18 Attractions to Explore Near Harshad Mata Temple Dwarka

Diu fort is a Portuguese-built fortification located on the west coast of India in Diu. The fortress was built as part of Portuguese India's defensive fortifications at the eastern tip of the island of Diu during the 16th century. The fortress, which borders on the town of Diu, was built in 1535 subsequent to a defense alliance forged by Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat and the Portuguese when Humayun, the Mughal Emperor attempted to annex this territory.

A famous tourist spot of the town, the Diu Museum has been set up in the St. Thomas Church. The church had been built in 1598 but was later converted into a museum. The building still bears the worn out and faded portraits and paintings left behind by the Portuguese. A beautiful garden path leads up to Diu Museum, with lovely fountains by its side. The evenings transform the place into a delightful sight with multicolored lights attractively brightening up the edifice.

Diu St Paul’s Church is said to be the only active church in the region till date. It boasts of intricate volutes and shell that form an impressive motif. Its richly done wood carving which has earned a special recognition among the most elaborate Portuguese churches is the real feast for eyes. On a close look at this church you will find that it has resemblance with Bom Jesus Church at Goa on the virtue of architectural patterns.

This is the most visited place among the other Tourist Attractions in Diu. This is a majestic monument that enthralls the guests with its charisma. The history of the Zampa Gateway in Diu takes us into the medieval period. This gateway has immense historical significance and holds an important place among the major sites of tourist attraction.

The Jallandhar Beach in Diu is exceptionally beautiful and quiet. Lazing around the beach or playing with the cool waters is one of the favorite things to do during your tour to Diu. In this beach, various water sports facilities are available. It is completely safe for swimming. Several trees whisper and sway in the intoxicating sea breeze all day long giving you all the reason to smile during your laidback holiday.

INS Khukri was a British Type 14 frigate of the Indian Navy. She was sunk off the coast of Diu, Gujarat, India by the Pakistan Navy Daphné-class submarine Hangor on 9 December 1971 during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. This was the first warship sunk in action by a submarine since the Korean War. It remains the post-Independence Indian navy's only warship to be lost in war to date.

Nagoa Beach in Diu is an ideal and a recommended place for tourists all over the world. The place is well connected with the resorts, hence it making it easy for travelers to relax and explore its beauty at the same time. The beach is surrounded by beautiful palm trees swaying in the cool breeze which creates an exotic environment for the travelers to laze around. The serene beauty of the beach due to its white sands and quiet blue water is worth experiencing and enjoying.

Situated amidst serenity and scenic beauty, the Gangeshwar Temple is dedicated to the transformer of Hindu trinity, Lord Shiva. This ancient Hindu Temple is located 3 km away from Diu in the Fudam Village of Gujarat. Believed to have been built by the Pandavas, this temple is famous for its five Shiva Lingas, i.e. rocks in the shape of Lord Shiva which are present in the middle of the sea. Only the tip of these rocks can be seen whenever there is a high tide because the sea water submerges them.

officially known as the Hiran-I Dam, is a rock-fill embankment dam on the Hiran River. The dam is located within the Gir Forest National Park and was completed in 1959 for irrigation purposes. The reservoir created by the dam is known for its bird and crocodile populations.

Gir Forest national park also known as Sasan Gir, is a forest and wildlife sanctuary near Talala Gir in Gujarat, India Which is very much popular for their lion population. The best time to visit Gir comes between the months of December to March. Though, April and May are very hot but considered as the best months for wildlife viewing and photography.

Devaliya National Park also referred to as the ‘Gir Interpretation zone’ is an area carved out as a distinct eco-tourism locale allowing tourists to view lions as well as the other rare wild animals of Gir within a short time span and against cheaper charges. Devaliya in other words is a part of Gir National Park and it allows the facility of reserving the population of wild animals within an area segregated with Ha Chain linked fences.

The Somnath temple located in Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat, is believed to be the first among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. It is an important pilgrimage and tourist spot of Gujarat. Reconstructed several times in the past after repeated destruction by several Muslim invaders and rulers,

Damodar kund is one of the sacred lakes as per Hindu beliefs, which is located at the foothills of Girnar hills, near Junagadh. It is considered holy, as per Hindu mythology and many Hindus prefer to bathe and immerse the ashes and the bones left after cremation of dead bodies, here at Damodar Kund due to a belief that the departed souls would get moksha here.

On the way to Girnar Hill, one will see a huge white colour building that houses fourteen edicts of Emperor Ashoka. The edicts are dating back to 250 BC and were re-discovered by James Todd. Edicts exhibited in the building are carved out of large granite stones with inscriptions written on it in ancient languages like Pali and Brahmi. Inscriptions on the stones tell about the philosophy of Ashok-respect for all religions, developing a positive attitude.

Baba pyare caves are an example of ancient man-made caverns. The caves are a part of the Junagadh Buddhist Cave Groups situated in the eastern part of Junagadh of the Indian state of Gujarat. Bava Pyara caves contains artworks of both Buddhism and Jainism.

The magnificent fort of Upperkot is said to be built by Chandragupta Maurya in 319 BC and continued to be used during the Gupta period. The fort lost its importance when the capital of the Saurashtra region was moved from Junagadh to Vallabhi by Maitrakas and was abandoned for 300 years. Later it was rediscovered and rebuilt with all the updated requirements during 976 AD by Rah Grahar of the Chudasama dynasty and later it came under the rule of Mughals in 1473 CE.

Buddhist Caves of Khapra Kodiya are part of the Junagadh Buddhist Cave Group. They are the oldest of the caves in the group. The caves, on the basis of scribbles and short cursive letters on the wall, are dated to 3rd-4th century BCE during the Emperor Ashoka’s rule and are the plainest of all the caves in the groups

Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden also known as Sakkarbaug Zoo or Junagadh Zoo is an 84-hectare zoo that opened in 1863 at Junagadh, Gujarat, India. The zoo provides purebred Asiatic lions for the Indian and the international endangered species captive breeding program for the critically endangered species. Wild free-ranging Asiatic lions have become extinct over most of Asia and are today found only in the nearby Gir Forest. It is the second oldest zoo in India and the fourth-biggest zoo in India.