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Gondal

Gondal

heritage site · Gujarat

Gondal is a royal town in the Rajkot district of Saurashtra that has kept most of what it had.

State
Gujarat
Type
Heritage Site
Best season
Winter
Things to do
2+

Gondal is a royal town in the Rajkot district of Saurashtra that has kept most of what it had. It was a first-class princely state under the Jadeja Rajputs, a notably progressive dynasty, and what they left is why people come: 19th-century town planning well ahead of its time, handsome school buildings, palaces along the river, and a private collection of vintage cars that still run.

When to go

October to March, with mild days for the palace complexes and the private garages.

Why visit

A small Saurashtra princely town where the palaces are still lived in and run as hotels, so you sleep in them instead of touring them. The garage of vintage cars is the surprise, and the carved stone balconies of the Naulakha are the best thing here.

Cultural notes

Gondal still carries the polish of its Rajput-Kathiawari princely past, and much of that is down to Maharaja Bhagvatsinhji, who made primary education compulsory for girls and compiled the first comprehensive Gujarati dictionary.

How to reach

By Train: Gondal Railway Station (GDL) has regional express connections. Rajkot Junction is 40 km north. By Air: The new Rajkot International Airport is the closest airport for domestic and international flights. By Road: Buses run from Rajkot and Ahmedabad along the national highway.

Gondal guide & itineraries

Shopping

Gondal is a major regional agricultural hub, famous across the state for high-quality red wood crafts, premium cotton textiles, and organic spices. Do not leave without a packet of its famous dried red chillies from the traditional wholesale markets.

Popular attractions

The places in Gondal most people come for.

Naulakha Palace

Naulakha Palace

Attraction1.5 hrsmorning

The Royal Garages

The Royal Garages

Experience1 hrafternoon

See all attractions

Frequently asked questions

Can general tourists view the private vintage car collections of the Maharaja?

Yes, the Royal Garages are open to the general public via a paid entry ticket, showcasing a pristine collection of classic cars including 1935 Packards, Delage, and old muscle cars.

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