 night) (B, D)

Day 05: Friday, Sept 29 - Utelia / Bhavnagar (drive 123 kms / 3hrs)
Morning we take a rural drive of Gujarat to the port city of Bhavnagar visiting en route the archeological site of Lothal, dating from 2400-1500 BC. This is one of the important archaeological excavations of the Harappan Civilization and dates back to 2500 B.C. Lothal in Gujarati means 'Mound of Dead'. It was a port city with a huge dockyard and is believed that the merchants of the Indus valley civilization used this port to trade with other civilizations. The seals found in the area are evidence of a full-fledged trade between Lothal and civilization of Mesopotamia, Egypt and Persia. Bhavnagar was founded in 1723 by Bhavsinghji, a descendant of the Gohil Rajputs who came to Saurashtra from Marwar in the 12th century and founded a princely state at Ghogha port. Our visit here includes the majestic Nilambagh garden followed by an enjoyable cultural presentation and a typical Gujarati meal for dinner.
Overnight: Nilambagh Palace (1 night) (B, D)

Day 06: Saturday, Sept 30 - Bhavnagar / Ahmedpur Mandvi (drive 200 kms / 4 hrs)
From one intriguing city to another. En route to Ahmedpur Mandvi we visit Palitana, which lies at the foot of the Shatrunjaya Hill. The sacred hill rises in a crescendo of magnificent temples - 863 in all that soar in marble splendour to the top of the hill. The temples were built over an impressive span of 900 years with each generation of pilgrims making its contribution to the shrines of Shatrunjaya. The 600m climb to Shatrunjaya is usually made on foot or in royal style on lift-chairs or using sedans. Evening, we join the Ahemdpuri Gujaratis over a traditional meal and participate in another version of the Navratri dances.
Overnight: Hotel Radhika Beach Resort (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 07: Sunday, Oct 01 - Ahmedpur Mandvi
The day is free to browse Ahmedpur Mandvi or relax at the wonderful beach and do some water sports. The seawater over here is clear and ideal for swimming, parasailing, speedboat rides or just sun bathing. (B, D)

Day 08: Monday, Oct 02 - Ahmedpur Mandvi / Junagadh (drive 173 kms / 3 hrs)
After breakfast, we drive to Somnath for a short visit and then continue to Junagadh. Afternoon we tour this typical Gujarati city which including the ancient fortified city rich in myths & legends. We visit Uparkot Fort, which is - famous for its virtual inaccessibility, Ashoka's Rock edicts, the fourteen rock edicts of the Emperor Ashoka, Damodar Kund, and the sacred tank.
Overnight: Hotel Shikhar Palace Junagadh (1 night) (B, D)

Day 09: Tuesday, Oct 03 - Junagadh / Rajkot (drive)
An interesting drive to Rajkot - once the capital of the princely state of Saurashtra. Rajkot is best known as the town where Mahatma Gandhi spent the early years of his life when his father was a Diwan (Prime Minister) to the King of Saurashtra. Today, Rajkot is an important religious centre of the Arya Samaj. Vibhoji, the younger son of Ajoji, founded Rajkot. Vibhoji by co-operating with the Mughal Army received some villages as gift for his services. His heirs added to the prosperity of the state. With the passage of the time, Rajkot, the city, continued to expand. In 1820, the British agency was founded and Rajkot became the political centre of Saurashtra. Later we explore Rajkot.
Overnight: Hotel Imperial Palace Rajkot (1 night)

Day 10: Wednesday, Oct 04 - Rajkot / Wankaner (drive 4 hrs)
Early morning we drive to Wankaner. As we approach the royal town of Wankaner, situated in the middle of the scorched plains of Saurashtra, a fascinating palace that appears like a mirage on the horizon. As we draw closer its elaborate turrets, arches, sandstone curves and clock tower are visible. A mix of different styles, this 19th century palace is nevertheless imposing. What better holiday than a day in the Residency wing of the Ranjit Vilas palace, Afternoon, we take a tour of Wankaner and have ample opportunity meeting the local folks.
Overnight: Hotel Royal Oasis (1 night) (B, D)

Day 11: Thursday, Oct 05 - Wankaner / Bhuj (211 kms / 5 hrs)
Morning we visit Anjar and Bhujodi before reaching Bhuj. The major town of the Kutch region, Bhuj, is an old walled city. In the past the city gates were locked. There are walls within walls, crenellated gateways, old palaces with intricately carved wooden pavilions, and brightly decorated Hindu temples.
Overnight: Garha Safari Lodge (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 12: Friday, Oct 06 - Bhuj
We have a full day tour of this historical town. Our exploration of Bhuj includes Aina Mahal (Old Palace) that was built in traditional Kutchi style with its own Maharao Sinh Madansinhji Museum, which has a varied collection of paintings, photos and embroideries. There is a 15 m long scroll depicting the royal procession of Maharao Shri Pragmalji Bahadur (1838-75). The Prag Mahal (New Palace) is an ornate Italianate marble and sandstone building constructed in the later part of the century and here we visit the Durbar Hall and the Clock tower. Our next stop is the Kutch Museum, which dates back to 1877 and is the oldest museum in Gujarat.
Afternoon tour includes the Sarad Bagh Palace which was built in 1871 followed by the colorful and richly decorated Swaminarayan Temple and the Folk museum which houses an interesting private collection of beautiful textiles and artifacts. Our day ends with a colourful Kutchi dance over a sumptuous Gujarat farewell dinner. (B, D)

Day 13: Saturday, Oct 07 - Bhuj / Bombay (flight)
Morning we continue with our tour of Bhuj ending with time at the colorful bazaar before taking a short flight to Bombay. Dinner and overnight in one of the world's largest cities.
Overnight: Hotel Ambassador (1 night) (B, D)

Day 14: Sunday, Oct 08 - Bombay / departure
The music of Navratri, the pictures of the garbas, raaas and dandias, the culture and archaeology of Gujarat with the friendliness of the people will still be vivid before we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight or better still take an optional extension to Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Dubai, etc. (B).