Rajkot is a large, hectic commercial and industrial city that isn’t easy to love, with its heavy traffic, lack of open spaces, and scant worthwhile sights. But the old city, east of the newer centre, still has plenty of character, with narrow streets, markets, and farmers selling ghee on street corners. It's worth a day's visit.
Rajkot was founded in 1612 by the Jadeja Rajputs, and in colonial times it became the headquarters of the Western India States Agency, Britain’s administrative centre for some 400 princely states in Saurashtra, Kachchh and northern Gujarat. After Independence, Rajkot was capital of the short-lived state of Saurashtra.
Sightseeing of Rajkot
Watson Museum (Rajkot) : The Watson Museum of Rajkot is a memorial of Colonel James Watson, a political agent of Saurashtra. The Watson Museum at Rajkot is known for housing a huge collection of ancient and traditional artefacts. The museum of Rajkot exhibits the cultural heritage of Saurashtra.
The huge marble statue of Queen Victoria is among the precious possessions of the museum. Besides, the Watson Museum in Rajkot also contains a number of artefact dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization. The artefact from Mohenjodaro forms the major attraction of the Watson Museum of Rajkot.
The Watson Museum also contains a rare collection of books. The books exhibited in the Watson Museum provide a glimpse of the socio-cultural aspect of the society of Saurashtra. In fact, the Watson Museum and Library reveals the cultural traditions of Saurashtra.
Address: Dhebar Rd, Lohana Para, Rajkot
Timing: 9.00 A.M TO 1.00 PM AND 3.00 PM TO 6.00 P.M
Closed on: Wednesday, Public Holidays(Govt.Public Holiday) and every 2nd and 4th Saturday
Fees: Applicable Extra/Payable Directly
Kaba Gandhi No Delo (Rajkot) : Karamchand Gandhi, the father or the Mahatma was appointed the Diwan of Rajkot State and resided in what is today known as Kaba Gandhi no Delo, located just off the busy Gheekantha Road.The house offers a pictoral tour of the Mahatma’s life with bilingual captions in both Hindi and Gujarati. An NGO runs classes in sewing and embroidery for young girls within the premises.
Address: Jubilee Chowk, Jawahar Rd, Lohana Para, Rajkot
Timing: 09:00 am to 12:00 pm and 03:00 pm to 06:00 pm, Sunday after 10:00 am
Rotary Dolls Museum (Rajkot) : The Rotary Midtown Dolls Museum situated in the heart of Rajkot endeavors to showcase the manifestation of the cultural heritage and tradition through the medium of dolls. Spread over 9000 sq. ft., the Rajkot Dolls Museum began its journey on 24 July, 2004, and boasts of an awesome collection of dolls from about 93 countries across the world bearing the flag of their respective countries.
The Rotary Dolls Museum of Rajkot allows both the adults and the children alike to enjoy over 1400 dolls that have ethnic values or are representative of the culture and tradition of the place of their origin. With love, concern and care for the communities, each of the dolls are marked in detail with their specialty and what it tries to manifest. This prompt the viewers and motivates them with more curiosity about the culture of various places and regions.
One of the most famous of the Rajkot tourist attractions, the Rotary Midtown Dolls Museum in Rajkot has been generously contributed with dolls from all over the world. This participation primarily promotes global brotherhood through the sharing of culture. A prominent addition for Rajkot tourism, the doll’s museum also has special features like Rocking Zebra, Cinematheque, Mobile toy van, FLLC and various other kiosks for a completely fun day out
Address: Rajkot NagrikSahakari Bank Building,Opp. HeeraPanna Shopping Complex,Dr. Yagnik Road,Rajkot
Timing: For the months of March, April and May
Tuesdays to Sundays: 9:30 am to 1:00 pm & 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Except the months of March, April and May
Tuesdays to Sundays: 9:30 am to 1:00 pm & 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Closed on: Monday
Aji River(Rajkot) : Aji River is the most important independent river of Saurashtra. The word Aji is derived from Sanskrit (literally meaning mother) ajjiya originating from the hills of Sardhar and Lodhika region, it travels through Rajkot, Padadhari and Morbi Taluka of Rajkot district and meets the Arabian Sea near the village Ranjitpara of Jodiya Taluka of Jamanagar District. It has a beautiful garden, an aquarium, an aviary, a zoo etc. It is an excellent picnic spot, surrounded by small hills.
Timing: 6:30 am to 6:00 pm
Fees: Applicable Extra/Payable Directly
Ramkrishna Ashram (Rajkot) : Ramkrishna Ashram is the second, most important place for the followers of Swami Vivekananda after Kolkata. It is a branch of Belur Mutt, West Bengal built on the land donated by Late ShriDharmendrasinhji, the then king of Morbi state. The Ashram has various activities and it strives to teach and spread the gospel of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. Regular prayers, worships, meditation and religious discourses are held in the Universal Sri Ramakrishna Temple (JagatMandir) and people can take part irrespective of caste, creed and religion.
Address: Ramkrishna Nagar Street Number 1, Rajkot
Ishwariya Temple : Located about 10 kms from Rajkot in Madhapur village on the Jamnagar highway is a small but famous temple called the Ishwariya Temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is surrounded by green hills and is a famous place for family gathering and picnics as well as an important religious shrine. The iconic feature of the temple is the Shiva Linga that is believed to be the ‘Swayambhu’ and is a major reason for attracting devotees from far and wide. There is also an annual fair held at the temple which is a major attraction among locals and visitors alike.
Address: Jamnagar Highway, Madhapar Village, Rajkot
Timing: 06:00 AM – 07:00 PM
