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HERITAGE · TOWN · NAWABIPalanpur
The Nawabi capital of Banaskantha — Palanpur, a historic town of gates, mosques, temples and bazaars, ancestral home of the diamond merchants who shaped the global trade.
A town of many threads
Palanpur, the headquarters of Banaskantha, is a town with a rich and layered history. Once the capital of the Palanpur princely state under its Nawabs, it preserves old city gates (like the Delhi Gate), mosques, temples, stepwells and the elegant Jain Kirti Stambh, amid lively bazaars.
Palanpur is also famous as the ancestral home of the ‘Palanpuri’ Jain community of diamond merchants, who from here came to dominate much of the world’s diamond trade — a remarkable story of enterprise.
With its mix of Nawabi, Jain and Hindu heritage, gardens like Shashivan, and its role as the gateway to Ambaji and Mount Abu, Palanpur is the historic heart of the district. A layered town worth a slow wander.
The layers repay a slow morning. The Nawabi city announces itself at the Delhi Gate and the surviving stretches of wall; the Kirti Stambh — a tower raised by the Jain community — marks the mercantile pride that would later conquer Antwerp’s diamond bourses; and the bazaars between carry the attar shops that made ‘Palanpuri’ a byword for fragrance long before it meant diamonds. Mira Gate, the old mosques and the town’s stepwells fill out the circuit, and Shashivan’s gardens give the walk its pause.
Palanpur earns its ‘gateway’ title practically: the town is the rail and road junction for Ambaji’s Shakti Peeth an hour north, the Balaram valley’s palace-resort country just outside town, and Mount Abu across the border. Stop for the half day the heritage deserves on the way to any of them; October to March is the season, and the journey onward through the Aravalli fringe is its own reward.
The Delhi Gate, Palanpur.
A princely capital that sent out diamond merchants
Palanpur’s old gates.
Of the Palanpur Nawabs.
Like the Delhi Gate.
The 'Palanpuri' Jains.
To Ambaji & Mount Abu.
Reasons to make the time
Nawabi capital
A princely town.
Old city gates
Delhi Gate & more.
Diamond home
The Palanpuris.
Jain heritage
Kirti Stambh.
Gardens
Like Shashivan.
Bazaars
Lively & old.
What to look for inside
THE GATESDelhi Gate
The old walls' grandest surviving gate.
THE TOWERKirti Stambh
A Jain landmark.
HERITAGEMosques & temples
Nawabi, Jain and Hindu shrines side by side.
BAZAARSThe old bazaars
Lively lanes and markets at the town's heart.
GARDENSShashivan
A green garden retreat in the town.
STORYThe diamond trail
Where the Palanpuri diamond merchants began.
How to spend an hour or two
See the Delhi Gate
An old town gate, one of Palanpur's surviving city gates from its walled past.
Visit the Kirti Stambh
A Jain tower — an elegant landmark and one of the town's most photographed monuments.
Wander the bazaars
Lively and old, the markets are the best place to feel the town's everyday rhythm.
Learn the diamond story
Discover how the 'Palanpuri' Jains came to shape much of the world's diamond trade.
See Shashivan
A garden — a shaded green space for an unhurried pause between sights.
Explore the gates
Trace the town walls and the surviving gates that ringed old Palanpur.
Palanpur’s heritage.
A Nawabi heritage town
Palanpur, capital of the Palanpur Nawabs, preserves old city gates, mosques, temples, stepwells and the Jain Kirti Stambh amid lively bazaars — and is famed as the ancestral home of the ‘Palanpuri’ diamond merchants who shaped the global trade. The historic heart of Banaskantha.
Our Banaskantha travel guide maps out the other places worth your time here.
Capital of the Palanpur Nawabs
Old gates & the Kirti Stambh
Home of diamond merchants
Gateway to Ambaji & Abu
When to go
Cool and pleasant — the ideal season. Comfortable all day and perfect for an unhurried town walk.
Green hills and waterfalls in the surrounding country; the town is fresh and uncrowded.
Hot and dry — start early. Best explored in the cooler hours of the morning.
⏰ Visit in the cooler months; pair the temples of Ambaji with the hills and the Rann-edge at Nadabet.
Timings & entry
- Open in daytime hours
- Best in the cool season
- An easy Banaskantha stop
- Pair with nearby sights
- Free or a nominal fee
- Respect the site & locals
- Photography may vary
- Pair with nearby sights
Getting there
By Air
Ahmedabad airport (~180 km) is the nearest major airport, a road journey of around three to four hours.
By Rail
Palanpur Junction / Abu Road are the handy railheads, both well connected on the national network.
By Road
Ambaji / Palanpur are easily reached by road; the town is a natural gateway towards Mount Abu.
At Palanpur
HERITAGE & TOWN
A Nawabi capital
What to shoot
The old gates.
Detail
The Kirti Stambh.
Life
The bazaars.
Best light
Morning.
Know before you go
More to see close by
Ambaji Shakti Peeth
One of India’s 51 holiest Goddess shrines
BORDERNadabet
The India–Pakistan Seema Darshan
3Jessore Sloth Bears
Track the elusive bear in the border hills
2Gabbar at Dawn
Ride the ropeway before the pilgrim crowds arrive
1Kumbhariya Marble
Five jewel-like Jain temples of breathtaking carving
GREENMangalya Van
A sacred forest grove at Ambaji
Where to eat near Palanpur
THALINorth Gujarati Thali
Hearty regional meals.
FARSANDhokla & farsan
Steamed snacks.
STREETAmbaji prasad & street
Sweets & snacks.
Local fare
Simple North-Gujarat food; Ambaji sweets.
Palanpur FAQ
What is Palanpur?
Palanpur, the headquarters of Banaskantha, is a town with a rich and layered history. Once the capital of the Palanpur princely state under its Nawabs, it preserves old city gates (like the Delhi Gate), mosques, temples, stepwells and the elegant Jain Kirti Stambh, amid lively bazaars.
Where is it?
Banaskantha HQ.
Is there an entry fee?
Free.
When should I visit?
October to March, in the cooler season.
What's nearby?
Ambaji, Kumbhariya, Balaram and Nadabet.
How long does it take?
2–3 hours.
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026