This post is really about identity as well as a place we visited. The trip was a whirlwind trip to India and more specifically to Jamnagar my home town. The strange thing about a home town and the nostalgia surrounding it is not the place itself but its the childhood that you have imprinted in your deepest memory. For me a visit back to Jamnagar always feels like going home and in turn back to childhood. So this page is extra special because if someone searches for Jamnagar I hope this page will help them make a stop over and see some of the fascinating things about this town.
Lakhota Lake
The primary gravitational point of Jamnagar is the Lakhota Lake (talao). It is in the centre of old Jamnagar and still and confluence point of its various suburbs. You can read about the history of the lake on line as there are a number resources on it. During the day and evening people gravitate to meet and walk the lake. The splendour of the lake is best revealed at dawn as the sun rises to the east of the city. Here are some of my shots from early morning on the lake
The lake is phenomenal for bird watching, for our inexperienced eyes we only saw parrots. The birds we did see were flying in spectacular formation as show in the video below:
Jamnagar is a good location for bird watchers, the Kadija bird sanctuary is just outside Jamnagar and Gujarat has a number of location for bird watchers
Darbargadh
Darbargadh is a fantastic market with a sweeping semi-circular colonial building. The place is fantastic for people watching and there are specialist things from shopping perspective. Some key ones are bandhanis (tie-and-die cloths) and perfume oils. Add some to your baby oil bottle and you take it to a different level.
Pratap Villas
This is the royal palace of Jamnagar and one of the finest in Gujarat. Unfortunately entrance into the grounds is not allowed and the palace doesnt look well maintained. But its definitely worth a drive by if you are in Jamnagar. The palace is the residence of the current king of Jamnagar (Jam Saheb).
Jamnagar the experience
Jamnagar, from a biased perspective, is a laid back town and great place to visit. Foreigners who visit are likely to be passing through Jamnagar primarily as a result of the refineries in the locality or part of the Ayurveda University in the city. If you find yourself with a spare few hours cover the above locations.
There are other locations as part of the old town but sadly they have been painted and not well restored which has meant that whilst the town looks clean its lost its old character. This post is special because its the town most associated with my child hood and it still holds fond memories for me.
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