Step into Vadnagar, one of India’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Walk through its historic gates to the elegant Kirti Toran, a rare remnant of its glorious past. Explore its bustling bazaars, centuries-old havelis, and sacred spaces like Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple. Then pause by its serene lakes and intricate stepwells that have sustained life here. Discover a layered spiritual landscape, from ancient Buddhist monastic ruins to shrines of guardian deities like Sheetala Mata and Sikotara Mata. This audio tour is brought to you in partnership with Gujarat Tourism. Tune in, and let Vadnagar reveal itself, one story at a time.
Click on any pin to play the story.
TIMINGS
*The timings and ticket prices are subject to change. Please check the respective websites for the latest updates before your visit.
TICKETS
Vadnagar Archaeological Experiential Museum
You can book on site at the museum or through their website: https://vadnagararchaeologymuseum.com/.
Useful Links
Gujarat Tourism:
https://gujarattourism.com/north-zone/mehsana/vadnagar.html
Incredible India:
https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/gujarat/vadnagar
Vadnagar Archaeological Experiential Museum:
Season: The best time to visit is October to March when the weather is cooler and more pleasant. The monsoon season (July to September) brings rainfall, while March to June can be quite hot.
Attire: Dress comfortably and modestly, keeping your shoulders and legs covered when visiting religious sites on the tour. Hats, sunglasses and umbrellas are recommended.
Distances: The route between Kirti Toran and the Buddhist monastery is easily walkable, allowing you to explore several monuments along the way. Sites such as Hatkeshwar Mahadev temple, Lateri Vav, Tana Riri garden and Padmavati temple are relatively close to one another but are best explored by vehicle.
The ancient Buddhist monastery ruins, Sheetala Mata temple, Kirti Toran, Hatkeshwar temple and the water bodies, are all unique and worthy of a visit. The Vadnagar Archaeological Experiential Museum is thoughtfully curated and you should plan to spend a couple of hours there at the end of the tour.
You can download the Storytrails audio tour from Google Play (for Android devices) or the App Store (for iOS devices). Open the app, search for the Vadnagar tour, and tap ‘Download’ to save it to your device.
Yes. You can listen to the stories on the tour by scanning the QR codes placed at each location, even without downloading the app. However, this requires an internet connection and your experience may vary depending on the quality of your network connection.
You can listen to the stories in any order. However, we highly recommend following the suggested tour route as closely as possible, as the earlier stories provide context that enriches the experience of the later ones.
The total duration of the stories on the tour is about 60 minutes. However, we recommend setting aside around 2.5 to 3 hours overall to fully enjoy the experience, including time to explore each destination and travel between locations.
Yes. A large stretch of the tour, from Kirti Toran to the Ghaskol Buddhist Monastery, can be comfortably explored on foot. However, you will need a vehicle to reach some of the other monuments. Auto rickshaws are a convenient option. Consider hiring one for the entire duration of the tour, as it can easily follow you through the walkable stretches and crowded market areas.
The Vadnagar Archaeological Experiential Museum is thoughtfully curated and you can easily spend a couple of hours exploring it in depth. Since it is the last stop on this tour, consider setting aside extra time to fully experience its galleries.
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A deep archaeological excavation at Vadnagar shows evidence of a human settlement that is as old as 800 BCE.
Tentative list of UNESCO's World Heritage Convention.
Official website of the Museum.
Navigate the nooks, corners and gullies of Indian history through thirty amazing tales from the Storytrails treasure trove!
