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Lakhota
Palace
This diminutive palace once belonged to the Maharaja of Nawanagar. Today
it houses a small museum with displays from archaeological sites in the
area. The museum is reached by a short causeway from the northern
side of Ranmal Lake, and is open daily except Wednesday from 10.30 am to
1 pm and 3 to 5.30 pm there's a small entry fee.
Bala
Hanuman Temple
The Bala Hanuman Temple is on the southeastern side of Ranmal Lake, and
here, 24 hours a day since 1 August 1964, there's been continuous
chanting of the invocation Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram'. This
devotion has earned the temple a place in the Guinness Book of Records.
Early evening is a particularly good time to visit as it's fairly
animated then. In fact this whole area on the southeastern edge of the
lake becomes very lively around sunset when people come to promenade,
and the usual chai and kulfi stalls set up and ply their trade.
Cremation
Park
You don't require a morbid disposition to visit Jamnagar's cremation
park, 10 minutes north of the city centre by auto-rickshaw. There are
statues of saints and deities, as well as scenes from the Ramayana. This
is an interesting place to visit, and the atmosphere is anything but
depressing.
Marine
National Park (More
Info)
At a distance of 30 kms. from Jamnagar in the Gulf of Kachchh, is the
country's first Marine National Park covering 42 islands with an area of
150 sq.kms. and coastal zone of 309 sq.kms., totalling 458 sq.kms. of
extremely rich area of marine biodiversity. The importance of the region
had come to light with the survey by Mr. Harnell in 1905. Assigned to
survey the Okhamandal
coast he had noted that never before had he seen such a rich marine
biota in so confined a place.Of the three Marine National Parks of India
(the other two being Gulf of Mannar and Andaman Nicobar Islands), the
Gulf of Kuchh has a unique ecosystem which supports thousands of species
a marine iota.Here are seven species of mangroves, several species of
herbs, grosses and shrubs along with 120 species of algae in the area.
Many species of sponges, corals, fish, crabs, reptiles and birds have
been recorded. The chief attraction of the park are colourful sponges
and corals, giant sea anemone, 'elly fish, sea horse, octopus, oyster,
pearl oyster, Portuguese man of the war, starfish, bonellia, sepia,
lobster and dolphin. Of the 42 islands, visitors are permitted access to
Pirotan Island.
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