How about being at Patan this weekend and celebrating the historic legends of the town? Being a fortified city, Patan was one of the major political centres during the time of Vanraj Chavda, who was one of the greatest rulers of the Chavda dynasty. Patan was founded during the era of the 8th century and since then it has been under several rulers from the Chalukya dynasty and later on, the rulers of Delhi Sultanate.
Today, it is one of the prominent towns in Gujarat and is home to several historical buildings and masterpieces of architecture. Patan is also known as Patola city as it's equally popular for its Patola sarees which are made out of silk.
Best Time To Visit Patan
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Being located in a semi-arid region, Patan experiences a hot climate and hence, the best time to visit Patan is from October until the end of March as the climatic conditions during the summer season are not favourable and will make you feel uncomfortable.
How To Reach Patan From Ahmedabad
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By Air: You can take a flight to Ahmedabad airport and then from there you can either hire a cab to Patan or take a cab to Ahmedabad bus station; from the bus station you can take a bus to Patan.
By Rail: The nearest railhead is at Unjha, which is at a distance of around 30 km from Patan. You can catch a train from Ahmedabad to Unjha and then you can take a cab to Patan.
By Road: Patan is easily accessible from Ahmedabad and other cities by road. You can take a cab or catch a bus from Ahmedabad to Patan.
If you are driving on your own, you can go through following routes:
Route 1: Ahmedabad - Kalol - Mehsana - Patan
Route 2: Ahmedabad - Gandhinagar - Gozaria - Patan
If you want to reach your destination within minimum time, then route 1 is preferable. On your way to Patan, you can stop at the following places to relish the beauty of the places around Patan.
Kalol
Situated in the Gandhinagar district of Gujarat, Kalol is well known for its bird sanctuary located in a tiny village named Thol. Apart from its natural beauty, Kalol also harbours historical beauty in the form of centuries-old stepwells. How about being inside the historical boundaries of Kalol and capturing beautiful moments with colourful birds?
Mehsana
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Mehsana is a 15th-century settlement formed by the kings of the Chavda dynasty. Ever wondered about the ancient beauty of Gujarat? Then, do not forget to take a break at Mehsana to explore its environment, which boasts of a royal palace known as Rajmahal and a 17th-century stepwell known as Boter Kotha Ni Vav. Both the marvels of Mehsana are worth visiting.
Major Places To Visit In Patan
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With seven levels of stairs and more than 500 sculptures, Rani Ki Vav is an ancient stepwell built during the rule of the Chalukya dynasty and is known for its wonderful designs and intricate patterns. Located on the banks of Saraswati river, Rani Ki Vav has also been declared as one of the cleanest iconic places in India. Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a major attraction in Patan throughout the year.
Sahastralinga Tank
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Sahastralinga Tank is basically an artificial water tank which was built during the reign of the Chalukya dynasty to cater to the needs of the kingdom. Maintained under the care of Archaeological Survey of India, this architectural beauty is no less than a masterpiece considering the fact that it was built without the help of modern technology and machinery.
This wonderfully built tank also served as the mode of transport for other officials of the kingdom as it was connected to the canal of Saraswati river. So, how about witnessing the intact beauty of Sahastralinga Tank?
Remains Of The Fort
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Even though the fort is converted into ruins without proper care and maintenance, the rustic walls and collapsed roofs of Patan Fort are still worth visiting as they exhibit the gallery of its bygone years. If you are definitely into exploring ruins and revealing their mysteries, then Patan Fort is a definite spot for you.