Wheels of Faith: A Spiritual Drive Across Gujarat
- Vinita Khar
- Jan 10
- 6 min read
Vinita Khar
Co founder of Aumentar Hospitality alliance a hospitality sales consulting organisation;
There is a special kind of peace that only a road trip can offer — the steady rhythm of the highway, changing landscapes and conversations that flow more easily with every passing kilometre.
This drive from Mumbai into the heart of Gujarat’s spiritual circuit became a relaxed yet meaningful journey across temples, coastlines and historic towns and a very practical route for anyone planning a similar trip.
From Mumbai to Surat: Easing into the Journey
The journey began in Mumbai before sunrise, when the city was just beginning to stir and the traffic was light.
The highway towards Surat offered a smooth run and an easy transition from urban rush to the calmer rhythms of Gujarat.
Surat, with its mix of commerce and culture, made for a convenient first pause — a place to stop for breakfast, refuel and get ready for the more interesting leg of the trip.
From Surat, the drive continued to Hazira, a coastal point that has changed how many travellers now cross the Gulf of Khambhat.
Instead of driving all the way around the gulf for several extra hours, boarding the ferry from Hazira to Ghogha proved to be a sensible choice — it saved time, reduced fatigue and added variety to the journey by breaking the drive with a sea crossing.
Hazira to Ghogha: Across the Gulf by Sea
Driving onto the Ro-Ro ferry and stepping out onto the open deck brought an immediate change of pace.
The sea breeze, distant coastline and gentle movement of the vessel turned what could have been another long stretch of highway into a relaxed break in the middle of the day.
Travellers can stretch their legs, grab a snack and simply enjoy open views of the gulf as vehicles rest below deck.
This sea route not only saves several hours of driving but also keeps everyone noticeably fresher for the long journey ahead.
By the time the ferry reached Ghogha, there was renewed energy for the road and it felt like the spiritual part of the trip was just beginning.
Bhavnagar: The First Halt at Efcee Sarovar
From Ghogha, the drive to Bhavnagar is straightforward, with coastal winds slowly giving way to the drier interiors of Saurashtra.
Bhavnagar, with its old-world charm and easy pace, works well as the first night halt after a day that includes both highway and sea travel.
The stay at Efcee Sarovar Portico added comfort and convenience, with modern rooms, good food options and a central location suitable for business and leisure travellers alike.
It became an ideal place to unwind, plan the route ahead and get an early start the next morning, bridging the practical side of travel with the spiritual experiences to come.
Towards Dwarka: The Call of Krishna
The next morning, the road from Bhavnagar towards Dwarka unfolded gradually through villages, fields and small towns.
As the car moved steadily towards one of India’s most sacred destinations — Dwarka, the legendary kingdom of Lord Krishna — the drive felt unhurried, with limited options for tea and snack breaks along the way so ensure you fuel up yourself, there are plenty options for the car.
By the time Dwarka’s skyline appeared, crowned by the dhwaja of the Dwarkadhish Temple, the trip had started to feel more like a pilgrimage than a regular road journey.
Narrow lanes, temple bells, conch sounds and the steady flow of pilgrims signalled arrival in a town where faith is part of everyday life.
Dwarka Stay: Ira by Orchid
In Dwarka, staying at Ira by Orchid added a practical advantage — the hotel offers comfortable rooms and views of the Dwarkadhish Temple from the property.
Being close to the temple reduces commute time, especially for early-morning or late-evening aarti and gives more flexibility to plan darshan and local sightseeing.
Having the temple in view from the hotel helps keep the spiritual atmosphere alive while still enjoying modern comforts, which is useful when travelling with family or seniors.
Dwarkadhish Temple: In the Court of the Lord
The Dwarkadhish Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna, stands on the banks of the Gomti River and is regarded as one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites.
Its multi-storeyed structure, raised platform and carved pillars reflect centuries of devotion and architectural detail. As one walks through the gate and moves with the crowd of devotees, attention naturally shifts from travel logistics to the simple focus on darshan.
Tula Daan is a traditional ritual where a devotee is weighed on a balance scale and donates items equal to that weight — grains or essentials — as an act of charity and gratitude.
I decided to participate in Tula Daan myself, sitting quietly on the scale while the priests arranged the offerings.
The moment felt deeply personal: the soft chanting, the gentle clink of weights balancing out and the calm focus of everyone around created a sense of surrender without any pressure.
Walking away with the receipt and the knowledge that those offerings would help others brought a quiet satisfaction that stayed with me throughout the rest of the trip.
Stepping out afterwards onto the Gomti ghats, watching priests conduct rituals while the river flows quietly towards the sea, brings a sense of calm that stays long after leaving the temple area.
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga: Shiva’s Presence Near the Sea
A short drive from Dwarka takes you to Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva and an important site on Gujarat’s temple circuit.
The temple is located in relatively open surroundings, with a large Shiva statue visible from a distance, making navigation simple even for first-time visitors.
Inside the sanctum, the atmosphere is quieter and more focused, with the chant of Om Namah Shivaya and a steady stream of devotees.
Visiting Nageshwar as a day excursion from Dwarka works well logistically and offers a nice spiritual balance — Krishna’s energy at Dwarkadhish complemented by Shiva’s presence at Nageshwar.
Somnath: Where Faith Meets the Ocean
From Dwarka, the route continues along Saurashtra’s coastline towards Somnath, another key stop for many pilgrims.
The coastal drive, with occasional sea views and small towns, is comfortable and well-suited for a day journey with breaks.
Somnath Temple, set on the shore of the Arabian Sea, is both a historic and spiritual landmark, known for having been rebuilt several times.
The temple complex faces the open sea and time spent on the promenade outside, listening to waves and temple bells together, makes the visit memorable without needing a rushed schedule.
The evening aarti, with conches and lamps against the backdrop of the ocean, is worth planning around, so reaching Somnath by afternoon and staying nearby is a practical approach.
Somnath Stay: Lords Inn
In Somnath, Lords Inn works well from a convenience point of view, being among the hotels located closest to the temple.
Its comfortable rooms, on-site dining and quick access to the main temple road make it easy to attend aarti and darshan without worrying about long transfers or parking.
For a temple-focused visit, this proximity becomes a strong advantage, especially when travelling with children or elders.
Back to Bhavnagar, Ghogha, Hazira and Home
After the spiritually rich stop at Somnath, the drive back to Bhavnagar brings a quieter mood, with familiar roads making the return leg easier to cover. A second halt in Bhavnagar offers one more comfortable night at Efcee Sarovar before turning towards the coast again.
From Bhavnagar, it is a short and familiar run back to Ghogha port, where catching the Ro-Ro ferry to Hazira once more turns a long road section into a relaxed sea crossing.
Stepping off at Hazira, the final drive via Surat and the highway back to Mumbai closes the loop, bringing the journey full circle from city to coast, temples and ferries and finally home.
Reflections on a Spiritual Drive
Looking back, this circuit — Mumbai → Surat → Hazira → Ghogha → Bhavnagar → Dwarka → Nageshwar → Somnath → Bhavnagar → Ghogha → Hazira → Mumbai — proves to be both practical and rewarding.
The ferry helps optimise time and energy, the chosen hotels in Bhavnagar, Dwarka and Somnath ensure comfortable halts and the driving distances between each leg remain manageable for a relaxed itinerary.
More than anything, the journey shows that spiritual travel can be meaningful without being exhausting:
aarti by the river,
quiet moments before a Jyotirlinga,
sunrise drives between temple towns and the comfort of good stays along the way come together to create a trip that is easy to repeat —
and easy to recommend for anyone planning their next road holiday in Gujarat.
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