Best time to visit : October to March
Jamnagar, also known as Oyster of India, is located on the coast of Gulf of Kutch in the Gujarat state of India. The city is famous for its oil refineries and traditional tie and dye work. Jamnagar also has a religious significance because of the presence of various temples in the city. Ranging from various forts and palaces to hills and beaches, Jamnagar has something to offer to each tourist.
Facts
Jamnagar is home to two of the biggest oil refineries in India. One is setup by the Reliance Group and is also the world's biggest oil refinery; the second is setup by the Essar Group. The one and only marine sanctuary of India is located near Jamnagar. This is the reason why Jamnagar is also referred to as the 'Oil city of India'. ‘Bandhni’, the most famous traditional technique of fabric dying belongs to Jamnagar and is being carried out here for more than 500 years now. The famous Bala Hanuman temple in Jamnagar holds the record for the longest continuous chanting of "Ram Dhun", since 1964.
Jamnagar is famous for its Kathiawari food which is spicy as compared to the sweet food served in other cities of Gujarat. When in Jamnagar, do have the Debras made of wheat flour mixed with spinach, green chillies and curd. Debras are mostly served with Chhundo (unique Indian sweet and sour mango pickle). Another delicacy of this region is Phafda (a type of crisp long puri). Also, do not miss the delicious dry fruit Kachoris and Chuski (Ice gola) when in Jamnagar.
Jamnagar is famous for its traditional tie and dye technique called ‘Bandhni’. When you are in Jamnagar, buying a Bandhni saree is a must. Jamnagar is also famous for its brass work, so, you can get some decorative items made from brass for your friends and relatives back home.
Nearby Places:
- Dwarka, the famous pilgrim city of Gujarat, is around 135 km. from Jamnagar. It is one of the seven most holy places of Hindus in India. The famous temple of Dwarka is the Dwarkadhish temple having two gates: Swarg Dwar, from which the pilgrims enter and the Moksha Dwar, from where they exit. You can also visit the Nageshwara Jyotyirlinga located near Dwarka.
- Somnath temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is located around 220 km. from Jamnagar. This temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India and is visited by millions of tourists every year. There is a huge rush of devotees in the temple on Kartik Poornima in November - December.