Bhavnagar is a city in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was founded in 1723 AD by Bhavsinhji Gohil (1703-64 AD) and was named after its founder and ruler. It was capital of Bhavnagar State which was the first princely state to merge with the democratic Indian Union in 1948.

It is currently the administrative headquarters of the Bhavnagar District. It is the fifth-largest city of Gujarat, and the second-largest city in the Saurashtra region. Bhavnagar is also known as the cultural capital of Saurashtra.

Tourism

The city offers vibrant shades of traditional Gujarati culture to the traveler. Bhavnagar is also a suitable stopover for tourists who are venturing to the Jain temples at Palitana on the Shatrunjaya Hills, Sihor and the Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar - the home of the famous Indian Blackbuck. Blackbuck National Park of Velavadar is the only place where Blackbucks can be found. This National Park is home for many other species of animals and birds.

Transportation: Bhavnagar is well connected to other major cities of Gujarat such as Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Surat and more by road, with bus services operated by state-owned transport corporation as well as private operators.

The city is also connected to Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Surat and Vadodara and some major cities of Saurashtra by rail road.

It was one of the first cities in Gujarat to have an airport. It is connected to Mumbai by air and railway. Daily flights are operated by Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines from Bhavnagar airport.

Intracity bus service is operated by VTCOS . Private auto-rikshaw is other mode of transport within the city and nearby villages.

Points of interest

Takhteshwar Temple Located at the centre of the city one of the highest point to view the whole city

Nilambag Palace The Princely palace of the then Bahvnagar Royals, also a swanky Hotel Palace

Seashore at Ghogha (About 22 km. from Bhavangar)

Victoria Park - It covers an area of about 500 acres (2 km²) with diverse flora and fauna. This park is a paradise for bird watchers and nature lovers.

Nava Bandar (New Port)

Barton Library

Darbargadh

Ganga Deri (Ganga Jalia Talav) The whole marble construction monument, one of the master piece of old times gifted by the Maharaja, a miniature of Taj Mahal

Gaurishankar Lake (Bor Talav) - named after a very able 19th century minister of the king, is a reservoir originally planned for water supply to the town. It is a popular picnic spot where one can watch a setting sun over lake and enjoy a stroll on the parapet wall of the lake.

Alang Ship Breaking Yard (About 50 km from Bhavangar on way of Talaja)

Gandhi Smriti - a memorial, with a library of Gandhian books and photographs about the life of Mahatma Gandhi. It also has a fine collection of art objects representing the culture of the Saurashtra region.

Ghogha Beach (19 km away from Bhavnagar, a favorite outing spot around.)

Piram Bet (About 20 km away from Ghogha Beach, treasures fossils and old caves)

Malnath Shiv Temple and Trambak Water Fall (About 15 to 20 km from Bhavnagar, Trambak is very beauty full place, you can have tracking along Malnath to Trambak, which is about 5 km.)

Pillgarden. A beautiful garden in middle of the city.