Surendranagar: Wild Ass Sanctuary, Temples and Tangaliya
Accommodation in Surendranagar
Surendranagar brings together a wide variety of discoveries: the landscape of the Little Rann of Kachchh, historic buildings, temples and living craft traditions. Those planning a trip here can focus on wildlife watching, architecture or regional culture. This variety makes choosing the right place to stay a matter of personal interests.
Vast landscapes and wildlife watching
The Wild Ass Sanctuary covers 4,953.71 km² of the Little Rann of Kachchh as well as areas in the districts of Surendranagar, Rajkot, Patan, Banaskantha and Kachchh. It therefore extends across several districts. The population of Indian wild asses in the sanctuary is the only gene pool of Indian wild asses in the world. Visitors can take jeep safaris to explore the area and observe wildlife.
The reservoir created by the Dholidhaja Dam also appeals to nature enthusiasts: it attracts migratory birds. This brings together two different nature experiences—the wildlife of the vast sanctuary and the migratory birds at the reservoir. Those particularly interested in wildlife can make the safari a distinct part of their trip; those wishing to watch birds will find another attraction at the reservoir.
Buildings and crafts
The architectural heritage is expressed in various forms. The unfinished Hawa Mahal offers insight into the style of the craftspeople who worked on it. Raj Mahal was the residence of His Highness Balsinhji in the 19th century. Some gates and fortification walls still remain within the city of Vadhwan. Madhav Vav, meanwhile, is a stepwell in Wadhwan in Surendranagar district, built during the Solanki period. Each of these buildings represents a distinct facet of regional history.
Textiles also offer a way to discover the area. Tangaliya is a 700-year-old weaving tradition rooted in the Dangashiya community of Surendranagar, Gujarat. The district also has one of Gujarat’s largest handloom clusters. Khadi can be bought in larger quantities at the bustling markets. Those interested in craft traditions can encounter both a distinctive weaving tradition and the broader world of handloom weaving.
At the Tarnetar Fair, the grounds of the Triniteshwar Mahadev Temple and the goods on offer provide another connection to local culture. These include local handicrafts, ethnic jewellery, statues of deities and traditional clothing, with garments embroidered with small mirrors. The variety of items gives the visit a clear focus on regional crafts and clothing.
Temples and exhibitions
The Chamunda Mataji Temple is located on the summit of Chotila Mountain. The mountain is about 1,250 feet high. Another religious site is Varnindra Dham, dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan. The Varnindra Dham Swaminarayan Temple is located in Patdi in Dasada taluka of Surendranagar district; its main attraction is the Pradarshani exhibition.
For a cultural attraction specifically aimed at children, Surendranagar Trimandir is nearby: it is 17.1 km from the city of Surendranagar and is located near Lok Vidhyalaya on Muli Road. The Store of Happiness offers themed shows and puppet shows specially designed for children but open to everyone. Trimandir also includes an informative museum and a mini-theatre about GnaniPurushParamPujya Dada Bhagwan, whose vision inspired the construction of Trimandir.
Choosing where to stay
Surendranagar is connected to the Western Railway’s Rajkot Division. When looking for a holiday rental in Surendranagar, it helps to decide on your preferred focus first: the Wild Ass Sanctuary extends across areas in several districts, while Madhav Vav is specifically in Wadhwan and Varnindra Dham Temple is in Patdi. Nature, history, crafts and religious sites therefore lead to different regional points of reference.
Other places to help you get your bearings in the area include Bajana, Panva, Surendranagar, Muli, Dasada and Sayla.
For the broader travel overview: Gujarat.
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