KHODIYAR MANDIR

15 KM FROM BHAVNAGAR, Maharaja Wakhatsinghji Gohil ruled the state of Bhavnagar from 1748 to 1816. He was a devout follower of Khodiyar Ma and often visited the shrine at Mandel. There he prayed to the goddess to bring her holy presence to Sihor- the capital of Bhavnagar state. Khodiyar Ma agreed and told him to lead the way, only on the condition that he doesn’t turn around and check if she is following. Wakhatsinghji walked on, until he reached a place right before Sihor. There he turned around to check for Khodiyar Ma, who said she would walk no further for he had looked. Mataji and her sisters decided to set base there. This place was Rajpara, which became the shrine of Khodiyar Ma.

BlackBuck National Park

49 KM FROM BHAVNAGAR, The fauna population of the park mainly includes blackbucks, wolves, Macqueen's bustards, hyenas and lesser floricans, with foxes, jackals and jungle cats as the main carnivores. Other species include wild pigs, hares and rodents typical of the savannah type grasslands and thorn scrubs.

Among birds, sandgrouse and larks are seen in fair numbers. According to Roger Geoffrey Clarke, the British harrier-expert, the harrier roost found at the park is one of the largest in the world.

SARANGPUR HANUMAN TEMPLE

86km FROM BHAVNAGAR

This Hanumanji temple is considered most holy and sacred. It is among the more prominent ones in the Swaminarayan Sampraday, The image of Hanuman was installed by Sadguru Gopalanand Swami on Ashwini vadi pancham - savant 1905 (as per Hindu calandar). The image of this temple is said to be so powerful that a mere look at it by people affected by evil spirits,drives the evil spirits out of the people affected. Sarangpur is easily reached by bus or car, as it is only 82 km from Bhavnagar.There can be a long wait at the temple gate sometimes, mainly on Saturdays. The temple is really big and spacious, and the statue of Lord Hanuman is really impressive. Make sure to collect the holy water from the well. There are counters where you can pay The image of this temple is said to be so powerful that a mere look at it will drive the evil spirits out of the people affected by them.

Saturday is the designated day for a special ritual (as Saturday is dedicated to Hanuman) for those affected by mental illnesses and other disorders.

ALANG SHIP BREAKING YARD

50km FROM BHAVNAGAR

The shipyards at Alang recycle approximately half of all ships salvaged around the world, It is considered the world's largest graveyard of ships,The yards are located on the Gulf of Khambat, 50 km (31 mi) southeast of Bhavnagar,

Large supertankers, car ferries, container ships, and a dwindling number of ocean liners are beached during high tide, and as the tide recedes, hundreds of manual laborers move onto the beach to dismantle each ship, salvaging what they can and reducing the rest to scrap.

The salvage yards at Alang have generated controversy about working conditions, workers' living conditions, and the impact on the environment, One major problem is that despite many serious work-related injuries, the nearest full service hospital is 50 km (31 mi) away in Bhavnagar.

Saturday is the designated day for a special ritual (as Saturday is dedicated to Hanuman) for those affected by mental illnesses and other disorders.

GHOGHA

20 KM FROM BHAVNAGAR

Ghogha is a census town in Bhavnagar district in the state of Gujarat, India. It is situated on the mid-western bank of the Gulf of Khambhat. Also known as Gogo, it was an important historical commercial port of Arabian Sea until the development of nearby Bhavnagar in the nineteenth century.

The Ro-Ro ferry, the first of its kind in India, will be able to carry up to 100 vehicles (cars, buses and trucks) and 250 passengers between the two ports of Ghogha and Dahej in Gujarat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase 1 of the ‘roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro)’ ferry service between Ghogha and Dahej in Gujarat on Sunday. The ro-ro ferry will ply the Gulf of Khambhat between peninsular Saurashtra and South Gujarat. Ghogha situated in Bhavnagar district of Saurashtra lies 17 nautical miles (32 km), across the gulf from Dahej in Bharuch district

NISHKALANK MAHADEV TEMPLE ( KOLIYAK )

30 KM FROM BHAVNAGAR

Nishkalank Mahadev Temple in Koliyak, Bhavnagar, Gujarat is full of wonders and awe. This temple is buried inside the sea. On a heavy tide day, all that can be seen are the flag and a pillar. It is beyond ones comprehension that there is a Lord Shiva Temple just under the fierce sea. This temple is still in use, and people visit this place on foot! The temple has 5 distinct swayumbu Shiva lingams inside. This is definitely one of the best spiritual destinations.

KANJI SWAMI DIGAMBER JAIN MANDIR SONGADH

30 KM FROM BHAVNAGAR

The Digambara Jaina Svādhyāya Mandira was built in 1937. It houses the text Samayasāra in the main temple and the words of Kundakunda's five main treatises have been engraved on its walls.

A temple dedicated to Jain Tirthankara Simandhara was consecrated in 1941. Kanji Swami travelled throughout India where he gave discourses and consecrated many temples. Songadh is a major centre. Kanji Swami has many followers in the Jain diaspora.

They generally regard themselves simply as Digambara Jains, more popularly known as Mumukshu, following the mystical tradition of Kundakunda and Pandit Todarmal.[

BHRAM KUND SHIHOR

20 KM FROM BHAVNAGAR

The exact dates of Brahma Kund is unknown. It mentioned in Skanda Purana.

According to legend, Chaulukya king Jayasimha Siddharaja was suffering from skin disease following the curse from Ranakadevi, the queen whom he captured from Junagadh. He was cured after bathing in this tank so he refurbished the tank. The water of the tank is still considered miraculous.

It is mentioned in Prabandh Chintamani written by Merutunga. The tank kept finding its reference and mentions citing Siddharaj since 12th century.

MALNATH SHIV TEMPLE

30 KM FROM BHAVNAGAR

Malnath Shiv Temple is at Talaja Road, which is 26 kilometres away from Bhavnagar. This temple is beautifully positioned in the middle of small green hills and flowing rivers.

There is a consecrated shrine here, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The tranquillity inside the temple along with the lush green milieu is bound to take a visitor away from the ruckus of routine life. A walk around the temple after paying respects to the Lord is quite refreshing. The temple is open daily from dawn to dusk on all days.

There is a windmill and a farm on the top of Khokrhra hills near the temple. Dhavdi Mata Mandir is another temple in the neighbourhood. Nag-dhaniba, a picnic point on a riverbank, is a favourite spot of families. The adventurous lot can go on trekking over the hills nearby.

Akshar Temple, Gangajaha, Gaurishankar Lake, Ghogha Seashore, Gopnath Beach, Mahuva, Nava Bandar, Nilambag Palace, Takhteswar Temple and Victoria Park are other beautiful places in Bhavnagar.

BAGDANA DHAM

80 KM FROM BHAVNAGAR Bagdana Dham is a village in Mahuva Taluka of Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, India.The village is a major pilgrim place for the followers of Hindu Mystique saint, Bajarangdas Bapa. Initially there was a hut dedicated to him which is now expanded into an Ashram.There are three major melas (folkloric fairs) organized here annually, on death anniversary of Bajrandas Bapa, Bhadrapad Amavasya and Guru Purnima.

PIRAM BET ISLAND BHAVNAGAR

The island is situated 7.2 nautical miles from Ghogha, a town and former sea port, in Bhavnagar district. The island is spread of 186 acres but half of it is wasteland.The island has the fossils of dinosaur eggs, giraffe and gigantic turtles with some dating back 8,000 years. In the 1860s, the fossils of two basic species of giraffes, Bramatherium and Sivatherium were found. The fossils of Hipparion were also found on the island. Several shipwrecks found around the island are dated to the fourteenth century.