PLACES OF INTEREST NEAR GIR

Somnath: About 50 minutes drive from the lodge, the shore temple at Somnath is one of the holiest places of pilgrimage for Hindus. The main sanctuary is one of the 12 jyotirlingas or abodes of Lord Shiva. Near the temple is the Prabhas Patan Museum with remnants of the medieval versions of the original Somnath Temple before invaders ravaged it in the 11th and 16th centuries. Somnath also has a Sun Temple , the Triveni Tirth bathing ghats at the confluence of rivers with the sea, the 17th century Ahilya Temple and Bakhla Tirth associated with Lord Krishna.

Veraval: About 45 minutes drive from the lodge, Veraval is one of the major fishing ports of India . Besides the possibility of seeing the fresh catch from the sea, visitors are likely to watch multi-ton dhows being hand-built at the piers. Once a port of the princely state of Junagadh, Veraval has old gates and a sea-facing palace of the Nawabs.

Junagadh: A historic walled city, Junagadh has an impressive fort with monuments enclosed in a huge walled complex, Buddhist cave sites, 3rd century BC rock inscriptions of Emperor Ashoka, the palaces of the erstwhile Nawabs of Junagadh and flamboyant royal mausoleum complexes. One of the palaces is now a museum enclosing jewelled carpets, sumptuous thrones, palanquins and elephant howdahs and weapons. Junagadh also has a zoo where Asiatic lions are bred and an interesting city museum. Junagadh is a one-and-a-half hour drive from the lodge.

Girnar: This 3660-ft hill rising outside Junagadh is an important place of Hindu and Jain pilgrimage. Ascending the hill, there are many temples to be seen on ridges and at the summit, including beautiful 12th century Jain temples.

Diu Island : About two-hours drive from the lodge, Diu was a Portuguese enclave until the 1960s. It has a massive 16th century Portuguese fort, attractive churches and beautiful old houses. There are fine beaches for swimming, sunbathing and water-sports at Diu .

Jetpur: This textile town, north of Junagadh, is known for its block and screen-printing workshops