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BEACHES
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Porbandar Beach |
On the south-east coast, about midway between Veraval
and Dwarka in Gujarat, Porbandar is located. It is the birthplace
of Mahatma Gandhi. Dhows are still built here and fish-drying is
an important activity here. Porbandar produces gold and silver trinkets,
manufactures fine quality silk and cotton.
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Chorwad Beach |
66 km from Junagadh and 23 km from the fishing
center of Veraval, Chorwad is a delightful beach with it's resort
on the sunny coast of Gujarat. An excellent road connects it to
Junagadh, Girnar, the Gir Forest Sanctuary and the famous temple
of Somnath. There are trains from Ahmedabad to Chorwad road station.
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Beyt Dwarka |
Dwarka has some fine stretches of beach. Though
it is a crowded place always full of pilgrims, you can always find
a quiet spot to unwind. Shore birds gather in large numbers along
the coast. Okha, north of Dwarka is a jetty, from where one can
get ferries for Beyt Dwarka, an island covered with temples. The
eastern tip of the island, to visit which one may need to charter
an entire boat, has a lovely white beach, coral reefs and extensive
marine life. Dolphins and porpoise can be seen surfacing to breathe,
sea turtles inhabit the beach, octopus, star fish, sea urchins etc
abound. Accommodation options are limited. Dwarka receives trains
from Bombay.
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Somnath & Veraval Beach |
The Somnath temple is beautiful and quiet impressive.
The aura of devotion is more awesome, but the high point is it's
location by the blue waters of the Arabian sea. The beach of Somnath
is unshaded but lovely, the views stupendous, and one can enjoy
cool, fresh coconuts, camel rides, and spray of the waves as one
wade along the shoreline.
Just 6 kms from Somnath, Veraval was a fortified port town of the
royal family of Junagadh. The old walls have been pulled down but
the impressive Junagadh gate and Patan gate, both with intricate
carvings, can still be seen, as can the old Nawabi palace with Gothic
features facing the sea. The beach near the palace, has benches
and a jogging path, and is a popular place for strolls and swimming
in the morning.
The most spectacular sight of Veraval is the fishing port, where
thousands of trawlers, country crafts and dhows can be seen unloading
their catch. Dhows are built in this region by master artisans who
use simple tools to turn piles of rafters and timber into perfectly
proportioned, symmetrical sea going vessels (the latest instrument
used is a measuring tape). Accommodation can be availed at Hotel
Park. Other hotels are near the bus or railway station and offer
simple a/c or non a/c rooms. If one wants to be near the sea, there
are some cheap hotels, guest houses and Dharamshalas at Somnath.
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Mandvi Beach |
It is one of the finest beaches in Gujarat and also a historic port town of the Maharao of
Kutch. It is situated 298 kms away from Ahmedabad. One of the finest beach resorts of the country, Ahmedpur Mandvi offers
exciting options to entertain oneself by lazing in the beach, swimming, or enjoying water sports. The port of Mandvi was an important sea trade post between the near east and the far east, and brought considerable prosperity to the royal family of Kutch. Mandvi town is important to the Maharaos as their capital city of Bhuj, and they endowed it with some splendid palaces and buildings. The prettiest of the beaches is the one which is now being promoted by Gujarat tourism. The beach has lovely blue waters, lots of
bird life, sandy beaches and colorful fishing hamlets.
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