RAJKOT
General Information about Rajkot 

A large city of Saurashtra, Rajkot was an important city of the British raj and a major princely state capital. The city has a number of impressive colonial buildings and educational institutions. It is famous for it's Watson museum and association with Mahatma Gandhi who spent much of his childhood here. Handicrafts like silver and textiles are a highlight of Rajkot, which has the National weaving institute which is working to promote traditional weaves.

Rajkot  in  the  heart lands  is  one of  the  most  important  commercial  and industrial cities  of  Saurashtra. This  was  a  childhood  home  of  Mahatma Gandhi  who  went  to  school  here. The Gandhi  house  is  now  a  memorial  to  the Mahatma, the Rashtriya  shala  is promoting  his  love  for  handlooms  by  teaching  and  encouraging  various  kinds  of  weaving and  handicrafts. The prime  attraction is  Watson museum,  with  a  19th century  Victoria  memorial  statue, portraits  and photographs of  royal princes  of Saurashtra and European  dignitaries, historic  finds  and  architectural  fragments from  archeological  sites, dioramas  of  life  among  the  rural, pastoral  and  tribal people of  Saurashtra, handicrafts  and princely  relics. Lakes  around Rajkot-Aji  dam, Nardi-offer  pleasant  spots  for  picnics,  some  attract  winter  birds.

This bustling town was once the capital of the princely state of Saurashtra and is also a former British government headquarters. Mahatma Gandhi spent the early years of his life here. The Gandhi family home, the Kaba Gandhi no Delo, now houses a permanent exhibition of Gandhi items. The prestigious Rajkumar College dates back to the second half of last century and is regarded as one of the best private schools in the country. It was one of five schools set up by the British for the education of the sons of nobility (rajkumar means prince).
 

Information

GETTING THERE	5 hours by  road.  Frequent trains and luxury buses.
PLACES TO STAY
- LUXURY/HERITAGE	Riverside palace/Orchard palace  at Gondal(39 kms), Wankaner palace(50 kms), Hingolgadh  castle(60 kms)
- DELUXE	Galaxy, Kaveri, Jayson, Samrat, Ruby, Tulsi
- MODERATE
- BUDGET/GUEST HOUSE	Numerous budget hotels and guest houses.  Babha, Himalaya etc.
PLACES TO EAT	Hotels like Galaxy, Kaveri, have good restaurants.  Havmour(multi-cuisine), Lakshmi lodge(thalis), Rainbow(South Indian), Step-in(fast food, snacks, icecream), Village-the-motel(theme restaurant), Babha(Gujarati), Lord’s banquet(multi-cuisine).

Guidance
Rajkot has a helpful tourist office (Tel: 234507), but it's hidden away behind the old State Bank of Saurashtra building on Jawahar Rd, almost opposite the Galaxy Hotel. It's open weekdays and the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, from 10.30 am to 6 pm (closed for lunch from 1.30 to 2 pm). The State Bank of India, to the north of the Jubilee gardens, has money-changing facilities. Entry is from the rear of the building.

How to reach

Air
The Indian Airlines office (Tel: 227916) is on Dhebar Rd. Indian Airlines has four direct flights a week between Rajkot and Mumbai (US$65). NEPC (Tel: 227330) and UP Air (Tel: 225369) also have daily flights to Mumbai.

Bus
STC buses connect Rajkot with Jamnagar, Junagadh, Porbandar, Veraval and Ahmedabad. The trip from Rajkot to Veraval via Junagadh takes about five hours and costs Rs 43. Rajkot to Jamnagar is a two hour journey and costs Rs 25. There are also a number of private buses which operate to such places as Ahmedabad, Bhuj, Bhavnagar, Una (for Diu), Mt Abu, Udaipur and Mumbai. The offices of these companies are on the road behind the bus stand.

Train
A number of broad-gauge express trains connect Rajkot with Ahmedabad, 246km away. Fares are Rs 57/266 in 2nd/lst class, and the trip takes about hours. There are other trains to and from Jamnagar (75km, Rs 25/128 in lst/2nd class), Porbandar (221km, Rs 53/229 in lst/2nd class, and Mumbai (738km, Rs 136/625 in 1st/2nd class). There's a metre-gauge service to Veraval (186km, Rs 47/213 in lst/2nd class).

Places of Interest

Aji Dam 8 km, Mahatma Gandhi's Home (Kaba Gandhino Delo), Lal Pari Lake & Renderda 4.8 kms, Sardar Smriti Bhavan, Watson Museums & Jubliee Gardens, Race Course.

EXCURSIONS

Jadeshwar (60 kms), Virpur (64 kms), Bhid Bhanjan (60 kms), Manas Mandir (14 kms), Gondal (38 kms), Wankaner (50 kms).