Palanpur Tourism (2024) - India > Top Places, Travel Guide

Palanpur Travel Essentials

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Ideal duration: 2-3 days

Best Time: October to March Read More

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Also Refered As:

Prahladana Patan or Prahladanapura

"City of Flowers"

Palanpur Tourism

Palanpur, is a city and municipality in Banaskantha district of Gujarat, India. It is the administrative headquarters of the district, known for its massive architectural shrines dedicated to Hinduism and Jainism and it’s enriching history. A visit to this place would bring you into terms with the various battle fought and won in the area and the dynasties it was home to. The city is guarded by Aravalli Range on one side and Sabarmati River on the other, forming a natural fort-like city.

Palanpur has been better known as Prahladana Patan or Prahaladanapura in the era of rulers, after its alleged founder, Prahladana in 1218. Although texts vary in this respect, this particular fact finds mention in the Jain texts. The city was left unattended after the fall of the dynasty and repopulated with the Chauhans, having led by Palansi Chauhan. Such traces of history is visible through the Palanpur fort which had seven gates, although most of them are in dilapidated condition.

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Places to Visit

1. Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary
Declared as a sanctuary in May 1978, the Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary was primarily set up for protecting sloth bears that are one of the vulnerable species according to the IUCN Red List. The interesting fact about the sloth bears is that they hang upside down from tree branches. Located at a distance of 36 km, the 180 sq km sanctuary is an hour-long drive from Palanpur.

2. Keerti Stambh Victory Tower
The Keerti Stambh is a tall pillar constructed in 1918 by Nawab Shri Taley Mohammed Khan to commemorate the boldness of Shri Sher Mohammed Khan. The pillar stands as evidence to the evolution of Palanpur under various dynasties with names of rulers engraved on the same. The Stambh was inaugurated by the General Sir Gangasingh, the Maharaja of Bikaner.

3. Balaram Mahadev Temple
The Balaram Mahadev Temple is a neo-classical shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and situated 14 km away from Palanpur.

4. Pataleshwar Mahadev Temple
Located close to the Keerti Stambh, the Pataleshwar Mahadev Temple is an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to be the birthplace of King Siddharaj Jaisinh, the former ruler of Gujarat from Patan.

5. Motu Derasar
The Motu Derasar, otherwise known as Pallaviya Parshwanath Temple, was established by king Prahaladan, the alleged founder of Palanpur. A devout Jain, the temple has been dedicated to Lord Parshwanath, the twenty-third lord of Jainism. The temple is beautifully carved and presents a fine specimen of the architecture of the period. It also happens to be the only place where the idol of King Prahladan is instilled. According to the local legends, the king built this said temple as a redemption for his evil deeds. After it's completion, he is believed to have used the holy water from the temple to cure himself of his illness.

6. Kedarnath Mahadev
The Kedarnath Mahadev temple dates back to the Mahabharata period and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located at a distance of 35 km from Palanpur.

7. Balaram Palace
Currently serving as a resort for tourists, the Balaram Palace finds mention in the historical records to have been constructed between 1922 and 1936 by the twenty-ninth ruler of Palanpur. It is believed to have been used by the Lohani Nawab as his favourite resting place. The palace displays brilliant neo- classical and baroque style of architecture. Surrounded by a lush green garden and forests, the palace covers an area of 542 km.

Local Palanpur Culture

Being a city in Northern India with religious diversity, the people celebrate festivals such as Navratri, Holi, Diwali and Basant Panchami. It is always a good idea to visit during a festival if the crowd is not an issue. The best food and the culture of a place can be witnessed only then.

Food and Restaurants

When it comes to food, Palanpur has a lot to offer. Be it the famous dhokla of Gujarat or the traditional Rajasthani thali; you will get the most authentic cuisine in the city. Although non-vegetarian restaurants are quite less, many restaurants do offer chicken. The Rajwadu Garden Restaurants are quite famous for their ambience and setting while you might want to go for NH14 Restaurant if you're going to restrict your meal to a budget. There are various places which offer tasty South Indian dishes as well, the Sankalp Restaurant being one.

History of Palanpur

Jain texts dating back to the 11th century, have inscriptions regarding the discovery of Palanpur city by King Prahaladana of Paramara Rajput Empire. He is said to have built the famous Prahladana Vihara dedicated to Lord Pallaviya Parshwanatha. The Chauhans repopulated the town in the 13th century. However, in the 17th century, the Jhalori dynasty of Pashtun Lohani tribe took over Palanpur, which was followed by the Marathas in the 18th century. Palanpur follows a bloody history as different families seized control over it until the Jhalori dynasty entered into a subsidiary alliance by 1817 with the British Raj and became a British Protectorate. Finally, after the independence of the country in 1945, Palanpur was merged with the Bombay state in 1949. Later with the State Reorganisation Act in 1956, Palanpur became a municipality in Gujarat.

Itinerary

You can reach Palanpur in the morning, get well rested and go for local sightseeing within the city itself. Make sure to try the regional cuisines. The next day can be devoted to road trips, including a visit to the sanctuary and nearby areas.

Traveller Tips

Palanpur is a city full of religious and historical sites. Hence, it is advised to dress modestly.
Also, one should keep in mind that Gujarat is a dry state and respect the traditions of the state.
Language shouldn’t be a problem since Hindi as well as English is widely prevalent in the area.

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How to Reach Palanpur

How to Reach Overview

Palanpur doesn't have its own airport hence the nearest airport is in Ahmedabad. Sardar Vallabhai Patel Airport is 2 and half hour drive away from Palanpur. Palanpur railway station connects to major cities of Gujarat. Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) provide excellent public bus service along with other private taxis.

How to reach Palanpur by train

Palanpur Railway Junction is a major station of the western railways and is connected reasonably with all major cities around.

How to reach Palanpur by bus

The nearest major cities to Palanpur include Deesa, Mehsana, Gandhinagar (127 km) and Ahmedabad (145 km) away connected by State Highway 712 and SH 132 while NH 14 connects Rajasthan. Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) provide excellent public bus service along with other private taxis.

Local transport in Palanpur

Commuting within Palanpur is as easy as it gets. The city is well equipped with cab services like Ola, Uber, Meru Taxi, Gozo Cabs, rental services like Clear Car rentals etc. One can always choose to book these services online or opt to book cabs from local service providers. Another cheap option would be to make use of public transport which includes buses and auto-rickshaws in the city if you wish to travel on a budget.

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Palanpur Photos

Mira Gate, the only surviving gate of the city walls

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FAQs on Palanpur

What is famous about Palanpur?

Palanpur is a religious site with great historical significance.

What is not so good about Palanpur?

Lack of easy communication.

Who should visit Palanpur?

Palanpur is a perfect destination for those in and around Gujarat, looking for a short vacation to a less crowded place. You can also put the city on your itinerary if you are exploring the Gujarat or Rajasthan.

What is the best time to visit Palanpur?

Summers are extremely hot in Palanpur with the temperature rising till 45° C. It is thus, advisable to visit the place after the end of the monsoon season after September when the city is green and looks anew. The temperature from October to March ranges between 5° C to 22° C.
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What are the places near Palanpur?

The top places near to Palanpur are Udaipur which is 135 km from Palanpur, Mount abu which is located 54 km from Palanpur, Patan which is located 47 km from Palanpur, Danta ambaji which is located 35 km from Palanpur, Ahmedabad which is located 126 km from Palanpur

What is Palanpur Famous For?

Palanpur is an industrial hub with bubbling industries of textile, marble, dairy and diamond polishing.

Religion in Palanpur

Dwelled by a population of over one lakh, Palanpur is known for its secularity even though Hinduism is the most prevalent religion. There are considerable statistics of Jains and Muslims, along with Sikhs and Buddhist to call the city as their homes.

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