Take a deep breath. Disappear. You have entered natureâÂÂs womb.
In winter, at the spill of dawn, trek up to the Gandhi Shikhar as the river of light bathes the streams over undulating mountains and the drifting birds, into a magical dance of awakening.
In rains, breathe in the rolling hills of Saputara, echoing green hues, lush with flowers, and watch the meditating rain drops sitting still on sloping leaves. Some of the thickest forest cover in the state envelops you.
In summer, walk carefree on the expanse of the GovernorâÂÂs hill and see the sun dip into the Saputara lake as the sky begins to shimmer with stars.
As your bus chugs uphill, crisscrossing over the Ambika river, you leave all the congestion of towns and cities far below you and enter the spirit world of tribal people. Nestled in the Sahyadri range, at an altitude of about 1000 m, this Dangi enclave derives its name from the Snake god revered by the tribals and translates as âÂÂthe abode of serpentsâÂÂ, Saputara.
In spite of being the only hill station of Gujarat, it is minimally commercialized, still unspoiled.
Learn about the rich tribal culture of this region. Visit the Ritambhara Vishva Vidyapeeth and learn about the work of its founder, the highly respected Mrs. Poornima Pakvasa who has worked tirelessly for the empowerment of tribal women for more than five decades. Today, well-known as the 'Didi of Dang', she is more than 90 years old. Also other legendary social activists like Ghelubhai Naik and Chhotubhai Naik have started many programs for the inhabitants of the Dangs at their Ashram at Ahwa.
By road: The town of Waghai is 51 km away. Ahmedabad: 409 km. Surat: 164 km. Mumbai: 250 km. Vadodara: 309 km.
There are State Transport buses and private luxury coaches from Waghai and Ahmedabad. If you are coming by a private car, than National Highway might be quicker, but the state highway will offers a stunningly scenic drive.
By rail: The nearest railway station is Waghai, on the Billimora-Waghai narrow gauge section of the Western Railway. For those coming from Gujarat via Surat or Ahmedabad or even from Mumbai, Billimora is the more convenient rail head, and a direct bus service is available from there.
By air: The nearest airport is Vadodara, 309 km away