Morbi Tourism
The prosperous city state of
Morbi and much of the built heritage and
town planning is attributed to the efficient adminstration of Sir Waghji, who
came to the throne in 1879 AD and ruled till 1948 AD. Sir Waghji acted as a
ruler, manager, patron and policemen of the state with great authority, always
keeping the citizens' interests in mind. Sir Waghji, like other contemporary
rulers of Saurashtra, built roads, Railway Network of seventy miles connecting
Wadhvan and Morbi and two small ports of Navlakhi and vavania for exporting
the state's production of salt and cloth. The railway station of Morbi is a
beautiful example of Railway architecture, combining Indian and European architectural
elements.
The most important buildings at Morbi are: Darbargadh, Mani Mandir, Wellingdon
Secretariat, Suspension Bridge, Art Deco Palace and Lakhdhirji Engineering College.
Darbargadh, on the bank of Machchu, is an orginal residence of Morbi rulers.
It can be reached by crossing an imposing gate arcaded facade, Now it is the
only heritage hotel at Morbi.
Mani Mandir is a temple situated in the courtyard of Wellingdon Secretariat.
The images of Laxmi Narayan, Mahakali, Ramchandraji, Radha- Krishna and Shiva
are worshiped in this temple. Mani Mandir is made out of Jaipur stone with excellent
workmanship and exquisitely carved elements-arches, brackets, jalis,chhatris
and shikhara. Wellingdon Secretariat is an excellent example of the application
of principles of Rajput architecture by master craftsmen, at the turn of the
century.
The Suspension Bridge, an engineeiring marvel built at the turn of the century,
reflects the progressive and scientific nature of the rulers of Morbi. This
was built to give a unque identity to Morbi using the latest technology available
in those days in Europe. It is 1.25 m wide and spans 233 m on the Machchhu river
connecting Darbargadh Palace and Lakhdhirji Engineering College.
Green Chowk is a town square approached by series of three gates. European town
planning principles inspired the creation of these gates as landmarks in the
town. The Nehru Gate is made out of stone using elements of Rajput architecture
with central clock tower, while another one uses elements of western architecture
and is capped by a three-storyed cast iron frame structure with a dome.
Art Deco Palace (1931-44 AD)is a marvellous example of influence of last phase
of art deco movement fo Europe, It is poetry in granite, a low two storey in
banded horizontal fenestration, curves and bays, which resembles the London
underground stations of Charles Holden. The palace has six drawing -rooms, six
dining -rooms, and fourteen bedrooms. The decorated subterranean bedroom, with
many erotic murals and a bathroom made from seashells are also noteworthy.
Lakhdhirji Engineering College is housed in Nazarbag Palace, a former residence
of Morbi rulers. The other placesworth visiting at Morbi are: V C High School,
main Railway Station and Nazarbag Railway Station.
Excursions in Morbi
Dhrangadhra (royal palaces)75km, Wadhvan (Royal Palace, bazaar, step wells)107
km, Halvad (Ek-dandia Mahal-Zalawzad Darshan, wooden palace, Cenotaphs)48 km,
Wankaner (Royal Palaces, step wells)29 km, Maliya (Royal Palace) 32 km, Rajkot
(princely architecture, Watson Museum, Rajkumar College, Ramkrishna Mission,
Kaba Gandhi no Delo)67 km
Morbi Travel Information
By Air
Nearest Airport is Rajkot (67 km),Ahmedabad (247 km)
By Rail
Nearest Railway Station is Wankner (27 km)
By Road
Rajkot (67 km), Ahmedabad (27 km)
By Local transport
Non-Metered Autorickshaws.
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