SAYAJI BAUG    ( 0 kms )

Description :

Sayaji Baug is a garden located in Vadodara, Gujarat, India. Sayaji Baug was dedicated to the citizens of Vadodara by Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaekwad III in 1879. Sayajirao III built Sayaji Baug, well known as Kamati Baug, on the river Vishwamitri. The garden has a Zoo, a Musesum and Picture Gallery, a small museum for Health and Hygience, a Floral clock, a Band Stand and a Toy Train for childrans & some Fun rides. It has well Maintained lawns, decorated with sculptures placed on pedestals. The park has fountains and trees, which makes it worchwhile for a visit. The park also for a planetarium.
Sayaji Baug is the largest garden in Western India, stretching over 113 acres. It has a rich flora of more that 98 species of trees. The garden has several facilities, including:
• Baroda Museum & picture gallery
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Planetarium
• Zoo & Aquarium
• Floral clock, Band stand, Fountains & Garden
• Toy train & Joy Rides for Childrens

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AJWA & NIMETA GARDENS    ( 25 kms )

Description :

Situated at a distance of 23 kms. from Vadodara Ajwa is an ideal place for weekend picnic. Sayaji Sarovar which has been a chief source of water supply to the city is situated here. Spending a few minutes by the side of a lake is a matter of experience. The Municipal Corporation of Vadodara has prepared a beautiful garden by the side of the Ajwa lake which is resembling with the Vrindavan Garden of Mysore. Illuminated fountains are operated on every Saturday, Sunday, Monday and other public holidays. A separate musical fountain is a majour attraction for the visitors. The entire garden seems to havd turned in to a fairy land when all the fountains are illuminated in the evening. Colorful illuminated fountains are operated at Ajwa Garden on Saturdays, Sundays Time in summer: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. & winter 6:00 p.m. To 8:00 p.m. · Three Shows of Musical Dancing Fountains are also held at Ajwa Garden from Saturday to Monday. · Gardens at Ajwa-Nimeta can be made use of for video/film shooting. The charges for film shooting are Rs.4000/- per day & for documentary, the charges are Rs.2000/- per day

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PAVAGADH    ( 40 kms )

Description :

Pavagadh - Shakti Peeth in Gujarat
Temples of Western India
The Pavagadh Shakti Peeth is located at at a distance of about 50 km from Vadodara in Gujarat; it is located near Champaner the ancient capital of Gujarat.
The three main Shakti Peethas of Gujarat are Ambaji at Arasur, Bala at Chunval and Kali at Pavagadh near Champaner. Other Shakti shrines in Gujarat are those at Asapura in Kutch, Arbudadevi on Mount Abu, Sundari at Halvad, Harsiddhi at Kolgiri or Koyla and Anasuya on the Narmada.

Following the destruction of Daksha's sacrifice and the Rudra Tandava of Shiva parts of Sati's body fell at several places throughout India, and these places are revered as Shakti peethas. The left breast of Sati is believed to have fallen here.
This hill temple attracts several visitors during the annual Navaratri fair.
Pavagadh gets its name from the fact that it is a solitary hill standing out alone, blessed with a blowing gentle breeze from all around. Legend has it that the valley surrounding Pavagadh was filled up by the power of the sage Viswamitra. Legend also has it here that the image of Kalika Mata was set up by Viswamitra; a river by name Viswamitri originates here.
Kali here is worshipped as Dakshina Kali, and is worshipped in the Dakshina marga with vedic and tantric rites. The festival season of Navaratri witnesses several celebrations here.
The fortress at Champaner, bears the scars of the many wars of possession that happened in this region throughout the second millennium CE. Originally a glorious city under the Rajputs, Champaner fell into the hands of the Sultans of the Gujarat region in late 15th century; it then came under the rule of Humayun, and was then recaptured by Sultan Bahadur Shah; it relapsed into the hands of Akbar, and then came under the control of the Marathas and finally came under the possession of the British.
A hilly passage leads to Pavagadh from Champaner. The Maha Kali temple enshrines an image of Kalika Mata. There are also images of Maha Kali and a yantra of Goddess Bahuchara. Two lakes - Chhasia Talao and Dudhiya Talao are seen enroute to the temple.

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DAKORE    ( 70 kms )

Description :

An interesting legend relates how Lord Krishna came to reveal himself at Dakor (KAira District) leaving his Dwarka abode. In olden times a Krishna devotee named Bholanath used to walk all the way to Dwarka from Dakor on every full moon night to worship his beloved Krishna. The all-knowing God noticed the difficulties which his devotee was undergoing. The god told Bholanath when he was visiting Dwarka that he need not walk all the way to distant Dwarka as he had decided to stay at Dakor (Dhankpuri of olden times). So God accompanied him to Dakor.
The priests at Dwarka temple were naturally upset at the turn of events. They somehow or other wanted to get backthe stone-idol of Ranchhodrai (Krishna). Both at Dwarka and Dakor Krishna is known Ranchhodrai. It is said that he ran away from battle when Kalyavan attacked him as an ally of Jarasandh. So Krishna is called Ranchhodrai - one who ran away from the battle. The priest of Dwarka knew that Bholanath was a poor man. So they told him that he should either pay for the stone idol in gold or return it. The
only golden ornament the poor devotee had was his wife's nose ring. When the idol and the nose ring were placed in the scales they were found to be equal in weight. That is how Krishna changed his residence from Dwarka to Dakor for the convenience of a devotee. The belief is the Krishna idol of Dakor was originally from Dwarka.
On every Sharad Purnlma a big fAir Is held at Dakor. Gujaratis venerate Krishna and Dakor provides an important link in this.

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SARDAR SAROVAR DAM    ( 75 kms )

Description :

SSNNL owns some land downstream side of the dam consisting of light deciduous forest interspread with lakes, grass, land, streams, hillocks and rivulets. The topography is undulating, with a fairly amazing variety of plant species and wild life, making it an excellent location for recreational and leisure activities.
SSNNL recognized the immense potential of the dam site and its environs in terms of tourist potential and has developed primary tourist facilities such as road, drinking water, toilet, street light, new view points, lakes, vishram kutirs, reception centre, huge parking facility, gardens, restaurant and snacks parlor.
SSNNL is also interested in development of eco friendly tourist facilities with private sector participation, with a view to create an attractive tourist destination and also to create awareness about the project. Total 80.50 Hect. Some of the land has been identified in first stage. To facilitate the tourist activities proposed in first stage are Restaurant and Food-Court, low-cost accommodation, Rose-Garden, Land scaping souvenir and Vendor Stalls Hotels with 50 Rooms, Camping, Island Restaurant , Adventure Sports etc.

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