Aina Mahal Bhuj

About:

The Aina Mahal in Bhuj is an old palace that was built in the 18th century. The erstwhile palace which belonged to Maharao Lakhpatji has now been transformed into a museum that is one of the chief tourist attractions in Bhuj. The Aina Mahal is famous for housing an awesome Hall of Mirrors from which the palace get its name (Aina in Hindi means mirror).The Mahal was constructed by Rao Lakhpatji in the year 1750. Its creator had a passion for music, art, architecture, and literature. The layout, design and decorations of Bhuj Aina Mahal were highly influenced by a royal dream that was eventually converted into reality by an extremely deft craftsman whose name was Ramsinh Malam.

Though large in itself, the Aina Mahal is a part of an even larger palace complex. The building is two storied consisting of a Darbar Hall, a hall of mirrors and pleasure pool, and suites belonging to the various members of the royal family.The most distinctive feature of Aina Mahal, which sets it apart from all other Forts and Monuments in Bhuj is the fact that it reveals a strong influence of European architecture. Much of this owes to the fact that it was built by Ramsinh who had imbibed the European styles of art and architecture from his stay in Europe for 17 long years.

The Hall of Mirrors which is supposedly the prime attraction of Aina Mahal has white marble walls that are covered with mirrors and gilded ornaments. The floor of the Mirror Hall is laid with tiles with a podium above it that is surrounded by a chain of fountains. A large chandelier made of Venetian glass adds grandeur to the Hall. The Mahal lies in the old part of the city of Bhuj. The palace is built in a fortified courtyard and also houses a few rare idols.

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History:

Ramsinh had learnt to master the art in Holland for 17 years. There he received training in the techniques of making clocks and tiles, canon fabrication, enameling, and architecture. When he returned to India and then went to Kutch, Rao Lakhpatji did not take time to recognize his genius and skill over the work.Thus finding Ramsinh capable of materializing his plans and ideas, Rao Lakhpatji appointed the former to take on the mirror work, tile work and fountains at Aina Mahal.

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Durbar Gadh:
The Durbar Gadh in Bhuj, India, is one of the most visited Tourist Attractions in Bhuj. This Durbar Gadh houses the famous Aina Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) which delights the visitors by displaying the unique blend of Indian and European architecture with its fountains and two storied royal residences.Built in the 18th century by Rao Lakhpatji, Durbar Gadh, Bhuj is a perfect example of an enclosed area of the royal family which exhibited a drastic change in the style of architecture and the layout that resembled those of Europe to a large extent.Durbar Gadh is also the name given to the place located in the center of the old town of Bhuj. It was at this place that that the Maharaja of Nawanagar held his meetings with the masses.

Folk Museum:
The Folk Museum in Bhuj, India, is also known as Bharatiya Sanskruti Darshan, Bhuj. The Bhuj Folk Museum is situated in proximity to the office of the collector of Bhuj which makes it easily accessible by a variety of modes of transport. These include the services of the luxury coaches, auto-rickshaws, and taxis.One of the chief attractions of Folk Museum, Bhuj which you will hardly find in any of the other Museums in Bhuj, is a rare fossil of a Crocodilian which is which is an extinct species of the crocodile of the modern age. This creature was double the size of a crocodile of today measuring as much as 9 meters as compared to the modern species which measures only 3 to 4 meters in length.

Kachchh Museum:
The Kachchh Museum in Bhuj, India, is one of the famous Tourist Attractions in Bhuj. Built during the period of British Rule in India, the Museum of Kachchh in Bhuj is the most significant among all other Museums in Bhuj as it displays the articles that take the visitors to those ages to which they belonged.The Kutch Museum was established in the year 1877 by the British Governor of Mumbai known as Sir James Fergusson. It was because of the name of its founder that Kachchh Museum, Bhuj was initially named as Fergusson Museum.he Kutch Museum remains closed only on Wednesdays and on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month. On all days other than these, Kutch Museum is open from 9.00 to 11.30 in the morning and from 3.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Jama Masjid:
Jama Masjid in Bhuj is held auspicious by the people of the Muslim religion. The edifice is equally respected by people of any other caste or creed. The intricate designs on the walls of the mosque are worth seeing. All people who follow the Islamic religion come to the Jama Masjid at Bhuj to offer their prayers. People from all other caste can also come here to offer prayers or just to visit the mosque and get a glimpse of the beautiful design and the intricate patterns that are made on the wall. The Jama Masjid stands as a demonstration of the Islamic architecture. The Jama Masjid in Bhuj is noted for its beautifully designed minaret, the dome and the large prayer hall. The Jama Masjid of Bhuj also offers lessons on Islamic religion.

Swaminarayan Temple:
The Swaminarayan Temple, Bhuj is famous all over the world as one of the most spiritually highlighted temple in Bhuj. The Swaminarayan Temple was set by the BAPS, Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha as it is known. BAPS is an organization which operates by the philosophies of Swaminarayan. BAPS as an organization was established in the year 1907 by Shastriji Maharaj.The Swaminarayan Temple, Bhuj operates in the same way as all other temples which belong to the same organization. The Swaminarayan Temple of Bhuj is recognized for spiritual value, social work and the humanitarian service that they offer to the world. As all other temples that operate under BAPS, Swaminarayan Temple in Bhuj is also known for the beautifully carved stone temples.

Bazaars in Bhuj:
The uniquely colorful and picturesque city of Bhuj is situated in the Kutch region of Gujarat. Bhuj is also a municipality in the Kachchh District. The historical city of Bhuj was established by the great Rao Hamirji in the year 1510. This city was later made the state capital by another great personality in the name of Rao Khengari in the year 1549. Lying at the heart of Kutch, Bhuj is quite well connected and well linked by many roads to the rest of the peninsula. Bhuj is very well known for its excellent and skilled community of craftsmen.There are a huge number of tourist attraction spots in the beautiful city of Bhuj. Every year thousands of tourists from all corners of the world and from all over India visit the historical city of Bhuj.

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Nearest Visiting places:

Bela:
This spot is in the borders of Rann of Kutch which is a famous for its wild ass sanctuary. It is a hill station named Nilva. Nature and nature everywhere would mesmerize everyone in a visit.

Chitrod:
This spot is a village with sweet charm and memories of the past, the Chitrod fort, the Bhachau fort and the Fatehgarh fort and some other historical monuments of this town would speak beauty about the past and present of this location.

Gandhidham:
This place evoked into regular inhabitance during the separation and displacement of the people India. The name of this place reveals the great Mahatma’s ashes which are immersed at Kandla Creek. Kandla is the only free trade region of the country and is situated 12 km to the southeast of Gandhidham. The other important tourist interests are Khavada, Bhardeshwar, and Purneshwar.

Kera:
This town is known to be the ancient place of Gujarat, the famous 10th century holy shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva is situated here, Kera was once the capital of the famous ruler Lakho Fulani, this ancient ruler have left back a marvelous monument during his reign, namely kapilkot fort, this is one of the tourist attraction here. Apart from this the major annual event of Urs celebrations at the shrine of Gulam Ali Shah, pulls in thousands and thousands of devotees from various spots of the country.

Lakhpat:
Today, this spot is noted to be a remote area with less inhabitants sojourn right here, perhaps! The erstwhile living was massive during the year 1851 and known to be as the important trade zone. It is said that by Rao Lakha who founded this place , therefore they name Lakhpat and also there are other reasons to define the name, such as, during the greenish days of living ,the people of Lakhpat made 1,00,000 kori a day ( an old currency of Kutch state) this spot is exactly situated at the junction of Kori Creek and Rann of Kutch on the Pakistan borders, this fortified town is noted for its high walls and gates and bastions of hard stone, of course almost everything around here is perished and looks deserted.

Mandvi:
This spot is said to be the biggest tourist location of the state, the town is famously known for its historical values dates back even before 18th centuries. This town is a port of Maharao of Kutch and it is located on the banks of Rukmavati River in the Gulf of Kutch, at the west coastal in India. The major tourist spot of visit is the Mandvi port which is known to be very ancient and trade zone of handicraft items. The docks at the beach is also a famous spot, where you watch ship building, then the ancient temple of Mulnayak devoted to Bhagawan Shantinath is also an attraction at this port. The Vijay Vilas Palace situated around 8km were once the retreat centre of Maharaos of Kutch during summer, this palace ages from 1940 and exhibits great architectural values and textures designs of great workmanship. The next best landmarks are the famous Aina mahal built in the mid -18th century by Ram Singh and the tomb of Gosh Mohammad, Gurdwara and some more Hindu based temples are the added attractions nearby. The Kalyaneshwar temple and the Narayan Sarovar situated 49 km near and Koteshwar adds an enlighten trip over here, this town of old age offers a splendid trip on sight seeing enrolls old buildings of princely times, chronological palaces and temples, apart from this the town offers valuables of silverware, shell work items, Kutch embroideries, tie- dye sarees, block prints and Bandhini- a form of cloth printing for purchase.

Mundra:
This is another coastal city of the state, and famously known as ‘the Paris of Kutch’ which was founded during the reign of Rao Bhojraji (1633-1645). The famous attraction here is the high fortified stone wall constructed of huge massive blocks taken from the ruins of Bhadreshwar, a holy city of Jains. The major produces of products are the handicrafts of Mundra, tie-dye, block prints and Namda works of Mansoori people are famous and awesome.

Tera:
This is a Teerth and an ancient temple situated here as the major attraction of tourist. The Tera fort known as Darbargarh is situated here as an added attraction, this place is surrounded by ancient temples, havelis, forts and lakes as tourist trips at serene… the temple of Shri Shymala Parshwanath Bhagvan and Shri Naliya Teerth are the another major tourist attractions nearby.

Kutch Bustard Sanctuary:
This sanctuary is established with a concern to protect the great Indian Bustard and its families at large. Apart from this there are harriers, eagles, migratory birds, jungle cats, desert cat and chinkara. The best seasons are late monsoon to winter.

Little Rann of Kutch wildlife Sanctuary(Ktuch desert wildlife sanctuary):
It is located in the north- eastern part of Kutch district near Pakistan and the Wild Ass Sanctuary. This jungle is said to be the largest in India with a circumference of 4950 sq’km filled in with the bliss of nature, saline desert plains, arid grasslands, lakes and marshes around. This sanctuary is mainly a preservation centre for flamingos’ yet gazelles, blue bulls, wolves, and Indian foxes are also concerned as great valuables in this jungle apart from this the jackals, jungle cats, hare, birds species, Indian sand grouse, francolin partridge, bustard quails, desert wheatear, desert, larks, steppe eagle, imperial eagle, short toed eagle, vulture, pelicans, ducks, cranes and storks are the other blessed flows of the air and the earth are found here. The best seasons are October to June.

Narayan Sarovar(Chinkara) Sanctuary:
This spot is considered to be the unique location of the country for its arid zone and uncommon ecosystem. This arid zone is a splendid space of 444 sq’km filled in with thorny jungle and great habitat of chinkara and Indian Gazelle. The other species and animals found here are caracal, ratel, wolf, desert cat, and desert fox, great Indian bustard, lesser florican, blue bull, spotted deer, wild boar and a variety of water fowls. The best season of visit is September to January.

Wild Ass Sanctuary:
This is another biggest Indian forest which spreads over an area of 5,000 sq’km , the sanctuary is mainly noted for the large gatherings of wild ass herds. The Anjal Wild Ass Sanctuary which is inside the Little Rann of Kutch region is a surrounding here too, perhaps! This sanctuary protects more than 2,100 wild asses as in habitats here, the landscape of this jungle resembles an island sort that pulls in wild asses to sojourn in this jungle , these islands are known as ‘baits’ which forms the core for the flora and fauna. During the seasons of monsoon the wild asses are attracted to this flat land of island like and herd in plenty is a noted theory. The other animals that live here are blue bulls, blackbucks, chinkara, wolves and jackals and various fowls of the air and venomous creepers and reptiles. The best seasons are October to June.

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Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

Hotel Abha International:Bhuj,Kutch,Gujarat,India

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