Princely grace on the Gondali
A short way south of Rajkot lies Gondal, one of the most refined of Saurashtra’s former princely states and today a delightful heritage town. Its centrepiece is the Naulakha Palace, the oldest in Gondal — a gorgeous riverside structure of carved stone balconies (jharokhas), pillared courtyards, arches and a stone-carved spiral staircase, housing a royal collection of brass, silver and antiques.
Nearby, the Riverside Palace and the Orchard Palace recall the progressive court of Maharaja Bhagvatsinhji, a noted reformer, and the royal garage’s celebrated collection of vintage and classic cars is a particular draw. Gondal is also home to the revered Bhuvaneshwari Pith temple and a famous Ayurvedic pharmacy.
Elegant, leafy and unhurried, with its palaces now partly heritage hotels, Gondal offers an intimate glimpse of princely Saurashtra at its most graceful.
A pillared court of Naulakha Palace.
Bhagvatsinhji's state, and the Naulakha palace
Carved jharokhas of the palace.
Gondal flourished as a Jadeja princely state, and by the late nineteenth century it was reckoned among the best-governed in all of Saurashtra.
The Naulakha Palace on the Gondali riverbank is its centrepiece — the oldest palace in the town and the most finely carved in the region.
Sir Bhagvatsinhji, the reformer maharaja, modernised the state end to end — schools for girls, railways, telephones and no purdah at court.
The town he left behind remains graceful and green — palaces, gardens and wide avenues that still carry the princely order.
Reasons to make the time
Naulakha Palace
Naulakha's carved jharokhas and courts are the finest palace stonework in Saurashtra.
Vintage cars
The royal garage holds a celebrated vintage and classic car collection.
Stone carving
Balconies, brackets and the stone spiral stair fill the old palace.
Princely heritage
Bhagvatsinhji's court was famously progressive — schools, railways, no purdah.
Bhuvaneshwari
The Bhuvaneshwari pith adds a revered temple to the circuit.
Riverside calm
Leafy avenues and palace gardens set the town's tone.
What to look for inside
DETAILCarved stone
Jharokhas and balconies of Naulakha.
THE COURTPillared halls
Inside the old riverside palace.
How to spend an hour or two
Tour Naulakha
Tour the carved Naulakha Palace on the riverbank.
See the vintage cars
See the royal garage's vintage-car collection.
Visit the palaces
Add the Riverside and Orchard palaces.
Worship at Bhuvaneshwari
Visit the revered Bhuvaneshwari temple-pith.
Stroll the river
Walk the gardens along the Gondali river.
Stay heritage
Consider a night in a palace heritage hotel.
Carved stonework at Naulakha.
Jharokhas, courts and stone
The Naulakha Palace is the architectural jewel of Gondal: a riverside palace of finely carved stone jharokhas (balconies), arched verandahs, pillared courtyards and a famous stone-carved spiral staircase, with a darbar hall and a museum of royal antiques.
With the nearby Riverside and Orchard palaces — now partly heritage hotels — and the royal vintage-car garage, Gondal preserves a remarkably complete and graceful princely ensemble.
More places to visit across the district are gathered in our Rajkot travel guide.
Carved stone jharokhas
Stone spiral staircase
Pillared royal courtyards
Vintage-car garage
When to go
November to February is the pleasant season for the Rajkot region.
The monsoon greens the countryside and fills the river.
Summer is hot and dry; tour early or late.
⏰ Combine the Naulakha Palace, the vintage cars and the Bhuvaneshwari temple; an easy day trip from Rajkot.
Timings & entry
- Palaces open daytime hours
- Entry/museum fees apply
- Allow time for the car collection
- Half to full day
- Tickets for palace and museum
- Vintage-car garage charges separately
- Photography may be limited inside
- Combine with the Bhuvaneshwari temple
Getting there
By Air
Rajkot airport (~40 km).
By Rail
Gondal has a railway station.
By Road
~38 km south of Rajkot.
At the palaces
STONE & CARS
Princely Saurashtra in detail
What to shoot
Carved jharokhas and the palace courts.
Detail
The vintage-car collection.
Carving
The stone spiral staircase.
Best light
Palace facades at golden hour.
Know before you go
More to see close by
MUSEUMWatson Museum
Saurashtra’s history, sculpture & relics
Jagat Mandir
A central landmark temple of Rajkot
ISKCON Rajkot
A grand modern Krishna temple complex
QUIRKYRotary Dolls Museum
Over 1,500 dolls from across the world
Khodaldham Kagvad
A vast, gleaming modern temple to Khodiyar Mata at Kagvad — Khodaldham, the grand spiritual seat…
Rajkot City
The bustling heart of Saurashtra — Rajkot, a prosperous, energetic city where Mahatma Gandhi spent his…
Where to eat near Gondal
THALIKathiawadi Thali
Rotla, kadhi, shaak and ghee-rich fare.
GANTHIYAGanthiya & fafda
Saurashtra's fried snacks.
STREETChaat & bhajiya
Rajkot's lively street food.
Penda & chikki
Rajkot's famous penda sweets & chikki.
Gondal FAQ
What is Gondal famous for?
Its princely palaces — Naulakha above all — and a celebrated royal vintage-car collection, in one of Saurashtra's most graceful heritage towns.
What is the Naulakha Palace?
Gondal's oldest palace, on the riverbank — famed for its carved jharokhas, pillared courts and stone spiral staircase, the finest palace carving in the region.
What else can I see?
The Riverside and Orchard palaces, the royal garage's celebrated vintage-car collection, the revered Bhuvaneshwari temple-pith with its Ayurvedic pharmacy, and the leafy avenues of one of Saurashtra's most graceful princely towns.
Where is Gondal?
About 38 km south of Rajkot — an easy hour by road.
Is there an entry fee?
Yes — the palace museum and the car garage are ticketed.
Can I stay in a palace?
Yes — several of Gondal's palaces operate as heritage hotels, and staying a night in one, dining in the old halls, is the fullest way to take the town in.
When should I visit?
October to March, as a day trip or overnight from Rajkot.
What's the temple there?
The revered Bhuvaneshwari Pith.
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Published 2 July 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026