Palanpur’s rich historical legacy is still visible in this city through its princely monuments and buildings. Once encompassed by seven gates, Palampur was founded in the 14th century by Rajput king Prahladan, after whom the name of the city was derived. Though these gates, a few of which were the Meera Gate, the Delhi Gate and the Shimla Gate, are in ruins today, they still signify this Gujarati city’s glorious past.
Although the Mughals and the Rajputs remain Palanpur’s most prominent rulers, the region had also been under the control of other dynasties, including the Mauryas, the Malars and the Kshatraps. In fact, Palanpur is closely associated with Jainism, as the Jains of yore were known to have been patronized by the Nawabs. The city was a princely state during the British reign, and merged into Gujarat only after independence.
Located close to the Aravali Mountain Range, Palapur is surrounded by hills and offers stunning views to visitors. Winters can get extremely chilly, but if you like the cold, then this is the place for you. With a number of temples and palaces dotting the city, Palanpur is an exciting tourist destination for the discerning traveler.
The ancient shrines of Parshwanath Temple and the Nanu Derasar are important Jain edifices in Palanpur. Along with these, you can visit the Hindu temples of Ambaji, Keertistumbh and the Balaram Mahadev Temple, all of which give you a peek into the architecture and religious inclininations of the centuries gone by.
The Raj Mahal, which was the palace of the erstwhile Nawabs, is also a popular tourist spot in Palapur. Though used as government offices today, you can take a look at the structure from outside and appreciate its architectural expertise.
The two dargahs outside the main gates of the city are popular spots for Islamic pilgrims and are beautiful structures as well. The Mithi Vav, the old stepwell is another ancient architecture monument that appeals to visitors and locals alike.
Buses and auto-rickshaws are abundantly available throughout the city of Palanpur, and will take you to most tourist destinations and nearby districts. Hire a private car from a local rental to go sightseeing at your own pace. Some even offer tour packages you can opt for to make your planning easier.
On a daily basis there are approximately 135 flights that operate at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.IndiGo, SpiceJet and Air India are the most popular airline brands that fly frequently to this airport.
By road Palanpur is surrounded by Deesa, Sidhpur, Unjha which are 17.33 km, 17.85 km, 27.14 km away respectively. These places are ideal spots for people to plan their short weekend break.