Gujarat for me was only the land
of heritage, culture & food, however, that got changed and a new word got
added to the list after I visited the Saputara Hill Station in Gujarat recently and the word is -
Breathtaking Landscapes. Here we bring the detailed Travel Guide to visit to Saputara Hill Station In Gujarat.
Yes, did you know Gujarat had a hill station and the
beauty of it will keep you mesmerized? Saputara in Gujarat is the only hill
station in Gujarat. Recently I went to explore Saputara with Gujarat Tourism
& Incredible India. Before leaving for Saputara I was not expecting much
but once I reached there everything got changed. It was a romance with
beautiful landscape, weather and some stunning views.
Where is Saputara Hill Station located in Gujarat?
Saputara is situated near the border of
Gujarat & Maharastra and Saputara hill station is located in the Dang
District in Gujarat. Saputara hill station is a weekend gateway for people from
Maharastra & Gujarat. You can find beautiful landscapes, mesmerizing
waterfalls, dense forests and wildlife parks and sanctuaries. Saputara offers
everything for every kind of traveller. If you are a foodie too then Saputara
will not make you feel like an outsider, with its mouthwatering street food.
Saputara is not only known for
its breathtaking beauty but also have religious and cultural significance. If
you love driving then Saputara will fulfil your dreams to drive on scenic
roads. While driving green fields and waterfalls will follow you and on the
other side the mountain range will keep you enthralled.
Saputara is situated on the plateaus of the Western Ghats and the Sahyadris so you can expect to get the beautiful landscapes of western ghats. It is located on a plateau in the Western Ghats, at an altitude of 1,000m above sea level.
History of Saputara
Before we explore Saputara’s
attraction, let's know the history a little better. I believe knowing the
history makes a place more special as you can understand the nuances of the
place in a much better way.
Saputara gets its name from snakes,
yes, you heard it right. It means abode of Snakes. Till now you can find
different kinds of snakes, however, these days with an increase in tourism snakes
are a little hard to find. You can also find an image of a snake situated on the
shore of the river Sarpganga that flows through the town.
It is also believed that Lord
Rama spent 11 years of his exile in the forests of Saputara. Imagine you travelling in the same location
and exploring the places where Lord Rama spent 11 years of his exile.
The tribal people residing here are known as Dangis and they are known for their intricate Warli painting and bamboo crafts.
How to reach Saputara Hill Station
Saputara is closer to
Maharastra’s main towns are compared to Gujarat. However, reaching from all main towns in Gujarat is extremely easy. And Saputara's proximity to Maharastra makes it a perfect weekend destination from Maharastra.
How to go to Saputara by Road
From Mumbai by road, it will take
approximately 5 hours to Saputara and the drive is stunningly beautiful. You
will find lots of options to create video and photographic content for your
social media.
From Ahmedabad, it takes
approximately 10 hours by road to visit Saputara.
How to go to Saputara by Flight
The nearest Airport in Gujarat is
Surat is approximately 160 Kms ( 4 hours) and in Maharastra its Nashik
which is approximately 80 km ( around 3 hours).
How to Go to Saputara by Train
Saputara does not have its own
railway station, however, the closest railway station is 50 kilometres from
Saputara and its called Bilmora railway station. Bilimora station is
well-connected with most of the major cities of Gujarat and Maharashtra. You
can get a bus or a taxi from outside the station to reach Saputara.
Heritage Railways to Saputara
Exciting at it sounds you can
reach Saputara on a Heritage Train. The heritage train has recently been
started by Indian Railways which runs from Bilmora station to Waghai Station on
a Narrow Gauge. The train will stop at Chikhli Road, Rankuva, Dholikuva,
Anaval, Unai and Vansada Road, Kevdi Road, Kala-Amba and Dungarda stations in
both directions. This train comprises of unreserved Second Class Seating
coaches as well as a fully reserved AC Tourist coach.
This heritage train has AC
tourist coaches in this Heritage Train which has a capacity of 15 passengers in
2+1 configuration with attendants, western-style lavatory.
Train No. 09501 Bilimora – Waghai Special
train departs from Bilimora at 10.20 hrs on all days and reaches Waghai at
13.20hrs, the same day. Similarly, Train No. 09502 Waghai– Bilimora Special
train departs from Waghai at 14.30 hrs on all days and reaches Bilimora at
17.35 hrs, on the same day.
When is the best time to visit Saputara?
Saputara is pleasant throughout
the year and the average temperature doesn’t cross more than 35 degrees in
summers.
However, if you ask me the best
time to visit Saputara has to be during the monsoons or after the monsoons in
the month of August or September. The landscapes and the views that Saputara
offers at the end of the monsoon season is absolutely stunning. The waterfalls will
be overflowing with water, the clouds will play hide and seek with you and the
mountain tops are covered with clouds with streaks of sunlight. It adds to the
romance of Saputara.
And as for any normal hill
station the next best time to visit Saputara is winters from October to
February during which the temperature may below 8 degrees centigrade as well.
Whatever season it is you will
for sure love Saputara.
Saputara Hill Station Detailed Itinerary
If you are wondering what to do
in Saputara apart from enjoying the natural beauty, then you are at the right
place. I will take you along some beautiful places in Saputara which will make
your stay in Saputara more enriching and add to the romance.
Get ready to enjoy Saputara on a
journey for 3 days.
The places which you can visit in
Saputara is given in this below the map, you can use it to plan your itinerary in
Saputara.
The below places to visit in
Saputara is given in random order as Saputara is a small place and you can pick
and choose the places you like depending on your planned day.
Places to See in Saputara
I will divide the Saputara
itinerary into two sections. This section will consist of places which can be
visited in Saputara and can be done easily without driving far.
The next section will consist of
places where you have to drive for some time to reach and enjoy the beauty of Saputara
Hill Station.
Saputara Lake or Sarpaganga Lake in Saputara Hill Station
This is a beautiful lake in the centre of
Saputara town. Whenever you visit Saputara lake it will be bustling with
activities and people. If you have seen pictures or read about lakes that are
surrounded by hills and is picture-perfect then Sarpaganga Lake is also known as is the place in Saputara Hill station.
Saputara Lake has activities for
all age groups and for people with all kinds of travel interests.
Don’t miss to boat out here. Here you can hire paddleboats, sailboats, or
rowing boats from the Boat club and enjoy a beautiful boat ride in Saputara
Lake.
The charges of boating are as
follows. Kindly check for the latest charges as it keeps on changing depending
on the season. These were the charges of boating in Saputara Lake when we
vistited.
Pedal boat- Rs. 35 per seat for 30 minutes
For 4 seater boat - Rs. 140
For 5 seater boat - Rs. 175
For 6 seater boat - Rs. 210
Rowboat- Rs. 25 per seat for half-round (a person will be allotted for rowing)
For 4 seater boat - Rs. 140
For 5 seater boat - Rs. 175
For 6 seater boat - Rs. 210
Rowboat- Rs. 25 per seat for half-round (a person will be allotted for rowing)
Table Point in Saputara
If you are fond of trekking and getting treated to a great view at the
end then visiting Table point will make all your wishes fulfilled.
My suggestion is NOT To get your car to the top. Park your car some
500 meters from the actual parking area at Table point and follow the road
while walking. Since we were in a bus we had the compulsion to walk as buses
don’t have the power in the engines to climb uphill. At first we thought it would have been better
if we would come in private cars but as soon as we started walking we forgot
and thanked our stars that we were actually on a bus.
The walk till the Table point is absolute though you have to walk
uphill and it's quite steep. Suggest wearing proper hiking shoes. The table point
is a Tabletop mountain called Governor hill and the views are as usual breathtaking.
On our first day, we tried to reach the table point late in the
afternoon but we failed as the entire stretch was covered with heavy fog. But
we were happy as it gave us the opportunity to click some great photographs. I am
leaving you with some good photographs which I was happy to click on this foggy
afternoon near the Table point in Saputara Hill station.
Once you reach the Table point you can hike further till the top of
the Governor hill from where you will be able to see the Gujarat &
Maharastra border. If you want to take selfies or videos or pictures for
Instagram then this additional hike is worth doing. The hike will take
approximately 15-20 mins additional time depending on your fitness level.
Suggest you go to the Table point in Saputara around afternoon time so
that you can visit Sunset Point too.
Ropeway in Saputara
One person asked me – “ Bhaiya ropeway ja rahein ho na? Saputara mein a
kar ropeway nahi chadha toh kya kiya” in Hindi, which means “ Brother, are you
visiting the rope way. If you have not taken a ride in Rope way in Saputara,
then you have done nothing”.
I was a little surprised when he said this as I have ridden on multiple
rope ways in India and abroad and I was expecting the same kind of view. But I
was wrong.
Ropeway in Saputara Hill station is one of the major tourist attractions.
The Ropeway rides across the valley to Sunset point and starts from just
below the Table point. When you will be climbing the stairs down from Table
point in Saputara, at the end if you look straight you will see the rope way ticketing
office. The charges for Ropeway tickets are just Rs 77 per person.
A hack I am suggesting, if you don’t have a drone and want to take drone
shots of Saputara then take this ropeway you will get drone-like looking shots
from the top of the valley.
Sunset Point in Saputara
Once you reach at the Sunset point by ropeway you need to walk for
approximately 200 meters to reach the sunset point.
From sunset point in Saputara, you will get panoramic views of Saputara
and this is a photographer’s paradise. You will get stunning shots from this
place.
We didn’t want to take a chance so since we went here early, we didn’t
see the sunset however since it was cloudy skies the sun was not visible.
Having a hot bowl of gravy Maggi is a must here to make the views much
enriched.
Jain Temple in Saputara
I have visited to multiple Jain temples but honestly, I have never seen a
Jain temple is so intricately designed with marble all over. This is
absolutely a MUST DO when in Saputara.
The architecture and carvings of the Jain temple in Saputara will leave
you spell bound. It will welcome you with white marble work all over the place.
The temple is of Chintamani Parshvanatha and the Jain Tirthankara, Chintamani
who is worshipped here is 500 years old idol.
We were not allowed to click the idol or you would have seen the power in
the eyes it felt so real and so powerful and full of blessings. You can see the
idol here.
The inner arch of the temple makes you astounded with such intricate
design. I was staring at the carvings for long spellbound by the amazing
architecture of the Jain Temple in Saputara.
Keep at least 30-45 mins in hand to see the beauty of this Jain Temple.
Nageshwar Mahadev Temple in Saputara
One of the most religious places in Saputara for Hindus is this Nageshwar
Mahadev temple. This is a new temple in place of the snake temple in
Saputara. A swayambhu idol of Lord Shiva is worshipped here.
The architecture is beautiful and the views of the lake from this place is excellent. It’s a good place to enjoy some self-time in Saputara.
Rose Garden in Saputara
Another place in Saputara makes for a perfect location for
photoshoot or spending some time with your family is Rose garden.
The rose garden is a beautifully landscaped garden full of rose plants.
There is small mushroom-like sitting areas. The garden in Saputara has a
beautiful small bridge which makes for a perfect location for a photoshoot.
We went to the garden during the month of September and hence it was not
a blooming season. What locals told us is that the garden fills with the aroma of
roses and the fully boomed roses are a treat to the eyes to watch during the
blooming season.
Honey Bee Center in Saputara Hill Station
If you want to buy pure honey straight
from the hives then head to this honey bee centre. It’s an apiary where beehives are cultured for the extraction of honey.
It’s a perfect place for children to learn how honey bee makes the honey
which we love to cherish. There are small boxes along with placards placed at
the back which teaches us about various type of bees and their importance in
the hive and for the production of honey.
Sunrise Point in Saputara Hill Station
Just near the Jain temple, there is a small tabletop on the hill which
makes for the perfect place to watch Sunrise. You have to trek a little to
reach the Sunrise point. An early morning trek to this place leaves you some
brilliant sunrise.
Since it was cloudy when we went we couldn’t see the sunrise. So keep in mind the weather conditions if you want to visit this Sunrise point for a beautiful view.
Echo Point – Saputara Hill Station
As the name suggests if you want your own voice resonated by the hills
then shout your name from here and you will hear an Echo.
Saputara Museum
Saputara museum will give a glimpse of the art, culture, lifestyle and
heritage of the tribal people called Dangis.
The Saputara museum is centrally located in the Saputara town.
The museum has a great collection of clothes, utensils, traditional
artefacts, house objects, musical instruments, ornaments that are used by the
native tribal people. If you are interested to learn how to make traditional
objects at home the museum holds regular workshops for the same. Learn a few art
forms of Dangis in this Saputara museum.
Artistic Village in Saputara
As I said earlier its important to know the history and culture of the
place to enjoy it better. The artistic village is the perfect place for the same.
Artistic village shows rich the tribal traditions of the Dangis and it
has a great collection of famous Warli paintings. You can also see the artists working on
various Warli paintings here.
It also showcases various art forms like bamboo crafts etc. You can buy
from the artistic village and take memorabilia of this beautiful Saputara hill station
back home.
Places to Visit from Saputara Hill Station in Gujarat
Once you have completed visiting the various places in Saputara its
time to explore the nearby areas of Saputara in the Dang district.
To explore this natural beauty you have to drive for some time to reach
to these places, but once you arrive to these amazing places from Saputara you
will be mesmerized by the sheet natural beauty.
Girmal Waterfalls in Saputara
Girmal waterfalls are the highest fall in Saputara which is located
approximately 90 kilometres from the main town. Girmal waterfall is located
within Purna Wildlife Sanctuary near Ahwa and is situated in the Girmal
village. The road up to the waterfall is in fairly good condition, except the last stretch
which is a little bit steep.
While you will be driving to Girmal from Saputara you will find small
water streams and paddy fields amongst nature which is extremely soothing to the
eyes. The best time to visit is during monsoon or just after monsoon, when water
flow is at its peak.
Girmal waterfalls get their water from Gira river and there is
approximately 100 feet drop. The waterfall surrounded by forests makes for
the perfect picturesque location. If you are planning to take a dip in the
natural pool created by the waterfall, you will be disappointed as you can’t go
near the falls. There are railings put up around the falls due to safety
reasons, however, you can go quite close to the falls by following the steps.
Be aware of your belongings as the monkeys there can sometimes act funny
and snatch your belongings. But we didn’t observe any such behaviour when we
were there.
A little bit of adventures on the way, the best place to visit lots of greenery during the monsoon of course.
U Point in Saputara
You can visit this U point while on your way to the Girmal waterfalls.
Here the Purna river takes a U-turn and changes its course. It’s a perfect
horseshoe bent.
The turning of the river creates an island in the middle which is filled
with greenery. The horseshoe bent reminded me of the horseshoe bent of
Arizona but filled with greenery.
You can find places to rest and swings near the place where you can sit
and relax and enjoy the beautiful view. We had our lunch here and as we called
it “ Lunch with a View” without paying anything extra.
Gira Waterfalls in Saputara Hill station
If Girmal waterfall is the highest fall and then I believe Gira
waterfalls could be the widest waterfall in Gujarat. The Gira waterfall is another
place that you shouldn’t miss at all and makes for a perfect destination to relax,
enjoy and take some moments out of your busy schedule.
The Gira waterfall in Dang district is located about 6 km from Waghai
town. The Giwa waterfalls have a natural drop of 30 meters and connect to the
Ambica river. You have to walk on rocky terrain to reach the Gira waterfalls
and the walk is really nice. Remember to wear proper hiking shoes.
Monsoon is the best time to visit the Gira waterfalls when it will be
oozing with water. We were told during the right time and circumstances you can
see a rainbow formation on the top of the waterfalls. But we were not so lucky.
General advice go early in the morning or else it will be hot if you go
there in the afternoon.
Pandava Caves
Pandava caves are also known as Arvalem Caves which is situated
approximately 40 kms from the Saputara town.
It’s the perfect place for the people interested in history as it is
believed that the Pandavas of Mahabharata stayed in this cave during their
exile. The cave is not so big which is 60 meter long and approximately 15 meter
wide. There is a Shivalinga inside the cave which is believed to be worshipped
by Pandavas.
Don’t visit the Pandava caves during the monsoon as it will be slippery ,
the best time is to visit at the end of the monsoon season.
Shabari Temple or Shabari Dham in Saputara
Another folklore or a real incident is associated with Shabari Dham in
Saputara. In the epic Ramayana, it is said that this is the place Shabari
offered fruits to Shri Ram and he tasted these before offering them to the Lord.
We witnessed something amazing here. It was raining when we reached and
soon we were gifted with a stunning full Rainbow. It was a complete rainbow and
extremely beautiful.
I guess the blessing of Lord Ram was on us.
Waghai Botanical Garden
Our last stop in Saputara was Waghai Botanical garden. It is spread over
approximately 24 hectares of land and is the largest botanical garden in
Gujarat. It houses various kinds of flora found across Gujarat and India. About
270 trees, 50 shrubs, 29 fruit trees, 119 medicinal plants, 28 tuberous plants,
82 ornamental plants and 89 cacti & succulents make this place an attractive destination for nature lovers.
This is a perfect place for children and students to stay close to nature
and learn them from close quarters.
Fairs and Festivals in Saputara
Saputara hold various kinds of festivals all through the year and if you
can plan a trip to Saputara hill station basis the festivals then travelling to
Saputara will be more special.
Monsoon Festival Saputara
Monsoon festival in Saputara is held by Tourism Department in Gujarat every
year.
This is a month-long festival that has boating competitions, adventure
sports, gaming, cultural programs, and also entertainment activities. Tug
of water, rock-climbing, camel riding, mountain climbing, archery, etc. There
are musical concerts also which happens at the Monsoon Festival in Saputara.
Check the website of Gujarat tourism to get the exact dates of the
Monsoon Festival in Saputara.
Paragliding Festival Saputara
Saputara is one of the finest locations in the country for Paragliding.
The topography and the beauty of Saputara makes it the perfect place for
paragliding. To promote paragliding every year in the month of December &
January Tourism department of Gujarat holds this festival.
Adventure enthusiasts from all over the country head to Saputara for this
paragliding festival.
Dang Darbar
One interesting festival in saputara is the Dang Darbar. It is celebrated
few days before Holi and is one of the important tribal festivals. Dang Darbar
is celebrated every year.
If you are in search of an authentic tribal handcrafted item then Dang
Darbar is the perfect place. Also, this festival sees performances like songs,
fold dances, drama, Raas & Garba.
Where to Stay in Saputara
- Hotel Toran - This is a mid-range Toran hotel in Saputara. We stayed here, and I loved the views and the hospitality. The rooms are good and spacious with a private balcony and nicely maintained. The food is homely and tasty too. You will get authentic Gujarati food here. You can get the booking details here.
- Toran Ambika - This Toran resort is nestled on the top of the hill and relatively a new property. You can check the booking details here.
If you would like to know anything else about your travel to Saputara Hill station in Gujarat, let me know in the comment section below and I would love to answer.
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So have an exciting trip to Saputara Hill Station in Gujarat.
Whoa scenic captures! Interesting to know about its connection with snakes and Lord Ram. I am keen to do the Heritage train ride too.
ReplyDeleteYes indrani di you should do the heritage railway, even too want to do it... it will be really interesting for sure
DeleteWhat a lovely, detailed and a well researched post. Not only your post took me back in time, but it also gave a lot more insights that I had missed while I was busy clicking photos. These photos have come out so well! Ek dum fatafati!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Maharaj ji... Really means a lot :) waiting for your post bro
DeleteWonderfully well written brother.
ReplyDelete