Rajkot

Rajkot is most famous as the place where Mahatma Gandhi pursued his early education. The city is also famous for traditional sweets and dandiya/garba raas dances. Founded in 1620 by a member of Jadeja clan, whose descendants ruled the city until 1947, Rajkot gained economic importance in the early 19th century, under British protectorate. Farmers' and traders' councils were encouraged to grow under British Rule. Later the city plunged into the industrial Age with the first years dominated by casting industries. Even today Rajkot is a wealthy city that ranks the 22nd-fastest-growing city in the world. It's also one of the cleanest cities of India.
Rajkot lies in the middle of Kathiawar peninsula, halfway between Ahmedabad and Porbandar. It's well worth one or two days stop although it's not a monumental city. Rajkot rather appeals to spiritual tastes. As in Ahmedabad, many ashrams, that offers the teachings of yoga and meditative retreat, are located in the city and its surroundings, amidst forested hills and beautiful lakes. Unfortunately these traditions are not apparent to foreign visitors, especially to those in a hurry.
Gujarati is the main language. Hindi is next most popular. A good number of people will have a working knowledge of English too.

Being one of the major cities of Gujarat, Rajkot is well connected to other cities by air and land transport. For tourists, it's usual to either board a flight from Mumbai (for international arrivals) to Rajkot. For others who are already in India, it's advisable to reach Ahmadabad (either by train or by flight), and then take a quick bus ride to Rajkot.

By plane

• Rajkot AirportHas several flights to Mumbai everyday (but no flights to Ahmadabad, due to its relative proximity), which in turn is well connected with the rest of the world.

By rail

• Rajkot JunctionThe main railway station. There are several direct trains from all parts of India to Rajkot. Some of them include longer routes trains from Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Jammu, Kochi, Secunderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Bhopal etc. In common with the rest of India is advisable to book train tickets as early as possible because they are generally not available (ie, in waiting) after the booking slot opens. Booking tickets 2-3 months prior to the journey is recommended. For those who take long distance trains, it is even more advisable.

By bus

Rajkot is quite well connected to the entire region of Saurashtra and rest of Gujarat by buses.

• GSRTC Bus Station

If you will be flying out of Ahmedabad, there are some buses that leave from Rajkot and drop you to the Ahmedabad airport. They drop you just outside the airport, so be ready to walk about 10 minutes to get to the entrance, but its paved and many people are walking that way. A lot of private bus companies have a very well established network around the state with comfortable bus options (For e.g. Patel Tours and travels, Eagle travels, Neeta travels, etc..)

As Rajkot lies in the middle of the Saurashtra region, it is very easy to visit many famous places from here, whose relatives distances from Rajkot are small.
Commuting inside the city can be done via BRTS which covers the roads around the city, but the most favorite is using Auto-richshaws (best to negotiate the rate of travel before sitting inside).

• Watson Museum

  phone: +91 97241 03824
  address: Dhebar Rd
  The Watson Museum was established in 1888 and was named after the British Political Agent of Kathiwad, Colonel John Watson. The Museum exhibits copies of artifacts from Mohenjodaro, sculptures, costumes of the local tribal people.

• The Lang Library

  phone: +91 281 222 4795, +91 281 2232199
  address: Jawahar Road, Lohana Para
  The library has an extensive collection of old books and a repository of reference material linked to the colonial era.

• Mohandas Gandhi High School

  address: Jawahar Rd, Jubilee Chowk
  Where Mahatma Gandhi got his primary education. The buildings were built by the Nawab of Junagadh and took the name of the Duke Alfred of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

• Kaba Gandhi No Delo

  address: Gheekantha & Dharmendra Rds Crossing
  Mahatma Gandhi's childhood residence. It has now been converted in to a memorial called "Gandhi Smriti". The museum displays and consists of photographs, objects and the belongings of Mahatma Gandhi.

• Rotary Dolls Museum

  phone: +91 281 246 4352
  address: Yagnik Road
  This unique Museum gives an overview to the culture and traditions of the world at large through a medium of various dolls

• Rashtriya ShalaA centre formpatola weavjng founded in 1921 by Mahatma Gandhi a centre of patola weaving.

• Race courseWhere people head for a stroll in the mornings and at nights. The site of major events in the city. Also, Madhavrao Schindia Cricket Stadium is located in the area

• Swaminarayan Temple

  phone: +91 281 245 1000
  address: Kalawad Road
  A temple of BAPS, a socio-spiritual Hindu organization with its roots in the Vedas. It was revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781-1830) in the late 18th century and established in 1907 by Shastriji Maharaj (1865-1951).

• Shri Ramkrishna Ashram

  phone: +91 281-2465200
  address: Dr. Yagnik Road
  Has a permanent exhibition showcasing the life of Shri Ramkrishna plus a public library and an Ayurvedic centre

• Ishwariya MahadevLocated on a hilltop in the outskirts of the city. The surrounding area is a traditional picnic spot.

• Panchmukhi Hanuman

  phone: +91 99249 21879
  address: Garediya Kuva Main Road
  The Temple of Lord Hanuman that is believed to keep the area free of rakshasas (demons). A large number of devotees visit the temple every day to get rid of evil spirits.

• Shree Ranchoddas Bapu Ashram

  address: Kuvadva Main Road

• Shree Ramnath Mahadev Temple

  address: Ramnath Para,

• Aji DamA beautiful dam site constructed during British Raj.

• Nyari DamA beautiful dam site. Very good for weekend stay and bird watching

• Krishna Water Park

  phone: +91 281 278 4300, +91 281 278 4378
  address: National Highway 8-B, Kuvadva Village
  This small amusement park includes a wave pool, a high pendulum slide and a rain discotheque for kids only.

Want to shop?
If at all you are a typical shopper who wants to buy clothes, jewellery, watches etc, then you can visit the malls of Rajkot. But if you want to buy the regional specialties, then you may go for the local bazaars

• Big Bazaar

  phone: +91 281 304 7070
  address: Kalayad Road

• Crystal Mall

  phone: +91 281 256 2319
  address: Kalawad Road
  Cinema, department store and restaurant/food court

• Dharmendra Road BazarSells sorts of multipurpose goods and accessories,

• Bangdi-bazaarJewellery and bangles

• Mochi bazaarfor its footwear shops ('Mochi' in Hindi translates to a cobbler)

  -,

• Soni bazaarAll sorts of jewellery ('Soni' is equivalent to a goldsmith in Hindi).

Being the cultural and commerce capital of the Saurashtra district, one can expect to find many unique and delicious foods in Rajkot.

• For breakfast, generally Ganthiya is a very good option. Ganthiyas here are of many types like Fafda (wide thin strips of Gathiya, generally savored with Jalebi, and Sambhara, a juicy salad mix of grated beets,mangoes and spices), Vanela (bite sized pieces of Gathiya), Bhavnagari (Spicy Gathiya) etc. Ganthiya is made from Besan along with some spices and water which is made into a batter then fried in oil. Khaman and Dhokla are also very famous breakfast options. Bhakri (a hard Indian Bread) is also generally taken in breakfast, although it is generally made only in homes and not available with street hawkers.
• Poha, Jalebi, Sweet Samosa, Sweet Kachori etc. You could get them at Kotecha Chowk. At some places you may also get some south Indian varieties like idli, vada etc. (kotecha chowk).
• For something spicy, one can go for Dabeli (bread with spicy potato filling, stuffed with spicy peanuts and served with sauces), Spicy Ghughra (spicy potato filled dumpling), Pav Bhaji, Panipuri, Ragda pattice, Dahi puri and many more fast-food items. These food items are generally sold evening onwards (with hawkers opening usually opening 17:30 onwards).
• Rajkot is also famous for its Kathiawadi Thali, with many good restaurants offering it.
• For the Sweet-toothed, Chikki, Peda are some of the sweets that Rajkot is famous for. There is a special shop famous for Peda named Jai Siya Ram Pendawala at Yagnik Road. The famous shop for Chikki is Jalaram Chikki at Limda Chowk.
• There is one stop destination for your sweets and namkeens. Different items of Rashikbhai Chevdawala is also famous for breakfast. Items like Farali Chevdo, Pauva Chevdo, Jariwali Wafer, etc are delicious. For sweets, there is a good variety in peda and barfis .

• Temptations

  phone: +91 281 247 5010
  address: Kasturba Rd, Opp.Dharam Cinema
  Family restaurant with mixed cuisine including Italian (lasagne), Chinese and Mexican — all vegetarian and crowded.

• Flavours

  address: Dr. Yagnik Road
  Multi-cuisine restaurant (Punjabi/North Indian, Mexican, etc.). Immaculately clean and impeccable service. Busy on weekends

• Lords Banquet

  phone: +91 281 244 4486
  address: Kasturba Rd

• Raju Pavbhaji

  address: Saibaba Complex, Kalavad Road
  Veg Restaurant

• Apple Bite

  phone: +91 90333 03145
  address: 4 Plus Building Sardarnagar Main Road
  Very popular multicuisine restaurant. (Punjabj, Italian, Mexican, Continental, Chinese). Good ambiance, courteous staff

• Sankalp

  phone: +91 281 244 0800
  address: Race Course Ring Road, Nr. Zilla Panchayat Chowk
  South Indian food

• Big Bite the Food Court

  phone: +91 281 245 8871
  address: Race Course Ring Road
  Popular Fast Food - Chinese, Continental. Indian dishes include chhole puri, garlic bread, rice pulao

• Subway

  address: Shop No. 8 & 9, Race Course Ring Road
  Fast food, veg & non-veg sandwiches

• Michi's Restaurant

• Green Fuel

  phone: +91 92280 11700
  address: 150 Feet Ring Road, Near Madhapur Chokdi, Krishna Society, Madhapar
  Veg Rest.

• Hotel Upasana

• Hotel Suryakant

  phone: +91 281 246 3146, +91 281 662 7555, +91 281 246 0969
  address: Gondal Road, Lodhawad Chowk
  25 A/C rooms. Satellite TV

• Chouki Dhani

  phone: +91 281 654 3664
  address: Jamnagar Road, Near All India Radio Tower
  a small ethnic Rajasthani village, 14 km away from Rajkot city /Cottage type. Restaurants

Budget

• Hotel Everstar

  phone: +91 281 222 7757, +91 94277 27774 (Mobile)
  address: Ashapura Road
  Budget hotel. A/C Rooms. Free wi-fi

• Hotel Aditya

  phone: +91 281 222 0044, +91 281-2229901
  address: Bhupendra Rd, Opp.Rajshree Cinema
  Budget hotel. A/C rooms, hot water. Noisy location near Sondi Bazaar

• Hotel Evershine

  phone: +91 281 248 1682
  address: Limbda Chowk
  Clean, well-equipped rooms at affordable price. Polite staff. Central location at Limda Chowk

• Hotel Classique

  phone: +91 281 245 0392
  address: On the 7th floor of Sudarshan Commercial Complex, Limda Chowk
  Another cheap option at Limda Chowk. Dining hall on the 2nd floor of Sudarshan Complex

• Jayson Hotel

  phone: +91 281 248 1600
  address: Subash Road, Limda Chowk
  Various category rooms, cheap and wi fi

• The Galaxy Hotel

  phone: +91 281 222 2906
  address: Jawahar Road, Panchnath Plot, Sadar
  Spacious double rooms on 2nd floor of an old building in the crowded Jawahar Road,

• Hotel Krose

  address: Limda Chowk
  very nice budget hotel option in rajkot

Mid-range

• The Grand Thakar Hotel

  phone: +91 281 223 0091
  address: Jawahar Road, Opp. Jubeli Garden
  A 3 star hotel with 29 rooms. AC, Satellite tv, 24 hour hot water, free wifi. Santushti Restaurant is a multicuisine restaurant.

• Hotel Kavery

  phone: +91 281 223 9331
  address: Kanak Road, Karanpara

• Hotel The Grand Regency

  phone: +91 281 224 0100
  address: Dhebar Road, Millpara, Bhakti Nagar

• Hotel Silver Palace

  phone: +91 281 248 0008
  address: Dr Yagnik Road Corner

• Hotel Rajdoot

  phone: +91 281 246 8991
  address: Dr Yagnik Road, Near Race Course

Splurge

• Hotel Imperial Palace

  phone: +91 281 2480000
  address: Dr Yagnik Road
  Five star hotel centrally located. Upscale room amenities. Swimming pool, salon and message centre.,

• The Grand Bhagwati

  phone: +91 281 2783344
  address: Kalawad Road. Opp. Drive-in Cinema

• Heritage Khirasra Palace

  phone: +91 99130 77077
  address: Kalawad Road, Khirasra Village
  A heritage hotel housed in the 16th-century Khirasha castle. It's located on a hill overlooking a small water body,

• The city of Jamnagar is 90 km from Rajkot.
• Mount Girnar and the Gir forest (abode of the Asiatic lions) are about 100–150 km from Rajkot.
• Somnath temple is around 200 km from Rajkot.
• Diu is some 200 km from Rajkot with beautiful beaches and pleasant weather.
• Virpur is around 60 km.
• Dwarka is about 220 km from Rajkot.
• The Kutch District is some 200 km from Rajkot.
• Upleta
• Porbandar: Port region and birth place of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi)