Final Reflections This road trip gave us everything: History at Dholavira Mystery at Kala Dungar Royal elegance at Mandvi Faith at Somnath Peace on the shores of Diu Most importantly, it gave us shared memories — laughter in the car, long silences on open roads, and moments that didn’t need photographs to be remembered. Gujarat…
Diu — Beaches & the Shivling by the Waves From Somnath, we continued 90–100 km (2–2.5 hours) to Diu. Diu’s beaches are gentle, calm, and unhurried. But the most touching moment was visiting the Shivling on the rocky shore, revealed during low tide. No walls, no bells — just Shiva, sea, and sky. It felt…
Somnath — Faith by the Sea On our return, we drove 430–460 km (9–10 hours) from Dholavira to the sacred Somnath Temple. Standing proudly on the edge of the Arabian Sea, the Somnath Temple is far more than a place of worship — it is a symbol of unwavering faith, resilience, and spiritual continuity. For…
The Road to Heaven & 🏛️ Dholavira From Bhuj, we drove 220–230 km (4–5 hours) to one of the most extraordinary places we have ever visited — Dholavira. The Highway to Heaven The final stretch — often called the Road to Heaven — cuts through white salt pans of the Rann of Kutch. Sky and…
Vijaya Vilas Palace & 🌊 Mandvi Beach From Bhuj, we drove 65–70 km (1.5–2 hours) to the elegant Vijaya Vilas Palace. Surrounded by gardens and facing the sea, the palace felt serene and timeless. Just a short drive away were the beautiful shores of Mandvi — wide, clean, and uncrowded. After days of dusty roads,…
Bhuj — Palaces, Ruins, and Stories Aina Mahal — Echoes of a Royal Past Our first deep dive into Kutch’s heritage was the Aina Mahal. Though parts of it now stand in ruins — especially after earthquakes — the palace still whispers stories of grandeur. Walking through cracked walls and faded mirrors felt like stepping…
From Desert Civilisations to Sacred Seas Our Gujarat Road Trip: Navsari → Kutch → Dholavira → Somnath → Diu Some journeys stay with you long after the road ends. Our road trip across Gujarat — undertaken a few years ago with my wife Hansa and our dear friends Shobhanaben and Monica — was one such…