Wankaner — Travel Guide
Wankaner, celebrated across Gujarat and Saurashtra as the royal princely capital of the Jhala Rajput dynasty, is an engaging destination in Gujarat.
It's the home of the grand 1907 hilltop Ranjit Vilas Palace, the 1930s Royal Ranjit Stepwell (Vav), the Art Deco summer palace at Royal Oasis along the Machchhu River, and a major manufacturing center for ceramics, sanitaryware, and fireclay refractories.
It works as a primary cultural, royal heritage, and railway transit junction connecting the ceramic capital of Morbi with the heritage city of Rajkot along National Highway 27.
It represents a rich cultural crossroads where Gothic and Mughal royal towers overlook winding river bends, where subterranean marble stepwells cool summer breezes, and where traditional Kathiawadi horse breeding thrives alongside modern ceramic kilns.
Located at an elevation of 72 meters in Morbi district, it sits 17 km from Matel Khodiyar Temple, 30 km south of Morbi, 35 km from Hirasar Rajkot International Airport, 40 km from Rajkot, and 215 km west of Ahmedabad.
Morning breezes drifting over the Machchhu River and local food stalls carry the appetizing aroma of authentic Kathiawadi Ringna No Olo served with hot roasted Bajra No Rotlo and white butter, spicy Sev Tameta Nu Shaak, fiery Lasaniya Bataka, sweet Mohanthal with pure cow ghee, and steaming clay kulhad cups of masala tea, while temple bells sound at dawn.
Ornate palace clock towers, subterranean sandstone arches, ceramic tile factories, and passing express trains define the daily rhythm of this historic Saurashtra town.
Wankaner is famous for Ranjit Vilas Palace, Royal Stepwell, Royal Oasis, vintage car collection, and authentic Kathiawadi cuisine.
It's a practical base if you want to explore royal Rajput palace architecture, photograph rare 1930s stepwells, admire vintage royal automobiles, and enjoy spicy Kathiawadi thalis.
The surrounding Machchhu basin holds deep antiquity shaped by the Jhala Rajputs who founded the state in 1605, the architectural vision of Maharana Raj Saheb Amarsinhji, and century old ceramic craftsmanship. From the Italian marble courtyards of Ranjit Vilas to the holy shrine of Nagababa, you'll discover rewarding cultural landmarks across the district.
Local life centers around ceramic manufacturing, groundnut farming, cotton trading, royal horse breeding, and warm Gujarati hospitality. You can view the sunrise over the Machchhu River at dawn, explore the royal palace by midday, and watch the sunset from the stepwell gardens by evening.
Neighboring destinations like Morbi, Rajkot, and Surendranagar offer Mani Mandir, Watson Museum, Kaba Gandhi No Delo, and Trinetreshwar Temple. Adding Wankaner to your travel plans works well for heritage buffs, architecture enthusiasts, vintage automobile collectors, and road trippers exploring Gujarat.
You can view the glowing golden sunset reflecting off the waters of the Machchhu River and watch the evening palace lamps illuminate the hilltop towers by dusk. The journey is worth every rupee. Wankaner provides an authentic, peaceful, and culturally deep travel experience.
Planning your trip around the pleasant winter sightseeing season from November to February, the royal heritage stay at Royal Oasis, or the festive Navratri Garba celebrations will give you the best experience across Gujarat. Here is the seasonal breakdown:
Best Time to Visit by Season
• Winter Season (November to February): The premier travel window. Pleasant, sunny, and breezy with daytime temperatures between 14°C and 28°C, ideal for palace tours, stepwell photography, and exploring ceramic hubs.
• Monsoon Season (July to September): Moderate southwest monsoon showers replenish the Machchhu River and fill local water reservoirs.
• Summer Season (April to June): Warm and dry with daytime temperatures reaching 42°C. Early morning palace tours and evening stepwell visits are recommended.
Major Annual Cultural & Spiritual Celebrations
• Navratri Mahotsav (September October): Grand 9 night celebration featuring traditional Kathiawadi Garba dances, colorful Chaniya Choli dresses, and live folk music.
• Janmashtami Festival (August September): Celebrated with grand Dahi Handi competitions, beautifully decorated Krishna temples, and midnight aartis.
• Matel Khodiyar Mela: Annual spiritual fair drawing thousands of pilgrims for sacred rituals and folk fairs.
• Diwali & New Year (Bestu Varas): Celebrated with traditional sweet sharing, illuminated royal buildings, and family gatherings across town.
What Wankaner is Famous For
• Ranjit Vilas Palace: 1907 hilltop Rajput Gothic royal palace and vintage cars.
• Royal Ranjit Stepwell: 1930s last royal stepwell built in Gujarat.
• Kathiawadi Flavors: Ringna No Olo with Bajra Rotlo, Sev Tameta, and Mohanthal.
Reaching Wankaner in Gujarat is simple because Wankaner Railway Junction on Western Railway's Ahmedabad Rajkot mainline, National Highway 27, and Rajkot International Airport provide reliable multi modal transit connectivity. Here is your complete transit guide:
By Air
• Hirasar Rajkot International Airport (HSR): Located 35 km south of Wankaner (approx 35 minutes drive via smooth 6 lane NH 27 with direct flights to Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Goa, and Pune operated by Air India and IndiGo).
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad (AMD): Located 215 km east via 6 lane NH 47 (approx 3.5 hours drive).
• Airport Transfers: Pre paid cabs, app taxis from Rajkot Airport, and GSRTC Gurjarnagri buses operate regular direct highway transfers to Wankaner.
By Train
• Wankaner Railway Junction (Station Code: WKR): Located directly in town on Western Railway's Ahmedabad Rajkot broad gauge mainline with daily superfast express halts.
• Rajkot Railway Junction (Station Code: RJT): Located 40 km south, a major division terminal connected across India.
• Morbi Railway Station (Station Code: MVI): Located 30 km north on the branch line.
• Connecting Express Trains: Vande Bharat Express, Saurashtra Mail, Somnath Express, and Gujarat Mail connect nearby stations smoothly across India.
By Road
• National Highway 27 (Porbandar Rajkot-Ahmedabad 6 Lane Expressway): High speed expressway passing directly beside Wankaner town.
• State Highway 24 (Rajkot Morbi Highway): Smooth 4 lane corridor connecting ceramic hubs.
• Bus Services: Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) and private operators run frequent direct Volvo AC, Gurjarnagri, and Express buses between Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Morbi, Jamnagar, and Wankaner every 10 minutes.
Local Commuting
• Auto Rickshaws & Town Cabs: Readily available at Wankaner Railway Junction, GSRTC Bus Stand, and Palace Circle for quick local commuting.
• Rental Private Cabs: Hiring a private taxi is the most convenient way to explore the regional circuit covering Ranjit Vilas Palace, Royal Stepwell, Royal Oasis, and Matel Khodiyar Temple in a single day.
Exploring local artisan markets and tasting authentic Kathiawadi, Saurashtra, and traditional Gujarati culinary specialties is an enjoyable part of visiting Gujarat. Here are the top items to buy and try:
What to Buy (Ceramics, Bandhani & Sweets)
• Glazed Ceramic Pottery & Tiles: Elegant ceramic tableware, flower vases, and vitrified tiles purchased directly from local factory outlets.
• Authentic Saurashtra Bandhani & Handicrafts: Hand tied tie dye silk dupattas, embroidered wall hangings, and mirror work jackets.
• Authentic Mohanthal & Gol Papdi: Rich gram flour fudge flavored with saffron and cardamom alongside jaggery wheat squares.
• Crunchy Bhavnagri Gathiya & Fafda: Freshly fried chickpea flour snacks served with raw papaya sambharo and fried green chilies.
• Pure Cold Pressed Groundnut & Sesame Oil: Freshly expeller pressed sweet cooking oils produced in local Saurashtra mills.
Famous Local Food Specialties
• Authentic Kathiawadi Ringna No Olo: Fire roasted smoked eggplant mash seasoned with garlic, ginger, and green chilies, served with thick Bajra No Rotlo and white butter.
• Spicy Sev Tameta Nu Shaak: Tangy tomato curry topped with crispy chickpea sev and fresh coriander.
• Kathiawadi Lasaniya Bataka: Baby potatoes tossed in a fiery red garlic paste and aromatic spices.
• Wholesome Khichdi Kadhi with Ghee: Comforting moong dal and rice porridge served with sweet and-sour spiced yogurt gravy.
• Steaming Clay Kulhad Masala Tea: Strong boiling tea brewed with fresh milk, crushed ginger root, and aromatic cardamom pods.
Must-Visit Places in Wankaner
Wankaner and the surrounding Saurashtra Morbi heritage corridor offer 20th century royal palaces, rare 3 tiered stepwells, Art Deco summer retreats, and sacred pilgrimage shrines. Here are the top attractions to visit during your stay.
1. Ranjit Vilas Palace & Vintage Car Museum
grand 1907 hilltop royal palace built by Maharana Raj Saheb Amarsinhji across 225 acres, blending Gothic, Indo Saracenic, and Mughal styles with a rare vintage car collection.
Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM daily (Prior booking advised)
Fee: Heritage tour charges apply
Route: Located on Gadhio hill in Wankaner.
2. Royal Ranjit Stepwell (Vav at Royal Oasis)
The last monumental royal stepwell constructed in Gujarat during the 1930s, featuring three subterranean tiers, cooling sandstone arches, and marble fountain sculptures.
Timings: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily
Fee: Free for heritage resort visitors
Route: Located on Royal Oasis grounds.
3. The Royal Oasis Heritage Palace (Moti Vadi)
1920s Art Deco royal summer retreat set along the banks of the Machchhu River, featuring authentic French stained glass, period furniture, and lush fruit orchards.
Timings: Open daily for guests and visitors
Fee: Restaurant and stay charges
Route: Located 2.5 km from the main palace.
4. Shri Nagababa Ji Ancient Mandir & Ashram
Ancient spiritual shrine and hermitage dedicated to saint Nagababa who performed deep penance along the Machchhu River, drawing devotees for blessings.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located near town center.
5. Matel Khodiyar Maa Temple (17 km)
Revered pilgrimage shrine dedicated to Goddess Khodiyar situated beside a scenic natural lake, drawing thousands of devotees for darshan and holy snanam.
Timings: 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located 17 km northwest in Matel village.
6. Machchhu Dam & River Promenade
Expansive water reservoir and scenic promenade built across the winding Machchhu River, popular for birdwatching and peaceful sunset strolls.
Timings: Daylight hours
Fee: Free access
Route: Located 5 km from town.
7. Hazrat Shah Bava Dargah Sharif (Wankaner)
Historic Sufi pilgrimage shrine celebrated for communal harmony, annual Urs fairs, and devotional qawwali recitations.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located in old town quarters.
8. Mani Mandir & Darbargadh (Morbi / 30 km)
Intricate 1930s pink sandstone palace complex built by Maharaja Waghji featuring stone jali windows, arches, and grand courtyards.
Timings: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located 30 km north in Morbi.
9. Wankaner Ceramic, Sanitaryware & Refractory Kilns
Major industrial manufacturing zone producing fireclay bricks, vitrified floor tiles, and designer sanitaryware.
Timings: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily
Fee: Free commercial access
Route: Located along NH 27 industrial zone.
10. Wankaner Groundnut, Cotton & Cumin APMC Mandi
Major agricultural wholesale market trading Saurashtra groundnuts, raw cotton bales, sesame, and aromatic cumin seeds.
Timings: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located along Mandi Road.
11. Wankaner Traditional Sweet Marts & Farsan Stalls
Renowned local confectioneries serving hot Mohanthal, sweet Gol Papdi, crunchy Bhavnagri Gathiya, and fresh Jalebi daily.
Timings: 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located along Palace Road.
12. Traditional Kathiawadi Bhojanalayas & Dhabas
A delightful food street serving authentic Ringna No Olo with Bajra Rotlo, Sev Tameta Nu Shaak, Khichdi Kadhi, and masala tea.
Timings: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located along NH 27 highway corridor.
Wankaner Photo Gallery & Attractions
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