Chhota Udepur was among the three princely states of eastern Gujarat. The founders of Chhota Udepur were the direct descendants of the famous Hindu king Prithviraj Chauhan, who bravely fought gainst the invaders and immortalized in “PrithvirajRaso” – a romantic heroic ballad, narrating the love of Samyukta and Prithviraj. The town is situated at the edge of a big lake, with blooming lillies and a boulevard with palm trees. The series of temples along the lake dotting the skyline makes a perfect setting for the colourful tribal haat.
The main tourist attractions in ChhotaUdepur are temples like the Jain Derasar and Kali Temple and the Kusum Vilas Palace and PremBhavan Palace
Towards the border with Madhyapradesh, Chhota Udepur shares a history with Devgadh Baria and Rajpipla as one of the three princely states of eastern Gujarat. The small town sits on the edge of a big lake, with a series of temples along the skyline. The Jain temple is an interesting example of the influence of Victorian art on local building styles. Structures from the 1920s such as the Kusum Vilas Palace(also a heritage hotel) and Prem Bhavan are also worth visiting, though they need permission from the local royal family.
The essence of the town, however, is that it lies in the heart of a tribal area with rich indigenous history and culture. Every Saturday there is a haat or tribal market. The town is a good base from which to explore the surrounding tribal villages, particularly in the Rathwa communities. The Tribal Museum is also worth a visit, though of course not nearly as important as day-to-day interaction with people alive today.