Orchard & Riverside
PALACE ROAD,GONDAL
Ph. / Fax: 02825-20002/23332
TeleFax: 079-6560962
E-MAIL:Sheetal @gnahd.globalnet.ems.vsnl.net.in
Status: Operational 19 rooms, family run.

HERITAGE: The princely state of Gondal was ruled for nearly 300 years by the Jadeja Rajput dynasty, descendants of Lord Krishna and the Moon God from the mid-17th century when Mota Kumbhaji founded the house of Gondal to the merger of states in the Indian union. Gondal reached it’s zenith under HH Bhagwat Sinhji, who abolished over 40 taxes and introduced irrigation networks, high quality roads, free compulsory education, railways, underground electricity, sanitary drainage and other reforms to make it a very progressive state in the late - 19th and early - 20th century.

THE EXPERIENCE: Guests are accommodated in the 1875 AD Riverside Palace, once the Yuvraj bungalow (residence of the Crown prince of Gondal), the late - 19th century Orchard palace, wing of the Huzoor palace still occupied by the royal family, and the rail saloon carriage with a suite of dining, drawing, bedroom and bathroom each. Both properties are spanned by historic photographs, miniature and oil paintings, prints, beadwork embroidered wall pieces, antique furniture and brassware. The properties are owned by the Great grandson of HH Bhagwat Sinhji and run by his wife and family.

FACILITIES: *19 double bedrooms, baths attached, most of them spacious and high ceilinged, all with attractive period furniture, recently renovated bathrooms and original fans. *swimming, sqaush, table tennis, rowing/motor boat cruises at Gondal lake and walking paths in orchard. Restoration of Riverside palace tennis courts and clay-pegion shooting range proposed, golf course at planning stage. *Gondal tour by 1940s cadillac. *Folk shows of Garba and African style Shidhi dances. *Continental meals. *Jeep safari to bird rich lake, stud farm and private veedi wildlife preserve. *Theme parties.

SIGHTSEEING:*1940s NAULAKHA PALACE: Festival of stone carvings, the Naulakha palace has a huge French regency style darbar hall, spiral staircases and silver museum collection with silver caskets that carried messages for HH Bhagwat Sinhji on his 25th anniversary, silver plated elephant howdab, jhools(silver lined caparisons for horses) and other exhibits. The weighing scales on which HH Bhagwat Sinhji was measured against gold on his 50th anniversary stands in a corner of the hall.

*ROYAL GARAGES : Extensive car and horse drawn carriage collection, best known for it’s rare car collections ranging from 1910 New Engine, 1920s and ‘30s European cars, 1940s American cars, 1950s Mercedes300SL and 1950s JaguarXK150 to a 1990s Corvette ZR1 and a Surtees formula 5000 raced to memorable wins by the present owner.

BHUVANESHWARI AYURVEDIC PHARMACY : Pharmacy where Traditional herbal medicines are made by blending ancient principles and modern machinery.

*BHUVANESHWARI STUD FARM : Breeding and rearing centre for Kathiawadi horses, Gir cattle and other livestock. The Gaushala has won many prestigious awards.

* GONDAL LAKE:A birdwatcher’s paradise with winter flocks of cranes, pelicans, ducks etc and resident population of ibises, storks and waders.

*ROYAL VEEDI : Private wildlife preserve with population of Blue bull, jackal, jungle cat, sandgrouse, grassland birds etc. The harrier roost in winter, lesser florican mating displays in the monsoon and seasonal nesting of grassland birds are worth seeing.

*SWAMINARAYAN TEMPLE : An old temple with beautiful wall paintings and an aura of devotion.

*THE TOWN: Picturesque buildings, handicrafts ike weaving, woodwork, beadwork, silvercrafts.

*SAGRAMSINHJI HIGH SCHOOL: Model of Eton in Gondal with Italian marble floors, original European equipment and antique clock tower.

EXCURSIONS : *JUNAGADH (60kms): Historic fort, Nawabi Palaces, royal mausoleum complex, Mauryan relics, Buddhist caves , museums and 3660 ft high temple covered Mt. Girnar peak.

*JETPUR (30 kms) :Textile town known for handprinted sarees and yarn dyeing.

*DHORAJI (49kms) : Sandstone palace & other monuments.

*RAJKOT (40 kms): Princely architecture, M Gandhi’s Kirti mandir, handicrafts, Watson museum.

*HUZOOR PALACE: French furniture, historic library, royal residence, crystal collection (on request only)

ACCESS : 40 kms from Rajkot, airport and railway station.