Saputara

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Coordinates: 20.67° N 73.35° E

Saputara
Saputara
State  - District(s)	Gujarat  - The Dangs
Coordinates	20.67° N 73.35° E
Area  - Elevation	- 1000 m
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Population (2001)  - Density	-

Saputara is a hill station town in the Dang District of Gujarat state in India.

Contents 1 Geography 2 Sight Seeing 3 Shopping 4 Excursion 5 Climate 6 Accommodation 7 List of Hotels 8 Travel Information 9 Pictures

[edit] Geography

This picturesque hill station is perched on a plateau in the Dang forest area of the Sahyadri Range. At an altitude of about 1000m. It has a cool bracing climate, the highest temperature even in the summer do not exceed 28 Degree C.

Saputara means the 'Abode of Serpents' and a snake image on the banks of the river Sarpagana is worshipped by the Adivasis on festivals like Holi.

Saputara has been developed as a planned hill resort with all the necessary amenities like hotels, parks, swimming pools, boat club, theatres, ropeways and a museum to ensure an enjoyable holiday in the cool of the hill. Saputara is only 172 Kms. from Surat. Excursions from Saputara can be made to the wild life sanctuary in the Mahal Bardipara forest, 60 Kms. from here and to Gira Waterfalls 52 Kms away.

[edit] Sight Seeing

• Vansda National park : Originally, a private forest of maharaja of Vansada, the park now covers on area of 24 sq kms. Despite its small size the park harbours tiger, leopard, pangolin, rusty-spotted cat, python, giant squirrel, fourhorned antelope etc. Prior permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden, of Gandhinagar or DFO, Ahwa, is required before visiting the park.

• Purna Sanctuary: Covering an area of 160 sq kms, Purna Sanctuary is a part of a dense moist deciduous forest in the Western Ghat of Gujarat. Situated at Mahal, 60 kms, north of Dangs, the sanctuary is crossed by Purna and Gira rivers. There are bamboo lined pathways for trekkers. Prior permission is necessary for visiting.

• Boating: The Saputara Lake surrounded by greenery makes it pleasurable to sail in the lake in a row or paddle boat.

• Sunrise Point: It is a point which offers the best view of Saputara and adjoining Malegoan could be reached after a walk of 1.5 km in the direction of Waghai. The naming restricts the tourist traffic to this best place as tourists believe that the point should only be visited at sun rise, however, one may visit it at any time of the day to catch a panoramic view. The Tata Consultancy Services has suggested renaming this point as Valley View Point to enhance tourist traffic.

• Sunset point: Gives a breathtaking view of a vast spans of Dang Forest. It provides an ariel view of distant villages in forest. This thick forest around Saputara is dotted with Adivasi (tribal) villages.

• The Ropeway: A ten minutes ride across the valley to the sunset point organised by Hotel Vaity.

• Gira falls: Makes an excellent excursion option from Saputara. Just 52 km away from Saputara the Gira Waterfalls should not be missed especially during the months of June to November.

[edit] Shopping

You may pick up some trinkets like pen stands and key chains in bamboo et al from the Gandharvapur Artist Village as souvenirs and gift items from Saputara.

[edit] Excursion

From Saputara you may move ahead to the wildlife sanctuary in the Mahal Bardipura forest. At a distance of 60 km from Saputara the Mahal Bardipura forest is bestowed with rivers and bamboo glades thus offering excellent walking and trekking options.

[edit] Climate

The hill resort of Saputara promises to refresh the tourists throughout the year with its cool weather. Saputara does not experience any extreme temperature variations and is an ideal getaway for the sun-scorched souls of the plains. The monsoon rains add to the magic of Saputara. Thus you may plan your trip to the Saputara hills any time of the year the best time is from middle of March to middle of November.

[edit] Accommodation

Accommodation is easily available at Saputara. There are few hotels in Saputara besides the cottages and the log huts that offer a comfortable stay at Saputara. For food along with the hotels there are several restaurants and wayside stalls to cater to needs of the tourists to Saputara. Even the Gujarat Tourism Corporation runs a well-equipped station at Saputara.

[edit] List of Hotels

Hotel Name	Ratings[1]	Type	Tariff (INR)[2]
Toran Hill Resort	4.56	Mountain/Hill	400
Vaity Ropeway Resort	4.41	Mountain/Hill	1800
Shilpi Hill Resort	5.33	Mountain/Hill	900
Chitrakoot	Mountain/Hill	not rated	1600
Vaishali	Mountain/Hill	not rated	2000

[edit] Travel Information

Saputara is 420 kms from Ahmedabad, 589 kms from Bhavnagar, 603 kms from Rajkot , 172 kms from Surat, 80 kms from Nasik, 185 kms from Mumbai.

Air: Mumbai is the nearest airport, 185 km away.
Rail: Nasik is also most convenient railhead, 80 Kms away.
Road: There is bus facility from Nasik and Surat.

[edit] Pictures

The Dang forest, enroute saputara	Saputara lake viewed from ropeway cab	Saputara lake.	Valley viewed from sunset point.
A village amidst vast spans of Dang forest.