Besides being known as the city that rests in the afternoon, Rajkot is a very enjoyable place to visit for its historical sites. The city also offers a dynamic arts and culture scene. They have beautiful textiles and furniture, sarees, embroidery, jewelry, and it is a nice place to shop. Here you’ll find antiques, traditional crafts, and optimistic and colorful handicrafts made by locals. You have a lot of places to visit in Rajkot.
Top 15 Places to visit in Rajkot
There are many beautiful recreational areas to visit. Renowned for its silk products, gold jewelry, and watch parts, Rajkot is among the fastest growing cities in this country. Also, this city is one of the cleanest cities in India. Here are some recommended places to visit in Rajkot:
1. Kaba Gandhi no Delo
The city of Rajkot is best known as where Mahatma Gandhi spent his childhood, so visiting Kaba Gandhi no Delo is one of his most significant and popular attractions and among the top places to visit in Rajkot. Kaba Gandhi no Delo is the house where Mahatma Gandhi lived when his father was a Rajkot priest.
The site is now a museum with preserved artifacts and a painting tour depicting Gandhi’s life, and it additionally pays housing to an NGO that runs courses on site.
2. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a Hindu temple located on Kalawad Road. It is one of the most beautiful spiritual places in Rajkot. This astonishingly beautiful temple is built to honour Lord Swaminarayan and was built in the year 1998 by Swaminarayan Sampradaya using the techniques of the ancient Vedic Shilpa and Shastras.
If you’re looking for some places near Rajkot for one day picnic, this spot is ideal. The non-profit foundation that runs the temple hosts events celebrating India’s heritage and is known for its humanitarian services.
3. Rotary Midtown Doll Museum
A unique museum of its kind, the Rotary Midtown Doll Museum showcases dolls from around the world. Over 1,500 dolls from over 100 countries are on display. Dolls are brought in from different countries and carry their respective national flags. The museum also encourages activities such as doll-making and sculpture.
4. Pradhyuman Zoological Park
Among the many places to visit between Rajkot and Ahmedabad, the Pradhyuman Zoological Park is a great choice! It situated near Lalpari Lake in Rajkot, Gujarat. It is locally known as Rajkot Prani Sangraraya. This extensive park covers an area of 137 hectares.
Many locals and tourists visit this place as a popular picnic destination as part of a trip or outing. Lake Lalpari and Lake Randalda are natural habitats for migratory birds, with diverse flora. Additional fees apply for the use of cameras and video recorders in the park.
5. ISKCON Temple
The center is dedicated to Bhakti Yoga and houses the Hare Krishna temple and ashram known as the Sri Sri Radha Neermadhav Dam. It is located on Karawad’s main road, and the majestic architecture of this temple attracts pilgrims from all over the country.
The ISKCON Trust is responsible for maintaining the temple grounds and hosts religious and cultural events throughout the year. The ISKCON Temple is one of Rajkot’s most revered places.
6. Watson Museum
The Watson Museum showcases India’s and Rajkot’s colonial history. Valuable items from both eras are on display. The museum focuses on human history and culture. The museum contains paintings from the Indus civilization and magnificent images of Saurashtra princesses.
Among one of the best museums of Gujarat, it offers guided tours and photography and has a sales counter to spread information about the museum.
7. Rampara Wildlife Sanctuary
The Rampara Wildlife Sanctuary spreads over several acres and is home to abundant flora and fauna. The reserve is considered a bird-lovers paradise, with many migratory birds such as wood pigeons, toco pigeons, yellowfin sparrows, purple sunbirds, peacocks, and partridges.
It is not uncommon for a few deer and antelopes to congregate here. Blue bulls, hyenas, foxes, jackals, and wolves are other common animals.
8. Ranjit Vilas Palace
The Ranjit Vilas Palace is located in Rajkot, Gujarat, and was built by Maharaja Wankaner H.H. Amarsinji. It covers an area of 225 hectares. Visitors can only enter the palace under special circumstances with permission from the current descendants of the Jhala dynasty. The palace is adorned with a blend of historic architectural styles drawn from Mughal, Gothic, Dutch, and Victorian architecture.
9. Nyari Dam
Built over the Nyari River, the Nyari Dam is stunningly beautiful and acts as a fun picnic spot. Visited by locals and tourists alike, it has become one of Rajkot’s most popular attractions. The scenic landscape of the dam is unrivaled, and in winter, it transforms into a birdwatching area with migratory birds.
The romantic atmosphere and beautiful sunsets make the experience even more unforgettable, which is why it is among the top places to visit in Rajkot for couple.
10. Prem Mandir
Prem Mandir is also translated as Temple of Love. Surprisingly, Prem Mandir, which architecturally looks like a temple, is a cathedral. The cathedral is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The cathedral is also painted with different religions, with five domes, each inscribed with a different religious inscription. The main dome has a lotus and a cross. The place also bears traces of Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism.
11. Fun World
Fun World is Gujarat’s first amusement park and attracts adventure seekers from all over the country. A favorite with tourists and locals alike, Fun World has over 20 rides, including an adrenaline-pumping roller coaster, and covers 12 acres. In addition to recreational activities, the park offers delicious snacks.
Fun World is a great place for a one day trip near Rajkot because it also has gymnasiums, swimming pools, and separate areas for sports such as cricket and soccer. Fun World is the ideal place to spend quality time with your children and family.
12. Khambhalida Caves
The caves maintained by the Department of Archaeology of Gujarat attract history buffs from all over the country and are one of Rajkot’s most famous tourist attractions. Discovered by P. P. Pandya in 1958, these Buddhist caves are a major tourist attraction.
The central cave, known as ‘Chaitya,’ contains an old stupa commonly believed to have been used by monks to meditate since ancient times. At the entrance to the Chaitya are two large guardian statues of him known as Bodhisattvas. These carvings are similar to those of the late Kushan Kshatrapa.
13. Gondal
The city is known not only for its collection of automobiles but also for its efficient road network, which used to be the best; it is also a spot to cover when looking for places to visit near Rajkot within 50 kms. The city retains its splendor and royal atmosphere with the help of the Riverside Palace and Darbargad.
Its extensive grounds are forest reserves where you can spot deer and rare bird species. Darbargad, on the other hand, is a 17th-century palace whose main feature is the great arches that dot the grounds. Also known as Navrakka Palace, the palace is open to visitors for a small fee.
14. Jubliee Garden
Well known as the city’s commercial center, Jubliee Garden is located in the heart of Rajkot. Garden is an amusement park with rides for children and adults. There are also small shops and stalls, and it is lively.
The garden is famous for its ‘Chevdo,’ a snack made from rice flakes and served here by a local vendor. The gardens are famous for surrounding Alfred High School, the Watson Museum, Connaught Hall, and Lang Library.
15. Aji Dam
The Aji Dam was built on the Aji River, which provides water for the townspeople. The dam is maintained and managed by the local government. Amusement parks and zoos are nearby, making it ideal for picnics. The purpose of dams is to channel river water, maintain the city’s ecological balance, and keep the city clean. The Aji Dam is another great selection among the places to visit in Rajkot.
FAQs
Is Rajkot worth visiting?
Being ranked the fourth largest city of Gujarat, Rajkot has stood as the center of Kathiawari culture and festivals and hence a tourist hotspot throughout the year. There is a long list of different tourist spots to visit in Rajkot that are ideal for weekend trips.
How many days are adequate to tour Rajkot?
Two nights and three days are enough to take a tour of the fascinating museums, historical landmarks such as Mahatma Gandhi’s house, and various famous and sacred temples. This span is enough to taste a variety of foods, shop, and visit beautiful markets.