Rajkot was founded by Vibhoji, the younger son of Ajoji. The city, also a former British government headquarters, has a number of impressive colonial buildings and educational institutions. It is famous for silver, textiles and a National weaving institute which promotes traditional weaves. The pleasant town is an important industrial area and a religious centre of the Arya Samaj.
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HOW TO REACH
By Air :-
There is an airport in Rajkot and the major domestic airlines run flights between Rajkot and Mumbai. Indian Airlines has four flights a week to Mumbai while Jet and Sahara have daily flights.
By Rail :-
Rajkot is a main railway junction of Saurashtra, trains for the all the major cities of India is available from here.
By Road :-
The State Transport Corporation runs regular buses to and from Rajkot to other cities of Gujarat. There are buses for Jamnagar, Junagarh, Porbandar, Veraval, and Ahmedabad. There are a number of private bus operators connecting this city with Mumbai, Bhuj, Bhavnagar, Una, Mt Abu, and Udaipur.
WHAT TO SEE
Swaminarayan Temple :-
This temple is built in 1998-99 by Swaminarayan Sampradaya. It is situated onfast developing Kalavad Road near Mahila College.
Mukti Dhama :-
It is an electric crematorium located in Ramnath para area. It is run and maintained by NGO under grant of Rajkot Municipal Corporation. It has number of small temples, prayer halls, library and beautiful garden displaying historical events which attracts number of people.
Ramakrishna Aashram :-
This temple was built in 1934 on the land donated by Late Shri Dharmendrasinhji, then king of Morbi state. It is situated on Dr. Yagnik road of Rajkot. It is second most important place for followers of Swami Vivekanand after Kolcatta.
Kaba Gandhi no delo :-
This house was build by Karamchand Gandhi, the father of Mahatma Gandhi, in 1880-81. Dharmendra road market. This house is purchased by State Government and has been declared as National Monument. Gandhiji lived in this house from 1881 to 1887 during his study at Rajkot. It is located near Dharmendra road in old city area.
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Aji Dam :-
This dam is build by Government of Gujarat for water supply to city area. The down stream side of the dam and surrounding area is developed and maintained by Rajkot Municipal Corporation. A beautiful step garden with amusement park for children, zoo, bird aviary, crocodile park have been provided for entertainment of the citizens of the city.
Watson Museum :-
It was inaugurated in the year 1888 in Jubilee Garden of Rajkot city. It has excellent collection of archiological and ancient traditional items. This musium along with a huge library are located in Jubilee Gardens.
Jam Tower :-
Jam tower was gifted to Rajkot by then King of Jamnagar in 1880. It is located in old city area near Jamnagar Road adjcent to G. T. Sheth Orthopadic Hospital. Sir Woodhouse was the political agent of British Government during 1880 who was pleased to receive this gorgeous gift for the city.
If shopping is on your mind then Rajkot is the place to be. The city is famous for its mirror work, Bandhani sarees, bead work, patch work, silk embroidery, jewellery market and watch parts. It is an important centre for brocade embroidery (zardozi), pearl fishing, hand printing and gold and silver jewellery. The silver engravings and ornaments which are prominent symbols of Gujarati art work are products of Rajkot- in short, Rajkot is the centre for silver ornaments. There are many small scale manufacturing industries in the city. Rajkot also excels in the field of furniture. Minakari furniture from Rajkot includes low slung chairs, Indian style sofa sets, chairs, centre tables and settees. The city offers visitors a chance to buy Gujarati handlooms and handicrafts famous the world over. One can also treat ones taste buds to a delightful array of tasty Gujarati sweets and snacks.
FOOD:-
Gujarati thalis are very famous and you can get it anywhere.
If it’s Punjabi , Chinese or Continental that you are looking forward to eat ,then Bukhara’s restaurant( Hotel Kavery) the place for you !
Hotels like Galaxy, have good restaurants. Havmour(multi-cuisine), Lakshmi lodge(thalis), Rainbow(South Indian), Step-in(fast food, snacks, icecream), Village-the-motel(theme restaurant), Babha(Gujarati), Lord’s banquet(multi-cuisine).