About Sasan Gir

The Sasan-Gir National Park is the most popular sightseeing attraction of Sasan-Gir. This park was established in 1965 and it spreads over an area of 1412 sq. km. It is most popularly known for its population of Asiatic lions and considered as the safest protection areas for these Lions. The eco-system and diverse species of flora and fauna in this park are preserved by the combined efforts of Government Forest Department, NGOs and several wildlife activists. The lion breeding programme carried at this park has successfully bred around 180 lions since its inception. Amongst the floral species of this park, there are 400 plants while the fauna species are 2375. These fauna species are divided as 38 of mammals, 300 of birds, 37 of reptiles and 2000 of insects. Popular carnivores found in the place are Asiatic lions, Indian leopards, jungle cats, striped hyenas, golden jackals and many more.
Entry:- Paid
Not Allowed:-Pets
Opening hours :-Summmers :- 6.00 AM - 6.30 PM Winter:- 6.00 AM - 6.30 PM

The Junagadh Zoo is situated in the Junagadh district and is mainly known for its Gir lions. This zoo was built by Nawab in 1863 with the motive of saving these lions from extinction. Now, this zoo has turned into an established safari park. This park will somehow provide you a small glimpse of the Sasan Gir Wildlife Sanctuary through its surroundings as well as through its collection of wildlife. Its main species of fauna comprises lions, leopards and tigers. It also houses a well maintained museum that has on display several paintings, archaeological findings and manuscripts along with a unique history section.
Entry:- Paid
Not Allowed:-Pets
Opening hours :-Daily:- 09:00 AM to 06:00 PM

The Somnath Temple is situated at 46 km from Sasan-Gir. It is one of the most popular and ancient Hindu religious temple of India. The temple is said to be one of the richest temples of ancient India but it lost its charm after it was looted several times by the forces of Mahmud of Ghazni in 10th century AD. It was earlier known as ‘Prabhas Patan’ and is one of the 12 important Hindu shrines of Lord Shiva. Its fair held at ‘Karthik Purnima’ of Hindu calendar is also quite an attraction amongst tourists. Nearby attractions of Somnath Temple includes Somnath Beach, Somnath Museum, Junagadh Gate, Bhaika Teertha, Jama Masjid, Ahilyabai Temple, Bhidiyo Pagoda, Gir National Park, Chorwad Beach, Mai Puri and Port of Veraval.
Entry:- Free
Opening hours :-07.00 AM to 08.00 PM

The Uperkot Fort was built by Chandragupta Maurya in 319 BC and has been extended by several emperors, since then. It also has been besieged 16 times and it was also abandoned during the period of 7th to 10th century until it was rediscovered out of an overgrown jungle. At the entrance of this fort, there are three gates and the walls of this fort are 20 m high. The premises of this fort also comprise of a mosque, which has been made out of demolished Hindu temples in the place. The nearby attractions of Uperkot Fort include Tomb of Nuri Shah, two baolis and several Buddhist caves.
Entry:- Paid
Opening hours :-Daily:- 07:00 AM to 08:00 PM

The Kamleshwar Dam is situated within the Sasan-Gir National Park, in its very centre. This dam is built over one of the seven rivers that drain in the area of Gir Sanctuary. These rivers include Shingoda, Raval, Godavari, Macchundri, Hiran, Datardi and Saraswati. Kamleshwar Dam is built over Hiran River. It is also referred to as the life line of Gir. It is the breeding site of marsh crocodiles of Gir along with being the halt point of many species of birds.

The Darbar Hall Museum is situated near the Diwan Chowk in the old Palace and preserves some of the rarest items of the erstwhile Nawabs. These items include weapons, armour, chandeliers, howdahs and palanquins. A collection of thrones, silver articles, paintings, costumes and tapestries is also at display in this museum. The carpet woven in Junagadh's jail is also present here. Pictures of the Nawabs in the form of a gallery of their royal portraits are also a part of this museum.
Entry:- Paid
Not Allowed:-Pets
Opening hours :-Daily:- 09:00 AM to 06:00 PM

The Mahabat Maqbara is a grand mausoleum of Nawab, built in 1892 in an Indo-Islamic architectural style. This mausoleum has been testified as the best structure made in this architectural style amongst other such structures in India. The doors and minarets of this mausoleum are made out of silver and surrounded by spiralling stairways.
Not Allowed:- Pets

Gondal only 130 km from sasan Gir .The various tourist attractions in Gondal are the Riverside Palace, Orchard Palace, Royal Garages and Naulakha Palace Riverside palace is set in lawns and gardens beside the river Gondal. The Orchard Palace is located in a huge complex of fruit orchards, lawns and gardens. This palace is a wing of the Huzoor Palace, where the ruling family of Gondal entertained guests. The 'room of miniatures' is a splendid sitting room with a collection of miniature paintings, brass and antique furniture. The Royal Garages have an extensive collection of vintage and classic cars from 1910 to 1955, Most of these cars are restored and some bear the original Gondal State number plates. Naulakha Darbargadh Palace was built during the 17th century. This palace is one of the oldest and the most beautiful palace in Gondal. This palace is situated on the banks of the river on a grand masonry base, rising about 30 meter above the river bed. This palace was built in about nine lakhs and thus named so. The palace is approached by the high gateway with the clock tower from the town side. The private palace museum displays artifacts and gifts received by Maharaja Bhagwat Sinhji as a ruler of Gondal, on his 50th birthday and various other relics.

The Girnar Mountain, located 5 kms east of Junagadh district are another famous attraction. It is situated an altitude of 1100 m high and it comprises of Jain Temples that are to be found at the hilltop. The Jain Temples were constructed between 1128 and 1500. Animals: The entire forest area of the Gir National Park is dry and deciduous which provides best habitat for Asiatic Lions. As per the new statics of 2015, the entire Saurashtra Region is inhabited by 523 Lions and more than 300 Leopards. Apart from these two animals the park is a home to two different species of Deer. The Sambar is counted largest Indian Deer. The Gir forest is also known for the Chowsingha – the world’s only four horned antelope. The Jackal, striped Hyena and India Fox are some of the smaller carnivores found in Gir Forest.

Diu is only 95 km away from Sasan Gir . Located near the port of Veraval, Diu is a small island which was earlier a Portuguese colony, and is now guarded by beaches all around.Diu takes up most popularity given the ample number of beaches, along Gujarat's southern coast such as the Nagoa beach, but has a lot more to offer too. The Diu Fort, a primary imprint of the Portuguese on the area's heritage and architecture makes up a popular tourist attraction. Another interesting place is the Vanakbara, a small fishing village whose charm has tints of colourful fishing boats and humming of day to day activity. This perfect add-on to a visit to Gujarat will complete your experience with interesting museums such as the Sea Shell Museum, temples and churches.

in the heart of the jungle, 50 km from Sasan Gir, there is a shrine to Kankai Mata, the benefactor of the shepherds of Gir forest. Kankai is a supremely wild place where you can hear lions roar at night and animals gathering at the nearby lake. There is a bus from Junagadh every morning that leaves at 8am stays one hour at the temple and departs on the return journey at 9:45am. But to really experience the place go with private transport and stay at night. The high temple walls ensure your safety and once night falls, you can watch the stars through the jungle treetops, hear lions roaming outside and experience a night in the true wilderness.

Located in the heart of the Gir forest, 50 km from Sasan Gir this is a shrine dedicated to Kankeshwari Mata, the benefactor of the shepherds of Gir forest."SANT SREE BHARATDAS BAPU GURU SREE DARSHANDAS BAPU BANEJ GIR TIRTHDHAM".The Indian mega-epic Mahabharata’s famous character Arjuna comes alive here so this place is famous because of him. Once traveling through this forest, Pandavas gets thirsty and Arjuna uses his bow to discover water from the earth. There is a Mahadev temple here called ‘Banej’.

Jamjir Waterfalls(Gir National Park) also known as “Zamzeer Waterfalls” and is located in the village Jamvala-Gir of Gir Somnath District in the state of Gujarat. Jamvala (Gir National Park) is very famous village for the three things namely Peda And Mango & Waterfalls. The falls is near Kodinar(Gir Somnath), the nearest town. Jamjir Waterfall Jamvala(Gir National Park) located taking place joins of Shingoda River in Gir Area. Jamjir Waterfall Jamvala(Gir National Park) is famous for its beautiful waterfall(dhodh) which you cannot find high as it is only just 50 to 70 feet high from the ground.

Bileshwar is a small village in Ranavav taluka in Porbandar in Saurashtra Gujarat and it is a place for devotees of Shiva who visit the Bileshwar temple here. It is said that Lord Krishna meditated on Lord Shiva and offered leaves of the Bili tree for seven months. Lord Shiva appeared and granted him his wish of obtaining the Parijat tree in order to please Satyabhama. Lord Krishna is said to have established Lord Shiva her and called him Bilvadakeshvar. The locals have deep faith in Lord Shiva here and fairs are held here in the month of Shravan and on Shivratri, which is the right time to visit Bileshwar. Travel from here to Bagwadar on Khambhalia Road in Porbandar and you will come across the Bagwadar Sun temple, which is unique in that it has nine planet temples around the main one which is dedicated to Surya dev.
Distance from Manali :- 20 km

Devaliya Lion Safari Park is situated very close to Kanar in the state of Gujarat, India. It is one of the most fascinating and beautiful places of India and people from all across the world must visit it. Devaliya, The lion safari park is barely 12 km from Sasan-Gir, and is perhaps the only place where you can come across Asia 's largest number of lions. If you do not find lions anywhere in the world, you must visit gir forest atleast once. Devaliya lion Safari takes you to the closed bout with natural surroundings that hosts the 9-10 lions and many other wild animals. This area is sufficient enough and takes in 16 Sq Km and people who visit this place actually get the feeling of backwoods once they come into the park.

Pandava cave is located near the Pandava village on the route to Chinchali, Dang, Gujarat. It has been said that during the exile ,Pandava stayed here. This cave is around 60 m long and 15 m wide. There is a Shivling inside the caves, believed that Pandava worship Lord Shiva here in the caves. There are multiple chambers inside the caves and one of the biggest one is believed to be of Bheem. These caves are also known by the name Aravalem caves. This place is for purely nature lovers and trekkers and adventure lovers. The best route to reach here is from Javtala village from where Pandava cave is walking stretch of about 1.5km.
Distance from Manali :- 19 km
Things to do :- Visit the Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery, Tripura Sundari temple, and Gauri Shankar temple.