10 Best places to visit in Saputara

The relaxing offbeat tourist trails of Gujarat, a state with remarkable natural reserves, are typically overlooked by travellers scurrying between Maharashtra and Rajasthan. While I may have commenced my trip in Ahmedabad, a city packed with profound culture and architecture, it’s the countryside that revealed to me the real treasure. Ten hours of unhurried travel from Ahmedabad to Saputara exposed me to the real Gujarat. Sacred temples hunkered atop cliffs, secreting fauna, and startlingly expansive, endless valleys and village artisans creating domestic crafts, were among the sights I encountered on this journey.

In the evening, we arrived in Saputara, a hilltop town where you can learn about the history of the local Dang tribe as well as see and purchase tribal arts and crafts. It’s the ideal eco-retreat, and here’s a list of the best things to do in Saputara’s well-planned resort hill station during the pandemic.

Gajabhishek Jain Tirth

Gajabhishek Jain Tirth is one of Gujarat’s only Girimathak Dang, breathing through the mesmerising forests and hills of Saputara and libating stunning views of the streams. 

It’s set atop Chintamani Parshvanath Dada ka Bhavya Jinalaya, a natural wonder where two Gajrajs once anointed Chintamani Parshvanath Dada’s monument. 

Gajabhisheka, the name of the tirtha, is derived from him. Chintamani Parshvanath Dada was a member of Karnataka’s Saptsar Garvase Khetse, and his contributions to the Jain community are monumentalized at this beautiful Jinalaya. In Saputara, the temple is a must-see attraction.

Saputara Rose Garden

Saputara’s Rose Garden, near the city’s bus station and museum, is a fantastic place for travellers to relax. Smriti Gulab, the original concept behind the Rose Garden, allowed guests to plant a rose and watch it grow in their honour. This park, along with the lake and the step garden, is one of three well-kept gardens in Saputara because of a creative passageway built by the town.

Several kinds of roses in various colours, styles, and sizes can be glimpsed, in the Saputara Rose Garden, which also has a pond with flamingo statues. Visit in the spring between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to take advantage of the garden’s lush blooms.

Nageshwar Mahadev Temple

On the southern side of Saputara Lake, the Hindu temple of Nageshwar (God of Snakes) Mahadev oozes a serene and spiritual atmosphere. “You can reach me at any time. If you want to take me deeper into the ocean, I will not turn you down. Bring me into a greater purpose by bringing me closer and raising me higher in the air. All for the sake of your eminence, I come and give myself over to you.” Such is the mystical aura of the Nageshwar Mahadev Temple, one of Saputara’s oldest Shiv temples, exudes.

 

This small, architecturally stunning temple is easily accessible from the lake and is home to a deft round-shaped ceiling and Shivlinga shrines. A Nandi statue facing Lord Shiva may be found in the temple’s outer hall. The Nageshvara Jyotirlinga is one of Gujarat’s holiest shrines, housing the presiding deity Lord Shiva’s temple in an underground chamber. Only the priest accesses the sanctum sanctorum, which houses a superb black granite Shivlinga.

Table Point and Ropeway

The Table Point in Saputara is the best place to end your day with a leisurely drive around the area’s breathtaking scenery. Saputara can be seen in all its glory from this vantage point. Take the 10-minute ropeway ride to Sunset Point, where you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of Saputara as the sun sets, and then make your way back to Table Point.

Table Point has plenty of parking on the top. The majority of visitors come to this hilltop location to partake in paragliding, biking, camel or horseback riding, or to relax and eat some of the regional titbits.

Saputara Boating and Sunset

In addition to exploring the heights, you might wish to go boating at Saputara’s lake, which is gleaming with beautiful waters. Hop into a duck boat and sail alongside the real ducks.

Because it was raining when I went, I had to raincheck the watercraft! Literally! As it was raining at the time, I was here. You must not, however, overlook it, as some parts of Saputara are best visited by boat.

Shiv Ghat

In the Dang region of Gujarat, the Shiv Ghat waterfall, which cascades down the Ahwa–Waghai road, may be seen within ten to fifteen minutes of Ahwa. An Indian word for mountain pass, the Ghat in question got its name from the nearby Hindu temple that sits at its crest. Diamond-like stream cascading over the forest cliffs is a first for the area.

Even though it is only a small stream, many tourists visit Shiv Ghat to view the scenery and pray at the nearby Shiv shrine, despite the lack of water. Once you’ve finished praying at the temple, take a dip in the temple’s water pool, which receives spiritual inspiration from the temple.

Girmal Waterfall

River Gira in Gujarat’s Dang District grazes Bardipada, Divadiawan villages, Girmal, and Singana on its way before meeting Mindhola in Songadh. Girmal waterfall, located near Subir village, receives its water from River Gira and rises to 100 feet, making it Gujarat’s highest waterfall.

This area is reached via a steep road, where you may witness the majestic water beads falling fast from over 100 feet, creating an eye-catching fog. Bordered by the Purna nature sanctuary, this spot is well-liked by locals and tourists because of its photographic brilliance. All in all, it’s a refreshing escape and a fantastic picnic area.

Shabridham

The famed Shabridham temple, surrounded by the deep forest of Dand Karanya, is another attractive location near the Girmal waterfall and Subir hamlet. According to the legends, Lord Ram is said to have met Shabari, an elderly peasant, during his 14-year exile in the jungle.

This Subir village temple heralds Shabari’s unwavering devotion and was built on the exact spot where Ram met Shabari in his search for Sita. Shabari, a devotee of Lord Ram, had waited for him for years on the advice of her Guru.She would collect wild berries (Ber) for him when she first met him, and in the process of sourcing the best, she would bite into them and then offer them to the Lord with great devotion.

Her perfect adoration pleased Lord Ram, and the three rocks where Ram, Laxman, and Shabri sat are still revered today. Even though the temple is surrounded by trees and mountains, lodging and food are available in this area.

Mahal Eco Tourism Campsite

Mahal Eco-Tourism is a rustic campsite surrounded by hills in Dang’s Purna Wildlife Sanctuary. This Eco Campsite is a spot to endure nature trails and the tender embrace of forests. The Purna Wildlife Sanctuary surrounds this campsite, as do the Purna and Gira rivers. 

This is one of the best places in Gujarat for eco-tourism and to take pleasure in bird watching in a broadleaved forest. Tigers and other wildlife are said to live in Purna’s protected forests. This place is near the stunning Girmar Falls and is best visited between October and March. Bring your family, stay in a treehouse, enjoy a campfire and connect with nature.

Gira Waterfall

This stunningly gorgeous 99-foot waterfall, located in a state that holds a particular place in my heart, is easily Gujarat’s most impressive during the monsoon season. The Gira waterfall, located about 3 kilometres from the remote hamlet of Waghai, is a natural fall that leads to the Ambica River and has some of the region’s most scenic vistas.

You must, however, earn your visit due to its distant location deep into the rugged and picturesque countryside of Devipada and Waghai. From Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Mumbai, or Saputara, you can travel by road or train to this magnificent hidden treasure of Gujarat.

Waghai Botanical Garden

The positive side of the pandemic is that we all walked away with a lot more plants than we started with. The pandemic has acted as a beautiful reminder of the human connection to nature, be it the inspiration for our gardens or booking a trip to a forest. I’m happy that my recent trip to Gujarat created a fabulous opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful botanical gardens, which provide us with reliable information and breathtaking pictures.

Waghai Botanical Garden, located at the foot of the Dang district in Gujarat, is one such rare plant repository. It includes an expansive assortment of indigenous and exotic plants used for cooking and medicine. Waghai Botanical Garden spans 24 hectares, and it’s divided into numerous plots, each portraying plantations of the Champion or Seth forest kinds of India; the sort of site where you may discover 100-foot-tall and 100-foot-old trees.

In addition, Waghai Botanical Garden is home to 25 unique plant species found only in Gujarat. When you’re able to get back on the road, pay a visit to this charming botanical park. WBC’s collection includes everything from cactus to tuberous plants, as well as uncommon, endangered, and sacred plants.

Take a look at Pragvad, a tree that promotes meditation and spirituality, and Halund, the mystical plant, while you’re here. You can acquire accurate scientific facts about plants and their consumable uses with their Floral Safari app.

Where to stay: Toran Hotel and Toran Hill Resort in Saputara