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Day 01: Ahmedabad - Ambaji (183 KMS / 03:10 HRS One way) - Ahmedabad
Arrival at Ahmedabad Airport / Railway Station (Morning). Today do an excursion to Ambaji temple.
• Ambaji:
183 kms from Ahmedabad is one of the major Shakti-piths of India, situated in the Arasur hills. The Ambaji Temple contains no idol, but an inscribed Yantra in the niche. Ambaji is essentially a temple town-with a temple dedicated to Goddess Ambaji at the center. The Ambaji Temple and the front court 'Chachar no Chowk' are aligned in the same axis of the cave at Gabbar hill-the original abode of Goddess Ambaji. The present temple was constructed a few years ago, maintaining the original architectural style. Millions of piligrims visit the temple every year-especially during Navratri to seek the blessing of Goddess Ambaji. Evening at Leisure. Overnight at Ahmedabad
Day 02: Ahmedabad – Somnath (406 KMS / 06:45 HRS)
Today, after breakfast, drive to Somnath.
• Somnath:
One of the most revered & an important center of culture & nationalism. The legendary temple contains a 'jyotirlinga'. Looted & destroyed, built & rebuilt several times, it represents the eternal beauty & strength of the Indian society. The present splendid structure was rebuilt about five decades ago, at the exact spot where the original shrine was located. The iron man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was instrumental in the construction of the present temple.Overnight at Safari Hotel and Resort located at walking distance from Somnath temple near Veraval.
Day 03: Somnath – Dwarka (230 KM / 04:00 HRS).
Today morning after having the pleasure to attend the morning aarti at Somnath temple, drive to Dwarka.
• Dwarka:
(City with a fascinating history geography and divinity)
This ancient city is considered to be the same legendary Dwarka which was the dwelling place of Lord Krishna after he left the sacred city of Mathura. A religious hub and architectural gem, Dwarka is one of the four most holy sites of Hinduism called the Char Dham, Dwarka in the West along with Badrinath in the North, Puri in the East and and Rameshwaram in the South is a must visit pilgrimage for all devout Hindus. Dwarka is also the seventh sacred city along with Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu and Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh for Hindus. The city has mystical, mythical, historical and archeological value that attracts people of diverse interests. Legend has it that the city of Dwarka was built by Vishwakarma, who was a celestial architect at the bidding of Lord Krishna. The temple is made of limestone and sand and is said to have been destroyed six times by the sea and then tirelessly rebuilt. The current city as we see it today has been re-built for the seventh time. According to ancient Indian Vedic scriptures like Mahabharata and Bhagavatapurana, Dwarka remained the kingdom of Lord Krishna, who came here with the Yadav clan from Mathura. This mythological city is believed to Have Gone underwater and the various marine excavations around Beyt Dwarka have indeed revealed a grand and well planned city.
• Dwarka Temple:
Dwarka is derived from two words-"dwar" meaning Door and 'ka' refers to Lord Brahma. Dwarka therefore means Gateway to Moksha or Door to Heavan. Lord Krishna's grandson, Vajranabha, is said to have built the original temple of Dwarkadhish more than 2500 years ago, over the hari-griha (Lord Krishna residential place).
The current Dwarka Temple, in the middle of the town was built in the 16th century. Dwarkadish is another name of Lord Krishna that means the Lord of Dwarka. The main temple at Dwarka, is known as Jagat Mandir or trilok sundar (the most beautiful in all the three worlds). It is a magnificent structure seeming to rise from the waters of the Arabian Sea. The five-story high temple is built on seventy-two pillars and has a temple dome waves an eighty-four foot long multicolored flag decorated with the symbols of the sun and moon. There are two entrances to the temple; the main entrance (north entrance) is called "moksha Dwara" (Door to Salvation) which leads to the main market. The south entrance is called "Swarga Dwarka" (Gate to Heaven) which has 56 steps that lead to Gomati River. It's exquisitely carved shikhar, reaching a height of 43 meters and the huge flag made from 52 yards of cloth, can be seen from as far away as 10 km. The exquisite carvings on its exterior, display daring eroticism, a molti-layered mythic intensity and extraordinary continuity of design. In contrast, the interior of the temple is striking in simplicity, with the only exception being the elaborate ornamentation around the shrine to the idol of Dwarkadhish.
In the evening arrive in Dwarka and drive to the hotel.
Attend evening aarti at Dwarkadhish temple. Overnight stay at Dwarka.
Day 04: Dwarka
Today morning attend morning aarti at Dwarkadhish temple and visit Bet island 30 kms from Dwarka.
One can reach Bet from Dwarka through Okha by road. From Okha port jetty, a little sea journey in a ferry or a small boat takes you to Bet.
Dolphins, porpoise, sea turtles, octopus, starfish, sea urchins are the common species that are the permanent inhabitants of the islands. A flock of migratory birds are also known to visit the place every year. Return to hotel at Dwarka for an overnight stay.
Day 05: Dwarka - Ahmedabad (455KM / 07:30 HRS)
Today, after breakfast, drive to Ahmedabad. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Ahmedabad
Day 06:
Ahmedabad Departure
After breakfast derive to Ahmedabad airport for departure. Tour Ends.
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