|
As far as
monuments under the care of State
Department of Archaeology are concerned
following are excellent from the view
architectural craftsmanship and
archaeological interest: |
|
(1) |
Junagadh
at a distance of 330 kn, from Ahmedabad
and 105 km. from Rajkot has a number of
edxcellent monuments that include
Buddhist caves (Uparkot) Bawa Piyara
caves and Khapdakhodiya caves ranging
from 2nd to 4th A.D. (These three caves
are being looked after by the
Archaeological Survey of India).
Also at
Junagadh are the Uparkot fortifications
which include highly planned and
storeyed stepwells and other monuments.
Uparkot fortifications have a history of
their own and their antiquity goes back
to Mauryan times (2nd century B.C.) as
Junagadh was the seat of Mauryan power.
Junagadh has the famous rock inscription
of Ahsoka, the Maurya King. |
|
(2) |
Kera
Shiva temple |
| |
Kera Shiva
temple, 18 km. from Bhuj is excellently
carved pre-Solanki (10th
A.D.) structure that is an architectural
delight. |
|
(3) |
Around
Porbandar, there are a number of temples
built by Maitrakas (7th
century A.D.) these include temples at
Kachhadi, Chhaya, Boicha, Fatana and
Barej. Porbandar has a pleasure
pavillion built of wood and stone called
Sartanji's Chora. Also there is Kirti
Mandir or Mahatma Gandhi's birth place
(which is under the ASI). |
|
(4) |
Harappan mound of Rojadi |
| |
The
excavated Harappan mound of Rojadi
(2500-1800 B.C.) is located near the
village of Shrinathgadh, 16 km. from
Gondal. |
|
(5) |
Tarnetar Temple |
| |
The temple
of Tarnetar near Than in the
Surendranagar disttrict is exquisitely
carved in old style though the temple
was built in late 19th
century. It is also the venue for
ayearly cultural fair that attracts many
foreign tourists. At a distance of 4 k.
from Than, is the 9th century
Munibawa temple on a hillock. Tarnetar
is 85 KM from Rajkot and 8 km. from
Than. |
|
(6) |
Kuntasi
|
| |
Kuntasi is
located some 30 km. from Morbi on road
to Navlakhi. It is an excavated
Harappan settlement which engaged in
trade with Gulf countries (2400-1800
B.C.). |
|
(7) |
Jaina
Tmeples |
| |
There are
groups of Jaina tmeples at Abhapur and
Antarsuba in the Vijaynagar taluka of
Sabarkantha district. These are at a
distance of 160 km. from Ahmedabad. |
|
(8) |
Harishchandra-ni-Chori |
| |
The
exquisitely carved torana or ornate
gateway at Shamlaj called
Harishchandra-ni-Chori is worth visiting
and is located at a distance. |
|
(9) |
Temples
of great Beauty |
| |
At
Santrampur in Panchmahals district is
located a group of three Temples of
great beauty. The temples are dated to
15th century A.D. Santrampur
is located at a distance of 225 km.
from Ahmedabad. |
|
(10) |
Gateway
of Patan |
| |
At Patan
in the Mehsana district are located
ancient gateway of Patan. Patan is 140
km. from Ahmedabad and close to both
Modhera and Rani-ki-Vav. |
|
(11) |
Navlakha Temple |
| |
The group
of temples at Ghumli including the 12th
century A.D. Navlakha temple, are
located at a distance of 82 km. from
Jamnagar. The place is surrounded by
the Barda hills and is quite
pircturesque. |
