Bhavnagar
Bhavnagar is a seaside city, located in the state of Gujarat near to the Saurashtra peninsula. Bhavnagar is also famous for its version of the popular Gujarati snack 'Ganthiya' and 'Jalebi.
Perched atop a small hillock, this all-marble temple in Bhavnagar is high enough to provide splendid views of the city and out onto the Gulf of Cambay. It is constructed in a Gujarati style with 18 ornate pillars, and a main hall before the sanctum which houses an idol of Lord Shiva. Marble stairs offer access to devotees from the bottom of the hillock to the main courtyard of the temple. The temple doubles up as a ‘catch-up’ point for youngsters and regulars in the evenings. The breezy hill-stop offers a quiet oasis from the city’s din below.
It is believed that the temple was commissioned by Maharaja Takhtsinhji in the 1893 AD. He was anointed as the Maharaja of Bhavnagar, after the death of his father, Jaswantsinhji in 1870. Maharaja Takhtsinhji was a Rajput chief of the Gohil clan before rising to the ranks to be king.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit is between November–February.
Frequent bus connections, link towns and cities all over the state; Rajkot (4hours), Ahmedabad (5 hours), Vadodara (6 hours), Palitana (2 hours).
You can opt for a train to connect to Ahmedabad and Mumbai with frequent connections.
Bhavnagar Airport is about 3.5km from town and is reasonably well connected to major cities of India.