1

It is believed that historical places when are presented properly will not only

educate visitors but also the local community and helps in conserving it for future

generations.

With a view to garnering interest, creating awareness about known and lesser-

known historical sites among the citizens and conserve the existing heritage

places, District Tourism Development Society commenced Heritage Walk and

Restoration Initiative on October 28, 2018, from Nathuthobhan Dharmashala,

Bharuch. In the context of this, several Corporate have extended helping hands as

part of corporate social responsibility to clean and restore these heritage places.

Besides, it is observed that effective participation of visitors in this initiative has

obtained on every Sunday. Heritage Walk committee members who play a vital

role and are keen to lead this initiative at long-lasting level.

2

3

PRESS MEDIA COVERAGE:

GUJARAT SAMACHAR – OCTOBER 29, 2018

TIMES OF INDIA – OCTOBER 30, 2018

4

1. GOLDEN BRIDGE:

The Golden Bridge connects Ankleshwar to Bharuch which was built in 1881

at the cost of `. 45.65 lakh and it was called NARMADA BRIDGE.

The golden bridge has seen many floods and natural disasters like earth

quakes, but it has stood for 132 years, providing daily transportation to the

people of Ankleshwar and Bharuch.

5

2. DASHASHWAMEDH GHAT:

It is situated on the bank of river Narmada near Dandia Bazar. This is the

place where King Mahabali performed ten Ashwamedha sacrifices. At this

place, Lord Vishnu came in the disguise of vaman and measured the whole

universe with his three steps. The entire region wears a festive look during

Poornima days. One must not forget to visit this Ghat at early morning

hours to enjoy the spiritual peace of this place.

6

3. BHRIGU RISHI TEMPLE:

The temple of Bhrigu Rishi is situated in Dandia Bazar area on the bank of

the holy river Narmada. The temple was built in the honor of great saint

Maharishi Bhrigu who was able to attain sainthood by reaching the perfect

balance between wisdom and activity. It was here that Bhrigu Rishi wrote

first Indian astrological work, "BHRIGU SAMHITA". He is said to have

documented five million horoscopes, in which he wrote down the fate of

every being in the universe.

7

4. NATHU THOBHAN DHARAMSHALA:

It is situated at the east side of the city in Dandia Bazar area. It is a

beautiful wooden carving Dharamshala which shows the rich heritage

culture of pillars, brackets and detailed artistic work of that era. Nathu

Thobhan donated it as a school in Satyagraha movement.

8

5. SWAMI NARAYAN TEMPLE:

It is 175 years old and hosts a palette of color on its walls. It is located in

Dandia Bazar area in old city part.

9

6. RATAN TALAV:

Ratan Lake was built in the 18th century. You can find rare species or turtle

here. It was expected to build by RATANLAL VANIK during the reign of

Singhania. The primary objective of making the Ratan Lake was to remove

scarcity of water.

10

7. JUMMA MASJID:

Jumma Masjid exists on the hilltop of Bharuch fort. It is believed that the

Masjid was built during the 14th century AD. The most notable aspect of the

Mosque is that it was constructed from the remains of an ancient Jain

temple. The Mosque depicts a conventional Mosque as far as the

construction style is considered. The Mosque consists of 48 pillars, 3 large

domes, and 10 smaller domes.

11

8. PARSI AGIYARI:

The Parsi Agiyari is a holy fire temple of Parsi community. It was

constructed in 1760. The Parsi Agiyari is one of the oldest five temples of

Bharuch. The ancient Agiyari near Malabari Darwaja of Bharuch is known as

DASTURJU KANTHA AGIYARI. The Agiyari was reconstructed in 1884 AD.

12

9. PARSIWAD:

Kot Parsiwad is located in Katpore Bazar. Kot Parsiwad is the impressive

but uninhabited mansion of Parsi traders Shapoorjee Hormasjee

Jambusarwala. Later, it was converted into a school.

13

10. SARDAR MANZIL:

Sardar Manzil is a 300 years old villa which was gifted by Noor Jahan to the

forefathers of the resident. Adjoining to that villa, there is the Mosque that

is one of the oldest and first Mosques of Gujarat. The architecture consists

of attractive walls & black wood dated back to as far as 200 to 300 years

old. Adjoining the Mosque, there is a shrine of the famous saint MAULANA

ISHAQ who was a great scholar, died here in 1660 AD.

14

11. BEGUM WADI:

Begum wadi with the natural beauty of floral Diaspora was used as

Enjoyment Park by Begum of Muslim rulers.

15

12. VICTORIA TOWER:

Five storeys’ tall Victoria Tower, costing ten thousand rupees in 1908, was

largely contributed by people voluntarily in memory of Queen Victoria.

Even though, it is a symbol of the imposing ruler. The four-sided clocks

were centrally operated by pulley system which was tied with heavy weight

to work properly. There was also a red light alert at top of the tower which

blinks at the time of flood water level rise. The tower was not able to

survive in the 2001 earthquake.

16

13. RAICHAND DEEPCHAND LIBRARY/BHARUCH HALL:

Merchant Premchand Raichand generously donated a handsome amount

to construct a library in 1862 in the name of his father RAICHAND

DEEPCHAND. This old library hosts many unavailable and out of print old

books, rare manuscripts, bookshelves, cupboards, and old fans make the

whole library a heritage property. It has a collection of around two lakh

books.

17

14. GRAVE OF BRITISH SOLDIER WITH HIS HORSE:

It is a grave of a British soldier with his horses, name Alexander Mcallen

and John Mackenzie which is situated near the Deepchand Raichand

library. The grave is craved with Inscription.

18

15. SUJANI MAKING AND SOLTED PEANUTS:

Sujani is hand woven finely crafted quilt. This delicate craft is preserved by

very few weavers over past 200 years. Sujani is prepared only in Bharuch

and is a popular export item. Sujani is known as "CHOKDI" or "TIKA".

Bharuch is famous for salted groundnuts which are processed in Bharuch,

these peanuts are popular throughout the world. People have relished

Bharuchi peanuts for ages.

19

16. FORT WALL (ભરૂચનો કોટ):

The Historical fort was constructed between 1094 and 1143 AD by Shree

Sidhhraj Jaysinh and renovated by Shree Bahadur Shah between 1526 and

1536. The fort was constructed using several irons. Within the fort, there

are the collector's office, civil courts, the Old Dutch factory, a church, the

Victoria clock tower and other buildings. The fort is situated on a hilltop

which overlooks the Narmada River has been protecting the city from

floods all these years.

20

17. VANZARIVAV:

The Vav or Stepwell was used as a underground water storage tank. It was

constructed for rain water harvesting form which water can be used

throughout the year.

21

18. EIDGAH:

Bharuch based Eidgah which was built in 1326. It is situated near civil kali

talavdi, Bharuch. At the end of the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims

celebrate by first offering prayers at an Eidgah. It is a large open ground for

people to assemble and offer their prayers early in the morning on the Eid

day.

22

19. DUTCH CEMETERY:

It is located near the Kukarwara on the bank of river Narmada. It was built

in the Dutch architectural style. The cluster of 22 cenotaphs stands in the

testimony of the Dutch regime that prevailed at that time.

23

20. GANDHIJI VISHRAM STHAL - SEVASHRAM GUEST HOUSE:

Bharuch district has a unique significance in Mahatma Gandhi in the Dandi

march. On March 26, 1930, Mahatma Gandhiji rested at Bharuch while

passing from Jambusar – Amod talukas during Dandi march. The moments

with Gandhiji are still associated with Sevashram Guest House, Bharuch. As

an inspiration source of Gandhian Ideology, this place becomes

distinguished for the tourists. Mahatma Gandhiji marched towards Dandi

from here.

24

21. MOTLABAI WADIA SCHOOL:

Narmadanagar Rural Development Society (NARDES) the CSR wing of GNFC

had decided to give a facelift to the Heritage Parsi Building located in Old

Bharuch which was housing the Motlabai Wadia School for imparting

education to girls since 1903. The Heritage Parsi building was renovated by

GNFC - NARDES as a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.

Further, NARDES had started Narmada Motlabai Public School (NMPS) in

2012 with the aim of imparting qualitative education for children of our

society and maintaining the historical building.

25

ROUTE MAP:

GOLDEN

BRIDGE

DUSHASH

WAMEGH

GHAT

NATUDHOBHI KI

DHARAMSHALA

WOODEN

CARVING

HAVELI

RATAN

TALAV

JUMMA

MASJID

PARSI

AGYARI

FORT

WALL

SUJNI

MAKING

LIBRARY

BRITISH

GRAVE

VICTORIA

TOWER

SARDAR

MANZIL

BEGUM

WADI

EID GHA

DUTCH

CREMATORY

BHRUGU

RISHI

TEMPLESWAMINA

RAYAN

TEMPLE

ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS:

26

DAY, TIME, ORIGIN AND ENDING PLACE FOR HERITAGE WALK:

1. Day: Every Sunday of month

2. Time: Morning 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM

3. Origin Place: Nathuthobhan Dharmshala, Dandiya Bazar, Bharuch

4. Ending Place: Dutch Cemetery, Kukarvada, Bharuch

5. Total Heritage Places to visit: 13

BOOK YOUR SUNDAY VISIT ON:

1. Mr. Gyaneshwar Patil – 7983447216

2. Mr. Dhaval Patel – 9033009174, (02642)264700

3. The visitors are requested to drop confirmation mail on

dtdsbharuch@gmail.com before Sunday.

District Tourism Development Society

District Collector Office, Bharuch

Phone No. (02642)264700

Email Address: dtdsbharuch@gmail.com

Website: https://bharuch.gujarat.gov.in/news/heritage-walk