Holiday in Rajkot

What makes Rajkot special as a destination?

Rajkot is the fourth largest city in Gujarat and is inseparably linked to the childhood of Mahatma Gandhi, who spent formative years of his youth here. The city on the Kathiawar Peninsula is a vibrant trading center with a rich history as the former capital of the eponymous princely state and a surprisingly diverse culinary heritage. The Kaba Gandhi No Delo (Gandhi's family residence) is a modest stone house where the young Mohandas spent his school years. The lovingly restored museum showcases personal belongings, photographs, and documents from Gandhi's youth — before he went to study law in London and later led the largest non-violent liberation movement in history. The Watson Museum collection and Connaught Hall complement the historical picture. The Jubilee Garden in the city center is a green oasis with the distinctive clock tower, which has become the landmark of Rajkot. The Rashtriya Shala, co-founded by Gandhi, preserves the tradition of hand spinning (Khadi) and weaving, which Gandhi established as a symbol of resistance against British textile imports. Rajkot is strategically located between the lions of Gir National Park (160 km) and the Rann of Kutch (250 km) — the two most spectacular natural wonders of Gujarat. Gir National Park is the last home of the Asiatic lion, while the Rann of Kutch is a surreal salt desert that transforms into a dazzling white plain during the dry season. The Bandhani textile art (tie-dye) has a centuries-old tradition in Rajkot: In the markets of Bangdi Bazaar and Dhebar Road, handcrafted Bandhani fabrics in vibrant colors are offered, which artisans painstakingly dye with thousands of tiny knots.