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HERITAGE TOWN · OLD CAPITALSihor
The old hill-girt capital of the Gohils before Bhavnagar — a town of a royal palace, the Gautameshwar temple and tank, brassware bazaars and a brooding fort-crowned ridge.
The Gohils' first capital
Before Bhavnagar was founded, the Gohil Rajputs ruled from Sihor — and this old hill town, about twenty kilometres inland, still wears its former capital’s heritage. Ringed by low rocky hills and crowned by the remains of a fort, Sihor holds an atmospheric old quarter of carved wooden havelis, the faded Darbargadh (royal palace) with its murals, and above all the revered Gautameshwar Mahadev temple beside its stone-stepped sacred tank — a tranquil and ancient spot.
The town has long been known for its brass and metalware craft, and its bazaars still carry that working character. Set among hills that glow at sunset, Sihor offers a quiet, layered slice of Gohilwad history — a place where the deep past of the region, before the great port city, can still be felt in stone and water.
The Gautameshwar temple complex, Sihor.
From a riverside experiment to the road to freedom
Sihor town among its hills.
The Gohils rule from Sihor in early times.
Gautameshwar Mahadev rises by its sacred tank.
The capital shifts to the new port of Bhavnagar.
A heritage town of palace, temple and craft.
Reasons to make the time
Old capital
The Gohils' first seat.
Gautameshwar
Temple by a sacred tank.
Royal palace
Darbargadh murals.
Fort hills
A brooding ridge above.
Brassware
A metal-craft tradition.
Sunsets
Hills aglow at dusk.
What to look for inside
Gautameshwar
Shrine and sacred tank.
Fort ridge
Sihor at sunset.
How to spend an hour or two
Visit Gautameshwar
The temple and its tank.
See the Darbargadh
The old palace murals.
Climb toward the fort
The hilltop ruins.
Browse brassware
The metal-craft bazaars.
Wander the havelis
The old quarter.
Catch the sunset
Hills aglow at dusk.
The temple and stepped tank.
Palace, temple-tank and fort
Sihor’s heritage is layered: the hilltop fort and its ridge above the town, the old Darbargadh palace with painted murals, carved wooden havelis in the bazaar quarter, and the Gautameshwar Mahadev temple set beside a fine stone-stepped sacred tank.
Together they make an atmospheric old-capital townscape — modest in scale but rich in history, framed by the rocky Gohilwad hills. The brass-working bazaars add a living, working layer to the heritage.
Hilltop fort ridge
Darbargadh palace murals
Gautameshwar temple & tank
Brass-craft bazaars
When to go
Cool and clear — the best season across Bhavnagar.
Green countryside and atmospheric skies.
Hot inland; sea-cooled on the coast.
⏰ Visit on a half-day trip from Bhavnagar; come toward sunset, when the hills around Sihor glow.
Timings & entry
- Temple open for darshan by day
- Town freely walkable
- Sunset is the loveliest time
- Allow a half day
- No entry fee for the town or temple
- Some palace areas may be limited
- Be respectful at the temple
- Easy day trip from Bhavnagar
Getting there
By Air
Bhavnagar airport is nearest.
By Rail
Sihor has a railway station.
By Road
~20 km west of Bhavnagar.
Around Sihor
STONE & HILLS
An old capital among the hills
What to shoot
The temple and stepped tank.
Heritage
Palace murals and havelis.
Setting
The fort-crowned ridge.
Best light
Sunset over the hills.
Know before you go
More to see close by
Khodiyar Rajpara
Gopnath & Gulf
Cliffs, beaches & Gulf of Khambhat shores
Khodiyar Mandir
A goddess shrine on a tranquil lake
Gandhi Smriti
A museum honouring Bhavnagar's heritage
Victoria Park
A green reserve rich in birds & reptiles
Palitana Temples
Marble shrines crowning the holy summit
Where to eat around the ashram
Kathiawadi Thali
Rotla, kadhi, shaak and ghee-rich fare.
Bhavnagari ganthiya
The city's famous soft ganthiya.
Fafda & jalebi
Classic Saurashtra snacks.
Veg & sweets
Hearty Kathiawadi veg; famous ganthiya.
Sihor FAQ
What is Sihor known for?
Being the old Gohil capital before Bhavnagar, with the Gautameshwar temple and brass craft.
What can I see there?
The Gautameshwar temple and tank, the Darbargadh palace, havelis and the fort hills.
Where is it?
About 20 km west of Bhavnagar.
Why is it historic?
The Gohil Rajputs ruled from Sihor before founding Bhavnagar in 1724.
Is there an entry fee?
No — the town and temple are free.
What craft is Sihor famous for?
Brass and metalware.
When should I visit?
October to March, ideally toward sunset.
How long does it take?
A half day, easily from Bhavnagar.
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