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The Palace Utelia, Gujarat |
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Around 150 kilometers
from Baroda, 78 kilometers from Ahmedabad and en route to
Bhavnagar, the Palace Utelia is a grandiose turn-of-the-century
haveli (mansion), which is specially imposing when compared to
the hutments that crowd its high walls. The architectural style
is predominantly Indo-Saracenic, and includes domes, pillars,
arches and Gujarati haveli style facades. The portioned entrance
archway leads to a row of columns on a high plinth and from here
one reaches the twisting staircase to the main dining hall,
which is illuminated by chandeliers and spanned by portraits. A
total of 14 double bedrooms have been renovated to match the
grandeur of the building and feature attached baths with running
hot-and-cold showers, and dressing space. Some of the beds are
real period pieces inlaid with mirrors and ornate decorations.
Each of the rooms open onto private balconies or common
verandahs with splendid views of the River Bhugavo where
demoiselle and common cranes gather. Even if you are not staying
here, it is worth dropping in for lunch on the way to Ahmedabad
and Bhavnagar or Palitana.
The Palace Utelia
The Palace Utelia has
its own stable of horses and bullock carts for rides in the
village or the surrounding countryside. For more accomplished
riders, 3 to 5 cross country horseback safaris can be arranged
by the owners with tented camping arrangements along the way.
You can also hire 4 - wheel drive jeeps for trips to Velavadar
National Park, a 36 square kilometers tract to Savannah type
grassland, where you can see the largest herds of blackbuck
antelope in India today and one of the world's greatest
harrier-hawk roosts. Jeep excursions can include a picnic lunch
if you propose to spend a full day at the Park. Another
sanctuary near utelia is Nalsarovar, which mainly comprises a
100 odd square kilometers lake and its surrounding marshes.
There are country boats here for trips on the lake and you can
see flamingoes, pelicans, ducks, geese, cranes, storks, ibises
and herons of myriad species at reasonably close range.
Both Indian and Continental meals are uniformly good, and
buffets in the dining hall are reasonably priced. Courtyard
barbecues, enlivened by folk dances and music of the Padhar
fisherfolk or Bharwad shepherds can be arranged on request.
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Reservation for
Hotels in Gujarat
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