Chotila Hill

Chotila Hill

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The famous Chamunda Mataji temple is situated at Chotila, a small town near Rajkot in Gujarat State. Chotila is situated exactly in the middle of Ahmedabad and Rajkot, the two main cities of Gujarat State. Chamunda Mataji is the Kuldevi (family Goddess) of most of the Hindus staying in Saurashtra region of Gujarat State, located in the north of it. Thousands of pilgrims come to Chotila every year and perform the darshnas of Chamunda Mataji. The Mataji temple is situated at the top of the Chotila Mountain. Chotila Mountain is around 1250 feet high and is located around 40 miles away from Rajkot, and around 50 miles away from Ahmedabad. One can easily reach Chotila within one and a half hours from Ahmedabad by the national highway passing through the entire State of Gujarat. As soon as you reach Chotila, you will find a number of shops that sell prasads of Mataji, various types of Gujarati souvenirs like thick bangles with engraving, CDS and DVDS of Chamunda Mataji, and many toys for all ages of children. There are thousands of such shops located at the base of the Chotila hill. You can start your climb from the base after walking some distance. There are stone steps up to the top of the hill. Good tree cover and railings cover the entire walkway providing comfort to all the pilgrims. This destination is most visited during the Navaratri festival.

सुरेंद्रनगर

Second spell of rain brings cheer to farmers.

The second spell of rain in many parts of Saurashtra has brought cheer to farmers. They feel it will help their crops survive and reduce power usage. According to them, the rain will help bajra, cotton, sesame and groundnut crops.

Since the last two days, scattered rain has been reported in the region. Due to delayed rain, farmers had to use groundwater which needed more power for pumping. "We were eagerly waiting for rain. Production will be less than usual, but this rain will help save late-sowing crops like BT cotton and sesame," said farmer Valji Patel from Sayla in Surendranagar district.

Sayla received 15 mm rain on Friday. Surendranagar district has received less rain as compared to other districts in the region. "This rain will also help the pastoral community in the district. A drinking water crisis was staring us in the face. This rain will avert it, though it's insufficient," said Laxman Patel from the district.

"We had lost all hope of saving our crops due to delayed rain as ours is a totally rain-fed area. Now, groundnut and bajra will get a new lease of life. Also, rain will help harvest crop in rabi season and recharge groundwater,'' said farmer Narayan Shiyal of Dugeri village in Mahuva taluka of Bhavnagar district.

However, according to Rajkot flood control room, the district did not receive any rain on Friday. "In the first spell, we received good rain but we still need to draw water from the ground. If the second spell comes, we will get relief and need not use power to pump groundwater,'' said Mensibhai, a farmer in Maliya Hatina in Junagadh district.

RAJ MAHAL PALACE

RAJ MAHAL PALACE

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The Rajmahal Palace was built in the 19th century by HH Bal Sinhji and was earlier called Bal Vilas Palace. It is located in 13-14 acres of park-like grounds with tennis courts, lily ponds, fountains, out houses and cricket pitches. The centerpiece is a beautiful pillared courtyard with marble statues. There is a marvelously appointed Darbarhall with painted ceilings, king-sized portraits and a throne. There are beautifully restored vintage cars and a library of automobile books.