Gondal is a town about 40 km south of the city of Rajkot in the Rajkot District of the State of Gujarat. It was one of the eight first class princely states of Kathiawar agency during Bombay Presidency. The current population of town is around 200,000.

The Gondal state was founded in 1634 AD, the Gondal town lies on the banks of Gondali river.

Location of Gondal

Gondal ‘Gokuliya Gondal’ serves as the history of great royal places in Saurashtra. It situated itself at 21.-57.-30. longitude and 70.-50. latitude, surrounded by various districts such as Junagadh ,Rajkot & Jamnagar, The name Gondal seem to be blood insuled and does not require any instruction for the people of Saurashtra.

The people of the Gondal, like in most of the other parts of Saurashtra, are considered relatively religious. Some of the famous temples include Bhuvneshwari Mandir.

The Name ‘Gondal’

It is found from various literature that people of ‘Gond’ tribe lived here before several years, so the name is affiliated as Gondal . It is also believed that the town’s name was ‘Godal’ but as the people had difficulty in pronouncing it, it become Gondal. Certain other prediction tell us that 'Gaumandal' that is Cows place represents Gondal. All the views prescribed in nature as no resembling fact is available.

There are very few temples of Shri Bhuvaneshwari in India. One of the temple is situated on the bank of river Tungbhadra in the south India and an another is in the western India in Saurashtra at Gondal. Bhuvaneshwari Temple with the Pithastan is only at Gondal. This Temple with the Pithasthan was founded in 1946 A.D. by Brahmaleen Jagadguru Acharyashri Charantirthji Maharaj. Therein the Pranpratistha ceremony of the idol of Mataji was performed by Rev. Lalitaba, wife of Acharyashree.

The marble idol of Ma Bhuvaneshwari in the temple is glowing with divine splendor. She is in the sitting posture. Her personality has been described in the holy book Devi Bhagvata. Her divine personality engulfs the area and there is a deep serene atmosphere which gives a heavenly bliss.

Located in the town of Junagarh in Gujarat, the owners of the palaces of Gondal are descendants of Lord Krishna and the moon God, who ruled Gondal for more than 300 years. But it was in the late-19th and early-20th century under Maharjah Bhagwat Sinhji that Gondal grew into one of the most progressive princely states of the region with an efficient system of a taxless economy.

Under Maharjah Bhagwat Sinhji, Gondal became a progressive state where women were concerned. The Rajput system of 'Purdah' was abolished, education was made compulsory for girls and 'Zananas' (restricted women's wing) were no longer built in palaces. The present owner of the palaces of Gondal is the great - grandson of Maharajah Bhagwat Sinhji.

Naulakha Palace

The oldest extant palace in Gondal, the 17th Century Naulakha palace is a festival of stone carvings with exquisite Jarokha balconies, a fabulous pillared stud courtyard, delicately carved arches and a unique spiral staircase. The private palace museum has an impressive display of silver caskets which carried messages and gifts for Maharajah Bhagwat Sinhji on hills silver jubilee as ruler of Gondal, one of the many golden caskets received by him on his 50th anniversary, the weighing scales on which he was measured against silver and gold on the respective anniversaries, and princely relics.

The Royal Garages, Carriages And Salons

The royal garages, have an extensive collection of Vintage and classic cars a 1935 Mercedes, 1955 Cadillac Limousine, sports cars from the 1950s and '60s like the Mercedes 300 SL, Jaguar XK 150 and Chevrolet Camaro, and a fleet of 4 wheel drive vehicles from the WW-2 and post war period, and some contemporary sports cars. Most of these cars are restored and some bear the original Gondal state number plates. Located in the town of Junagarh in Gujarat, the owners of the palaces of Gondal are descendants of Lord Krishna and the moon God, who ruled Gondal for more than 300 years. But it was in the late-19th and early-20th century under Maharjah Bhagwat Sinhji that Gondal grew into one of the most progressive princely states of the region with an efficient system of a taxless economy . Under Maharjah Bhagwat Sinhji, Gondal became a progressive state where women were concerned. The Rajput system of 'Purdah' was abolished, education was made compulsory for girls and 'Zananas' (restricted women's wing) were no longer built in palaces. The present owner of the palaces of Gondal is the great - grandson of Maharajah Bhagwat Sinhji.