Tourist Places

Vadodara Division

VADODARA

Vadodara, in is also called as ‘Sanskari Nagari’ (cultured city). Located on the banks of the Vishwamitri River, the city refers to 'the stomach of the banyan tree'. Important places of interest include Kadia Dungar Caves, the Lakshmi Vilas Palace, Nazarbaugh Palace, , and Sursagar Talav. The Sayaji Baug also called Kamati Baug includes 45 hectares of garden grounds, a flower clock, two museums, a planetarium, a zoo and a toy train. There is an astronomy park in the vicinity which showcases ancient Indian astronomical instruments. The Sursagar Talav is an artificial lake with boating facilities for tourists. The Sri Aurobindo Niwas is located at Dandia Bazar locality of the city. Rishi Aurobindo resided here during his stay in Gujarat and the ashram houses the relics of this great freedom fighter and yogi. Vadodara is famous for its Garba celebrations during Navratri all over Gujarat.

Best buys : Famous for camel leather . Local Khadi Bhandar centre for handicrafts, fabric & ready-to-wear Situated on Mumbai -Delhi hand spun cotton clothes Rajdhani route

ANKLESHWAR

Ankleshwar is a small town in the district of Gujarat and is famous for Shri Ankleshwar Tirth Pilgrimage which includes the four Jain temples. Ankleshwar, also famous as Gujarat’s “City of Oil” is known for its industrial township called Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC). This city has over a thousand chemical plants, manufacturing products such as insecticide, pharmaceuticals, paints, and chemicals.

There are many giant market players in Ankleshwar like Asian Paints, Gharda Chemicals, Godrej, LUPIN, , Sandoz, United Phosphorous, Glaxo etc. Situated on Mumbai -Delhi Rajdhani route 79 kms from Vaadodara

BHARUCH

Bharuch is located on the banks of river Narmada. The city is quite ancient as it exists since the era of Mahabharata. As per the Hindu mythology, the big Asura king Mahabali conducted a grand yagna and a Brahmin boy, Vaman came to suspend his ritual and ultimately set an end to his command.

Bharuch people are the followers of different religions and they live in accord. The city has a set up of heavy industries. This is one of the most industrialized cities in Gujarat. There are big chemical plants manufacturing paints, dyes, cotton, textiles, fertilizers and dairy products. Bharuch City is known for fertilizer plants, chemicals and IT services. Bharuch has also advantage of Gujarat's biggest Liquid cargo terminal.

Situated on Mumbai -Delhi Best buys : Bharuch is well known for its salty peanuts. Rajdhani route 70 kms from Vadodara

CHAMPANER

Pavagarh is a city situated in the of the state of Gujarat. It was founded by a prominent king named Vanraj Chavda of the Chavda Dynasty. Founded in the 8th century, the city served as the capital of Gujarat for short duration. The city was named after General Champa, who was a close friend of the king.

The city is known for the famous Pavagarh fort which is an important place of tourist interest. Champaner gives a view of an ancient city with palaces, forts and mosques. The city portrays a view of a well-planned city.

The city came in the list of World Heritage sites of UNESCO in the year 2004. Champaner is famous for an Archaeological park situated here. Champaner is also known for the famous Jama Masjid built by Sultan Begada. Nearest Rail Head: Vadodara

ANAND

Anand is a small district in the state of Gujarat and is incredibly famous as the Milk Capital of . The large milk production and distribution is attributed to the idea of the dairy co-operative movement in India, Amul (Anand Milk Union Limited). From its humble start in 1947, the brand administered by Gujarat Co- operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. (GCMMF) has come a long way and is recognized world over for dairy products. It is collectively owned by around 3 million milk producers in Gujarat, India. Anand also houses Anand Agricultural University and Dairy Development Board of India.

Apart from Amul, Educational Institutions and Dairy board, Anand houses the beautiful Swaminarayan and Ranchhodrai Dakor Temple . Situated on Vadodara - route 64 kms Best buys : Anand is known world wide for its milk from Ahmedabad products

DAKOR Ranchhodrai Dakor Temple is located near the banks of river Gomati. The temple is an architectural marvel and is believed to have been constructed in the 18th Century. The temple houses a meter long idol of Lord Ranchhodrai (another name of Lord Krishna). Adorned beautifully with wooden carving plated with Gold and Silver.

It is said that Rishi Dank had his ashram here, so the temple and the village are named after him as Dankpur or Dakor, and the Danknath Mahadev temple stands on the banks of Gomti Lake.

On purnima (full moon) every month this temple town awakens to thousands of visitors in colorful festivity. Inspired by the revered legend of Bodana, many devotees even today come on foot from great distances.

Your Dakor adventure is complete only after tasting its lip- Nearest Rail h ead: Vadodara 47kms smacking gotas accompanied by tea or dahi (yogurt).

SARDAR SAROVAR Near Rajpipla, is the largest dam on the Narmada. The dam provides water for irrigation and drinking water supply, hydropower, and flood protection across the state of Gujarat. One can book a guided tour which will take you through six points around the dam site: a garden; the foundational stone laid by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1961; a site with a side view of the flow of the water from the dam; a lake where boating takes place; the first lock gate of the main canal; a trekking site with a nature education camp for students.

Near the site is also the Surpaneshwar Shiva temple that the Nearest Rail head: Vadodara Government had built to replace the original ancient temple that was submerged by the dam.

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