Jamnagar

 The founder of the princely state of Jamnagar was the Great Jam Rawal, who descended on the northern coast of  Kathiawar in 1535 A.D

Jam Rawals father Jam Lakhaji ruled in Terabanu in Kutch.

According to bardic chronicles, Jam Lakhaji had two cousins Tamachi Deda and Hamirji Jadeja, they envied his reputation for valor.  Their envy was hightened by the fame of Jam Lakhaji at the siege of Pawagadh. So largely did he contribute to its capture by Bahadurshah, the Emperor of Gujarat, that he was bestowed 12 villages by him. As Jam Lakaji was going to take possession of his new fef, he was treacherously killed by his cousins Tamachi Deda and Hamirji Jadeja. Jam Lakhajis son Jam Rawal escaped and on growing up, took vengance of his fathers murder in the same manner by killing Hamirji Jadeja. Special Holidays with very attractive and discounted packages and hotel bookings.

Hamirjis two sons Khengarji and Sahibji fled to Delhi and after twelve months of waiting to meet the Great Moghul Emperor Humayun, they got the chance to join the crowd goingalong with the Emperor for lion hunting. Incredible India Tours with Indian Travel agent.
During the lion hunt, they got the chance to kill the lion just when it was going to attack the Emperor.  As a reward, an army of 1,00,000 was sent with them to regain back their kingdom.

When Jam Rawal heard of the two princes coming back to the Kutch with the imperial army, he started getting ready for the battle. On one night, Goddess Ashapura came in his dream and told him that as he had broken the oath taken on her name about not killing Hamirji, even though, he was the person responsible for the death of his father. She should have punished him, but as he had at all other times honored her. So he should no longer dwell in Kutch but cross the sea and take Kathiawar as a dwelling place. Incredible India Tours with Indian Travel agent.

Upon awakening he called his counselors and discussed the dream, they agreed that he must leave Kutch and found for himself a Kingdom across the Gulf. So Jam Rawal along with his soldiers and many traders marched out. On the way he killed and conquered the territory of King Tamachi the other conspirator in the killing of his father, and he also conquered the town of Dhrol and its dependencies and gave them to his brother Hardholji, who was later killed in battle during that period, and the  State of Dhrol was given to his eldest son, Jasoji.

Thus Jam Rawal made himself master of a great territory and the need for a capital arose.

The story goes like this, that once on a hunting trip on the land of present day Jamnagar, a hare was found to be brave enough to turn on the hunting dogs and putting them to flight. Deeply impressed by this, Jam Rawal thought that if this land can breed such hares, if his capital was built on this land, the men born here would be superior than other men. Incredible India Tours with Indian Travel agent.

He counsulted his astrologers and wise men, and the day chosen for laying the foundation stone was the 7th day of the bright half of the month of srawan, VS 1956. (August 1540 AD) on the banks of two rivers Rangmati and Nagmati and named it Nawanagar meaning new town.
Nawanagar eventually came to be known as Jamnagar meaning the town of the Jams.

TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
In the center of old Jamnagar, on an island in the middle of the lake, are two magnificent old structures-the Lakhota Fort and the Kotha Bastion. Lakhota Fort is Jamnagar's museum and its terraces display a fine collection of sculpture that spans a period from the 9th to 18th century. The Kotha Bastion is Jamnagar's arsenal. One of its most interesting sights is an old well, the water of which can be drawn by blowing into a small hole in the floor. Explore Incredible India with Special Holidays.

The most remarkable of Ranjit Singh's construction is Wellington Crescent. The swooping arches of its curved façade overlooks the wide streets of Chelmsford Market.

Solarium, known as the Ranjit Institute of Poly-radio Therapy, is open to visitors after working hours. Its revolving tower provides daylong sunlight. Explore Incredible India with Special Holidays.

Jansahed's Palace and Bedi Ports are attractive seaside picnic spots offering good fishing facilities.

Durbar Gadh, the center of the old town, was once an important place where the Maharaja of Nawanagar held public audiences.

Jain Temples
Out of a pair of Jain temples, one is dedicated to Adinath (the first Tirthankara) and other built to honour Shantinath (the sixteenth ). The quality and quantity of the murals on the walls, ceilings and pillars of the temple are extraordinary. Hazy yellows, greens, pinks, oranges and blues depict a riot of flowers, people, Gods and domestic objects, while tableaux tell the life stories of Jain saints. The most spectacular of the two, Shantinath Mandir, is a maze of brightly coloured columns, each section of roof between them highlighted with individual designs. The marble floor beneath is emblazoned with distinctive Jain patterns in yellow, black, white and red. Above the main sanctuary, an enormous dome rises in a series of concentric circles glinting with gold. The outer side of the large dome over Adinath Mandir is inlaid with gold and coloured mosaic, and both Temples have cupolas enriched with design of mirrors above the entrance porch. Explore Incredible India with Special Holidays.

Lakhota Palace and Kotha Bastion
Lakhota Palace is reputed as one of the major tourist attractions among the tourists visiting Jamnagar. Located in the center of Old Jamnagar on an island in the middle of a lake, two old structures namely Lakhota Fort and Kotha Bastion are sure to captivate you. The terrace of Lakhota Fort displays a fine collection of sculptures that date back to the time of yore. The Kotha Bastion is Jamnagar's arsenal. It has a fine collection of sculptures, coins, inscriptions and copper plates and the skeleton of a whale. Its major attraction is an old well, the water of which can be drawn by blowing into a small hole in the floor. All tour and Travel needs for India by Indian travel agent.

Marine National Park
The North-West coast of Saurashtra, bordering the heavily tidal Gulf of Kutch, is fringed with more than forty small islands, whose ever depleting mangrove population gives rise to some of the richest marine life off mainland India. All tour and Travel needs for India by Indian travel agent.The park is spread over an area of 458 sq kms. Here you will find plants that look like animals and animals that look like plants. Turtles, shrimp, sponge, eels, sea urchin lurk among corals. The Marine National Park is 30 kms from Jamnagar.

Bhujio Kotho
Bhujio Kotho enjoys a distinct place among the tourists due to its height and circumference. It is believed that the monument was constructed for protection during the invasions. It has five floors and on the first floor there are guns placed in each directions. On the upper floor a tank is constructed to store water and on it's peak a dancing peacock is placed. All tour and Travel needs for India by Indian travel agent.