The home of a poet-prince
The small town of Lathi, once a princely state in Amreli, holds an outsized place in Gujarati literature as the home of Kalapi — the pen name of Surasinhji Takhtsinhji Gohil (1874–1900), its poet-prince. Though he ruled Lathi and lived barely twenty-six years, Kalapi poured out some of the most loved romantic and devotional poetry in the Gujarati language; his verses on love, longing and the divine are still recited and sung today.
A visit arranges itself around three stops. The old Gohil palace quarter sets the scene — the courtyards and darbar spaces where the young ruler wrote between audiences; the Kalapi memorial gathers portraits, manuscripts and editions, including the posthumous collection whose title, ‘Kalapino Kekarav’, gave Gujarati the phrase ‘the peacock’s cry’; and the town’s lanes supply the rest, small-town Saurashtra essentially unchanged in scale from the poet’s own view of it.
Kalapi’s verse still circulates in Gujarat’s everyday speech — lines quoted at weddings, set by singers, taught in schools — which is why readers make the detour to a town that offers little else to a tourist. An hour covers the memorial and the palace lanes; the Rajkot–Amreli road passes close by.
Lathi lies just off the Rajkot–Amreli road, an easy hour-and-a-half from Rajkot and a natural pairing with Amreli town or the Gir fringe beyond. An hour covers the memorial; readers of Gujarati will want longer. October to March is the comfortable window, and if a school recitation drifts out of a window while you walk — his verses are still taught — the town has given you its best welcome.
The town preserves his memory in the royal palace and associated sites, and Lathi remains a place of literary pilgrimage for lovers of Gujarati poetry. To visit is to step into the world of a gifted, tragic prince whose words outlived his short life — a quiet but moving stop for anyone drawn to the cultural heart of Saurashtra. (The portrait shown is an archival photograph of Kalapi.)
Archival portrait of the poet Kalapi.
A prince who wrote, and died young
Kalapi, poet-prince of Lathi.
Surasinhji Gohil is born into the Lathi royal house.
He writes as 'Kalapi', master of romantic verse.
He rules the small princely state of Lathi.
He dies at just twenty-six, his poetry immortal.
Reasons to make the time
Home of Kalapi
Lathi wears its poet's name on schools, halls and street signs.
Gujarati verse
His ghazals remain standards of the Gujarati canon.
Poet-prince
He carried a state's duties and a poet's heart at once.
Royal palace
Palace, memorial and manuscripts keep his presence in town.
Literary pilgrimage
Readers come as pilgrims to the source of the verses.
Saurashtra culture
A small town with a permanent seat in Gujarati letters.
What to look for inside
THE POETKalapi
The poet-prince whose short life filled a canon.
THE LEGACYHis verse
Loved across Gujarat.
How to spend an hour or two
Visit the palace
Kalapi's royal Lathi seat.
Learn his story
The poet-prince's life.
Read his verse
Gujarati romantic poetry.
See the memorials
Sites of his memory.
Feel the town
Quiet princely Lathi.
Pair with Amreli
The district capital nearby.
The legacy of a poet-prince.
A palace and a poet's memory
Lathi’s heritage centres on its royal connection to Kalapi: the palace and associated sites of the former princely state preserve the memory of the poet-prince, and the town is dotted with references to his life and verse.
The real monument here is intangible — a body of beloved Gujarati poetry — but for admirers it gives Lathi the quiet aura of a literary shrine, where a short life left a lasting voice. (Images here include an archival portrait of the poet.)
This is one of many places worth seeing here — the full guide to Amreli has the rest.
Kalapi’s royal palace
Sites of the poet’s memory
A literary-pilgrimage town
Former princely state of Lathi
When to go
Cool and pleasant — the best season across Amreli.
Green countryside; Gir's core closes (Jun–Oct).
Hot inland, but the best time for Gir lion sightings.
⏰ Combine Lathi with Amreli town; check palace/site access locally, as opening can vary.
Timings & entry
- Sites keep daytime hours
- Access can vary — check locally
- Be respectful at heritage sites
- Allow 2–3 hours
- Entry depends on the site
- Some areas may be limited-access
- Photography rules vary
- Combine it with Amreli
Getting there
By Air
Rajkot and Diu are the nearest airports.
By Rail
Lathi has a station; Amreli is nearby.
By Road
On the Amreli–Bhavnagar route, ~30 km from Amreli.
In Lathi
POET & PLACE
A town wrapped in literary memory
What to shoot
The royal palace and heritage sites.
Theme
Inscriptions and memorials.
Best light
Soft daytime light on old stone.
Be discreet
Respect heritage and worship.
Know before you go
More to see close by
Ambardi Safari Park
An open-air lion safari on the eastern edge of Gir near Dhari — Amreli’s window onto…
Gir East & Dhari
The wild eastern flank of Gir around Dhari — open forest, farmland and riverbeds where Asiatic…
WILDLIFEAsiatic Lions
Amreli shares Gir, the lion’s last natural home
PORTPippavav
A major modern private seaport
TEMPLEKamnath Mahadev
A revered Shiva shrine near Veraval
6Eastern Gir Trails
Quiet forest roads far from the tourist gates
Where to eat near Lathi & Kalapi
THALIKathiawadi Thali
Rotla, kadhi, shaak and ghee-rich fare.
SNACKSGanthiya & fafda
Saurashtra's beloved fried snacks.
STREETLocal bites
Bhajiya, chevdo and chaat.
Pure-veg & ghee
Hearty Kathiawadi veg fare; jaggery sweets.
Lathi & Kalapi FAQ
Who was Kalapi?
Surasinhji Gohil (1874–1900), the poet-prince of Lathi and a beloved Gujarati poet.
Why is Lathi famous?
As Kalapi's home town and a place of Gujarati literary pilgrimage.
What can I see there?
Kalapi's royal palace and sites associated with his life and memory.
How old was Kalapi when he died?
Just twenty-six, yet his poetry remains immortal.
Where is Lathi?
In Amreli district, about 30 km from Amreli town.
Is there an entry fee?
It varies by site — check locally.
What is Kalapi remembered for?
Romantic and devotional Gujarati verse still recited today.
How do I get there?
By road or rail from Amreli.
Related places across Gujarat
MUSEUMDandi Kutir
The world’s largest museum on Gandhi & salt
5Khajuri Masjid
A lesser-seen monument of the old capital
ISKCON Surat
A serene Krishna temple & cultural centre
ISKCON Anand
A graceful Krishna temple in the city
Ambika Niketan Temple
A grand riverside temple to goddess Ambika
Charotar Shrines
Village temples of the prosperous belt
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026