Jamnagar the Jewel of Kathiawar, is on the coast of Gulf of Kutch in the state of Gujarat, India.
It has unspoilt Islands & Beaches, Hills, Temples, Palaces, Forest, Fantastic Bird life in the Bird Sanctuary & Marine Sanctuaries and Facinating Corals and Marine Life in the Marine National Park.
The founder of the princely state of Jamnagar was the Great Jam Rawal, who descended on the northern coast of Kathiawar in 1535 A.D
Jam Rawals father Jam Lakhaji ruled in Terabanu in Kutch.
According to bardic chronicles, Jam Lakhaji had two cousins Tamachi Deda and Hamirji Jadeja, they envied his reputation for valor. Their envy was hightened by the fame of Jam Lakhaji at the siege of Pawagadh. So largely did he contribute to its capture by Bahadurshah, the Emperor of Gujarat, that he was bestowed 12 villages by him. As Jam Lakaji was going to take possession of his new fef, he was treacherously killed by his cousins Tamachi Deda and Hamirji Jadeja. Jam Lakhajis son Jam Rawal escaped and on growing up, took vengance of his fathers murder in the same manner by killing Hamirji Jadeja.
Hamirjis two sons Khengarji and Sahibji fled to Delhi and after twelve months of waiting to meet the Great Moghul Emperor Humayun, they got the chance to join the crowd goingalong with the Emperor for lion hunting.
During the lion hunt, they got the chance to kill the lion just when it was going to attack the Emperor. As a reward, an army of 1,00,000 was sent with them to regain back their kingdom.
When Jam Rawal heard of the two princes coming back to the Kutch with the imperial army, he started getting ready for the battle. On one night, Goddess Ashapura came in his dream and told him that as he had broken the oath taken on her name about not killing Hamirji, even though, he was the person responsible for the death of his father. She should have punished him, but as he had at all other times honored her. So he should no longer dwell in Kutch but cross the sea and take Kathiawar as a dwelling place.
Upon awakening he called his counselors and discussed the dream, they agreed that he must leave Kutch and found for himself a Kingdom across the Gulf. So Jam Rawal along with his soldiers and many traders marched out. On the way he killed and conquered the territory of King Tamachi the other conspirator in the killing of his father, and he also conquered the town of Dhrol and its dependencies and gave them to his brother Hardholji, who was later killed in battle during that period, and the State of Dhrol was given to his eldest son, Jasoji.
Thus Jam Rawal made himself master of a great territory and the need for a capital arose.
The story goes like this, that once on a hunting trip on the land of present day Jamnagar, a hare was found to be brave enough to turn on the hunting dogs and putting them to flight. Deeply impressed by this, Jam Rawal thought that if this land can breed such hares, if his capital was built on this land, the men born here would be superior than other men.
He counsulted his astrologers and wise men, and the day chosen for laying the foundation stone was the 7th day of the bright half of the month of srawan, VS 1956. (August 1540 AD) on the banks of two rivers Rangmati and Nagmati and named it Nawanagar meaning new town.
Nawanagar eventually came to be known as Jamnagar meaning the town of the Jams.
The Jamnagar airport has daily flights connecting it with Mumbai.
Indian air lines has daily flights from Mumbai.
There are many flights from New Delhi to Ahmedabad ( which is about 5 hours from Jamnagar) and there are 4 flights connecting Mumbai and Rajkot ( which is 2 hours from Jamnagar).
Both the places are well connected to Jamnagar by excellent roads..
The Saurashtra Mail and the Saurashtra Express are the popular trains that run between Jamnagar and Mumbai. Inter City Train Between Jamnagar and Ahmedabad leaves in the early morning. There are also trains to Dwarka.Delhi Ahmedabad by Rajdhani and the Bus service from Paldi (Ahmedabad) will get you cheaply from Delhi to Jamnagar (22-24 hours)
ST buses go hourly to Rajkot and every 30 minutes to Junagadh; other buses go to Dwarka, Porbandar, Bhuj and Ahemdabad and other places of Gujarat.
There are various private bus companies having modern buses in good condition and which are air conditioned; plying between Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Baroda, Surat, Mumbai, etc
There is an excellent Local Bus Service.. you can catch most of the buses from near the Town Hall.
State Transport Bus Service (ST BUS) connects Jamnagar to all villages and cities of Gujarat.
Auto Rickshaw is the preferable transport by the locals. Fix the fare before getting on an auto rickshaw. Prices vary different place but it starts from Rs 7 upto 15 within the town, depending on the distance.
Taxi is hired to travel longer distance. Everything within the town is covered by Auto Rickshaw. Again, fix the price and try to Bargain a bit!
I have been visiting Jamnagar for the past 16 years. I've found cycling around Jamnagar a wonderful experience. Almost all areas of Jamnagar can be reached on a bicycle. Wearing a facemask helps - especially if you want to avoid dust/vehicle pollution. This is next best of course to a scooter/mobike.
This temple faces the Lakhota Lake (man made) which is a nice place to spend ones time.
Jain Temples located at "Chandi Bazaar" area in Jamnagar are worth visiting. They are historic temples built around 1564-1622.
Go Camping Go Walking at the Bird Park Go Sailing to any one of the 42 islands
Jamnagar is also famous for its Bandhani (Traditional Sarees and Dresses), Kajal, Surama,and Kanku.
Sundays are the days when mostly people go out to have fun in Jamnagar. Fun in Jamnagar means going out for a long drive or making an 8 around the city,.(going around the lake & Pratap Palace Area). and visiting this larrys and eating the hot & tasty food. On the lake thre are so many joints for this kind of junk foods. There are also Fresh Fruit sellers who juice them in front of you and if you specify, then serve them without adding the spices and ice.
The Local Favorite Junk foods are :
Gathiya Bhajia Pakwan Gughra Dabeli bread Bhel puri Pani puri american makaai Katka Bread Jotta Bread (very very spicy) Bhaji Cone Dhokla Ras Patra Khandvi Daal Puri Chana Masale Dry Fruit Kachoris
==> Before eating, one should check the spiciness of the food item.
Plain/Dry Fruit Kachori (a tasty and very spicy namkeen)is a must eat. Also 'Ghughara'(kind of kachori, served with Garlic and coriander chutney), again a MUST have!
Ice Gola's (chuski) is also very popular. You get different flavours and also various varieties like dry fruit gola, malai gola etc..
Madras Cafe at Teen Batti is a very good restaurant for Vegetarian fare (especially South Indian).
'''Veg. Cuisine''':
= 7 Seas Restaurant at Hotel President (serves Indian, Continental & Chines) - Operates 24 hours. = Swati Restaurant = Flavours Restaurant = Madras Cafe = Kalpana Restaurant = Aram Restaurant = Maruti Restaurant = Icy Spicy
'''Non-Veg Cuisine''':
= 7 Seas restaurant at Hotel President = Paramount Restaurant = Restarant at Vishal Hotel = Takdeer Restaurant(hidden away in the by lanes of the Muslim quarter of the city (Darabargadh). An experience similar to what one gets at "Bade Mian", Mumbai and "Kake da Dhaba" Delhi).
= Restaurant at Express Hotel at Sikka Patia
= There is one small samosa/kebab wala in a lane opp. Anupam Theatre. = Plus there are many hawkers who sell tasty egg preparations..
[http://jamnagar-news.blogspot.com/2008/01/jamnagar-recent-halar-visit-part-1.html Jamnagar Food]
Tea, Coffee, Fresh Jucies and Lassi, Nariyal Pani - you get these in any corner of Jamnagar.
Hotel President - Situated in the heart of the city
[http://www.hotelpresident.in]
Local language is Gujarati, but there are people from all over India. If you can't speak Gujarati, you key is HINDI. I guess almost everyone understands Hindi in Jamnagar. English is understood in a few of the bigger shops.
If you have any questions about Jamnagar, you may email me at :
jamnagar@india.com
For more details about Jamnagar check [http://www.jamnagar.org]