Things To Do In Rajkot

Rajkot is more popularly known as the City of Princes. It was founded in the year 1620 by the Jadejas who ruled it until 1947. This former capital of Saurashtra is a perfect place for anyone who is interested in learning more about glorious Indian history and learning from a liver firsthand experience. There are over 20 well-known spots in and around Rajkot that grab the attention of millions of travelers every year. So if you are planning a trip to this city, it’s essential to know about things the city offers. We have listed down some of the top things to do in Rajkot.

After Gir, Rajkot is the next best place to spot some wild animals in their natural habitat. The Rampara Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best tourist attractions in Rajkot. This grassland is some 40 km away from the city center and provides an opportunity to sight Asiatic Lions and other rare species of animals, trees, and birds. Besides, Pradyuman Zoological Park or the Rajkot Zoo is yet another place to witness wild animals in action. White Tigers, Asiatic Lions, and Leopards are the main attraction of the place. It’s a nice picnic spot as well. So a lot of travelers include these two places in their things-to-do list in Rajkot.

The next best thing to do in Rajkot is to visit the temples in the city. There are over 100 temples in Rajkot and all beautifully designed and have religious significance. Some of the most visited temples include BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Prem Mandir, Jagat Mandir, ISKCON Temple, Shri Ishwariya Temple, Jalaram Bapa Mandir, and Shri Khodaldham Mandir. All these temples not only serve as a place of devotion where you can offer homage to the Gods but they also perform various social services especially during natural disasters all over the world.

Exploring more of Rajkot and its history is possible through the museums. The city has several museums within close proximity of each other. Out of which, Rotary Midtown Dolls Museum is one of the most prominent ones. This museum is unique in nature as it has a collection of over 1600 dolls gathered from different countries at the display for children to learn more about the world. Besides, Kaba Gandhi no Delo is another one that has several important pics and documents related to Gandhiji. Watson museum has several collections of historic items, gathered from the British times in India. So overall, these museums serve as the best source for learning more about the city and world.

Rajkot has several lakes that surround the city. The Nyari Dam is one of the most fascinating places in Rajkot. Travelers love the lush green garden which spreads across 5 acres. Locals enjoy a day’s picnic here because of the beautiful atmosphere at the dam. People love clicking selfies and group photographs during the sunset. Aji Dam serves as the main source of water for the city. The garden in the area is popular owing to its unique nature and has an amusement park, food courts, and a children's park. The place looks stunning during winters as the trees and the flowers are in full bloom. You can also spot some migratory birds during winters. Lal Pari Lake is yet another lake in Rajkot. This place is more famous for spotting migratory birds which offer a perfect view for clicking photos. Try visiting the place during sunrise and sunset for a majestic view.

Rajkot Science Center or simply put, the Regional Community Science Museum is yet another popular place in Rajkot. This place is just 3 km away from Rajkot Junction and is an innovative hub for science learning. This center was established by the government of Gujarat to create a platform to engage, educate, and empower the future learners in Science and Technology. With over 100 working science models, five well-equipped laboratories dedicated to Electronics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology and a library that has over 5000 books, this is an ideal place for any science lover. An Exhibition gallery, an auditorium, a sky watchtower, an aquarium, and an open-air restaurant are some more places within the center that let you spend time with family and friends.

Khambhalida Caves are the ancient rock transformed into Buddhist caves located at a distance of 66 km from Rajkot. They are a group of three Buddhist caves which date back to 4th and 5th century AD. They were discovered in 1958 by a famous archeologist, Prof. Pandya. Legends say that the caves were carved in the limestone rocks and many Buddha Saints from Junagadh came here to meditate. There’s also an inscription on a stone that states the mighty king Asoka must have also visited this cave for meditation. There is a lot to explore here. So don’t forget to visit this place during your trip to Rajkot.