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KUTCH MANDVI

One of the finest beaches in Gujarat is at Mandvi, a historic port town of the Maharao of Kutch. The port of Mandvi was an important sea trade post between the near east and the far east, and brought considerable prosperity to the royal family of Kutch. The sailors of Mandvi were known to be adventurous and it is said even Vasco Do Gama used a Sailor from Mandvi to navigate to Zanzibar. As most of the top ports of India were controlled by Europeans, specially the Portugese, even the Mughals held the Maharaos of Kutch in high esteem, as they needed the port of Mandvi for exports, imports and for pilgrimages to Mecca. Mandvi town was therefore as important to the Maharaos as their capital city of Bhuj, and they endowed it with some splendid palaces and buildings.

Mandvi beach, Kutch

The famous Aina mahal of Mandvi, built in the mid-18^th century by Ram Singh, who had been ship wrecked in Europe, learnt the arts of foundry, glass blowing, stone carving etc in the Dutch and Venetian tradition, and was patronised by the Maharao Lakhpat Sinhji of Kutch, is no longer as grand as the same sort of extravangaza they created in Bhuj, having been converted into a college for girls, but still has some interesting sculpture of Dutch sailors and dancing girls. Instead, you must see the much more recent Vijay vilas palace, erected in the 1940s, with splendid architectural features- umbrella domes and cupolas of the Rajasthani and Bengali styles consort with Gothic arches and Baroque features! The impressive palace is now open to visitors who can see the paintings and trophies inside, and enjoy views of the huge grounds to the sea, from the terrace.

Vijay vilas palace, Mandvi

If you are looking for absolute peace and tranquility, visit the Maharao’s private beach with beautiful white sands, superb sea views and a splendid pavilion offering views of the sunset, accessible for a fee of Rs.30/-. If on the other hand, you prefer crowds, join the locals and tourists at the beach near the town, with pleasant sands, good swimming, camel and horse riding, stands selling coconuts, tea and biscuits, and views of the neighbouring wind mills. The prettiest of the beaches is the one which is now being promoted by Gujarat tourism. The beach has lovely blue waters, lots of birdlife, sandy beaches and colourful fishing hamlets. Next to the beach are the docks where wooden ships are being built. In the town, you s ee numerous old buildings of princely times, and can pick up handicrafts like silverware, shell-work, Kutchi embroideries, Bandhini tie-and-dye sarees and block prints.

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