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Lakhota Talav
Every year about 75 species of birds, including pelicans, flamingos, spoonbills, ducks, terns, and gulls, descend on this lake, making it a lively birdwatching site, a pleasant surprise in an urban center. The lake is most lively in the evenings, when people relax around the lake to enjoy the breeze and a chai, kulfi, or chaat from one of the many food stands, and at night the lake is beautifully lit. You can go for a 15-minute boat-ride around it, or rent a paddle boat. Around the lake there are parks, a night market for vegetables and even a small zoo.





Lakhota Palace and Museum
On an island in the center of the lake stands the circular Lakhota tower, built for drought relief on orders from Jam Ranmalji after the failed monsoons in 1834, 1839 and 1846 made it difficult for the people of the city to find food and resources. Originally designed as a fort such that soldiers posted around it could fend off an invading enemy army with the lake acting as a moat, the tower known as Lakhota Palace now houses the Lakhota Museum.

The collection includes artifacts spanning from 9th to 18th century, pottery from medieval villages nearby and the skeleton of a whale. The very first thing you see on entry, however, before the historical and archaeological information, is the guardroom with muskets, swords and powder flasks, reminding you of the structure’s original purpose and proving the martial readiness of the state at the time. The walls of the museum are also covered in frescoes depicting various battles fought by the Jadeja Rajputs. The fort is connected to the banks by two causeways, but is only accessible from the north side.

The museum hours are from 10:30am-2pm and 2:30pm-5:30pm. Entry fees for the Indians is Rs.2/- and for Foreigners is Rs.50/-.



Bhujiyo Kotho
On the south side of the lake is Bhujiyo Kotho, or Bhujiyo Bastion, once an arsenal and still an impressive structure with a panoramic view on all sides, and therefore an excellent place from which to look over the lake. Look for a caretaker to guide you around the safer parts, since some parts were damaged in the 2001 earthquake.

Near the bastion, is a curious old well in which the water can be brought up by blowing into a small hole in the floor.



Bala Hanuman Temple
On the southeast corner of the lake is the Bala Hanuman temple, famous for its continuous chanting of the “Sri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram” since August 1st, 1964, for which it is even listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. You can visit the temple to be witness to their prolonged act of religious devotion and even join in if you wish to contribute to the effort, especially at night, during the more difficult sessions.


Old City
As in many developing cities, the old city of Jamnagar is a wonderful place to walk around, the pastel-colored paint on the old wood and stone buildings peeling off, the wooden balconies crumbling. You can easily spend a few hours exploring the lanes of the old city, and of course, its best done on foot.
   



Ratan Bai Masjid
In the center of old city is this old mosque, a structure hard to miss with its two towering green and white minarets. Its doors are made of sandalwood, inlaid with mother-of-pearl. It has its own rainwater harvesting system, with a tank holding water for ritual washing before namaaz.


Jain temple triad
South of the mosque are three Jain Temples, built between 1574 and 1622, the most intricate of which is Raisi Shah’s temple, dedicated to the tirthankar Shantinath, with a sanctum dome decorated with gold inlay work. Its various chambers, elaborate geometric patterns in the marble floors, many with mirrored ceilings, ask for a few hours of time, preferably in the morning. Next is the Vardhman Shah temple, dedicated to the tirthankar Adinath, a more simple structure, but also more vibrant in color. The third temple of the triad is smaller, but also interesting.

Opening hours for the temples are supposed to be from 5:30am-1pm and 3:30pm-9pm. These timings vary, but you can usually find a caretaker to let you in anyway.


Chandi Bazaar
The area around the Jain temples is called Chandi Bazaar, meaning "silver market", where you can find gold and silver artisans practicing their ancestral trade. They are now joined by other metal workers, in the winding streets.






Darbar Gadh
East of Chandi Chowk is Darbar Gadh, the old royal residence, built in 1540 but extended over the years as can be seen by the mix of architectural styles, also representing the fusion between Rajasthani and European elements. The building is now empty except for guards. There is a semi-circular area outside where former Maharajas of Nawanagar once gathered and held public audience.




Willingdon Crescent
Across the road from Darbar Gadh is Willingdon Crescent, a product of Jam Ranjitsinhji’s attempt to remove the congested slum of then Nawanagar, and replace it with a more modern structure, with flourish and pomp, in keeping with his European infactuation. In the center is a statue of Jam Digvijaysinhji on horseback.

The crescent is now a shopping area, so if you’re looking for the traditional bandhani fabric that Jamnagar is famous for, for example, and find yourself without time to purchase it directly from the artist, you can definitely buy it here. And if you’ve bought more items than will fit in your bags, you can also buy another suitcase, such is the surprising range of products in the crescent.




Bhidbhanjan Temple and Parsi Agiari
Near Bedi Gate, west of the town hall is the Bhidbhanjan temple. The temple displays a local style though it was built in a period where most structures were constructed with a western influence. The intricate silver work on the doors is a testament to the craftsmanship that is found in Jamnagar even today.

Next to the temple, is the Parsi Agiari (Fire Temple), though as with all Fire Temples, it is not open to visitors. Eastwards, across the street from the supermarket, on the other side of various tourist facilities, is the tiny doorway to the Swaminarayan temple, which has a beautiful floor, ceilings and dome. The best time to visit might be during the aarti, which is usually at 7pm.



Solarium
North of the city you find an intriguing curiosity, a medical facility called the Ranjit Institute of Poly-Radio Therapy, or simply the Solarium. Built in the 1920s under Jam Ranjitsinhji with the supervision of French doctor Jean Saidman, it was one of three such facilities in the world. It was constructed so that the top floor could rotate to have direct sunlight through the day for treatment of skin diseases, and even rheumatism and TB. The last physician who could operate the complicated system died and the facility was closed in 1996. It is closed to visitors, but you might be able to ask in the office next door if someone would be kind enough to show you around. You can also ask about rumors of plans to open the facility once more.


Gujarat Ayurved University
Further down the road from the Solarium, you can find Gujarat Ayurved University, the largest Ayurvedic teaching center in Gujarat. It was established in 1967, following a history of staunch support for Ayurvedic medicine from the rulers of the original princely state of Nawanagar. There are a number of departments and programs, including Yoga & Naturopathy Education and Research wing. There are also courses for foreign students, both short-term and long-term. The university has two hospitals with free medicine and consultation, and grows many of its own medicinal herbs.




Pratap Vilas Palace and Peter Scott Nature Park
The royal palace was built between 1907 and 1915 with a grand mix of European styles. In 1968 Jam Singh converted the palace grounds into a nature park and brought in live specimens of various species, in a supreme effort of conservation. Unfortunately, after the confiscation of privy purses of the princely rulers, this park has not been as well taken care of. Both the palace and the park require permission from the royal family to enter, which you can ask for at the office in Darbar Gadh.




Khijada Temple
The Khijada temple is the founding site of the Pranami sect that, while based in Hinduism, promotes unity of all religions. The temple structure is built around two 400-year-old sacred trees. The name of the sect comes from the word pranam, or an acknowledgement of the divine in each being, demonstrated by a greeting of folded hands. The priest and many members of the community are involved in various social service activities, including HIV/AIDS prevention. These activities are open to newcomers, so if you’re interested, or even just want a more detailed history of the temple community, ask for Shri Surendraji, a resident monk, or Navinbhai Parikh.




Bohra Hajira
Jamnagar is sometimes referred to as Chhota Kashi (small Kashi), because of the abundance of temples and holy places around the city.In addition to the Bala Hanuman temple, Ratan Bai mosque, Jain temples, Bhidbhanjan temple, Parsi Agiari, and Khijada temple already mentioned, there are various other Jain and Hindu temples, a temple for the sizable Kabir sect in Jamnagar, old mosques and dargahs.

The dargah of the Dawoodi Bohra community, also known as the Bohra Hajira, a magnificent mausoleum in worship of a Muslim saint, on the banks of the river near the Rajkot highway, is worth a visit. If you want to take photographs make sure you get permission at the office in the compound.




Manekbai Muktidham
For a complete sense of the sacred in Jamnagar, you should also visit the cremation park, known as the Manekbai Muktidham, built in 1940 near the center of the city. The surprisingly pleasant atmosphere of this lovingly designed garden, with statues and murals and a library, brings us in contact with death in such a way that we are free from fear or aversion, and can see death as simply a stage of life, as depicted by one of the artistic representations in the park.




Ranmal Lake
Around 8 km away from town, Ranmal Lake is a natural water body in which the river accumulates, another beautiful spot for birdwatching, especially during migration season.



Rozi port and Bedi port

These ports make great daytrip spots for seaside picnics or fishing. They are accessible by ferry from Nava Bandar, 3km from Jamnagar.




Khijadia Bird Sanctuary

This protected area packs in an incredible diversity of ecosystems into the relatively small area of 6 square km. The sanctuary, created over the 1920s and '30s, is formed from two man-made dykes that separate fresh water from sea water, creating the opportunity to simultaneously observe species that belong to each ecosystem, and some that share both. Along with the marine and fresh water habitats, there are also marshy lands, mangroves, Prosopis areas, mudflats, salt pans, creeks, forest scrub, sandy beaches, and even farmlands bordering the area. This provides a haven for more than 220 species of resident and migratory birds, including globally threatened species such as Dalmatian pelican, Asian open bill stork, Black-necked stork, Darter, Black-headed ibis, Eurasian spoonbill, and Indian skimmer, and provides birdwatchers with a delightful chance to sight rare birds in large numbers.

There are no overnight lodges, but facilities include watchtowers, trails, and paddleboats, to help visitors engage with this diverse community. As a visitor, keep in mind that conservation in any area is a difficult process, and that in Khijadia there have been complications with how water is used by local cultivators which affect the ecosystem within the tiny protected area, so if you’re interested, you can ask around about the issues, and find out what impact even your own visit has on the process.

There are no ST buses to the site, but rickshaws are available, and private vehicles can be hired. For permission, more information, or to ask for a guide, contact Conservator of Forests Office, Tel: 0288 2679357, Nagnath Gate, Van Sankul, Ganjiwada, Jamnagar.




Ranjitsagar Dam

Ranjitsagar Dam is the water source for the city. It has a municipal garden, a pleasant spot for picnics and birdwatching during the migratory season.



Beaches
The closest beach is Balachari, 26 km from the city. Now a locally popular resort with a golf course, the beach has a lesser known history of human compassion. Jam Digvijaysinhji’s son writes that his father, “was India's delegate to the Imperial War Conference. In 1942 a Polish ship escaped from the German invasion with 1200 children and 20 women on board. The Government of Bombay would not let them land but only gave them fuel, food and water. When they reached our coast, my father sailed out from Bedi port to take off the children, put them in tents and in six months he had built a Polish camp at Balachari, at a personal cost of 10 lakhs, and maintained the camp until the end of the war.” This act surely adds warmth to the Indo-Polish relations to this day.

There also are other beaches further away, and this area has much unspoiled coastline which is worth exploring, with permission from Conservator of Forests Office, Tel: 0288 2679357, Nagnath Gate, Van Sankul, Ganjiwada, Jamnagar, and with an awareness that after a visit to unspoiled areas we should be able to say that we may visit the area again, still unspoiled.



Barda Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is located at about 15 km from Porbandar, which faces Arabian Sea. Barda was a private forest of the ex-princely State of Ranavav (Porbandar) and Jamnagar and, therefore, it is still popularly known as Rana Barda and Jam Barda. Entire area is the reserve forest and had been notified as Sanctuary in the year 1979. The settlement of the area has been completed, but final notification is yet to be issued. The Sanctuary is distributed in two districts i.e. Porbandar and Jamnagar. The hilly terrain with patches of flat plains at places, the crisscrossing of numerous rivulets and streams and existing dams impart a divine look to the forest. One may hardly abstain from thinking that here is the place, where the saints in ancient times must have attained 'moksha', the ultimate liberation. The Sanctuary area is a green oasis, surrounded by agriculture fields, wastelands and forest.

The Sanctuary hardly has 192.31 sq. km area, but has one of the most diverse floral compositions and therefore a potential source of remedies of many ailments, and therefore deserves to be safeguarded. The terrain of Barda is almost hilly and undulating with an altitude ranging from 79.2 m to 617.8 m. above sea level. At places, there are gentle slopes with exposed rocks. The two main ephemeral rivers are Bileshvary and Joghri. Khambala and Fodara are important dams in the Sanctuary.

The area supports about 750 'maldhari' families (4000 people) in 68 'nesses'. The agriculture fields and wasteland, where acute water scarcity is experienced during the summer months, surround the forest area. However, this green patch of forest, provides ecological security and environmental stability, since it improves the water regime of the area by recharging the ground water and forming catchment for the minor dams in the Sanctuary. Located barely at distance of 15 km from the Arabian Sea, the forest is standing as the guard against the salinity ingress in the region. The forest is endowed with very rich floral composition and it was also a home of Asiatic lion in not a distant past. Kileshwar, a temple and camping site developed by 'Jamsaheb' of Jamnagar, is a beautiful site in the heart of the forest. Amongst the mammals ratel, leopard and wolf are threatened. Amongst the reptiles found here, crocodile and chameleon are rare and endangered. Of the four common venomous snakes, three are found here. The avifaunal species also displays high diversity. At least two species of birds, which were found in the Sanctuary, are rare/ endangered, to name a few: Spotted Eagle and Crested Hawk-Eagle.

Apart from this, the Sanctuary exhibits great variety of invertebrate species including variety of butterflies. Lion, Chinkara, Sambar and Spotted Deer found in the recent past, are now exterminated from Barda. Although the area of Sanctuary is small, it has different types of forests.



Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary
On the coastal areas of Gulf of Kutch enclosed by high tidal zone in the north and pastoral fields and wastelands on the other verge the Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary in Jamnagar is a secure abode for varied vertebrates and invertebrates. Confirmed as a wildlife refuge in the year 1988, this sanctuary spreads over an area of 332 square kilometers.
 
The natural vivid vegetation of this region with lush green patches of grasses and other shrubs forms a unique abode for native and migratory weathered birds. The enormous, pouched bills of serene white and large pelicans, textured and patterned feathered Spot-billed Ducks along with elongated and regal forms of flamingoes inhabit the waterscapes and create an inimitably pictorial sight. These winter guests along with demoiselle cranes and common cranes make this sanctuary an ecstatic locale for bird enthusiasts.
 
Mammals like wolf, jackals, mongoose, jungle cats, bluebull joyously wander around their cosseted domicile within the grasslands. Butterflies, moths, honeybees, wasps with their mischievous flip-flapping movements add in a bouncy energy to the area while the varied types of spiders mystify the ambiance with their intricate webbed tapestry.
The sanctuary with in its blossoming best is one of the best places to visit within the period of autumn to spring. Toddle around the seashore during sunrise and sunset and capture riot of orange to red colors distinguishing the horizon while glistening the soft coat of the birds. Watching them flying across the vibrant sphere or swimming along with the impish waves is a pleasure unparalleled and unique. An exploring walk around the grasslands or the agricultural grounds brings you across the resident animals and fluttering butterflies of the region.

Being a responsible nature lover is our way of showing reverence to Mother Earth, a few tips for you to remember-

    * No smoking whatsoever (cigarette butts cause many forest fires.)
    * No flash or intrusive photography (for example, don’t pluck leaves to clear a better view; reposition the camera instead.)
    * Do not carry any music system or sound making device along with you and remember to keep them switched off if you are driving around.
    * Picking plants or insects prohibited; do not remove anything from the park.
    * No quick or sudden movements to scare off wildlife.
    * Do not try going to close to the animals.
    * No pets should accompany you.
    * No littering. Trash is only to be disposed of in proper receptacles.
    * No hunting devices or other weapons should be carried, as well as used.
    * Carry lots of water.
       
 

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