|
Gondal is situated in the Indian state of Gujarat around
60 km from the district headquarter of Junagadh. Gondal
has much to offer by way of sightseeing to the visitors.
The Jadeja Rajput clan, till the independence of India,
ruled Gondal, the capital of the former princely State of
Gondal.
 Naulakha palace
The oldest extant palace in Gondal, the 17th-century
Naulakha Palace is a festival of stone carvings with
exquisite jharokhas (balconies), a fabulous pillared
courtyard, delicately carved arches, and a unique spiral
staircase. The palace is approached by the high gateway
with the clock tower from the town side. The entrance
leads to a huge open space with administrate blocks on
height and a grand staircase with balustrade on the
extreme left corner leading to the intricately carved
pavilions on the open terrace The private palace museum
has an impressive display of silver caskets which carried
messages and gifts for Maharajah Bhagwat Sinhji on his
silver jubilee as ruler of Gondal, one of the many golden
caskets received by him on his 50th anniversary, the
weighing scales on which he was measured against silver
and gold on the respective anniversaries, and princely
relics.
Vintage car collection
The rulers of Gondal were great lovers of automobiles and
one can see several vintage and Classic cars in the royal
garage. Two Royal Rail saloons of the Gondal State were
renovated, keeping the original decor and are available
for accommodation in the Orchard Garden palace. The Royal
Garages have an extensive collection of vintage and
classic cars including a 1910 New Engine, a Deluges and a
Daimler from the 1920s, a 1935 Mercedes, 1935 Packard
two-door convertible, 1941 and 1947 Cadillac, 1955
Cadillac limousine, sports cars from the 1950s and 1960s
like the Mercedes 300 SL, Jaguar XK 150 and Chevrolet
Camaro, numerous imposing American cars of the 1940s and
1950s, a fleet of four-wheel drive vehicles from the World
War II and post-war period, and some contemporary sports
cars. Most of these cars are restored and some bear the
original Gondal state number plates.
 Bhuvaneshwari Ayurvedic pharmacy
Bhuvaneshwari Ayurvedic Pharmacy, which still makes
traditional herbal medicines according to ancient
principles. The Bhuvaneshwari Stud Farm has remarkable
specimens of Kathiawad horses, Gir cattle and other ethnic
breeds of livestock, which have won prestigious awards at
national level and prizes at local horse and cattle shows.
Other Palaces
Other interesting places to visit are the Swami Narayan
Temple, Bhuvaneshwari Temple, and the stud farm of
Kathiawad horses.
|
