all places to visit in saputara

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Saputara Tourist Places

Hathgadh Fort, Vansda National Park, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Saputara Lake, Gira falls, Echo Point, Step Garden, Table Point, Saputara Tribal Museum, Lake Garden, Saptashringi Devi Mandir, Purna Sanctuary and many more.

Full of lush surroundings, heaving mountains and wistful roadways beaming with tourists there are many places to visit in Saputara filled with wonder, natural beauty and uniqueness.  The charming hill station is located in the Dang district of Gujarat, 875 meters above sea level. Saputara is the ideal getaway for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Predominantly a tribal locality, the Saputara tourist places totally define the history and culture of the people here. In literal terms, Saputara means the land of snakes and the local dwellers worship snakes especially in the month of Holi. It has been gaining in popularity as a great spot for adventure seekers and trail lovers. Visiting here would be a refreshing deviation from the actual city life and is easily accessible from major stopovers. You will really love the cool climate, cascading waterfalls, tranquil lakes and generous peaks that welcomes you to nature's lap. A perfect place for family and youth, enjoy the spectacular offerings of this beauty.

Here are some of the best places to visit in Saputara:

Quick navigation, hatgadh fort.

Hatgadh Fort is located on the fringe of Gujarat and Maharashtra, at a distance of about 5 km from Saputara. Attributing to its location at an altitude of approximately 3,600 ft, the only way to reach the fort is by taking an easy trekking route and it is one of the best places to visit in Saputara. Located in Mulher in the district of Nasik, this ancient fort is stationed at the Sahyadri Range. You can witness the reservoirs of Ganga and Jamuna can be found, which act as a source of water for the villages located in the vicinity. Tourists can enjoy spectacular views of the entire valley and Suragana Village from the top of the fort. How to reach:  Can only be accessed by an easy trek to the top. Timings:  Opened every day from 09:00 AM to 06:00 PM Entry fee:  NA

Vansda National Park

Vansda National Park, spread across an expanse of 23.99 sq km, is approximately 40 km away from Saputara. The jungle has a tropical humid environment and is maintained by the South Dangs Forest Division. Vansda National Park comprises a dense moist deciduous forest and some parts of the forest remain dark even during the day. This national park is considered as one of the best places to visit in Saputara. The national park is home to many wild animals like leopards, hyenas, wild boar, sambars, four-horned antelopes and many kinds of reptiles and bird species. The park is also home to about 443 species of flowering plants such as bamboo, dudhkod, kakad, timru, humb, kalam, modad, haldu, sisam and others. The jungle is also home to numerous tribal population. The most appropriate time to visit Vansda National Park is during the months of October to March. How to reach: The closest railway stations to this national park are Waghai and Bilimora and can also be reached by road. Timings:  Opened every day from 06:00 AM to 05:30 PM Entry fee:  INR 500 (Vehicle + Guide)

Sunrise Point

Valley Viewpoint, also known as Sunrise Point, is a peak located in Saputara. The peak can be reached by a 1.5 km trek on the way to Waghai. This point gives stunning views of the entire Saputara Valley, along with the villages and lush green forests parched around the hill station. The popular picnic spot, where families and tourists can be seen admiring the natural beauty. It is also considered as one of the famous places to visit in Saputara and an adventure spot as travelers have to trek to reach this peak. The view of the sunrise from this peak lures numerous tourists during the early morning. How to reach:  Can only be accessed by a 1.5 km trek. Timings:  Opened every day from 07:00 AM to 07:00 PM Entry fee:  Free

Saputara Lake

Saputara Lake situated about 1.5 km away from Saputara hill station and is considered as one of the most famous picnic spots of the Saputara Valley. Parched with lush greenery, this man-made lake is popularly known for its boating activity.  This vicinity is surrounded by various children's parks and playgrounds. Many boating clubs located near the lake provides you with rowboats, along with paddle and sailboats and the lakeside is clustered with lots of food zones, tea stalls and shopping area available for tourists which makes you very excited. Apt time to visit the lake is just after the monsoon months. How to reach:   Located 250+ km from Mumbai / 85 km from Nashik and 160+ km from Surat and can be accessed by any means of local transport. Timings:  Opened every day from 9:00 AM to 08:00 PM Entry fee:  INR 35

Best of Lonavala

Sunset Point

Sunset Point is situated on the Sunset Point Road, near Saputara Museum. Popularly known as Gandhi Shikhar or peak, this point is stationed at a distance of 1.7 km from the town. The viewpoint provides stunning views of the sunset, accompanied by Dang Forest and various tribal villages in the vicinity and  it is one of the amazing places to visit in Saputara. Although the point can be visited by tourists all year round, the best time is from the month of March to November and considered to be one of the best places to visit in Saputara. How to reach:  Tourists can reach this point in 10 minutes by using Ropeway and the point is located in the vicinity of famous tourist spots like the Vansda National Park and Saputara Museum and also can be reached by any local transport. Timings:  Not applicable. Entry fee:  Free

Gira Waterfalls

You will always come across this name if you hear a conversation about waterfalls in Dang, Gujarat area. Gira Dhodh, situated in Wanarchod village close to Waghai is one of the stunning places to visit in Saputara during monsoon season. Girl falls are often mistaken with Girmal falls.  Both are in Dang but located far away from each other. ‘Gira’ falls are near Waghai, on the WaghaiSaputara state highway. ‘Girmal’ waterfall is in Girmal village, near Ahwa. An excellent place for relaxing from a busy city life and is undoubtedly the most popular waterfalls in Gujarat. Saputara attracts lacks tourists all year around. Thus, most of the visitants visiting Saputara get down at Girafalls.  How to reach:  This place can be accessed by boarding any bus going to Saputara and drop off at Wanarchod village after crossing Waghai town. Timings: Not applicable Entry fee:  Free

Saputara Tribal Museum

Saputara Tribal Museum, famously known as Saputara Museum, is a tiny museum located on the highway to Surat and Nasik. The artifacts of the museum provide an insight into the lifestyle of the tribal locality of the Dang District. This museum was constructed in order to bring the tourists with the tribal culture and lifestyle of the settlement of the district.  There are many artifacts from many tribal communities residing in the region include Bhils, Kunbis, Gamits, and Warlis. The museum exhibits a variety of artifacts like clothes, utensils, traditional articles, lifestyles, house objects, musical instruments and ornaments. Collection of the museum depicts the everyday life of the tribal communities of the region.  This museum also houses various artifacts that belong to the Dang tribe of Saputara. Workshops and other exhibitions are also held in the museum every year in order to showcase the lifestyle, history and ecology of the aborigines of the region. How to reach:  As it’s located in the heart of the town you can access the museum by any local transport. Timings:  Opened every day from 10:00 AM to 05:30 PM Entry fee:  INR 2

Purna Sanctuary

This place is considered one of the best places to visit in Saputara. Purna Sanctuary is hanged by the lush dense forests of Western Ghats. It is spread over an area of 160.8 sq km and was sanctioned as a sanctuary in 1990.  A compound of diverse varieties of flora and fauna, the sanctuary a home to many animals like elephants, sloth bear wild bulls and rhinoceros. Vegetation of the sanctuary comprises various types of forests including humid deciduous forests, bamboo brakes and teak forests. The sanctuary also houses about 700 known species of plants like tectona grandis (teak), dendrocalamus strictus, and wrightia tinctoria (dudhala). Other species include pongamia pinnata (karanj), haldu, catechu (khair), saccopetalum tomentosa, lagerstroemia parviflora (chopadi bondara) acacia ferruginea and many others. How to reach:  The place is well connected with all means of local road transport. Timings:  Opened every day from 06:00 AM to 05:30 PM Entry fee:  INR 20 per person.

Best of Mahabaleshwar

Nageshwar Mahadev Temple

Originally a spot for the Snake temple, The Nageshwar Mahadev temple took over the older temple and is located on the southern banks of the beautiful Saputara Lake. One of the unmissable places to visit in Saputara, the sacred temple is seen live in action and activity during Shivratri. The shrine of the most powerful Lord is positioned in an underground chamber in one of the 12 jyotirlingas. Lake Garden is located adjacent to the temple and early morning visit to the temple and the garden will surely do you good. A very old temple yet well-maintained it is a calm, peaceful and a spotless place to bring the spiritual side of you.  Timing:   6.00 AM – 6.00 PM Entry Fee: Entry is free Location:  Saputara Point Road

Table Point

Also known as Town Viewpoint the location was named table point because of its flat table-like surface on top of the hill called Governor's hill. Reach the zenith of the table point and get mesmerized by the beauty of the valley and the mountains that is sure to take your breath away and it is one of the amazing places to visit in Saputara. A perfect place for adventure lovers, you can engage in diverse activities like camel riding, horse riding along the valley, zip lining and bike tours. You can also notice that there is a ropeway on one end of the ropeway which you should embark on to enjoy the best moments here. Timing:   No specific timing, but best visited in daylight for 2 to 3 hours Entry Fee: Entry is free Location:  Table Land Ghat Road

One of the most flowering tourist attractions located in Matheran nearby to Saputara is the Echo Point. As the name suggests, this point enables tourists to hear their voices revive from the spectacular surroundings. There are many waterfalls near Echo Point. Tourists come here to make a memorable experience of the wild natural beauty and mountain ranges. Some attractions of the point are Louisa Point, Charlotte Lake, and King George Point. This point is also considered as one of the most famous places to visit in Saputara. How to reach:  The place is well connected with all means of local road transport. Timings:  Opened every day from 09:00 AM to 07:00 PM Entry fee:  Free

Step Garden

One of the most remarkable Saputara Tourist places, the Step Garden has been made totally on step pattern. You can find a wide array of window boxes, plants and intricate wooden work in the steps of the lush garden and it is one of the best places to visit in Saputara. The centre point of the garden has woodland shacks for the tourists. The recreation centre in the garden provides a great place for the kids to play and enjoy. As you progress along the steps and ascend to heights, the sites will welcome you to spectacular beds of blossomed flowers and plants. The unique layout and one of its kind appeals, Step garden is surely a place to capture the moments. A great spot for picnickers Step Garden is surely unmissable. Timing: 8.00 AM – 12.00 PM & 3.00 PM – 7.00 PM Entry Fee: Rs 10/- per head Location: Table Land Road, 2 km from the main city

Best of Panchgani

Lake Garden

Lake Garden, a well maintained beautiful garden on the banks of the Saputara Lake, is one of the prime picnic spots in the vicinity. The garden comprises of different plants and rare species of trees. The garden is set up in lush green surroundings. Many spontaneous facilities including playing field are available in the Garden, mainly aimed at children. This is an excellent location for evening outings with family. This garden is very close to many famous attractions in Saputra. How to reach:  The place is well connected with all means of local road transport as it is located in the heart of the town. Timings:  Opened every day from 09:00 AM to 08:00 PM Entry fee:  Free

Saptashringi Devi Mandir

The Saptashrungi Devi temple is stationed at Vani near Nashik in Maharashtra. This temple is one among the 51 Shakti peethas present on the Indian subcontinent. The Devi is said to be swayambhu self-manifested on a rock on the face of a mountain and surrounded by seven peaks hence the name- Sapta Shrungi Mata (mother of the seven peaks). The portrayal of the Devi is massive about 10 feet tall with 18 hands, holding various weapons. The idol is always coated with Sindoor, which is considered propitious in this region. How to reach:  There is an old path with steps cut out of the mountain, which starts right at the foothills, at Vani and goes all the way to the temple. Timings:  Opened every day from 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM Entry fee:  Free

Honey Bees Centre

Honey Bees Centre is a facility in Saputara where pure honey is extracted from natural resources. Situated near the Lake Garden, this is a place where tourists are enlightened about the honey industry and every stage from the rearing of the bees to the final stage of honey gathering can be observed here. You can also buy honey from here and this facility is considered to be one of the best places to visit in Saputara for better knowledge about the bees and their habitat. How to reach:  The place is well connected with all means of local transportation. Timings:  Opened every day from 08:00 AM to 08:00 PM Entry fee:  Free

Rose Garden

Rose Garden is an exquisite garden that boasts several species of roses. Located in the environs of Lake Garden and Step Garden, this is another beautiful getaway and one of the best places to visit in Saputara for tourist looking for relaxation. The garden is also weighed as a popular picnic spot. During the springtime, the roses of Rose Garden are in full bloom, making this season the apt time to visit it. How to reach:  Rose Garden is a small flower garden near Saputara and can be accessed by any local transport. Timings:  Opened every day from 09:00 AM to 06:00 PM Entry fee:  Free

Best of Igatpuri

The Ropeway

The Ropeway is a convergence of cable cars, which are connected through a rope. The cable cars travel at an elevation of around 25 to 30 ft. This utility can be found on the way to the Sunset Point and enables tourists to move around the entire town. This facility provides a bird's eye view of the entire city. Within 15 minutes, visitors can reach to the Governor's Hill from down. The cable car can accommodate up to 12 people at one time. The Ropeway is also used to carry tourists to places like Sunset Point and Sunrise Point. How to reach:  The place is well connected with all means of local transportation. Timings:  Available every day from 09:00 AM to 05:30 PM Entry fee:  INR 62

Pandava Gufa

It is good to know about our mythological history and Pandava Gufa is one among the places to visit in Saputara that does that. Also known as the Arvalem caves, it is believed that the caves were used by the Pandava brothers as a rest point during their hideout days. The rocky trail of the caves presents a challenging trek yet the caves presents as a beautiful destination visited by many. On the way to the valley, you can also witness several tribal valleys and breath-taking forts. The caves have been cut to architectural perfection and present a perfect spot for taking pictures and making memories. Timing:  Not applicable but best visited in the evenings Entry Fee: Entry is free Location:  Javtala, Dang district

Waghai Botanical Garden

Spread over 24 hectares is the Waghai botanical garden is one of the largest gardens in Gujarat. Every year about 1 lakh tourists patronize the place to take a look at the innumerable plant species on display and it is one of the best places to visit in Saputara. About 1400 plant species and 1077 genera representing 100 families make for the spot’s attraction. Very many varieties of bamboos are available here, the most popular names being Chinese bamboo and beer bottle bamboo. Every avenue in the garden is named after plants. The property has artificially created different types of forests like deciduous, evergreen etc. A canteen with a rest house also is a part of the garden which is why many tourists also use this spot as a pit stop to and fro Saputara. Timing:  8.00 AM - 6.00 PM Entry Fee:   Entry is free Location:  NH360, Ambapada, Gujarat

Artist Village

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All about the only hill station in Gujarat | A Saputara travel guide

Gujarat’s only hill station had bewitched me with its emerald backdrop, crystal cascades and silver mirror lakes. The spell was so strong that even after I had returned from Saputara Gujarat, I could not get back to routine. My trip still lingers in my mind’s eye and even today, I can clearly visualize every one of those stunning places to visit in Saputara. It is this that I share with you in the form of this complete Saputara travel guide. Along with the list of Saputara sightseeing destinations, I have also included the best way to reach this hill station in Gujarat, the right season for it, where you can stay in Saputara and more.

• 1 About Saputara hill station
• 2.1 Saputara Lake or Sarpaganga Lake
• 2.2 Table Point – A key Saputara sightseeing destination
• 2.3.1 Shiv Ghat waterfall in Saputara
• 2.3.2 U-turn point
• 2.3.3 Girmal waterfalls
• 2.3.4 Gira waterfalls in Saputara hill station Gujarat
• 2.4.1 Sunrise point at Saputara hill station in Gujarat
• 2.4.2 Saputara Sunset point
• 2.5.1 Nageshwar Mahadev temple in Saputara Gujarat
• 2.5.2 Saputara Jain Temple
• 2.5.3 Swaminarayan temple in Saputara
• 2.5.4 Shabri Dham
• 2.6.1 Rose Garden
• 2.6.2 Waghai Botanical park
• 2.7.1 Honey Bee Center
• 2.7.2 Saputara Museum
• 2.7.3 Gandharvapur Artist Village
• 2.8 Other things to do in Saputara
• 3 How to reach Saputara in Gujarat?
• 4 What is the best time to visit Saputara Gujarat?
• 5 Where to stay in Saputara?
• 6 Which mobile network works the best in Saputara Gujarat?
• 7 How many days are ideal for a good Saputara trip?
• 8 What should I pack for my Saputara trip?
• 9 Is alcohol available in Saputara?
• 10 Travel and Photography Tips
• 11 Booking resources

About Saputara hill station

Funny, but true – Gujarat has only one hill station and Saputara is it!

Located closed to the Maharastra and Gujarat border, this quaint town is nestled 875 m above sea level, right in the midst of the Western Ghats. The name Saputara means “ abode of serpents “. Even today, the green cover of Purna Wildlife sanctuary and Vansda national park is home to different types of snakes including cobras and pit vipers. As the story goes, the native Dang tribe once saw a cobra slither out of the present-day Sarpganga lake and leave its impression on a stone by its bank. The people began to call the place “ Saap Utara” (A snake impression). Over time, the name became Saputara.

What to see in Saputara? | Best Places to visit in Saputara – the only hill station in Gujarat

Every bit of that dreamy description in my opening paragraph is true. Green is the most prominent color here and no matter where you go, you will just see miles and miles of it. Hidden between them are colorful flowers – some intentionally planted and others growing wild. The calm of the place is only interrupted by bird calls and tiny waterfalls. Adding to this picturesque scene is the ever-dynamic play of clouds in the sky. Trust me, you don’t even need a full list of things to do in Saputara. Just pick one of these many places to visit in Saputara and watch the film unfold from there.

Saputara Lake or Sarpaganga Lake

Though the actual name of the lake is Sarpaganga, it is popularly called the Saputara lake. This place is the focal point of this town with numerous activities around its banks. The lake has been developed as an important Saputara sightseeing attraction with numerous landscaped gardens and kid parks. The most popular activity here is boating. You can hire one of the many pedal boats and enjoy the placid waters around the lake.

Vibrant tandem bikes are available for rent and you can cycle your way around the lake to take in the beauty around it. If you have kids with you, I bet they will hanker you for one of those toy train rides or even the toy bikes. I know I would have if I could just shrink 😉

Don’t miss the lake when the mist descends. The whole atmosphere becomes magical. In fact, I got this feeling as if I were at Dal lake in Kashmir. The landscape truly resembles that.

There are numerous chaat and Maggi stalls around the water body. I highly recommend trying out the corn chaat along with a cup of ginger tea. And if it is raining, a bowl of hot Maggi is equally yummy.

• There are no entrance fees for Saputara Lake
• The boating price per person is INR 35 per person. This is for 30 minutes of pedal boating. Row boats are also, available

Table Point – A key Saputara sightseeing destination

After Saputara lake, the next most popular Saputara attraction is the Table point. The flat land on top of Governor’s hill (called so owing to the Governor’s bungalow on the hill) resembles that of a table surface. From here, you can see the start of the Deccan plateau and the border of Gujarat and Maharasthra. Owing to the lovely view of the town from here, this viewpoint is also, called Townview point.

It isn’t just the views that you will enjoy from here. You have a multitude of activities that you can engage in while at the Saputara table point. Besides the ones that you find at Saputara lake, you can try out some camel rides or horse rides. I am not very sure of how well these animals are cared for and if I were to advise, it is best to avoid the rides.

My personal favorite activity and the one that I highly recommend is a ride on the Saputara ropeway. The ride over those green valleys from the Tabletop point to the Sunset point is definitely worth your while. Each cable car allows a maximum of 4 people and there are 6 of them. Once you cross over to Sunset point, you can get off and explore the place and then head back when you are done.

• The ride costs your INR 77 per person and is operational from 9 am to 5:30 pm everyday.

Saputara waterfalls

If you have been a regular reader of my blog, you would know how much I love chasing waterfalls . The only hill station in Gujarat definitely indulged this passion of mine. I visited three of these waterfalls in Saputara. All of these are a drive from the main town and would take up at least half a day. Before you decide, it is not worth taking out the time for these places to visit near Saputara , you should read through the next section. What will further ensure the inclusion of these to your list of things to do in Saputara is the lovely drive through rustic paddy fields.

Shiv Ghat waterfall in Saputara

Shiv Ghat waterfalls in Saputara are along your way to Girmal waterfalls. This one does not need any extra effort as it is right on the Ahwa – Waghai road. What makes it special is that the water gushes down on a small Shiva temple. You can get really close to the falls and feel the water spray on your face. In fact, you can just walk by the temple and dip your feet into the small pool of water at the base of this waterfall.

U-turn point

Well technically speaking, the U turn point in Saputara is not a waterfall. Despite that, I have deliberately added this under the Saputara waterfalls. There are two reasons for it. For one, it falls on the way to Girmal waterfalls and most importantly, it is how Girmal waterfalls are formed.

At the Saputara U turn point, you will see the River Gira (a branch of the Purna River ) make a literal U turn and flow around a verdant patch of the Dang forest. What you see is our own version of a Horse Shoe Bend. Trust me, it is worthwhile stopping here and enjoying the unusual landscape.

Girmal waterfalls

Plummetting down 30m (100 ft), Girmal waterfalls in Saputara have been recognized as the highest waterfalls of Gujarat. You can literally see the River Gira leap down a cliff to create this stunning scene, right in the midst of the Dang forest. The place is a popular picnic spot for people visiting Saputara. The waterfalls are boarded off owing to the precipitous drop but you can walk along the railing and catch the falls at various levels.

The place is quite desolate except for the security and a few tribal stalls that sell tea, Maggi and a few other refreshments. Girmal waterfalls are around 85 km from the main town of Saputara.

• There is no entry fee for Girmal waterfalls.

Gira waterfalls in Saputara hill station Gujarat

When one of the tributaries of River Ambika attempts to join the main river and falls down around 75 feet, you get the thunderous Gira waterfalls. You can get a little closer to these waterfalls as compared to the Girmal falls. In fact, you will almost be able to feel them at the base.

Gira waterfalls in Saputara have been developed by the tourism department and are ideal for picnics. You will find a line of make-shift shops selling local tribal goods like bamboo artifacts, bamboo pickles and Nagali papads (ragi papads) along the path leading to the waterfalls. There is one small restaurant near the waterfalls that serves decent local food.

Here is one interesting tip that I have for you all. A small hidden spot at the Gira falls where you can dip your feet into the water. After you have descended the first flight of stairs to get to the main falls, turn left and you will spot this gorgeous set of mini cascades. This is where you could sit down and enjoy the cool waters of Ambika River.

Gira waterfalls are definitely one of the best places to visit near Saputara. It is located in Waghai and falls along the route to Surat. You can plan to visit it either on your way from Surat to Saputara or on your return. This place is approximately 50 km from the main Saputara town.

• The entry fee for Gira waterfalls in Saputara are INR 10 per person

Saptura View Points

The Saputara viewpoints are highly recommended to enjoy the enriching landscape of the place. There are several vantage points – a few that I have already discussed. Sharing three more that you might want to consider adding to your Saputara itinerary.

Sunrise point at Saputara hill station in Gujarat

Saputara sunrise point is located 3 km from the lake. You can drive right up to the peak or even just hike up. I recommend the latter for the lovely views that you can catch along the way. Once you reach the top, you can hike right up to the tip and capture the panoramic views the place offers. On one side, you will see a lake in the form of India’s map and on the other, you can spot hamlets nestled in the green meadows.

I did not get to see a perfect sunrise when I visited the Sunrise point but the enchanting views more than made up for this. It was quite captivating to see the futile attempt the sun was making to peek out from those overbearing clouds.

Saputara Sunset point

The sunset point is less than 2 km from Saputara lake. You can either walk up there or better still – take a ropeway from Saputara table point. Once you get here, you can pick up one of those piping hot bowls of Maggi and plonk yourself at a vantage point to see the sun unfold its drama. From here, you can get a glimpse of Dang forest and the various tribal villages around it.

I could not visit this place at the golden hour as the whole place was covered with fog. However, I did manage to grab some views when I landed here using the Saputara ropeway.

Saputara attractions – Places of worship

Saputara hill station in Gujarat is not just about captivating landscapes. It is fraught with its own set of culture and heritage. One way to experience this is to visit these amazing places of worship. Each of these places has a tale of its own – hidden within its architecture or its history. Take a peek.

Nageshwar Mahadev temple in Saputara Gujarat

The Saputara Nageshwar Mahadev temple is located close to the Sarpaganga lake. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the shrine has an interesting story. It seems that one of the holy men got a dream that there was a Shivlinga submerged in Saputara lake. He, along with the authorities actually managed to find it within the pond. The Shiv linga was taken out and installed in this shrine made of rocks. The present-day structure replaced this rocky temple in 1992.

Tons of devotees visit the Nageshwar Mahadev temple when they visit Saputara. When you visit it, watch out for two things – one the idol of Nagaraja over the Shiva Linga and the other, the gorgeous ceiling over the idol of Nandi. I bet you will say “Wow!”

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Dwarka

Very often, a lot of travelers get confused with the Saputara Nageshwar temple and think it has a jyotirlinga. In fact, I have come across a few poorly researched articles on the internet indicating that the Saputara temple is a jyotirlinga.

The Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is actually close to Dwarka. This is one of the main jyotirlingas in India. You can read all about it through this post.

Saputara Jain Temple

This Jain temple in Saputara hill station shares its stories in the form of its architecture. You just need to pass by the Hill road that takes you to Sunrise point and you will find a fascinating marble temple distracting you. Don’t ignore it and step inside to see the marvel of Rajasthani architecture. Large elephants welcome you to climb and discover its 500-year-old Parshwanath idol enclosed within the serene carved walls of this Saputara Jain temple.

Be prepared though to be lost once you step in. The stone inlaid floors compete with the carved pillars for your attention which in my case, was already disturbed by its elaborate ceiling. Then there are the phenomenal arches and all this just in the mandapa (the first chamber). The inner shrine is yet another story.

The story of the Saputara Jain temple does not end here. After you have had your fill of the temple, walk around it and catch the mesmerizing valley views behind it. Right next to this Jain temple of Saputara is a sanatorium that can be used by its Jain guests. This is called the Gajabhishek Jain Tirth and Jain families can book rooms here for their stay. They offer AC and Non AC rooms.

Swaminarayan temple in Saputara

I admit that I could not visit the Swaminarayan temple in Saputara. However, when I saw it from the Table top point, I was quite tempted to make a quick stop there. Sadly I could not visit this – owing to the lack of time. I am told that it is as beautiful from the inside as it is from the outside. Honestly speaking, I wanted to compare it to the Kalupur Swaminarayan temple that I had just encountered in Ahmedabad.

Shabri Dham

Unlike the above religious places that are located in Saputara town itself, Shabri Dham is actually around 80 km from the town. It is close to Girmal falls and hence, you can combine a visit to this place when you get to those waterfalls.

This place is quite significant for the legend of tribal lady Shabri and Lord Ram. It is said that when Lord Ram and Lakshman were chasing Ravana to get Sita back, they wandered close to this place. They found a hut and the old lady – Shabri who stayed there invited them in. Sadly she did not have much to offer, so she grabbed some berries off a tree in the area. Scared that the berries might be sour, she first tasted each one and then offered the sweeter ones to the Lord and his brother. Pleased with her devotion and thoughts, the Lord accepted the food and blessed her.

This entire incident is said to have happened here. Even today, when you visit the place, you will see three stones in the shrine. These are believed to be the places where the three of them sat.

Shabri Dham offers lovely views of Dang forest from its rooftop. You can also, spot pretty birds around the area. Close to the temple, are two other interesting places to visit near Saputara. The first is called the Pandava Gufa where Pandavas are said to have hidden for a while. The 2nd place is called the Pampa Sarovar – the place where Lord Ram began his journey towards Shabri Dham.

Saputara Gardens

Even in nature’s own park, there are a few themed and landscaped parks. Saputara in Gujarat too, has its share of these – One within the town itself and the other in Waghai. Check them out.

Rose Garden

As the name suggests, the park is full of roses. When in full bloom, I believe the place looks gorgeous. Sadly, my timing here was not perfect. Most of the shrubs were pruned and there were just a few blooms around. The park, however, is quite scenic with pretty bridges and tiny pools. This park is close to Saputara lake.

Waghai Botanical park

Waghai botanical park is definitely one of the best places to visit near Saputara. 50 km from the main town, this visit can be combined with Gira waterfalls. The park is spread over 24 hectares and is acclaimed as Gujarat’s largest garden. It has over 1500 species of plants, beautifully planted across various plots.

Usually, when you hear botanical gardens, you might not find it an interesting place to visit – unless of course, if you are a naturalist or a botanist. However, Waghai Botanical park is very different. Here what you get to see is not just the plants but how they are a part of a legend, folklore, or local customs. The entry to the park is free and each set of visitors is accompanied by a guide who tells you interesting tales related to the flora. For example, the flowers of the plant below have a strange local custom. It is believed that if they are crushed and thrown over your enemy’s house, it will make the people there fight with each other. 😉

Waghai Botanical park has a botany fest every year during which students come here and create pieces of art using the natural colors that they can create from the plants within the campus. Pretty innovative and interesting – I would say. Don’t you agree?

Cultural attractions of Saputara Gujarat

The Dang tribe of Saputara is one of the reasons for a unique culture that prevails in Saputara. Sharing a few places where you can dig a little deeper into the same.

Honey Bee Center

The honey bee center near Saputara lake is a perfect place to see how the locals extract organic honey. The place explains the importance of bees in our ecosystem and if lucky, can witness the actual extraction process. You can also, buy some pure honey and local biscuits here.

Saputara Museum

The Saputara tribal museum has a collection of artifacts including household utensils, weapons, costumes and musical instruments used by the local tribes – Dang tribe primarily. A tour of the museum is what you need to piece together their lives in the hills of Saputara. The museum is within the town itself and is considered as one of the key tourist attractions in Saputara.

• The museum is open from 10 am to 5:30 pm everyday and the entry fee per person is INR 2.

Gandharvapur Artist Village

At the Gandharvapur Artist village near the lake, you get an opportunity to not just see the local tribal art but also, buy it. You will also, get to see them making the traditional bamboo artifacts, warli paintings, jewelry and pottery. The village also, has different workshops which you can participate in and get a better understanding of their art.

Other things to do in Saputara

Over the three days in Saputara, I did manage most of the above activities. However, if I did have some more time, there are a few more things that I would have included in my Saputara sightseeing itinerary.

• Head out for a hike to Hathgarh fort. This is closer to Nasik
• Visit the Vansda national park and try to spot a leopard or two
• Try paragliding in Saputara. This is available right next to the Jain Temple.

Frankly, Saputara is so refreshing that even if I did not have any more things to do here, I would have loved to spend some time here. The place is just magical enough for time to pass without any activity and yet you feel you have done so much. If you are looking for a break of this sort, all you have to do is pin the post using the images below to help you plan your own Saputara trip. And if you are looking for a suggested itinerary, just scroll down further.

Before you go, Pin This

How to reach Saputara in Gujarat?

The closest airport to Saptura hill station is actually Nashik in Maharashtra. It is roughly 79 km from Saputara by road. You can use the following route to get to Saputara from Nashik . Nashik Airport – Ojbar – Kokangaon – Pimpalgaon Baswant – Jaulake Wani – Vani – Sarad – Borgaon – Hatgad – Saputara The above route takes around 1 hour 40 minutes.

Surat is the next option for an airport. This is around 165 km and takes around 3 hours. The best route to Saputara from Surat is as below – Surat airport – Palsara – Navsari – Vansda – Waghai – Saputara

Saputara is a popular getaway for those visiting Ahmedabad as well as Mumbai. If you do opt to visit from these cities, here are the road routes. From Ahmedabad to Saputara Ahmedabad – Nadiad – Vadodara – Bharuch – Surat – Navsari -Vansda – Waghai – Saputara The total distance is 400 km and it takes around 8 hours by road using this route.

From Mumbai to Saputara Thane – Khardi – Kasara – Nashik – Dindori – Vani – Sarad – Borgaon – Hatgad – Saputara This takes around 6 hours 30 minutes to cover a distance of 245 km.

Another option that you could consider instead of a road trip is by rail. The closest railway station in Saputara is Waghai in Bilimoria. This is 50 km from the main town and you can either hire a cab or get into one of the local buses to reach there.

What is the best time to visit Saputara Gujarat?

The best time to visit Saputara is just after monsoons – ideally between August to February. The lush green hills after the rains add to the charm of this already lovely hill station in Gujarat. The waterfalls in Saputara are also, full and are best enjoyed at this time.

The time between March to June can sometimes get a little hot and humid – though the place will always be cooler than the rest of Gujarat. The peak monsoon months – July and August sometimes, tend to dampen the outing with its constant cloud cover and rains. The rains do make certain locations slippery and hazardous.

Where to stay in Saputara?

There are several hotels in Saputara that you can book for your stay at this Gujarat hill station. The Toran group of hotels have three major properties in Saputara. I stayed at the new Toran hotel which has pretty comfortable rooms and a wide courtyard that offers lovely valley views. Right next to this is the Toran Hill Resorts while the Toran Ambika with its location on top of a hill is preferred for its gorgeous panoramic views. None of these are expensive hotels and offer basic stay and food. You can use the Gujarat tourism website to book your rooms there.

Alternately, you can look at some of the resorts and hotels located around Saputara Lake for your stay. These have a lot of luxury amenities like gyms and pools. One such property that I spotted during my Saputara trip is the Hotel Lake View.

If you are a backpacker or are looking for longer stays in Saputara, there are a few homestays near Saputara Lake. A few of them can be booked online through the Booking resources section below.

Which mobile network works the best in Saputara Gujarat?

Within Saputara town, Airtel was pretty decent in terms of voice and data connectivity. None of the other networks were as stable. If you happen to visit the places near Saputara, you might not get any network on the road.

How many days are ideal for a good Saputara trip?

Minimum duration of 3 days in Saputara is good to cover all the major sightseeing places in this hill station in Gujarat. Here is a suggested Saputara itinerary that one can follow for 3 days.

Day One – Walk around Saputara lake, try some boating and visit the tribal museum – Explore Nageshwar Mahadev temple and the Swaminarayan temple – Head to the Jain Temple – Grab a bite near the Saputara Lake – Visit the Rose garden, Honey Bee Center & the Artists Village – End your day at the Saputara Sunset Point

Day Two – Start your day early with a short hike to the Saputara Sunrise point – After breakfast, head to the table top point – Take a ride on the Saputara Ropeway – Pack your lunch and drive down to Girmal waterfalls. Along the way explore the Shiv Ghat falls and U turn point – Stop at the Shabari Dham on your way back to Saputara town

Day Three – After a leisurely breakfast, head out to Gira falls – Grab lunch near the waterfalls and then explore the Waghai Botanical garden. This will need at least 1 – 2 hours. – Head back to Saputara lake. You can enjoy the rest of your day, walking around the place.

What should I pack for my Saputara trip?

Here is a quick checklist of things that you will need for your Saputara trip – that is beside your usual set of clothes – A light jacket or shawl for the nippy evenings and early morning – A raincoat or an umbrella – Bug spray or Mosquito repellant – Slippers or crocs for the wet ventures. Waterproof shoes will be really handy – A telephoto lens, wide lens and the regular kit lens would be good for this trip. A waterproof bag to store the same is recommended. – Mobile and camera chargers

Is alcohol available in Saputara?

No, Saputara is a part of Gujarat – which is by law a dry state. The sale of alcohol is prohibited in the state. It is not advisable to carry the same when visiting Saputara from other states.

Travel and Photography Tips

• Please do not take unnecessary risks at the various vantage points. The place can be quite slippery and windy too. Strap your gadgets properly before using them.
• Most of the entrance fees to the Saputara sightseeing destinatons are priced quite minimal. However, they have to paid in cash most of the time. This is true for all the small cafes and handicraft shops around Saputara.
• There are ATMs in Saputara town

Booking resources

• If you are looking for places to stay in Saputara, try booking through Booking.com .
• Agoda.com has quite a few Saputara hotels listed with them. You can check them out using this link .
• Klook.com has various local tours and car bookings available for your visit to Saputara from Ahmedabad.
• For any of your travel needs or general shopping, consider using Amazon through this link.

P.S: I visited Saputara on invite by India Tourism Mumbai and Gujarat Tourism

Popularly referred to as a Restless Ball of Energy. My Mom refuses to entertain my complaints about my equally restless daughter & assures my husband that I was born with a travel bug.

I am a Post-Graduate in Marketing by qualification and a travel blogger by passion. Besides travel, I enjoy photography and if you don’t find me at my desk, I would be out playing badminton or swimming or just running. I believe in planning for every long weekend through the year. And when I cannot travel physically, I travel virtually through this travel blog. My travel stories have also, got published on various websites and magazines including BBC Travel, Lonely Planet India and Jetwings. I have recently published my first book – When Places Come Alive – a collection of stories that are based on legends, landscapes, art and culture of a place which is available in both ebook and paperback format.

20 thoughts on “All about the only hill station in Gujarat | A Saputara travel guide”

As usual very informative blog. Loved it.

Thank you Abhishek 😀

Very nice information. You mentioned to give some stay home facility. But I didn’t find any. You should also differential between Geera & Girmal falls. These are my observations. Good &informative article.

Thank you for stopping by, I sadly, do not have the contact information as it was not easily available. However, I do hope to find it through a few locals and share it soon. As for Gira and Girmal falls, the differences have been shared in terms of its origin and the landscape. Hope you can scour through them again.

How fun to watch the mist clear for a beautiful view of Saputara. I would love to wander in all of that green space and check out all of the waterfalls. Although my eagerness might be tempered if I thought I might run into cobras or pit snakes! I would not miss a trip up to Table Point for a panoramic view. And would plan to take the cable ride to sunset point. A great spot to spend a few days!

A very relaxing hill station indeed and so therapeutic too with those greens. You should plan a visit to India now, Linda

Saputara is beautiful, love all the greenery. Too bad that the waterfalls are closed off. I love that it’s not too high so no chance of altitude sickness. The lake is the perfect size to row a boat without getting too tired.

The slippery rocks do make it hard to keep the waterfalls open but even then, you will still love the landscape. Thanks for stopping by Debra.

What a lovely hill station! Saputara seems to have everything – so many waterfalls, lake, greenery and ropeway rides. I love that beautiful view from table point. The Jain temple and the artist village are must-visits for me. I am adding this blog post to my India bucket list. 🙂

Yay…Thanks Jan. I so hope you plan a visit soon. Things are looking up right now.

Saputara hill station in Gujarat seems very pretty and worth visiting place. Sarpagana Lake looks terrific, and it offers excellent activities like boating. As I love hiking, I would like to go to Table Point and take a ride on Saputara Ropeway. And as I love waterfalls, this place is perfect for me. Especially Gira waterfalls are breathtaking! It’s great that you provide so many valuable tips on visiting this region!

Thank you so much Agnes. This place stole my heart. Could not get over it after returning home.

Your poetic words to describe Saputara Hill station are just as beautiful as your photos. It sounds like a lovely destination- full of amazing hikes, waterfalls, the gondola ride and food. I would love to try the corn chaat – it looks yummy.

Thanks Renee. Saputara does bring out the poet in you.

Cobra and pit vipers, interesting! With all the gorgeous vast landscapes and greenery that Saputara offers, it seems a terrific vacation route. You have everything there! It’s overflowing with nature’s magnificence.

Trust me when I say, you will love the green landscape here so much that you wont be able to get back to routine for a while. Thanks for the lovely comment Trisha.

I love everything about this place! And that corn chaat looks amazing (but I’m partial to anything with corn!). Also, the way you described it in the opening paragraph…ahhh! I love places that stick with you long after you leave. What a wonderful trip in a lovely place.

Saputara stuck to me for quite a long time. It is just so so relaxing. Thanks for stopping by, Jennifer.

Saputara seems an amazing place to visit and I am sure it would take 3 to 4 days to explore the place completely. Loved the vibes and the pictures make me fly there now. Amazing post.

Thank you Pamela. This was a place that I was reluctant to leave

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THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Saputara

Things to do in saputara, tours near saputara.

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Top attractions in saputara.

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What travellers are saying

Places To Visit In Saputara

• Nageshwar Mahadev Temple Saputara
• Forest Nursery Saputara
• Pandava Gufa
• Honey Bees Centre
• Echo Point Saputara
• Saputara Ropeway
• Governor's Hill
• Waghai Botanical Garden
• Saputara Tribal Museum
• Vansda National Park
• View all 20 places
• Things to do
• Best time to visit
• How to Reach
• Tourist Map
• within 25kms
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• within 150kms
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Top 20 Places to Visit in Saputara

Table of contents.

Places to Visit in Saputara

• 1. Nageshwar Mahadev Temple Saputara
• 2. Forest Nursery Saputara
• 3. Pandava Gufa
• 4. Honey Bees Centre
• 5. Echo Point Saputara
• 6. Saputara Ropeway
• 7. Governor's Hill
• 8. Waghai Botanical Garden
• 9. Saputara Tribal Museum
• 10. Vansda National Park
• 11. Saputara Lake
• 12. Townview Point
• 13. Hatgadh Fort
• 14. Artists Village
• 15. Gira Waterfalls
• 16. Lake Garden Saputara
• 17. Rose Garden Saputara
• 18. Step Garden Saputara
• 19. Sunset Point Saputara
• 20. Sunrise Point Saputara

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• About Saputara Tourism
• Things to do in Saputara
• How to Reach Saputara
• Best time to Visit in Saputara
• Saputara Tourism History
• Food in Saputara
• FAQS about Saputara
• Saputara Tourist Map

Plan Your Trip to Saputara: Best of Saputara Tourism

Explore Saputara

Essential saputara.

Saputara Is Great For

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• 13 Exciting Things To Do In Saputara In 2024

23 Mar 2023

Nestled over the gigantic Sahyadri mountain range in Gujarat, the picture-perfect hill station of Saputara boasts of endless natural beauty. From green landscapes stretching into the horizon to misty hills that are perfect for your Instagram feed, there’s a lot to explore in Saputara to surrender yourself to nature. Saputara is often called the abode of serpents owing to the fact that it derives its name from the snake God that the town’s tribal clan worships. Other than relaxing amidst nature and exploring the town’s historical and religious avenues, there are various things to do in Saputara that tend to draw travelers here.

From riding the popular Pushpak ropeway, boating in the Saputara Lake, engaging in a trekking expedition through its enchanting forests, trying rock climbing and rappelling, there is no dearth of fun experiences that you can have here.

13 Things To Do In Saputara

Planning your trip to Gujarat? A look at these exciting number of things to do at Saputara will compel you to add this charming hill town in your Gujarat tour itinerary.

1. Saputara Lake

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This beautiful and tranquil lake is famous among tourists and locals for boating as well as the colorful garden that surrounds it. Boating is amongst the best things to do in Saputara hill station to make sure you have an exciting vacation. The best time in the day to visit this lake is morning, when one can enjoy some peaceful walks and englf themselves in the beauty of this garden amidst chriping birds. Nearby this lake is the Saputara Museum that will provide you with a fascinating background into the lifestyle, culture, and history of the tribal people of Dang.

Location: Nasik Road Toll Booth, Saputara-Nasik Rd, Saputara, Gujarat 394720 Timings: 9 AM – 8 PM Boating price: INR 35

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2. Artist Village

The Artist Village of Saputara is located merely a few kilometers away from Satpura Lake. It’s a gorgeous village near the Nasik road that exhibits spectacular artifacts of Bamboo, tribal art, clothes, and many other things representing the Dang way of living. This is the main tribe of the village of Bhil, Warli, and Kunbi that are renowned for their benevolence and will let you try your hand at creating some of these works of art in their own workshops as well. So, other than simply buying these beautiful artworks, make sure you put your skills to test and try crafting their art yourself.

Location: Nasik Road Toll Booth, Saputara-Nasik Rd, Saputara, Gujarat 394720 Timings: 9 AM – 7 PM

3. Hatgadh Fort

Built ages ago by the Maratha king Shivaji, the remote Hatgarh Fort is an ideal spot for you and your family tospend some time relaxing amidst pure tranquility. Set high up in the hills, it provides stunning panoramas of the city beneath and is quite a refreshing palce in itself owing to the cool mountain wind that blows here. It is situated a mere 5 km away from the Satpura Lake, and though is in a dilapidated condition, visiting it is still one of the most thrilling things to do in Saputara owing to its isolation, serenity, and historical ruins.

Location: Hatgad, Gujarat-Maharashtra border 423502 Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM

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4. Vansda National Park 

Spanning over an area of about 24 spuare kilometres, this conserved national park tucked between the Sahyadri ranges got its name from the Maharaja of Vansda who once owned it. The unique part about this place is that not a single tree has been cut here since his rule, which is why the canopies in some parts of this forest are so thick that they do not let light to pass through. It is just about a 2-hour drive from the town of Vansda and you can easil get a permit if you wish to explore this place in your own vehicle. You’ll be delighted to explore these Dang tribal jungles other than spotting the wildlife and flora, which is anyway among the most exciting things to do in Saputara owing to the fact that this place is surrounded by lush jungles. When you’re tired, you can also spend time beside the sparkling River Ambika that flows along the north-eastern boundary of this park.

Location: Vansda, Dangs, Gujarat 394710 Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM Entry fee: INR 20, Vehicle fee: Starts from INR 400 Camera fee: INR 100-200 Guide fee: INR 100 per hour

5. Sunset Point

This spot is located right next to Malegaon and provides a beautiful opportunity to travelers to witness the colorful sunset. The Sunset View Point is surrounded by lush greenery on all sides. While it offers stunning views of the setting sun on one side, it gives equally mesmerizing views of the great Dang forest on the other. Getting to this hill top is among the best things to do in Saputara hill station since it involves a moderate to difficult trek and totally thrills adventure seekers and adrenaline junkies. If you do decide to visit this point, do no forget to carry a water bottle along. If you’re not really a trekker, you can simply take the cable car which will get you up there in 15 minutes

Location: Sunset Road, Saputara, Gujarat 394720 Cable Car ticket price: INR 40 per person

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6. Gira Falls

You can further surpirse yourself with the beauty of this hill town by taking a trip to the Gira Falls. It’s among the best tourist attractions in Saputara and cascades from a height of about 150 feet, making the whole thing a pictyre-perfect spectacle for you and your travel companions. You can either take a dip in these waters, hike to the nearby forest, simply relax by the enormous pool at the base, or sip on a steaming cup of tea or coffee at the stalls nearby while you take in the views! The waterfall is located a few kilometers away from the Satpura- Waghai road and a trip to this wonderland will surely prove to be one of the best things to do at Saputara during your trip.

Location: Waghai, Gujarat 394730 Timings: Sunrise to sunset Best time to visit Gira Falls: June to November

7. Purna Sanctuary

The Purna Sanctuary is a lush forest in the northern Dang with the highest ever rainfall recorded. While once it only had wild bears, sloths bears, and rhinoceros, this place now also serves as a home to leopards, rhesus macaques, bonnet macaques, common mongoose, Indian civet cats, porcupines, four horned antelopes, and many more beasts and plant species. It’s a great place for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts along with history geeks owing to the brilliant folk music that the tribals often play here. One, however, needs a specil permission from the forest authorities to enter these premises.

Location: GJ SH 174, Jamlapada, Gujarat 394716 Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM

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8. Saputara Tribal Museum 

The Sapatara Tribal Museum is a must-visit during your trip to Gujarat since this place provides travelers and history lovers with a deep insight into the lifestyle, traditional dresses, heritage, and the ecology of the Dangs, the tribals who inhabit this entire area. Other than these things, visitors can learn a great deal about the unique things that make up the Dang culture, including their stone funerary columns, grass ornaments, woodcarvings, stuffed birds, body tattoos, masks used in dance-dramas, clay objects used in rituals, body tattoos, as well as their musical instruments. For all those who wish to take a peek into their rich heritage and history, visiting this museum is among the most important things to do in Saputara.

Location: Surat-Saputara-Nasik Highway, Saputara, Maharashtra 423502 Timings: 10:30 AM – 5 PM Entry fee: INR 1 (Students) | INR 2 (Adults) | INR 50 (Foreigners)

9. Nageshwar Mahadev Temple

The Nageshwar Jyotirlinga happens to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India and one of the holiest palces to visit in Gujarat. Once you’re inside the underground chamber in this temple, you’ll find yourself looking in wonder at the mighty statue of the presiding deity here – Lord Shiva. If you wish to see this temple in all its beautiful colours and shimemring lights, you must visit during the time of Shivaratri when its flooded with worshippers and pilgrims.

Location: Daarukavanam, Gujarat 361345

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10. Honey Bees Centre 

The Honey Bees Centre is amongst the most famous places in this hill station ad boasts of a variety of engaging attractions for visitors. This apiculture center provides travelers an intriguing insight into the functioning of the honey industry and shows the delightful process of rearing and breeding honey bees as well as collecting honey in its purest form. While here, visitors are also provided with an opportunity to get up close and personal with the bees (keeping all safeguards in place) wherein they get to extract honey under careful supervision and guidance. Visitors can also purchase fresh and pure honey extracted at this center from the workshop situated right here.

Location: Saputara, Gujarat 394720 Timings: 9 AM – 5PM

11. Townview Point

Townview Point is another interesting attraction in Saputara that offers panoramic vistas of the town. Perched at an elevation, the point not only gives you a chance to click unbelievable pictures of the region but you can also enjoy the weather and plan picnic with your loved ones. The night view of Saputara is truly admirable for wanderers. Visiting the viewpoint is among the best activities to do in Saputara .

Location:  Saputara, Gujarat  Timings:  9 AM – 9PM

12. Step Garden

Step Garden features an exquisite architecture that is established on steps. You can sneak peek at a variety of flowerpots, plants and wooden art pieces. There are unique forest huts in the centre of the garden and a play area for kids makes it a perfect place for travellers.

Location:  Saputara, Gujarat  Timings:  9 AM – 6PM

13. Forest Nursery

If you like exploring greens then don’t forget to glance at the Forest Nursery. Home to a colourful plants, creepers, trees, and regional floras maintained by the Forest Department of Saputara. The site is known for Hibiscus flowers and its variety and you can also buy plants and trees from the nursery.

Location: Saputara, Gujarat  Timings:  9 AM – 5PM

Intrigued much? Now all you have to do to try all these fabulous things to do in Saputara is book yourself an exciting escapade to Gujarat . Get in touch with TravelTriangle’s experts who’ll be more than happy to provide you with a customsed tour well within your budget. Don’t forget to share your trip experience with us once you’re back!

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Frequently Asked Questions About Things To Do In Saputara

How many days are sufficient for Saputara?

At least 2 days

What should I wear in Saputara?

It depends upon the season when you are planning to visit Saputara. However, the weather remains hot and you must opt for wearing breathable clothes, especially cotton or linen. Don’t forget to carry your sunscreen and keep yourself hydrated during sightseeing tours.

Is it safe to visit Saputara during Covid times?

If you are fully vaccinated then you can surely plan your visit to Saputara. In case your vacation is pending then you need to get an RT PCR test done and carry your negative report along. Make sure that you follow all the mandatory travel guidelines mentioned by the authorities.

When is the best time to visit Saputara?

Saputara has pleasant weather throughout the year and therefore the best time depends upon what you want to do there. Monsoon is the best time to visit for nature lovers and photographic enthusiasts. Winter weather is also quite enjoyable and accounts for peak season here.

What should I buy in Gujarat?

Shopping in Gujarat is a nice way to experience the city of colours. From beautiful handmade fabrics to arrays of crafts and tribal jewellery to handmade shawls, dyed scarves and silver jewellery, there is a lot for you to buy in Gujarat.

How far is Saputara from Mumbai?

Saputara is located 250kms away from Mumbai which can be covered in 6 hours. You can board a bus or hire a cab from Mumbai to reach Saputara. The nearest railhead to Saputara is Waghai railway station at Bilimora and welcomes trains from Mumbai.

Is alcohol allowed in Saputara?

Saputara is situated in the state of Gujarat where alcohol has been prohibited by the State Government and hence alcoholic beverages are not allowed here.

Which are the famous budget-friendly resorts in Saputara?

Savshanti Lake Resort, Toran Hill Resort is the best budget-friendly resort in Saputara offering great balcony views, spacious rooms and perfect for those who want to relax all day long.

When is the best time to visit Gira Falls?

June to November is a good time to visit Gira Falls. One can either take a dip in these waters or hike to the nearby forest or simply relax by the pool area.

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SAPUTARA TOURISM | TOURIST PLACES TO VISIT & TRAVEL GUIDE TO SAPUTARA

• Saputara Overview
• Top 20 Places to Visit in Saputara
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About Saputara

Country: india | state: gujarat, #8 of 17 places to visit in gujarat | places to visit in india, ideal trip duration: 1-2 days, base station: saputara, nearest city to saputara: surat (160 kms), best time to visit saputara: march to november, peak season: march & august to october, saputara weather: summer: maximum - 36° and minimum - 21° c winter: maximum - 30° c and minimum - 14° c.

At a distance of 10 km from Borgaon, 41 km from Ahwa,77 km from Nashik, 129 km from Mandvi, 160 km from Shirdi, 160 km from Surat, 262 km from Mumbai, 287 km from Vadodara, 288 km from Pune, 398 km from Ahmedabad, 421 km from Gandhinagar, 582 km from Rajkot, and 673 km from Jamnagar, Saputara is a small hill station in Dang district of Gujarat. Positioned on the Maharashtra- Gujarat border, it is one of the most popular tourist places to visit near Mumbai , and among must-inlude places in Gujarat tour packages . Nestled in the Sahyadri range of Western Ghats at an altitude of about 1000 m, Saputara is the only hill stations in Gujarat , and among the well-planned hill stations in India. Literally means 'the Abode of Serpents', this quaint hill station of Saputara derives its name from the Snake god revered by the tribals. Also, legend says that Saputara is the place where Lord Rama spent 11 years of his exile. The lush green forests, undulating mountains, dazzling waterfalls, dreamy winding roads, stunning landscape, and salubrious climate make the picturesque hill station of Saputara a perfect escape into the lap of Mother Nature as part of Saputara tour packages . Saputara Lake, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Saputara Tribal Museum, Gira Waterfalls, Nageshwar Mahadev Temple, Artist Village, etc. are some of the prominent places to visit in Saputara . Being home to vibrant Dang tribes, Saputara hosts many colorful festivals throughout the year. Dang Darbar held in March is an important festival of native tribes. This festival includes jolly dance moves, music, songs, Garba events, and dramas. Saputara Monsoon Festival in August and Paragliding Festival in December / January are the other popular festivals celebrated in Saputara. About 163 km, Surat Airport is the nearest airport to Saputara which has well flight connectivity with Hyderabad, Bangalore, New Delhi, Bhopal, Chennai, Goa, and Mumbai. While Mumbai Airport is the nearest International Airport which is about 248 km from Saputara. Bilimora Junction is the nearest railhead which is about 111 km from Saputara. It has trains from Mumbai, Surat, Bhavnagar, Dehradun, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Porbandar, and Virar. From Bilimora, one can reach Saputara by bus or cab. Saputara has well bus connectivity with Surat, Bilimora, Waghai, Nashik, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Bhavnagar, Shirdi, and Pune. Despite being a small hill station, Saputara offers a wide range of hotels run by the private sector as well as by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat. Ranging from budget hotels to luxury resorts, there are several accommodations available in Saputara which help the tourists to stay and explore the nearby places. Set on the second high plateau in the rolling Sahyadri ranges, Saputara has a pleasant climate throughout the year and is an ideal summer getaway for tourists. However, the monsoon rains add to the magic of Saputara with meandering streams, gushing waterfalls, and lush greenery. Thus you may plan your trip to the Saputara hills any time of the year but the best time is from March to November.

...read more

Nearest Airport: Surat - Surat International Airport (163 Kms)

Direct flights to surat, nearest train station: bilimora (111 kms), direct trains to bilimora, nearest bus station: saputara bus station (0 kms), direct buses to saputara, distance chart, distance chart & driving directions to saputara, top 10 places to visit in saputara, saputara lake.

#1 of 20 Places to Visit in Saputara

At a distance of 1 km from Saputara Bus Station, Saputara Lake is a beautiful lake situated at the heart of Saputara hill station in Gujarat. It is considered one of the most famous picnic spots for the locals and among the most scenic Saputara places to visit . Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and hilly backgrounds, this manmade lake is popular for boating and attracts a huge number of visitors throughout the year as part of Saputara holiday packages . A boat club is built next to the lake to promote tourism and facilitate entertainment. Visitors can hire different types of boats like pedal boats, sailboats, and rowboats to explore the lake and its serene surroundings. There are various children's parks situated in the vicinity of the lake. Also, it is a wonderful place for nature photography where visitors can click some spectacular pictures .....

Table Land & Ropeway

#2 of 20 Places to Visit in Saputara

At a distance of 3 km from Saputara Bus Station, Table Land is a viewpoint located in Saputara, Gujarat. Also known as Town Viewpoint, it is one of the stunning viewpoints in Saputara and among the must include places in Saputara Tour Packages. The Table Land Point offers tourists a mesmerizing view of the entire hill town of Saputara, rivulets and streams coursing through the valley, and the Gujarat-Maharashtra border. The place derives its name from the flat table-like surface on top of the hill called Governor's Hill. Situated at a higher altitude than the main town, this vantage point gives a splendid night view of Saputara when the entire town can be seen lightened with different colours. Also, the place offers several recreational activities like camel riding, horse riding, zip lining, bike tours, etc. Apart from all these, the Ropeway Ride is the most popular activity here and also the main attractions in Saputara. Operated by the Vaity Resort, the cable car runs between .....

Sunset Point

#3 of 20 Places to Visit in Saputara

At a distance of 3 km from Saputara Bus Station, Sunset Point is a famous viewpoint located in Saputara, Gujarat. Situated to the west of Sunrise Point, it is one of the prominent Saputara tourist places . Located near Saputara Lake, Sunset Point is also known as Gandhi Shikhar or Gandhi Peak. The point offers an enchanting view of the sunset over the Sahyadri Mountains during your Saputara trip . As the evening approaches, the sky is painted with an orange hue of the setting sun, which forms a spectacular sight to behold. Also, one can get a splendid view of Dang Forest and various tribal villages in the vicinity of Saputara from this viewpoint. There are two ways to reach Sunset Point - one by using ropeway or climbing the hills. One needs to walk for 1.5 km from the parking place to reach the peak. The 30 minutes climb is steep and is not suitable .....

Saputara Tribal Museum

#4 of 20 Places to Visit in Saputara

At a distance of 1 km from Saputara Bus Station, Saputara Tribal Museum is a small museum located on Surat - Nasik Road in Saputara. It is one of the important tribal museums in Gujarat and among the best Saputara Tourist Places. Also known as Saputara Museum, the museum is a place of great cultural and historical significance. Established in 1970, this museum was built in order to portray the life history and the methods used by the Dang tribe in particular, but it also represents the culture of Bhils, Kunbis, Gamits, and Warlis amongst other tribal communities of the region. This unique museum has gained importance due to the large number of interesting artefacts and handicrafts put on display here. The collection of the museum depicts the everyday life of the tribal communities of the region. There are nearly 420 artefacts exhibits in the possession of the museum. Amongst the various things put on display here are traditional costumes, jewellery, heritage items, stone .....

Sunrise Point

#5 of 20 Places to Visit in Saputara

At a distance of 3 km from Saputara Bus Station, Sunrise Point is a famous vantage point located in Saputara, Gujarat. Also known as Valley Viewpoint, it is one of the magnificent places to visit in Saputara. Known for the splendid view of sunrise, Sunrise Point is a very serene and calm place to start your day with. Situated on the crest of a hill, this viewpoint gives a breath-taking view of the sunrise among the hills of Western Ghats. Besides, it is also a popular picnic spot, where families and tourists can be seen enjoying the natural beauty. Sunrise Point has been developed at different layers with a dedicated area for walkers and joggers. The place can be reached by a 1.5 km trek from the parking area at the bottom of the hill. The trail is very scenic, covered with lush green vegetation and is an attraction in itself. There are many benches along the way, where the senior citizens can relax for a while, and guard railings have been installed for safety at the periphery .....

Artist Village

#6 of 20 Places to Visit in Saputara

At a distance of 1 km from Saputara Bus Station, Artist Village is a magnificent place to see and buy tribal artifacts in Saputara, Gujarat. Situated opposite to Saputara Lake, it is one of the must visit places in Saputara. Artist Village, popularly known as Gandharvapur artist, is a lovely spot afloat with beautiful artefacts. Run by Surya Goswami and Chandrakant Parmar, it is regarded as the cultural and traditional center of the region. It exhibits spectacular artifacts of the native tribes that include bamboo craft, warli paintings, jewellery and pottery etc. Artist Village is a good place not only to see and buy artefacts but also to get your hands to work and learn about the culture of this region, especially for school groups. Artist Village in Saputara is also popular amongst arts schools that organize various workshops for teaching their crafts. Students of fine arts often visit the village to pick the shades of the craft and get hands-on knowledge about the state .....

Lake Garden

#7 of 20 Places to Visit in Saputara

At a distance of 1 km from Saputara Bus Station and 1.5 km from Saputara Lake Boating Point, Lake Garden is a beautiful garden in Saputara, the lone hill station of Gujarat. Also called as Lake View Garden, it is an ideal picnic spot and also one of the prime places to visit in Saputara. Situated on the banks of Saputara Lake, Lake Garden is a perfect place to sit by and relax or take a stroll along the periphery of the lake. This well-manicured garden has green lawns, some rare and exotic species of plants and trees. Besides, one can also find a few walking trails, benches, a glass house with in the Garden. There is also a huge playground for children in the garden premises. This is an ideal place for relaxing and spending time with family and friend. There are many snacks and refreshments stalls, and some restaurants outside the garden. Many visitors stop to relax here enroute to the main attractions of Saputara, like the Saputara Lake, Sunset Point, and Ropeway. The garden .....

#8 of 20 Places to Visit in Saputara

At a distance of 1.5 km from Saputara Bus Station, Echo Point is a popular vantage point located in the beautiful hill station of Saputara, Gujarat. Situated near Sunrise Point, it is one of the top viewpoints in Saputara and among the top places to relish Saputara tourism. Echo Point is a famous viewpoint and picnic spot in Saputara, which attracts a lot of locals as well as tourists. As the name suggests, visitors coming to this place can hear the echo of their voices. It is a natural amphitheater, geographical location of two hills resonates your audio waves. This viewpoint offers a splendid panorama of the surrounding landscape, which is composed of gurgling waterfalls and abundant greenery. A track runs up to Sunrise Point, and then the same road twirls up to the Echo Point. The place is peaceful and lets you enjoy the serenity of the hill station in absolute peace. So, if you wish to grab some time alone in solitude, you can visit the place early in the morning as not .....

Nageshwar Mahadev Temple

#9 of 20 Places to Visit in Saputara

At a distance of 1 km from Saputara Bus Station, Nageshwar Mahadev Temple is a Hindu temple located on the southern bank of Saputara Lake in the hill town of Saputara. Just beside the Lake Garden, it is the most revered shrines of the region and also one of the best places to visit in Saputara. The Nageshwar Mahadev Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped here as the God of Snakes (Nageshwar). Represents a simple architecture, the sanctum sanctorum of the temple enshrines a beautiful black granite Shivlinga. There is also a Nandi statue facing the lord in the outer hall of the temple. The temple is a calm, clean and spiritual place in Saputara. Surrounded by many plants, the temple has a beautiful stone carved ceiling. An early morning visit to this temple could surely initiates good vibes. Although this temple is visited by several devotees every day, it witnesses a huge crowd on Mahashivratri. Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM Entry: Free

Step Garden

#10 of 20 Places to Visit in Saputara

At a distance of 1 km from Saputara Bus Station, Step Garden is a laid out garden located in Saputara, only hill station of Gujarat. Situated on the Table Land Road, it is one of the best maintained gardens in Saputara and among the peaceful places to visit in Saputara. Resembles a terrace garden, Step Garden is uniquely constructed on steps that run down a small hillock. There are about 20-25 steps that have flower beds featuring a variety of flowers like roses, carnations, marigold and much more. These flowers in various sizes and colours make the garden look wonderful. Moreover, these steps are decorated with different varieties of foliage and stunning wooden work. The step garden is a unique initiative that aims to protect and conserve plants in given restricted spaces. In order to provide a comfortable accommodation to visitors coming here, the garden has many forest huts. For the entertainment of children, the Step Garden opened playing areas within its premises. From .....

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Complete Saputara Tour Guide – 3 Day Saputara Itinerary – Day 1

Atulmaharaj September 17, 2021 Discover India , Travel 2 Comments 119,020 Views

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Continuing from where I left in the last blog post , we reached Saputara in the thick of the night. Not only it was raining, but it was also windy too. That night reminded me of a typical night from my days at Panchgani . Since this trip was organized by Gujarat Tourism and the Ministry Of Tourism , our stay was arranged at Toran Hotel. I will talk more about our stay in the coming posts. We were served an authentic Gujarati dinner by the staff who waited for us well beyond their service times. A meal of Sev Tameta, Kadhi, along with other Gujju dishes were on the table. Just what we needed to end the day.

In this and upcoming posts, I’ll share the complete Saputara tour guide. A 3 Day Saputara Itinerary that we followed which you also can follow during your Saputara Trip. If you plan to visit Saputara by road, you can read my blog post about Ahmedabad to Saputara Road Trip . We had spent 3 days exploring Saputara hill station, the must-do things in Saputara, the must-visit places in Saputara, we covered it all. So this Complete Saputara tour guide will be a 3 post series based on the activities we did and places we explored in Saputara.

Here’s our day 1 of exploring Saputara Hill Station.

Star of Gujarat – Saputara Hill Station

“ Gujarat ki aankh ka tara, Saputara ” is what Big B has been quoted saying in advertorials. Saputara is the only hill station in Gujarat. Situated at about 200 kms from Surat and 400 kms from Ahmedabad, Saputara is nestled on a plateau in the Dang forest region. With a height of about 1000m from sea level, Saputara provides high mountains and lush green forests.

Saputara literally means Home of the Serpents . Once home to a variety of snakes, Saputara Hill Station today has become one of the great weekend getaway destinations. Being just 4 kms away from the Maharashtra border, it has a Marathi crowd as well as the Gujarati crowd. And that also means you get a variety of food too! That was a short brief about Saputara hill station. Let’s now dig into this part 1 of the complete Saputara Tour Guide.

Saputara Tour Guide – Part 1

Before I talk about the places, I’d like to say that since we were on an invite from the Gujarat Tourism board, everything was taken care of by them. Even the Saputara tour guide that was provided to use for the 3-day itinerary was from Gujarat Tourism. If you are also looking for a Saputara tour guide, one way to do it would be to plan your stay in Saputara at Gujarat Tourism’s hotels Toran. Then you can avail the services of their Saputara tour guide which is FREE for residents. So if you visit in a group, you can leverage this wonderful service. Apart from that, you will also find a lot of travel operators offering packages to Saputara.

Day 1 itinerary of Saputara

Places to visit in saputara, sunrise point, rose garden.

• Saputara Lake

Nageshwar Temple

Jain temple.

As a kid studying in a boarding school in Panchgani, one thing that I detest the most was waking up early in the morning and going for a walk/jog. However, when I was in Saputara, I was up at 5 am all set to witness the sunrise. The sunrise point in Saputara is quite close to the city centre. If you have the stamina, you can walk up – there is a proper road leading to the top – else you can take your vehicle to the top.

While the weather in Saputara isn’t guaranteed , be ready for surprises. When we went, we didn’t see the sun, but the views that we witnessed and the breath of fresh air were calming. It’s a wonderful place to click photos, you get some amazing shots with the sun rays peeking out of the mountains. There’s a short trek from here if you want to go further up. The sunrise point is a MUST in your Saputara Itinerary .

The next place we visited was the rose garden. It’s again located within the city limits and at walking distance from the city centre. The garden boasts of a variety of roses and other flowers when in its full glory. They also have some nice art installations like flamingos and large mushrooms. It’s spread across a large area and you might need some extra time on hand to explore it completely.

Sarpganga lake – Saputara Lake

How common it is to find a lake at a hill station? Extremely common. I could have not missed mentioning Saputara Lake in my complete Saputara tour guide. This is a tourist hotspot and a lot of people visit the lake to enjoy it’s a natural beauty. While most tourists opt for boating here, I’d suggest you wake up early and go for a walk, trust me you’ll thank me! There are various types of boats available based on your choices and the rates vary accordingly too. We skipped boating, instead, we relished some hot chai and corn chat near the lake and enjoyed the views.

A saint who resided in this area many years ago had a dream that the Sarpganga lake houses a shiv ling . He requested the authorities who did find a shiv ling in the lake, bought it out and set up the temple. The temple was moved in 1992 to its current location and is a popular destination in Saputara hill station. You can perform pooja at the temple and appreciate the architecture of the temple. A temple by a lake, I had seen only in the movies but this was quite a good experience. It’s called the Nageshwar temple because of the snakehead design found on the shiv ling.

Our last destination of the day was the Jain Temple. Located right below the Sunrise point, the Jain temple is one of its kind. If you are wondering that this is just any Jain temple, you are wrong. The beautifully decorated temple houses a 500-year-old idol of Lord Parshvanath . Jain temples have a characteristic of breathtaking sculptures and design and this is no less. It will surely stun you with magnificence. If you love architecture and heritage, then this Jain temple in Saputara should not be missed.

Once we were done that, it was already getting darker, the clouds were taking over and the temperatures dropped quite drastically. The visibility also dipped and so did our energies. Walking so much on day 1 and exploring Saputara largely on foot was quite a task. Nonetheless, the folks at hotel Toran were wary of this and had a delicious spread read for us. While some of us decided to spend the night playing cards, others like me hit the sack.

End of Day 1 Of Our Saputara Exploration

The marked the end of day 1 of our Saputara trip. Being the first day, we decided to take things slow and explore the nearby areas. It’s not only when you visit places like Leh, Ladakh, even for small hill stations, but it is also advisable to take it easy on day 1. We explored all the places which are close to the city centre.

If you are also planning a 3 day trip to Saputara, you can follow our complete Saputara tour guide that will help you plan your trip to Saputara. Stay tuned for Day 2 of the Saputara tour guide. If you think I’ve missed any place that I should have covered or want to know more about our Day 1 Saputara Itinerary, please leave your comments below, connect with me on Twitter at @Atulmaharaj , DM me on Instagram or Get In Touch .

I’d also like to thank Gujarat Tourism, India Tourism Mumbai – Ministry of Tourism for inviting me to experience the hospitality of Gujarat. While I was here on an invite, my thoughts are based on my experience and unbiased.

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Hyderabad has been quite hot in the last few weeks; even staying indoors under air …

Loved reading it, specially the part where you used the quote of Big B – Gujarat ki aankh ka tara, Saputara

Thanks a lot dada for dropping by. The trip wouldn’t have been fun without a great company like yours!

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Stories by Soumya

The Travel Blog of a Culture Addict

Saputara Hill Station Gujarat – The Ultimate Travel Guide For You

Last Updated on November 10, 2022 by Soumya

Planning a trip to Saputara hill station in Gujarat ? Wondering what to do and see when you arrive in Saputara? Well, we have just the perfect thing for you here – The Most Comprehensive Travel Guide to the Hills of Saputara.

Nestled deep within the Sahyadri mountains in India, almost bordering the western Indian state of Maharashtra, is Gujarat’s only hill station – Saputara.

Home to a massive and beautiful lake, green rolling hills dotted by velvety meadows, and several monsoon-fed waterfalls, the hill station of Saputara makes for a pretty sight. Very often, you will be reminded of Switzerland’s charming villages with picturesque mountain peaks and glittery turquoise lakes.

And then, you will be transferred back to an exotic rural microcosm in India bathed in the rich culture of native tribes, local food, and ethnic art. That is the magic of Saputara, the hidden gem of Gujarat which is also one of the prettiest hill stations that I have visited in India.

I could not help but pin down this ultimate travel guide to Saputara where you will learn about all the amazing places to visit in Saputara, best things to eat and buy, how to get there, and where to stay. So, let’s get started.

Table of Contents

Introduction to Saputara – Gujarat’s only hill station

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link on this post. This will be at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links help me keep this website up and running. Thanks for your support!

Saputara is a hilly town located in the Dang district of Gujarat. What is interesting about Saputara is that it is just 6 hours away from Mumbai but 8 hours away from Ahmedabad because of its location right across the border from Maharashtra.

Snuggled cozily within the Western Ghats of India, also known as the Sahyadri mountain range, at an elevation of 3000ft, Saputara makes for a cool getaway from the dry heat of Gujarat or the humid monsoons of Maharashtra.

Every year, Saputara gets a new lease of life right after monsoons. A shiny green carpet of grass and moss covers the entire town and the hills around it. Wild flowers blossom all around and waterfalls gain force. It is a beautiful time to experience the beauty of Saputara’s hills.

Needless to say, Saputara is one of India’s prettiest hill stations. And Gujarat’s only one.

There are several amazing places to visit in and around the hill station of Saputara. In this ultimate travel guide, we will explore some of them.

Best places to visit in Saputara hill station

Incredible view points.

Saputara hill station in Gujarat is all about stunning panoramic views. After all, isn’t that what we crave for when we visit the hills?

Even though you can get amazing views of the valley from literally everywhere including your hotel, here are some of the best view points in Saputara. Beware, some of them need a good amount of climbing – so pack yourself a good pair of shoes!

Table Point or Sunset Point

Table Point is located on a hill top in Saputara. It is a flat surface on the top of the hill and basically resembles a table top, that’s why the name.

The best part about this view point is that it gives you brilliant views in all directions. Be sure to check out the view of the mountains with the Swami Narayan Temple in the foreground as well as the view of the city with the lake.

This is where you will be able to catch a beautiful sunset too if you decide to stay longer.

Here, you will also find other activities such as camel and horse rides, cycling, food joints, and children play areas. The area is designed for tourists and has lots to do. You can also access public toilets here. That said, Table Point can also get pretty crowded on holidays and weekends.

You can get to Table Point by private transport. Cars and vans can easily access the parking space on top. If you have a bigger vehicle like a bus, then you will have to park it a little away from Table Point and climb your way up. The climb takes about 10 minutes and is steep.

Sunrise Point

Sunrise Point, also known as Valley View Point, is yet another hilltop destination from where you can get scenic views of the valley below. Get here early in the morning just as the sun creeps up from behind the hills bathing Saputara in a beautiful golden hue.

You can get to the Sunrise Point by hiking up about 1km from the Gajabhishek Jain Tirth Temple.

Pushpak Ropeway

Another great viewing platform in the hill station is the Saputara Ropeway which is located right next to Table Point. Officially, known as Pushpak Ropeway, this cable car ride starts from Sunset Point and goes all the way to Sunrise Point and Governor’s Hill.

The ride lasts 5 minutes and is not just a thrilling journey over the verdant green valley of Saputara but also provides some of the most amazing views. As you get to the opposite side, you will be rewarded with more panoramic vistas. Food stalls serving hot tea, Maggi, and roasted corn-on-the-cob will make your trip even more memorable.

In fact, the ropeway ride was one of my favorite things to do in Saputara. Flying over the Saputara town and lake in a small yellow buggy was a surreal experience.

Admission fee for the ropeway is INR 77 for a return trip (as of September 2021). Carry cash with you. Even though Paytm/GPay work at the counter, getting access to internet network might be an issue in Saputara. Have a look at our Saputara travel planning tips for more information on mobile networks.

Check out our detailed Saputara ropeway guide if you are planning to ride it.

Governor’s Hill

Once you reach to the other side of the ropeway, you can hike over to Governor’s Hill which is just 5 minutes away, left of the exit.

The hill not only presents beautiful views of the countryside but also forms a picturesque frame by itself. Chances are that you will find this spot empty (not many people venture this way). Hence, this is a great place to click some good photographs.

Saputara Lake

One of the most popular places to visit is the Saputara Lake which makes up the heart of the city.

Tourists come here in large numbers for boating (both pedal and row boating) and other recreational activities such as couple bicycling and kid biking. Several stalls around the lake greet you with tea, fritters, fresh-grilled corn, and much more.

If you are not keen on boating, you can simple walk around the lake and appreciate the beautiful sceneries that the place offers.

Keep in mind that the lake is one of the most crowded places in Saputara on account of its popularity. Hence, it may not be the best place if you are looking for solitude.

Nageshwar Mahadev Temple

Located on the southern fringes of the Saputara Lake, is the oldest temple in town – the Nageshwar Mahadev Temple.

It is a small temple with beautiful architecture and several years of history. It has an interesting legend behind it. Apparently, the Shiva Linga that you see at the temple today was submerged under the lake long ago. The authorities dug it up after a local kept having dreams about it. The Linga was then placed in a temple made of rocks. The new temple (that you see today) was constructed only recently in 1992 even though the place has been a holy spot for a very long time.

You can do a private pooja and make offerings at the temple. Architecture lovers – be sure to look up to the ceiling to notice the details sculpted there.

Right next to the Mahadev Temple is a beautiful lake garden which doubles up as the perfect relaxation center for you and your family.

Honey Bee Center

Just across the road from the Nageshwar Mahadev Temple is the Saputara Honey Bee Center.

This is a great place if you wish to make a quick stop to buy some souvenirs. Apart from local honey, you will find bamboo pickle and nagali biscuits (cookies) here – both are local specialties.

Gandharvapur Artist Village

Just next door is a beautiful artsy place called the Artist Village. Unfortunately, it was closed when I visited. So, I won’t be able to give you the exact logistics. But in case you have visited this place, please let me know in the comments below.

It is the perfect place for art lovers and the best spot to buy tribal artifacts. You will find bamboo art and crafts (a specialty of the region) as well as traditional Warli paintings. Warli tribes inhabit this region of Gujarat. So, you know what you are seeing here is authentic.

Rose Garden

The hill station of Saputara also has a rose garden complete with pretty bridges and small pools. The best time to visit this place is between Dec – Feb when the flowers are in full bloom.

I went during the rains and there were barely any flowers. Plus, there is no shelter if it starts raining. A strict no-no if you are visiting during monsoons.

Gajabhishek Jain Tirth

If you have time for just one temple in Saputara, visit the Gajabhishek Jain Tirth on Sunrise Point road.

Located on an elevated platform (need to climb about 20 steps to get to the main shrine), overlooking panoramic views of the valley below, the Jain Temple is one of the best places to visit in Saputara. Not just for its location but for its mind-blowing architecture.

Gajabhishek Jain Tirth in Saputara is a stunning masterpiece of Maru-Gurjara architectural style. While the rosette ceiling and intricately-designed arches (torans) reminded me of Modhera Sun Temple , the delicately sculpted pillars took me back to Rank ki Vav , a UNESCO World Heritage site in Gujarat.

Devotees will be keen to learn that the idol of Shri Parshwanath that you see at the temple is more than 500 years old.

Saputara food street

One of my favorite things to do in Saputara, Gujarat was walk down the street food lane and enjoy some delicious pav bhaji, maggi, dosa, veg pulao, egg keema, egg ghotala and what not! If you are a foodie, you cannot miss visiting the Saputara food street.

The Saputara Food Street is located to the south of the Saputara Fountain Circle on the main road that is the Saputara-Nashik Road. You can also search for the Saputara Museum that is located on the same street. 

If you wish to stay near the food street, the closest hotel is Hotel Lake View , a 3-star hotel with nice facilities and an outdoor swimming pool.

Best places to visit near Saputara hill station

Apart from the many interesting things to within the city, there are several amazing places to visit near the Saputara hill station. This means you can easily do a couple of day trips from Saputara to my favorite places listed below.

Girmal waterfall

Located just 2 hours away from Saputara, Girmal is the highest waterfall in Gujarat.

As Gira River makes its way through the jungles and rocky terrain of Purna Wildlife Sanctuary, it creates a magnificent cascade when it falls 100ft into the deep ravines at Girmal . This gives rise to the stunning Girmal waterfalls – full of mist and foam. Be sure to notice the river as it glides away from the fall – the scenery there is beautiful.

Girmal waterfall is completely barricaded. You cannot go close to the waterfall or take a bath or swim. However, there are benches and seating areas from where you can get great views of the waterfall. And of course, click some wonderful pictures. Make sure you walk to the very end of the viewing path – the vistas are quite varied from different points.

Horse-shoe bend or U-Turn

On your way to Girmal waterfalls, you will notice an attractive U-Turn created by River Gira. This point, popularly known as India’s Horse-shoe Bend, makes for a picturesque photo stop enroute.

There are benches and covered areas overlooking the bend. So, this makes for the perfect lunch stop. I suggest you carry lunch boxes with you (like we did) to Girmal and stop at the U-Turn for a picturesque lunch break. Then head on to the waterfalls, another 15 minutes away.

Unfortunately, there are no clean bathrooms – either at the U-Turn or Girmal waterfalls. This makes a long trip here a little complicated. The closest toilets that you will find here are at the Shabri Dham Temple which I talk about next.

Shabri Dham

Quite interestingly, Saputara and the nearby jungles also form a part of India’s Ramayana trail. It is believed that Lord Rama and his brothers spent a good amount of time wandering the jungles of Sahyadri.

An important stop on the Ramayana trail is the Shabri Dham Temple where Shabri Maa, a tribal lady, is said to have fed berries to Lord Rama. There is a primary shrine in the middle and smaller ones surrounding it.

You can also climb up to the terrace to get some jaw-dropping views of the Dang forests. Other mythological stops in the area are the Pandava Caves and Pampa Sarovar.

Point to note: Toilets are available near the parking lot at Shabri Dham.

Gira waterfall

On day 3 of my Saputara hill station trip, I explored another beautiful waterfall in the northwest of Saputara – the Gira Falls . Since we visited during monsoons, the waterfall was pregnant with water and resplendent in beauty.

The waterfall consists of one big fall and a smaller one right by its side. Plus, there are several streams nearby for those perfect Instagram shots. Not to forget, the drive to the falls from Saputara is extremely scenic. Green meadows, rugged hills, sparkling rivulets, and an occasional tribal home in the middle – I could fall in love just with the journey.

Parking is available at the entrance gate which is about 500m away from the waterfall. Purchase your tickets (INR 10 as on September 2021) and walk through a lane of souvenir shops to get to a viewing point for the Gira Waterfalls. Be sure to climb down from there to get some closer shots of the cascades and of course, a more intimate feel of nature’s beauty.

Gira Falls is also a great place to buy local souvenirs such as bamboo artifacts, bamboo pickle, and nachni papad.

Recommended: Ultimate travel guide to Gira Waterfalls in Gujarat

Waghai Botanical Garden

One of my favorite places to visit near Saputara was the Waghai Botanical Garden, 10mins from Gira Waterfall and 1hour from Saputara by road.

Waghai Botanical Garden is unlike any other Indian botanical garden. It is huge and spread over 24 hectares. The entire area is divided into plots that are characterized by different kinds of plants such as the Bamboo Plot, the Evergreen Plot, and the Deciduous Plot. You will also find here a Dang Plot which showcases native plants of the region and their cultural connections.

The garden also has an entertainment near the Cacti Garden which includes sections for archery and bowling.

A lot of tourists usually just stop at the entertainment area. However, if you are a naturalist or have a deep love for anything natural, I strongly recommend that you venture deeper into the garden and experience its many beauties. You can download their app called Floral Safari for a more immersive experience.

Admission is minimal at INR 20 per adult and you can easily spend an entire day with your family here. Check out the opening hours and variation in ticket prices on the official website here .

Map of Saputara attractions

Sample itinerary for Saputara

There are a lot of things to do in and around Saputara Gujarat. I would recommend spending at least 2-3 days here to experience the best of Saputara. Here is a brief Saputara itinerary that you can follow when in town.

• Day 1: Visit attractions in Saputara. If you are an early riser, start the day at Sunrise Point followed by a trip to Gajabhishek Jain Temple. Head next to Saputara Lake and then, explore the nearby Nageshwar Mahadev Temple, Lake Garden, and Gandharvapur Artist Village. Later in the afternoon, take a ride on Pushpak Ropeway and watch the sunset at Table Point. Sample locho and pav bhaji at Saputara Food Street.
• Day 2: Head northwest of Saputara and spend the day at Gira Waterfalls and Waghai Botanical Gardens.
• Day 3: Spend your last day in Saputara at Girmal Waterfalls (make sure you make a stop at the scenic U-Turn) and Shabri Dham.

Getting to Saputara hill station

The closest airport to Saputara is the Surat International Airport which is 3.5 hours away.

Bilimora Junction is the closest railway station which services trains from around India including Mumbai, Delhi, Jhansi, Ahmedabad, and Gwalior.

Saputara from Mumbai

The best way to get to Saputara from Mumbai is by road. The drive takes around 6.5-7 hours and is punctuated with beautiful scenes and surreal landscapes in the Western Ghats. Visit just after monsoons for the most amazing experience.

Alternately, you can take the train up to Bilimora Junction and then hire a taxi from there.

Saputara from Surat

Surat is the closest metropolitan city in Gujarat to the hill station of Saputara. Located only 3.5 hours away, Saputara makes for an easy drive from Surat. People come in large numbers for day trips from Surat. But ideally, you should be staying a couple of days to experience the most of the Saputara hills.

If you love traveling by bus or are a budget traveler, find bus tickets between Surat and Saputara here .

Saputara from Baroda and Nashik

Baroda is yet another place that you can drive to Saputara from. The drive takes 5-6 hours.

If you are staying in Nashik or visiting for any reason, then there is no better place for a weekend trip that Saputara. Nashik is located less than 2 hours away and the drive is absolutely scenic. Just hop on a bus or get in a car, and you will get to Saputara in no time.

Practical information for visiting Saputara hill station in Gujarat

Best time to visit Saputara hill station

The best time to visit Saputara hill station is between September – November when temperatures are pleasant and the valley is green after rains. Monsoons end in September and the falls are gushing with water. There isn’t a better time to visit Saputara than right after monsoons.

If you wish to catch misty views and cloudy mountains, you can plan a trip towards the end of monsoons i.e. August – September. But remember that it is difficult to sightsee during rains because of slippery slopes and damp weather.

Summer is a bad time to visit Saputara because temperatures go up (as high as 30deg Celsius – 86 F), waterfalls are barren, and the landscape is dry.

Best places to stay in Saputara

Since I was hosted by Gujarat Tourism on this trip, I stayed at New Toran Hotel for the entire duration of my trip. I especially loved their food and the wide podium in front of the hotel with the stunning views it provides. For pictures and room tour, check out Saputara highlights on my Instagram profile .

You can make a booking here by writing to the manager at the hotel. Find details of the hotel on the Gujarat Tourism official website . Gujarat Tourism also has a dedicated booking site which makes reservations easier.

Toran has two more properties in Saputara. They are Toran Ambika and Toran Hill Resorts . I took a tour of Toran Hill Resorts and was enamored by its old time feel. Rooms were comfy. Toran Ambika, on the other hand, is one of the best situated properties in Saputara. It is blessed with incredible views and will not burn a hole in your pocket either.

If you wish to splurge on your Saputara stay, try Aakar Lords Inn . Tastefully decorated rooms overlooking Saputara Lake and great amenities make Aakar Lords Inn a wonderful place to stay .

If you are traveling on a budget, try Purna Dormitory which is extremely light on the pocket.

Getting around Saputara

The best way to get around Saputara is by car. You will especially need one when visiting nearby points of interest such as Gira and Girmal waterfalls. It is great if you are arriving here by your own car. Otherwise, please request your hotel to book you a taxi to take you around.

If you are only interested in exploring Saputara City Center, then your feet should be fine. Get a good pair of walking shoes because there is a lot of walking and climbing around. I suggest getting an autorickshaw for the viewpoints such as the Ropeway or Sunrise Point if you are wary of climb. Please note that climbs are steep in these hills.

Saputara hill station travel tips

• Many mobile networks including Jio do not work in most areas in Saputara. The only network that seemed to work fine was Airtel. However, do not expect great connectivity on the hills or the interiors such as the area around Girmal Waterfalls.
• Saputara is pretty cold during monsoons/winters. Make sure you carry a light jacket at least.
• Monsoons are wet and rains are unpredictable. Carry a raincoat or umbrella.
• Carry a pair of good walking shoes.
• For souvenirs, check out the shops on the main street and at Gira Waterfalls. Also Ambica Haldar Farm in Waghai is a great place to buy foodie souvenirs.

Saputara hill station FAQ

Why is saputara famous.

Saputara is famous for its scenic hills and waterfalls which makes it one of the most incredible hill stations to visit in India. It is also home to native Dang tribes and their rich culture .

Which district is Saputara in?

Saputara is located in the Dang district of Gujarat.

Is Saputara worth visiting?

Saputara hill station in Gujarat is absolutely worth visiting for its misty mountains, lush green hiking trails, stunning lakes and waterfalls, and a rich Dang culture. It turns into a magical wonderland during and after monsoons.

What should I buy in Saputara?

In Saputara, you can buy local honey, bamboo pickle, bamboo art and crafts, ragi or nachni papad (also known as Nagali Papad), Nagali biscuits, and organic red rice produced by the tribes of the Dang district. Check out my Saputara – things to buy reel on Instagram for details.

How many days are sufficient for Saputara?

2 – 3 days are sufficient for Saputara. Reserve one day to explore the city and its attractions such as the Saputara Lake, Jain Temple, and Nageshwar Mahadev Temple. On the remaining day(s), you can explore the waterfalls (Gira or Girmal), Shabri Dham, and Waghai Botanical Garden. Refer to the Saputara itinerary above .

Is Saputara safe to visit?

Yes, Saputara is absolutely safe to visit. I took solo walks through the town during morning and evening and did not find anything untoward/unexpected during my trips. However, some of the smaller lanes do not have proper lighting at night. So, if you are going alone, I would recommend sticking to the main road or exploring during the day.

What is the meaning of Saputara?

Saputara means the “abode of snakes” in local language. Snakes abound in the region (they are mostly seen in the mountains and jungles now, thanks to inhabitation) and that’s how the hill station got its name. Locals and tribes in the region worship Serpent God especially during the festival of Holi.

Is alcohol allowed in Saputara?

No, alcohol is not allowed in Saputara. That is because it is part of Gujarat which is a dry state.

What is the height of Saputara?

Saputara is at a height of 3000ft or 915m above the sea level.

Loved this Saputara travel guide? Pin it for later!

Disclaimer: This trip was sponsored by Gujarat Tourism and India Tourism, Mumbai Office. However, the views expressed here are completely my own and unbiased.

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13 thoughts on “ Saputara Hill Station Gujarat – The Ultimate Travel Guide For You ”

Hey Soumya,

That was pretty helpful stuff for a newbie coming to Saputara. I’m planning it soon.

Would you please help about how one should surf around the nearby different places, are there any rental taxis/bikes available or something similar? I’m visiting with my wife.

Thanks, Sajal

Hi Sajal, glad that you liked this post on Saputara hill station in Gujarat. Here’s the contact of a taxi driver in Saputara – Laxmanbhai – +919638638347. I haven’t personally used his services but he comes highly recommended from the team at Gujarat Tourism. Please feel free to contact him. Have a wonderful trip to Saputara with your wife.

Very nice and good detailed explanary information received from you for saputara

Thank you. Glad that you liked this Saputara travel guide.

Hi Soumya, Thank you for such detailed guide about Saputara. Although I have been there once almost 11 years back but this time its a different experience to travel with my 10 months old daughter on this weekend. I was happy to read that the best time to visit Saputara is immediately after Monsoon. We are planning a Road trip with family on this weekend.

Hi Deepak, glad that you found my post helpful. It, indeed, is a different experience traveling with kids (speaking from experience – I have an 8 year old). I hope you have a great time with your family this weekend. Saputara is a beautiful place.

I loved the way how you summed up the 3 days in this post without missing the important places. The photos you’ve clicked are super amazing and it shows the lush green mountains, reason why this was the best time to visit Saputara. Loved the post!

Thank you, Atul. So glad you liked the write up and the post. Monsoons is definitely the best time to explore Saputara hill station in Gujarat.

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Saputara Travelling Guide- Where To Go And What To Do

• Travel Tips
• November 29, 2019 in City Tours , Travel Tips
• Places to visit near Saputara things to do in Saputara tourist places in Saputara
• Rebecca John

Saputara is a little off the way hill station, nestled in the Shayadri range in the Dang district of Gujarat. Not many people in the rest of India know about this place but those who do, consider it a little gem and a haven of peace and tranquility. There are quite a few places to visit in Saputara and you will wonder why you had not visited sooner. Here are some places that should be on your itinerary.

Find Best Hotels In Saputara

Top 13 Places To Visit in Saputara:

• Gira Waterfalls
• Sunset Point
• Saputara Tribal Museum
• Lake Garden
• Saptashringi Devi Mandir
• Vansda National Park
• Purna Sanctuary
• Honey Bees Center
• Rose Garden
• The Ropeway
• Hathgarh Fort
• Pandava Gufa

1.Gira Waterfalls

As soon as you enter the Dang district, you will hear people recommending you to visit the Gira Waterfalls and you will know why. It is one of the most stunning places to visit during the monsoons , the beauty of the waterfall really comes through, freshly fed by rainwater. The falls are often confused with the Girmal Falls, which is also another spectacular falls but located in the region of Ahwa. You can get to the Gira Falls by taking a bus from the main Saputara bus stop and getting down at Wanarchod village.

2. Sunset Point

Located at the Sunset Point Road, this point is located near the Saputara Museum. It is also known as the Gandhi Shikhar and is located about 1.7 km away from the main town center. You can either take a cab or choose to walk, as you take in the beautiful views of the land around. You will enjoy great views of the sunset from here and the Dang Forest, along with the tribal villages around. The point is visited by tourists and weekenders round the year. One of the spectacular ways of reaching this point is to take a 10 minutes ropeway ride which will offer great views around. There are other famous tourist spots like Vansda National Park and Saputara Museum and any local transport will take you there.

3. Saputara Tribal Museum

The tribes who once inhabited the hills of Saputara led a very interesting life and quite a few artifacts pertaining to their way of life are preserved in a tiny museum. The museum was constructed so that the tourists could become familiar with the local tribal culture and have a deeper understanding about them. There are also books and documents that record the life of the Bhils, Kunbis, Gamits and Warlis, along with the Dang tribe of Saputara, from which the region probably gets its name. The clothes, utensils, weapons, household objects, musical instruments and ornaments are kept here. Workshops and other forms of exhibitions are held here annually so that the people come to know about the importance of the tribe in maintaining the ecology of the region. The museum is open from 10 am to 5:30 pm and entry is merely INR 2.

4. Echo Point

As the name suggests, this place enables ones to hear one’s own voice as it is hit back by the surrounding hills. It is definitely a most popular tourist spot, located near Matheran, very close to Saputara. There are also some waterfalls here which are fun and exciting to explore. The region here is mostly wild and one has to make their own way and yet it is very safe. The hills around make a lovely backdrop and the Charlotte Lake is a popular picnic place near Saputara. Other points here are the Louisa Point and King George Point. All local transport reach here and the point is open from 9 am to 7 pm every day.

5. Lake Garden

Located on the bank of the Saputara Lake, the Lake Garden is a major tourist spot in Saputara region and many weekenders come here for picnics. The evenings also see a number of locals coming here. The garden is very beautifully landscaped and a number of rare plants species are to be seen here. There is a playing field nearby which is greatly enjoyed by the youngsters. The lake itself is beautiful and boating is a primary activity here. Entry to the garden is free and it is open from 9 am to 8 pm.

6. Saptashringi Devi Mandir

Located in Vani in the Nashik region of Maharashtra, this temple is considered as one of the Shakti Peeths of the Indian subcontinent. It is said that the idol of the Devi is Swayambhu, as in, the idol manifested itself on a rock surrounding by mountains and was surrounded by its seven peak. The idol of the Devi is truly impressive, with the structure being 10 feet tall and there are 18 hands holding a number of weapons. The idol is also always coated with Sindoor which is considered holy. The locals from Saputara often come here frequently to pay their respects, as does other tourists who visit Saputara. Steps are cut from the base of the mountains which have to be climbed to reach the temple. It is open from 6 am to 6pm every day.

7. Vansda National Park

Located at a distance of about 40 km from Saputara, the national park is maintained by the South Dangs Forest Division. Sightseeing in Saputara cannot be complete without a visit to this region. It is about 23.99 sq km in area and because of the tropical and humid climate is home to a large number of plant and animal species. It is mostly a dense, deciduous forest and one can spot leopards, hyenas, wild boars, sambars, antelopes and a vast number of reptile and bird species. There are recorded 443 species of plants like bamboo, dudhkod, kakad, kalam, haldu, sisam among others. A number of tribes still reside here. The best time to visit the national park is between October to March. The easiest way to reach it is through Waghai or Bilmora railway station. The park is open from 6 am to 5:30 pm. A safari would cost around INR 500 for vehicle and guide.

8. Purna Sanctuary

The Purna Sanctuary is located within the lush dense forests of the Western Ghats. It is spread over 160.8 km and was established in 1990. A large number of flora and fauna is to be seen here and information on them is also available. A large number of animals call this sanctuary their home like sloth bear, elephants, wild bulls and rhinos. Bamboo clusters and teak trees predominate as the plant species here along with 700 other known plant species. The park is open from 6 am to 5:30 pm and costs only INR 20 per person.

9. Honey Bees Center

This facility in Saputara is where fresh honey is extracted and the honey is completely organic. The facility is located close to the Lake Garden and school excursion trips are often organized here to make the students aware of the way in which natural honey is extracted. Tourists gain more information about the honey industry and the importance of bees in our ecology. The final stages of gathering honey can be seen here. The best part is that one can also buy fresh honey from here. The facility is open from 8 am to 8 pm.

10. Rose Garden

Another popular picnic spot in Saputara, the Rose Garden houses several varieties of roses and when they are in full bloom, it is quite a sight to see them. It is a great place to relax, and the exquisite fragrance of roses in the air will soon soothe your senses, especially during spring, when the roses are in full bloom. Entry to the garden is free and it is open from 9 am to 6 pm.

11. The Ropeway

Going on the ropeway in Saputara is a really fun way to do some sightseeing. The ropeway here is about 30 feet above the ground and is one of the best ways to reach the above mentioned Sunset Point. The tourists get a wonderful view of the city from here and the bird’s eye view of the panorama is stunning. The Governor’s Hill can be accessed from here within 15 minutes. The cable cars accommodate about 12 people at a time and so even if you traveling with your entire family, all of you will be able to enjoy the ride together. The ropeway is open from 9 am to 5: 30 pm and entry fee is around INR 60.

12. Hathgarh Fort

The Hathgarh Fort is located on the borders of Gujarat and Maharashtra and is located about a distance of 5 km away from Saputara. It is a predominant site for trekking enthusiasts because the fort can be reached only on foot and one has to climb about 3600 feetto get to it. The fort is amidst the hills of the Sahyadri range and the reservoir of the Jamuna can be found here which is the source of water in the region. A stunning view of the surrounding landscape can be enjoyed from above the fort, including the nearby Surangana village.

13. Pandava Gufa

It is said that the Pandavas used this cave as a hideout while they were on exile and were trying to get away from the Kauravas. These caves are also known as Aravalem caves. Getting to the caves requires quite a bit of trekking, which is what makes the cave so very exciting. A number of tribal villages are to be found here. The caves have later been cut to perfection and make a great spot for photography. The caves are best visited at evenings as the sunset makes it more surreal.

So, the next time you are in the vicinity, you will know which places to visit in Saputara and it will make your stay even more special.

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Breaking news, first-place mariners fire offensive coordinator brant brown as offense flounders.

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The Mariners have dismissed offensive coordinator and bench coach Brant Brown, the team announced Friday.

Seattle, though sitting in first place in the American League West with a 31-27 record heading into Friday’s play, has struggled mightily as an offense.

They have struck out the most of any team (594) and have the third-worst OPS in baseball (.656).

Brown, who previously worked as Seattle’s minor league field coordinator from 2013-17, re-joined the organization in January 2024 to try to help improve the team’s offense.

He was put in charge of a new position with a focus on the team’s approach and mental side of hitting, working in tandem with the director of hitting strategy, Jarret DeHart.

But as the 2024 season has progressed, the team’s at-bats have been anything but improving.

Although the Mariners pitchers have the ninth-best ERA at 3.58, the team’s hitters have the third-worst average (.221) in all of MLB and rank just 27th in on-base percentage (.295)

On Thursday, the Mariners managed two hits in six innings against Astros rookie pitcher Spencer Arrighetti in what amounted to a 4-0 loss.

“There’s still a long ways to go for us offensively, and we know that,” Mariners manager Scott Servais told reporters after the loss. “You got to look forward to the weekend and score some runs.”

Even superstar centerfielder Julio Rodríguez has struggled at the plate this season, hitting just four home runs and striking out 68 times this season.

His slugging percentage has dropped from .485 in 2023 to .342 so far in 2024.

“The biggest thing with Julio has just been timing,” Servais said earlier in May, according to the Seattle Times . “And we talk about that and that means different things for different players, but when he starts crashing or rushing forward, he’s still hitting the ball hard but he’s not really staying behind the ball.

A mid-season coaching change could help spark the Mariners, who are looking to get back to the playoffs after just falling short in 2023.

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Stunning Places to Visit Near Saputara

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Here is the list of 8 Stunning Places to Visit Near Saputara

1. vansda national park, saputara.

Tucked in between the Sahyadri ranges, lies this conserved wildlife park spanning over an area of about 24 sq kilometres. It got its name as Vansda because it was once privately owned by the Maharaja of Vansda. Not a single tree has been cut since then. Owing to this, in some places, the canopies are so thick that sunlight does not pass through. It is an open park, and you can easily get a permit if you want to explore it in your own vehicle.

Distance from Saputara: 36 km

2. Gira falls, Saputara

As you sip in the tea or coffee from the stalls nearby, enjoying the picturesque panorama and the 150 feet tall waterfall roars down the edge, you will praise the wonder of the nature. Gira falls is one of the best tourist attraction of Satpura and is just one kilometers away from the Satpura- Waghai road, the best time to visit this fall is recommended to be around June to November.

Distance from Saputara: 48 km

3. Purna sanctuary, Saputara

Recorded as the forest with highest average rainfall, Purna sanctuary is a part of lush green forest in northern parts of Dang. It is said that during Mughal period wild bears, sloths bear, rhinoceros etc. used to roam around here. used to roam around here. And nowadays it is also an adobe of leopard, rhesus macaque, bonet macaque, common mongoose, Indian civan cat, porcupine, four horned antilope and many others with around seven thousand species of plants.

Distance from Saputara: 72 km

4. Don Hill Station, Saputara

Nestled in Dang district of Gujarat, Don is a village hill station situated at an altitude of 1000 meters. It is the second hill station in the state after Saputara and also higher in elevation than the former. A day's trip to Don is enough to capture the rich bio-diversity of the hill station. You will be welcomed by pleasant weather with cold temperatures ranging between 32 degrees C to 17 degrees C. Named after the mythical warrior and guru Dronacharya; Don Hill Station is a laid back village with a tribal population of around 1200. That being said, the place brims with culture and heritage.

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5. Surat, Gujarat - Diamond City of India

Known For : Dutch Garden Dumas Beach Hajira Village

Surat, having its name associated with Saurashtra (the good land), is a port city in Gujarat. The second most populated city in the state, Surat is a global diamond cutting centre and a commercial hub of textiles. Known as 'the city of flyovers', it attracts tourists who are interested in the colonial history of the region and the exotic wildlife.

Distance from Saputara: 159 km

Best Time: October to March

44 Surat Attractions

6. Nashik, Maharashtra - Of Wines and Vineyards

Known For : Panchvati Sula Vineyard Dudhsagar falls, Nasik

Nasik is a religious Hindu city, host to the Kumbh Mela every 12 years. It also makes for a perfect wine tasting destination. Nashik (Nasik), named after a relic associated with Ramayana, is a city in Maharashtra located on the banks of river Godavari. Nashik plays host to the famous Kumbh Mela every 12 years. The city is home to plenty of exotic temples and is known in Hindu mythology as the place where Ravana's sister, Surpanakha, tried to seduce Lord Ram and got her nose cut off by Lakshman in the process.

Distance from Saputara: 76 km

Best Time: July to March

39 Nasik Attractions

7. Igatpuri, Maharashtra

Known For : Tringalwadi Fort Vihigaon Waterfall Kalsubai Peak

Igatpuri is blessed with picturesque beauty and is a heaven for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. It also has some of the highest peaks of the Sahyadri range. Igatpuri is also a major railway station in Maharashtra connecting surrounding major cities. Igatpuri is a hill station and a city in the Western Ghats located in the Nashik district of Maharashtra, 130kms from Mumbai, on the Mumbai-Agra National Highway.

Distance from Saputara: 123 km

Best Time: July to September

14 Igatpuri Attractions

8. Silvassa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli

Known For : Lion Safari Wildlife Park Vanganga Lake Island Garden

With the hills of the Western Ghats and surrounding lush greenery, it is an ideal indulgence into the wild side for a tourist and its Portuguese heritage makes it famous amongst the history enthusiasts as well. Located in the southern region of Gujarat and close to Vapi, Silvassa is the capital of the union territory Dadra and Nagar Haveli and is famous for its greenery, exotic resorts, industries and tax - free alcohol. Silvassa is a treat for adventure enthusiasts with several water parks based activities available to its visitors.

Distance from Saputara: 128 km

Best Time: November to June

10 Silvassa Attractions

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Dengue fever, once confined to the tropics, now threatens the U.S.

Meg Norris was traveling in Argentina in April when the first signs of dengue fever hit her. The weather in Salta, just south of the Bolivian border, was warm, but Norris, a 33-year-old from Boulder, Colorado, zipped a fleece sweatshirt around her body to stop herself from shivering.

“I thought it was sun poisoning,” she said. 

She woke that night in a sweat and spent the hours alternately burning up then freezing. In the morning, her eyes were sore and her lymph nodes were swollen. For the following week, there was nothing to do but sleep, stay hydrated and wait for the body aches that give the illness the moniker “break-bone fever” to pass.

Latin America is experiencing its worst dengue fever outbreak on record. Case numbers in the first 4 ½ months of 2024 are already 238% higher than they were by this time last year, which itself ended with a record 4.1 million cases, according to the Pan American Health Organization . Cases are more than 400% higher than the five-year average.

An unusually wet and warm summer season brought by the El Niño weather pattern has created ideal conditions for the mosquitoes that spread dengue to hatch en masse and carry higher amounts of the virus.

Experts warn this could be a preview of what dengue fever will look like in the future. Climate change is creating unusually balmy conditions, which are already expanding the range of mosquito-borne diseases.

“That’s concerning for places where dengue hasn’t occurred before in recent history: North America and Europe,” said Dr. Albert Ko, a professor of epidemiology of microbial diseases at the Yale School of Public Health.

Dengue is a viral fever caused by four different viruses and spread through mosquito bites. It’s common in many tropical regions across the globe, but has begun to appear in more temperate climates. The mosquitoes that carry dengue fever, Aedes aegypti are now regularly found in the southern parts of the U.S., but recently, the insects have been found as far north as the Bay Area and Washington, D.C. One 2019 study predicted an additional 2 billion people will be at risk for dengue fever by 2080.

“We are definitely worried,” Ko said.

Why are dengue cases rising around the world?

Dengue outbreaks have historically occurred in the Americas every three to four years, said Dr. Gabriela Paz-Bailey, dengue branch chief in the division of vector-borne diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “But now we are seeing them every year,” she said.

Part of the reason for that is tied to climate change.

A warming climate expands the mosquitoes’ habitat and allows them to breed all year long, rather than only in the warmer months. The hotter temperatures also cause the viruses to replicate faster, meaning mosquitoes end up carrying many more viral copies, increasing the likelihood that a person will become infected if bitten.

“We are also seeing dengue cause outbreaks at times when they usually don’t occur,” Ko said.

South America’s dengue cases weren’t just unusually high this year, but they also came unusually early in the season. Similarly, Puerto Rico, a place where dengue outbreaks can occur in the summer and fall, declared a public health emergency in late March after the U.S. territory was overtaken by dengue fever cases and more than 400 people were hospitalized .

In recent years, the epidemic has spread to parts of southern Brazil and northern Argentina, where dengue hasn’t previously been a big problem, Ko said.

“That gives us a snapshot of what we may see here in North America in the coming decades,” Ko said.

How would dengue get a foothold in the U.S.?

The fact that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are found in places outside their normal range doesn’t mean the mosquitoes are carrying dengue viruses, but those first insects are a warning of what may be to come, Ko added

Locally transmitted dengue fever infections — meaning the infected person didn’t get sick abroad — are still rare in the continental U.S., but have recently been seen for the first time in some states. Last October, California health officials reported the state’s first case of locally transmitted dengue in Pasadena. Local transmission has also occurred in Arizona, Florida and the southern coast of Texas. Last summer brought record-breaking heat waves to Europe, where cases of local dengue transmission were seen in France, Italy and Spain.

“I think this means dengue will become more common,” said Paz-Bailey, adding that the main concern is still the significant increase in cases where the virus is already endemic.

This summer, she does not expect to see significant dengue outbreaks on the U.S. mainland, but she said there is likely to be some people who travel to regions that have higher-than-usual cases and bring the virus back home.

“Travel-associated cases do result in small chains of outbreaks,” Paz-Bailey said.

Humans are reservoirs for dengue, so in order to have widespread transmission, enough people must be infected for the mosquitoes to reliably bite someone with the virus so that they can spread it to another person.

“That’s why we’re seeing an outbreak of dengue in Puerto Rico right now,” said Michael von Fricken, director of the One Health Center of Excellence at the University of Florida in Gainesville. “They’ve reached this tipping point where there are enough infected humans that they’re subsequently infecting other mosquitoes that are continuing to transmit disease.”

Florida has logged 176 dengue cases so far this year, the vast majority in people who were infected in other countries, most frequently Brazil or Cuba. The Florida Health Department has recorded only seven cases of locally transmitted dengue transmission in the state so far this year. In all of 2023, the department documented 173 locally transmitted cases, most of them in Miami-Dade County.

What are the symptoms of dengue fever?

Dengue fever is caused by four viruses, so a person can be infected four times in their lifetime. Only about 1 in 4 people are symptomatic the first time they’re infected, according to the CDC.

Ko said a person’s initial symptoms are usually a fever and headaches. Fatigue, nausea, vomiting, a rash that looks like measles, as well as the extremely painful body aches.

Most people recover in a week or two, but about 1 in 20 people develop severe dengue, which can be fatal. The more times a person is infected with dengue, the higher risk they are for complications.

“After you’ve had your first exposure, your risk of having dengue hemorrhagic fever or severe symptoms increases exponentially,” Von Fricken said. Dengue also becomes deadlier with each infection.

While the U.S. does have a dengue vaccine, it’s approved only for children ages 9 to 16 who live in places where dengue is endemic, including Puerto Rico, American Samoa or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

What’s more, children can get the vaccine only if they’ve previously had a dengue infection. That’s because if a person were to get vaccinated and then get their first dengue infection, they still run the risk of getting very sick, just as someone gets sicker from their second infection. Since most Americans have not had dengue, “that vaccine is not very useful” for most, Ko said.

There’s no specific drug to treat dengue. Instead, doctors just aim to treat the symptoms and keep the patient comfortable until the virus runs its course. That means resting and drinking a lot of fluids. Ko said people should try to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain and fever if they can, since nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include ibuprofen and aspirin, can make bleeding worse if someone develops hemorrhagic dengue, in which their blood vessels are damaged and become leaky.

Paz-Bailey said it’s important for people traveling to places with dengue to stay in places with air conditioning when possible, use insect-repellant and wear long sleeves and pants to avoid mosquito bites.

Bed nets can be helpful, but the mosquitoes that carry dengue typically bite during the day, so they may be less helpful than they are at preventing other mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, Ko said.

At home, people can make their yards less appealing to mosquitos by reducing the amount of standing water, especially after a bout of rain.

“It’s difficult to control the mosquito population, so we need to hit it with all we have and layer our strategies,” Paz-Bailey said. “No single strategy will be good enough.”

Kaitlin Sullivan is a contributor for NBCNews.com who has worked with NBC News Investigations. She reports on health, science and the environment and is a graduate of the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at City University of New York.

Anne Thompson is NBC News’ chief environmental affairs correspondent. 

Patrick Martin is a producer in the NBC News Health & Medical Unit. 

The most expensive cities for childcare

Why costs — and quality — vary so wildly

Parents spend years saving to send their kid to college. In order to give their child the best chance to succeed in life, parents open up special savings accounts, put in extra hours of overtime, and make constant financial sacrifices. While the financial burden of college has spawned an entire industry of planners, advisors, and experts to help navigate the process, for many parents there is a similarly costly part of childrearing that comes with much less of a runway: childcare. 

The cost of childcare for young children has exploded in recent years. In fact, in 34 US states the cost to send an infant or toddler to a childcare center is higher than tuition at an in-state public university. For parents relying on in-home care, the costs are even higher. The problem has gotten particularly acute in the last few years — from 2018 to 2020 the cost of childcare increased 41% on average, from $9,977 to $14,117 annually, and is now at an all-time high.

Millions of Americans are struggling with the rising costs of childcare, but the pain also varies widely depending on where you live. In March, the Department of Labor released for the first time county-by-county childcare-spending data. My colleagues and I at American Inequality , a data-exploration project that spotlights social inequities, broke down the data to uncover what was fueling the rocketing costs of childcare. We found a startling divide: While parents in a few counties are spending only 5% of their income on childcare, many more are spending almost half their paychecks to make sure their children are properly looked after.

The reasons for these differences are equally as stark. The most expensive counties generally have fewer childcare workers or the state doesn't provide enough financial support for low-income families. In other counties, lax state regulations for childcare can drive down costs, but the quality of the programs can suffer in turn. In some cases, parents simply don't know the options out there for them, which leaves money on the table each year.

A $122 billion problem

There may be serious regional differences, but there is one near-universal truth about the cost of childcare: It's too damn high. The US Department of Health and Human Services considers childcare "affordable" if it costs less than 7% of a family's income. But nearly two-thirds of parents, including 95% of low-income parents , spend far more than that. And only 2% of counties in our analysis fell within this limit, meaning that by the government's definition, childcare is unaffordable in 98% of counties across the country.

While costs have been growing for decades, the pandemic brought new challenges that made the crisis even worse. For one, many daycare workers were pushed out of the industry by mounting health risks and painfully low compensation — approximately 100,000 workers decided to move on to other industries over the past three years. Unable to find people willing to work under those circumstances, many childcare centers shut down and left parents in childcare deserts with few other options. Many of these parents are forced to turn to in-home childcare, which costs nearly $36,000 a year on average, 39% more than the average cost of a childcare center. 

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The high cost of childcare not only weighs on parents' pocketbooks, it also has downstream effects for their own employment opportunities — particularly for women. The new Department of Labor data shows that when the cost of childcare rises by 10% in a county, 1% of moms in that area leave the labor force. The pandemic provided a perfect example of this dynamic: 2 million women left the workforce and haven't returned, citing childcare costs as the No. 1 reason they aren't returning to work. Even in areas where women earn higher wages, the data still shows that increases in childcare costs drive mothers out of the workforce.

Being forced out of the labor market is not only a strain on the families who are directly affected, but the loss of workers also weighs on the rest of us. At a time when the economy is in dire need of more workers , losing talented people because they can't afford to go to work is a serious problem. A study by the business think tank ReadyNation found that the childcare crisis costs the economy $122 billion in lost earnings, productivity, and revenue each year. American businesses alone lose $23 billion annually from parents calling out of work because they can't find care.

The most expensive places for childcare

As bad as the problem is nationwide, when you dig into the county-level data, the massive disparities become even more stark. Counties with higher levels of poverty often lack affordable care as childcare workers themselves can't afford to live on the industry's low wages. While wealthier counties tend to have more resources, fierce competition for quality care can drive prices up and ultimately consume huge portions of a household's paycheck. If we look at the percent of income that childcare consumes, it makes it easier to compare across counties and understand how Americans from Massachusetts to Mississippi are faring.

Although New York City is home to America's largest publicly funded childcare system, three of the five most expensive counties for childcare in America by share of income are found in New York City: Kings County (Brooklyn), Queens County, and Bronx County. The residents of Bronx County have it the worst — spending an average of 47% of their household income on out-of-home childcare for an infant. The ongoing challenges in the Bronx provide a perfect case study in the difficulties in delivering cost-effective, high-quality childcare.

Even though the city offers free "3K" and Pre-K, 30% of the seats for these programs remain open. The 10 neighborhoods with the highest levels of poverty are also the neighborhoods with the lowest levels of enrollment. These shortfalls seem baffling given the exorbitant cost of childcare in the area, but experts have pointed to a number of reasons for the openings, from poor program quality and poor marketing to a challenging enrollment process and staffing concerns. Beyond the systemic issues, there are also shorter-term pandemic-related problems that complicate the picture. More than 500 childcare centers shut down in the past five years as resources dried up as both public and private childcare systems shut down for two years. It's likely that families have been slow to reengage with the city's childcare systems given the extended closures and stop-start nature of the reopening. The challenges of the Bronx can be instructive for other counties across the US: Childcare needs to be affordable, but accessibility will also remain a key constraint. This holds true in rural counties that also struggle with accessibility, and parents end up paying far more for childcare as a result.

On a state level, Massachusetts takes the cake for the highest total amount spent on care per child. Out-of-home childcare for infant care in the Bay State costs $20,913 annually, or 64% more than tuition at University of  Massachusetts Amherst. While Massachusetts has the second-highest median household income of any state, it also provides very few reimbursements or subsidies for childcare costs, resulting in higher costs for parents. California is the second-most-expensive state for childcare, costing parents $16,945 annually, or double the cost of average in-state college tuition.

On the other side of the spectrum is Mississippi, which has the most affordable childcare of any state, at just $5,436 per child annually. But the low cost doesn't necessarily mean the state should be a model for the rest of the US. Mississippi is able to keep costs low for two main reasons: First, the state has one of the most lax child-to-staff ratio requirements, meaning classroom sizes per worker can swell to worrisome levels. In Mississippi there could be just one staff member looking after 12 toddlers, whereas in New York the law requires three teachers for every 12 children. While larger classes can keep down costs, the federal government recommends lower ratios in order for children to receive the proper level of care. And studies have shown that programs with smaller classroom sizes and lower child-to-staff ratios have a positive impact on the quality of education. But of course, it's a trade-off: More teachers often means a higher cost for parents.

The second way Mississippi makes childcare cheaper is by paying workers the least of any state . The average employee at a childcare center earns just $8.94 an hour, or $1.69 above the state's minimum wage. While Mississippi's low wages stand out, dismal pay is a key factor for the poor state of the system nationwide — childcare workers earn $12 an hour on average and often make far less than peers with similar education levels or similar jobs. This gap is even more pronounced for Black childcare workers. As a result, staff turnover is high and there aren't enough teachers. The US has 19.3 million children who are 4 and under and 949,000 childcare workers — a ratio of 20 to 1 . In Canada, where childcare workers make more, that ratio is six to one. 

To address this issue, President Joe Biden signed an executive order in April aimed at raising wages for childcare workers, particularly those working at the federal childhood-education and care program Head Start, without increasing costs to parents. Existing programs that can raise wages for these workers have proven to reduce staff turnover by half, ultimately leading to lower costs at childcare centers as retention improves.

A model for the country

There doesn't always have to be a trade-off between cost and quality when it comes to childcare. There are parts of the US where local and state governments have been able to ease the financial pressure while also ensuring young kids are well taken care of. Take, for instance. Portland, Oregon. The city has developed a model that gives parents affordable and high-quality childcare that doesn't sacrifice teacher wages. In 2020, Portland passed a widely supported bill that authorized a tax on the wealthiest residents to fund a year-round childcare and preschool program. The program provides all children with six free hours of childcare per day, and children from lower-income families are eligible for up to 10 hours. Because of this benefit , parents in Portland are saving thousands of dollars every year, more parents are able to work, and since teachers are paid livable wages, children are getting higher-quality care.

Ultimately, evening out the disparities in the US and solving our childcare crisis comes down to funding. The US government spends just $500 annually per child on early childcare. Comparably wealthy countries spend about $14,436 per child. The price tag may seem high, but evidence from programs , such as the famous Perry Preschool Project in Michigan, proves that the investment is well worth it. For every $1 invested in early childcare, the US economy gains $7 in terms of reduced teen pregnancy, improved graduation rates, improved performance in school, and reduced incarceration rates. Successful programs have been able to increase students' earnings by as much as $19,800 annually by the time they reach their 30s while also decreasing the likelihood they become drug users by 33%.

"Without a lot more public spending, care for children under 5 will never be affordable," Annie Lowrey wrote last fall in The Atlantic. Existing funding programs such as the Childcare Development Block Grant, the largest source of federal funding to states, has reduced the cost of childcare by thousands of dollars each month for some parents. But so much more is needed. 

Affordable childcare is good policy. Economic growth, employment, and children's outcomes can all improve when America chooses opportunity over adversity.

Jeremy Ney is the author of  American Inequality , a data publication project that spotlights US inequality topics. He was previously a macro policy strategist at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

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What's open and closed for Memorial Day? See which stores and restaurants are operating today.

By Khristopher J. Brooks

Edited By Anne Marie Lee

Updated on: May 27, 2024 / 10:33 AM EDT / CBS News

With Memorial Day finally here, Americans from coast to coast are gearing up to celebrating the holiday with family and friends, or perhaps quietly solo. 

Whether you're hosting a barbecue or attending one, you may find yourself in need of a last-minute run to the grocery store before the grilling begins. Those without plans may want to partake in some casual shopping or lunch with friends at a fast-food restaurant. Luckily, many retailers and restaurants will be open on May 27.

• What is open and closed in Chicago on Memorial Day?
• What's open and what's closed in Dallas, Fort Worth on Memorial Day
• What is closed in Detroit on Memorial Day, and what will be open?
• Here's what's open and what's closed on Memorial Day in Massachusetts
• Here's what's open and closed on Memorial Day in South Florida
• What's open and closed today for Memorial Day around the Tri-State Area
• What's open and what's closed on Memorial Day in the Twin Cities?

Here's a list of what is and isn't open on Memorial Day.

What places are open on Memorial Day 2024?

• Academy Sports + Outdoors
• Ace Hardware
• Barnes & Noble
• Bass Pro Shops
• Bed Bath & Beyond
• BJ's Wholesale Club 
• Crate & Barrel
• Dollar General 
• Dollar Tree 
• Family Dollar
• Foot Locker
• GameStop 
• Guitar Center
• Krogers and its network of grocery stores — including Ralphs, King Soopers, Metro Market, Pick'n Save and more
• Rite Aid 
• Trader Joe's 
• Tractor Supply Company
• Walgreens 
• Whole Foods 

Restaurants, fast-food chains open on Memorial Day

• Bahama Breeze
• Buffalo Wild Wings
• Burger King
• Chick-fil-A
• Cracker Barrel
• Cold Stone Creamery
• Dairy Queen
• Dunkin' 
• Golden Corral
• Olive Garden
• Ruby Tuesday
• TGI Fridays
• Waffle House

Places with special hours of operation on Memorial Day 2024

• Aldi closes early.  Check  times at your local store

What places are closed on Memorial Day 2024?

• Natural Grocers
• Memorial Day

Khristopher J. Brooks is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch. He previously worked as a reporter for the Omaha World-Herald, Newsday and the Florida Times-Union. His reporting primarily focuses on the U.S. housing market, the business of sports and bankruptcy.

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