After covering Jamnagar and Dwarka in Glorious Gujarat: Part One, my journey through this vibrant state was far from over – the road ahead promised even deeper stories.

After Dwarka, it was time to move towards Somnath. This leg of the journey had two distinct highlights for me. The first was the drive itself – Gujarat’s impeccable road infrastructure once again impressed me. Smooth highways, minimal traffic, and rows of windmills lining the horizon made the journey feel almost meditative. The second was a halt at Porbandar, a city that deserves far more than a passing stop.

I Glimpses of Porbandar

1) Kirti Mandir: The birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, now converted into a memorial museum dedicated to his life and principles. You can see the exact room and spot where he was born. The space is adorned with photographs, quotes, and exhibits tracing his journey and India’s freedom movement. There’s also a library and research center with books by and about him. Quiet, powerful, humbling.

2) Sudama Mandir: One of the very few temples dedicated exclusively to Sudama, Lord Krishna’s childhood friend. The temple beautifully symbolizes friendship, devotion, and simplicity.

3) Porbandar Beach: Calm, scenic, perfect for a sunset stroll.

4) Huzoor Palace: Right next to the beach stands this majestic European-style palace built in the early 20th century by Rana Natwarsinhji, the last Maharaja of Porbandar. It’s now privately owned by the royal family’s successors. Even from the outside, it’s impossible to miss.

II Somnath: Where History Meets Devotion

My next destination was one I had been eagerly looking forward to – Somnath Temple, the first among the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas of India.

I’ve visited many temples across the country, but Somnath felt exceptional. It was clean, beautiful, and remarkably well organized – a refreshing contrast to the chaos one often associates with large pilgrimage sites.

Here, devotion meets the sea. The sunrise over the Arabian Sea creates a meditative atmosphere on the elevated viewing platform near the temple. The calm is something you don’t just see, you feel it! While many devotees visit in the evening for the aarti and the light-and-sound show, I highly recommend experiencing the morning serenity.

A short walk away is Somnath Beach – lively but not crowded. Camels dressed in colorful attire, a grand Hanuman murti, and an unobstructed view of the temple from the shoreline made it a lovely visit.

Other Places to Visit in Somnath

1) Shri Lakshminarayan Mandir & Gita Mandir
Located close to the main temple, the former is dedicated to Vishnu and Lakshmi, while the latter is dedicated to Krishna. The Gita Mandir is especially known for the carvings of sacred verses from the Bhagavad Gita on its pillars.

2) Ahilyabai Temple (Old Somnath Temple)
Built by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, this older shrine, often referred to as “Purana Somnath” – remains deeply sacred. The present Somnath temple was completed in 1951, but this earlier structure holds immense historical and spiritual significance. I particularly enjoyed browsing the bookshops in the complex.

3) Triveni Sangam
The confluence of the Kapila, Hiran, and Saraswati rivers before they meet the Arabian Sea.

4) Surya Mandir
Believed to be around 5,000 years old, this small temple sits within a residential area. Above the entrance is an image of Surya with his seven horses. There’s also a surya kund (stepwell), and local belief holds that the Pandavas stayed here during exile; the Pandava Gufa lies nearby.

5) Ram Mandir
Newly built and grand in structure, its entrance gate is shaped like Shri Ram’s dhanushya (bow). From the balcony, you get panoramic views of Somnath Temple, the coastline, Triveni Sangam, and nearby shrines. I found myself writing “Ram Ram” in the large books placed there – something I remember my mother doing when I was growing up. A deeply nostalgic moment.

6) Bhalka Tirth
One of the most emotionally significant stops. Believed to be the place where Lord Krishna was struck by hunter Jara’s arrow, marking the end of his earthly form. The idol here is unlike any other, i.e, Krishna is depicted in a serene, semi-reclining posture, symbolizing that final moment. Nearby stands a statue of Jara, often shown in supplication – a reminder of forgiveness and destiny woven together.

III Gir: Into the Kingdom of the Asiatic Lion

From Somnath, I moved to Gir National Park, the only natural habitat in the world for the Asiatic Lion.

These animals are majestic and endangered. Although they are smaller than their African counterparts, they have long symbolized power and courage and find a presence on India’s national emblem.

I stayed at Gir Serai – IHCL SeleQtions, a comfortable and well-maintained property with good service and food. The most thrilling moment? A leopard casually walking along the boundary wall of the hotel. Witnessing it live was unexpected and unforgettable!

The Safari Experience

I booked the afternoon safari (3–6 pm). Do remember to register for permits in advance on the official park website. Slots fill up pretty quickly!

The safari begins at Sinh Sadan, well organized and with a nice big souvenir shop. You’re taken in an open jeep with a driver and guide. Different routes are assigned randomly. And we were incredibly blessed.

First, a lioness – she approached our jeep, paused, and then stretched and rolled on the dusty path, utterly at ease in her kingdom. Then, a majestic male lion appeared. When he sat down on the jeep trail, everything froze. No one moved. No one dared. We simply watched him bask in the sun until we had to slowly take a U-turn.

And just when we thought the experience couldn’t get better; we spotted a whole family by a water body: a lion, a lioness, and two cubs.

Beyond the lions, we also saw nilgai, sambar deer, chital, marsh crocodiles, langurs, and peacocks – each adding to the richness of the forest.

Thank you, Gir! This truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

IV A Few Hours in Rajkot

My flight back was from Rajkot, which gave me a few hours to explore.

I had planned to see multiple spots, but I was so mesmerized by my first stop (the Mahatma Gandhi Museum) that I ended up spending most of my time there.

Inaugurated in 2018 on Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary, this museum is immersive, engaging, and beautifully curated. While I can imagine schoolchildren loving it, I think I enjoyed it just as much. I must have taken over a hundred pictures and videos. Infact, narrowing them down for this blog was quite a task!

Hats off to the Rajkot Municipal Corporation and Gujarat Tourism for creating and maintaining such a world-class space!

Until Next Time, Gujarat…

It’s incredible how much Gujarat has to offer. And I already know I’ll be back. Next time, I’d love to:

• Spend more time in Rajkot: see the Watson Museum, Rotary Dolls Museum, Jubilee Garden, Ranjit Vilas Palace, etc.
• Explore Junagadh: Girnar Hill, Mahabat Maqbara, Uparkot Fort
• Visit the iconic Statue of Unity
• And experience the magic of the Rann of Kutch

As I boarded my flight back, I found myself replaying moments from the trip – the rhythmic chanting in Jamnagar, the aarti at Dwarka, the sunrise calm of Somnath, and the stillness before a lion crossed our path in Gir. This wasn’t just a trip across cities. It was a journey across faith, history, wilderness, and memory. I know this isn’t goodbye. It’s simply, see you soon!