LOCATION Jamnagar is situated in the Saurashtra region of the Indian state of Gujarat. It is around 302 km from Ahmedabad and extends from latitude 22°27’ in the North to longitude 70°07’ in the East. The city is well connected to other parts of Gujarat and western India through rail, road, and air. | |||||||||||
The climate of Jamnagar district is generally pleasant. The summer season extends from March to June with daytime temperature reaching 42°C. The monsoons are from July to September. Winter season sets in during October and extends till February. In association with cyclonic storms or depressions in the Arabian Sea in the post monsoon months and to a lesser extent in May and June, the district experiences strong winds and torrential rain. Thunderstorms occur in June and July. In the cold season, occasional fog occurs. The summer temperature ranges from 24°C to 42°C and winter temperature ranges from 10°C to 24°C.
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THE PAST The Jamnagar district, originally constituted as Halar district, is not only of recent origin. However, the region comprised therein is of great antiquity. According to Pauranik literature, Lord Krishna established his kingdom at Dwarka, now in Jamnagar district, after his migration from Mathura and it is to this great Yadava race that the Jams of Nawanagar trace their descent. The Jadeja Rajputs, known as Jams, built the 450-year-old city of Jamnagar. This is the same lineage that gave the world cricket players like Ranji, Dilip Singh, and Ajay Jadeja. The city remained the capital of the Jadejas for around 400 years. Those were the years when all the monuments and temples in the city were built. The city was built around Rammol Lake. In center of the lake is a small palace reached by a causeway. The city is still famous for its pearl fisheries, tie-and-dye fabrics, and bandhini work. SITES TO VISIT In the center of old Jamnagar, on an island in the middle of the lake, are two magnificent old structures-the Lakhota Fort and the Kotha Bastion. Lakhota Fort is Jamnagar’s museum and its terraces display a fine collection of sculpture that spans a period from the 9th to 18th century. |
The most remarkable of Ranjit Singh's construction is Wellington Crescent. The swooping arches of its curved façade overlooks the wide streets of Chelmsford Market.
Solarium, known as the Ranjit Institute of Poly-radio Therapy, is open to visitors after working hours. Its revolving tower provides daylong sunlight.
Jansahed's Palace and Bedi Ports are attractive seaside picnic spots offering good fishing facilities.
Durbar Gadh, the center of the old town, was once an important place where the Maharaja of Nawanagar held public audiences.
SITES NEARBY
Porbandar, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, is situated around 129 km off Jamnagar. Regular bus services are available from Jamnagar to Porbandar.
Rajkot (86 km) is a pleasant coastal city famous for its association with Mahatma Gandhi.
Marine National Park is situated around 30 km from Jamnagar. The ever-depleting mangrove population of this park gives rise to some of the richest marine life off mainland India. The park is spread over an area of 458 sq km. Here one can find plants that look like animals and animals that look like plants. Turtles, shrimp, sponge, eels, and sea urchin lurk among corals.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
Navratri is the festival of nine nights in honor of Goddess Ambaji. Both men and women congregate in public to perform the dance called Garba Ras.
Janmashtami is celebrated in a big way in Jamnagar on the twenty-third day of Shravan of the Hindu calendar (August/September). The day marks the birth of Lord Krishna.
SHOPPING
Jamnagar is known for its tie-and-dye work on fabrics, silken and gold embroidery. Many shops in the prime areas of Jamnagar sell artifacts made using these local crafts.
WHERE TO STAY
Jamnagar is a business city and getting accommodation without prior reservation can be difficult. There are many hotels in the city that offer cheap but quality services. Accommodation options in the higher segments are also available.
HOW TO REACH
There is no airport at Jamnagar. The nearest airport is Ahmedabad at a distance of 302 km. The international airport is at Mumbai located 847 km from Jamnagar. Indian Airlines operates five flights a week to Mumbai. From Mumbai one can take flights to other cities of India and most of the important destinations abroad.
Jamnagar is a part of Western Railway and well connected with Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Calcutta, and other important cities of India through regular trains.
Jamnagar has a well-established road link to various cities of Gujarat like Junagadh, Dwarka, Bhuj, Rajkot, Porbandar, and Ahmedabad.
Taxis and auto-rickshaws are the ideal transport mediums to move around in the city.
INFORMATION
For further information on Jamnagar, one can contact the District Information Office, Lal Bungalow Compound, Near Circuit House (Ph. 76296) or Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited, H. K. House, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad (Ph. 449783, 449172).
