Rajkot

Rajkot is a city in the state of Gujarat in Western India.

Ahmedabad

Rajkot is most famous as the place where Mahatma Gandhi pursued his early education. The city is also famous for traditional sweets and dandiya/garba raas dances. Founded in 1620 by a member of Jadeja clan, whose descendants ruled the city until 1947, Rajkot gained economic importance in the early 19th century, under British protectorate. Farmers' and traders' councils were encouraged to grow under British Rule. Later the city plunged into the industrial Age with the first years dominated by casting industries. Even today Rajkot is a wealthy city that ranks the 22nd-fastest-growing city in the world. It's also one of the cleanest cities of India. Rajkot lies in the middle of Kathiawar peninsula, halfway between Ahmedabad and Porbandar. It's well worth one or two days stop although it's not a monumental city. Rajkot rather appeals to spiritual tastes. As in Ahmedabad, many ashrams, that offers the teachings of yoga and meditative retreat, are located in the city and its surroundings, amidst forested hills and beautiful lakes. Unfortunately these traditions are not apparent to foreign visitors, especially to those in a hurry.

Ramakrishna Ashram

  • Watson Museum, Dhebar Rd, +91 97241 03824. The Watson Museum was established in 1888 and was named after the British Political Agent of Kathiwad, Colonel John Watson. The Museum exhibits copies of artifacts from Mohenjodaro, sculptures, costumes of the local tribal people.
  • The Lang Library, Jawahar Road, Lohana Para (Near by Watson Museum, +91 281 222 4795, +91 281 2232199. The library has an extensive collection of old books and a repository of reference material linked to the colonial era.
  • Mohandas Gandhi High School, Jawahar Rd, Jubilee Chowk. Where Mahatma Gandhi got his primary education. The buildings were built by the Nawab of Junagadh and took the name of the Duke Alfred of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
  • Kaba Gandhi No Delo, Gheekantha & Dharmendra Rds Crossing. Mahatma Gandhi's childhood residence. It has now been converted in to a memorial called "Gandhi Smriti". The museum displays and consists of photographs, objects and the belongings of Mahatma Gandhi.
  • Rotary Dolls Museum, Yagnik Road, +91 281 246 4352. 9:30 am – 1:00 pm & 3:30 – 7:30 pmClosed all Mondays. This unique Museum gives an overview to the culture and traditions of the world at large through a medium of various dolls
  • Rashtriya Shala. Founded by Mahatma Gandhi, Rashtriya Shala has a center of patola weaving. During the Period of Non-Violent Movement to liberate the Nation From the clutches of the British Rule, Mahatma Gandhi, in the year 1920, gave the Nation a novel idea of Non-Cooperation with the Government. He directed the Nation to boycott the government machinery, including Judiciary and educational institutions.Side by side Mahatmaji started Gujarat Vidyapith at Ahmedabad to impart education on new National Concepts. Similar national educational institutions, on identical concepts were started in different parts of the country. Rastriya Shala is one of such institutions. On February 21, 1921 Rashtriya Shala made its modest beginning and formally started functioning in a rental premises in Rajkot. Shri Lakhajiraj, the Ruler of the state of Rajkot, who was a great admirer of Mahatma Gandhi gave 66 thousand sq. yards land at a nominal cost to Rashtriya Shala. It is on this land that the main building of the institution was first constructed, and since 1924 Rashtriya Shala started its various activities in this building.
  • Race course. Where people head for a stroll in the mornings and at nights and main Rajkot events take place. Also, Madhavrao Schindia Cricket Stadium is located in the area
  • Swaminarayan Temple, Kalawad Road, +91 281 245 1000. A temple of BAPS, a socio-spiritual Hindu organization with its roots in the Vedas. It was revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781-1830) in the late 18th century and established in 1907 by Shastriji Maharaj (1865-1951).
  • Shri Ramkrishna Ashram, Dr. Yagnik Road, +91 281-2465200. the Ramkrishna Mission in Rajkot has a permanent exhibition showcasing the life of Shri Ramkrishna plus a public library and an Ayurvedic center
  • Ishwariya Mahadev. Located on a hilltop in the outskirts of Rajkot city. The surrounding area is a traditional picnic spot.
  • Panchmukhi Hanuman, Garediya Kuva Main Road, +91 99249 21879. This the Temple of Lord Hanuman that is believed to keep the area free of rakshasas (demons). A large number of devotees visit the temple every day to get rid of evil spirits.
  • Aji Dam. A beautiful dam site constructed during British Raj.

  • Krishna Water Park, National Highway 8-B, Kuvadva Village (14 km from the city center, +91 281 278 4300, +91 281 278 4378. This small amusement park includes a wave pool, a high pendulum slide and a rain discotheque for kids only.

Crystal Mall

Want to shop? If at all you are a typical shopper who wants to buy clothes, jewellery, watches etc, then you can visit the malls of Rajkot. But if you want to buy the regional specialties, then you may go for the local bazaars

  • Crystal Mall, Kalawad Road, +91 281 256 2319. Monday to Sunday : 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM. Cinema, Department Store and Restaurant/Foodcourt
  • Bangdi-bazaar. - which is famous for its imitation jewellery and bangles
  • Mochi bazaar. for its footwear shops -,
  • Soni bazaar. -for all sorts of jewelery ('Soni' is equivalent to a goldsmith in Hindi).

Apple Bite

Being the cultural and commerce capital of the Saurashtra district, one can expect to find many unique and delicious foods in Rajkot.

  • For breakfast, generally Ganthiya is a very good option. Ganthiyas here are of many types like Fafda Vanela (bite sized pieces of Gathiya), Bhavnagari (Spicy Gathiya) etc. Ganthiya is made from Besan along with some spices and water which is made into a batter then fried in oil. Khaman and Dhokla are also very famous breakfast options. Bhakri (a hard Indian Bread) is also generally taken in breakfast, although it is generally made only in homes and not available with street hawkers.
  • Diet conscious ? No fried food ? Then you may go for Poha, Jalebi, Sweet Samosa, Sweet Kachori etc. You could get them at Kotecha Chowk. This a whole new fashion of breakfast in Rajkot. At some places you may also get some south Indian varieties like idli, vada etc.(kotecha chowk).
  • For something spicy, one can go for Dabeli (bread with spicy potato filling, stuffed with spicy peanuts and served with sauces), Spicy Ghughra (spicy potato filled dumpling), Pav Bhaji, Panipuri, Ragda pattice, Dahi puri and many more fast-food items. These food items are generally sold evening onwards (with hawkers opening usually opening 17:30 PM onwards).
  • Rajkot is also famous for its Kathiawadi Thali, with many good restaurants offering it.
  • For the Sweet-toothed, Chikki, Peda are some of the sweets that Rajkot is famous for. There is a special shop famous for Peda named 'Jai Siya Ram Pendawala at Yagnik Road. The famous shop for Chikki is Jalaram Chikki at Limda Chowk.
  • There is one stop destination for your sweets and namkeens. Different items of Rashikbhai Chevdawala is also famous for breakfast. Items like Farali Chevdo, Pauva Chevdo, Jariwali Wafer, etc are delicious to eat. You would surely enjoy there pattice. And as for sweets, there is a good variety in peda and barfis and it is of best quality. Some Chutney, which is famous item of Rajkot, is served with all this items.
There are many restaurants in Rajkot which can satisfy one's taste buds, and below is a list of a few of them:
  • Temptations, Kasturba Rd, Opp.Dharam Cinema, +91 281 247 5010. 11:45-23:00. Family restaurant with mixed cuisine including Italian (lasagne), Chinese and Mexican — all vegetarian and crowded.
  • Flavours, Dr. Yagnik Road (near Imperial Palace Hotel. Multi-cuisine restaurant (Punjabi/North Indian, Mexican, etc.). Immaculately clean and impeccable service. Busy on weekends
  • Apple Bite, 4 Plus Building Sardarnagar Main Road, +91 90333 03145. 10am-11pm. Very popular multicuisine rest. (Punjabj, Italian, Mexican, Continental, Chinese). Good ambiance, courteous staff
  • Sankalp, Race Course Ring Road, Nr. Zilla Panchayat Chowk, +91 281 244 0800. 11:00 am - 11:00 pm. South Indian food
  • Big Bite the Food Court, Race Course Ring Road, +91 281 245 8871. 10:00-23:30. Popular Fast Food - Chinese, Continental. Indian dishes include chhole puri, garlic bread, rice pulao
  • Subway, Shop No. 8 & 9, Race Course Ring Road. 11am - 11pm. Fast Food Veg & non-veg sandwiches
  • Michi's Restaurant.
  • Green Fuel, 150 Feet Ring Road, Near Madhapur Chokdi, Krishna Society, Madhapar, +91 92280 11700. 11:00-23:00. Veg Rest.
  • Sanjha Chulha
  • US Pizza
  • Pizza Hut

Dwarka

  • The city of Jamnagar is 90 km from Rajkot.
  • Mount Girnar and the Gir forest are about 100–150 km from Rajkot.
  • Diu is some 200 km from Rajkot with beautiful beaches and pleasant weather.
  • Virpur is around 60 km.
  • Dwarka is about 220 km from Rajkot.
  • The Kutch District is some 200 km from Rajkot.
  • Upleta