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BEACHES
OF GUJARAT |
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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