Palitana or Junagagh?

alext

If you had to choose one of these which would you pick?

Junagagh sounds like it has more to see. Palitana's hill top temples sound pretty amazing.

I am trying to trim down my number of stops so I am not traveling too much.

Thanks

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vmehra24

Pick Junagadh-- you have (a) Girnar hill temples with a climb of 8500 stairs.
(b) Gir forest.
(c) Somnath temple
(d) Diu beach,

TimMakins

First of all I would say: Why do you have such a short time that you can only pick one of these? Gujarat is a fascinating state, one of my favourites, and has enough to make a longer trip there well worth while. You are going to Dwarka, aren't you??

Your question is a difficult one, as both places are unique and unmissable. Junagadh certainly has much to see: the citadel plus surrounding temples, cave monastery, durbar hall are all brilliant, and the climb of Girnar Hill is a strenuous, arduous and unforgettable experience.

Palitana has little else than Shatrunjaya hill to see, but WOW, what a place. The climb is not nearly as hard as Girnar Hill, but the 863 temples and their super mountain setting make the journey quite fantastic, and therefore I would have to go for Palitana if I was forced to choose.

Tim in England

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alext

Tim,

Thanks for the comments. I am trying to work out my itinerary right now and need to eliminate some of my stops so I am not traveling so much. I have only 10-12 days in Gujarat.

My basic plan is like this:

-MT Abu to Ahmedabad
--See Nal Sarovar Bird Sanc., Calico Musm., Gandhi Ashram

-Overnight bus/train to Saurashtra (in no specific order)
--Diu
--Sasan Gir
--Junagagh
--and/or Palitana
--(add Dwarka, eh?)

-Overnight back to Ahmedabad
-Ahmedabad to Jaipur

I am interested primarily in seeing photogenic wildlife, impressive natural environments (desert, mudflats, mountains etc), temples in geographically interesting settings. I'm the type who would rather stay in one place and see it leisurely for 3 days rather than 2 places in a rush. Day trip are good as long as they are not too brutal.

I am all ears for suggestions! Please!

Jorge Reverter

Alext,

As Tim says, Gujarat has enough to make a longer trip.

Last February I've spent a long month there moving from Bombay to Bhuj in the Kutch region. This area have many places to see even in the Arabian Coast with interesting places like Mandvi (still making artisanal dhows in wood) and Mundra. From Bhuj heading north to the Rann of Kutch you go through Bhujodi to the tribal belt of villages (you need a permission collected in the Collector's Oficce) like Hodka and Dhordo to Khavda already in the border of the Rann of Kutch. At this time (February) the Rann was terribly dry and the landscape was not very interestint (at least for me).

Bhuj is a very impressive old city still recovering from the 2001's earthquake.

I've continued my journey from Bhuj to Junagadh by sleeping bus. Junagadh has a great ambiance, very busy bazaars, a huge fort a group of muslim tombs hidden and lost just beside the main street, nice old buildings here and there and some kitsch monuments like Mahabat Maqbara. Very early in the morning when it was still dark I went to Girnar Hill by motorickshaw. The 8,500 steps were really very hard (cannot understand how even old people was doing it "normally").

In Junagadh i took a toy train to Diu. Was a great time but too slowly as the train takes 7 os 8 hours to go to Una/Delwada only 150 km away.

Diu is a wellknown sleepy place, a little boring but enough to spend a couple of days or even more. Nice old churches,and a big fort are the only monuments, a coloured veg bazaar, good food and better and cheap beer. On the other side of Diu Town, Ghogla is a different kind of village, a poor fishing village. Few kilomtres from Diu Town you can enjoy the sea at Nagoa Beach, in my opinion one of the best beaches in India. I've missed Dwarka, probably next time.

Palitana Shatrunjaya was an easy jump after Girnar Hill but much more interesting.

I have not enjoyed Ahmedabad, probably was my fault but aside some muslims mosques and the gates, I don't like the city. Sharkhej few km away was something different, I liked the place as well as Adalaj Vav an impressive stepped well. I moved quite quickly from Ahmedabad to Patan the former capital of Gujarat. Patan was a discovery for the especial ambiance of the town, and some jain temples as well as the very impressive steeped well of Rani Ki Baoli. I liked very much Patan. Not far from Patan, the Sun Temple of Modhera was one of the best moments of the journey. Difficult to explain.

After few days in Udaipur, recovering from the Gujarat's "dry law" went to Baroda a big city not very much appealing. I was there only to visit Champaner (one of the last World Heritage Sites in India)
and Dhaboi a nice old walled town. I have really enjoyed Dabhoi and not so much Champaner, the monuments are too much spread and in quite bad condition.

From Baroda back to Bombay.

In my Photo Gallery and especially in my other gallery "jorge jr"
you can have a look at a few dozens of pics.


Jorge

alext

Great information. Thank you

TimMakins

Dwarka is definitely more interesting than Diu - it is one of the most holy sites of India. Nice boat ride to Beyt Dwarka too. Diu town is OK, but most westerners go for Nagoa beach (its a great beach, but nothing else) and lots of Indians go for the alcohol. If you want desert and desert villages, then Bhuj is a must, but perhaps save for your next trip. You can easily spend a month in Gujarat, and never get bored. Its a lovely place, and lets not forget, (my opinion) the VERY BEST vegetarian food anywhere in India.

Tim in England

dilbharatmain

Gujurat - personally if had to pick one, would go for Palitana, very unique place - wonder if you can still visit the ship breaking yards in Alang? I stayed 6 months in Gujurat in '98 so was a while ago, but had a good look around - visiting Palitana one day, then Alang the next was quite a contrast. Loved Diu - mainly for the beer - the only place I got it in 6 months!! (which is why I kept going back there every month or so, for a bit of a session), Junagadh has some unique sights too, but did not really rate it as a place to spend too much time. Had good luck with the lion spotting - as well as leapords in Sasan Gir national park, and loved Ahmedabad, you just really have to get in and explore the old city, fascinating place... if you are travelling on a budget really recommend Hotel Cadillac in Ahmedabad, great spot in the centre of town - or if you have a bit more cash to throw around, also stayed in Savera Hotel in Khanpur district on the banks of the smelly Sabramati River - both were good. I guess, although it is 8 years since my visit, that Gujurat is still a chilled out spot. On the way from Mt Abu to Ahmedabad there are some really worthwhile stops, especially around Patan and Modhera,and the old opium trading town of Siddhpur - beautiful spot, and of course all of Kuchchh region, sounds like you do not have time for that. - Kemcho! Saru che. Dil.

cyberhippie

I fancy seeing both, Though I fancy I've seen a mini Palitana.
What's the journey mode and time factor between the two??
Also has anyone been to Saputara, the chances are I'll need some respite from the heat in April!

alext

I forgot to thank you for your great info.

I am leaving my itinerary somewhat open in Gujarat. Coming in and out of Gujarat I will be stopping in Ahmedabad and I will stay there a little longer on departure from Gujarat if I fee like it. So besides that, my top picks are:
-Palitana
-Sasan Gir
-Dwarka

My first stop will be Palitana and from there I will just see what feels right.

From what LP says about the ship breaking yard, is that basically no you cannot see them. I guess Greenpeace went in undercover and documented the horrible and dangerous working conditions and now they are essentially closed to foreigners.

Were they interesting to see?

TimMakins

I visited the ship-breaking yards near Chittagong, Bangladesh, last summer. From all accounts they are very similar to Alang, but a little easier to get into. Still, forget about taking photos: they were happy enough for me to look, but cameras were a no-no, because of all the 'investigative journalism' by hacks who can't be bothered to unearth a difficult story. You take a ship apart by hand on the beach, and surprise surprise, toxic waste gets in to the water! Shocking photos, if you can get them, but what is just a story to the visitor if the only means of survival for the local guys. Understandably, they want to keep their misdeeds hidden, and carry on selling their scrap to China.

Is it interesting? Sure, its very interesting. Its also shocking, and stunning, and rather sad in many ways. Try not to be judgemental and you'll learn a lot. Oh, and if you want a lifeboat or a searchlight or a chandelier, I guess Alang would be the place to go: see what's on offer around Chittagong in my webpage.

Tim in England

alext

Wow! That is pretty amazing - and weird. I will keep it in mind while I am near. Maybe I will stop to see what I can see.

It is a well writen, interesting travelouge post too.