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Situated in the Dang Forest of the Western Ghats' Sahyadri range, the Saputara hill has breathtaking displays of the valley. The cool climate coupled with the views earned it its name among popular tourist destinations. Soon, it was developed into a hill station with hotels, theatres, a museum, and other amenities.
The cascading waterfalls and lush fauna, indicating signs of high vitality, make quite the contrast to the rest of Gujarat and its dry cities. The hill station, located 3000 ft above sea level, is systematically planned to give you both a relaxed yet entertaining getaway with all its activities.
Saputara in Gujarati translates to 'Abode of Serpents' which is apparently derived from the Sarpanganga (Serpent Ganga) river that resembles a snake or a serpent. On festivals like Holi, the tribal people gather on the banks of this river to worship the image of the snake.
One of the best things about this hill station is that you can visit it at any time of the year. It’s a year-round destination and you don’t have to adjust your vacation time according to the best season to be here.
During the winter season from the months of October to February, Saputara and the valley are misty and ideal for outdoor activities. The monsoon season begins from July and ends in September, giving the tourists a chance to witness the ecosystem and nature of the place at its prime. The plants and flowers are in full bloom, lush and brimming with life. The summer in Saputara falls from March to June, where the temperature ranges around 25°C. It becomes a haven compared to the other hot and humid places of the state.
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For adrenaline-filled adventure seekers, you can choose from paddling along the river to cable car rides. For a quiet, calm, and peaceful day, you can take a stroll in one of the heavenly gardens or admire the exquisite arts present at the museum. Read on for all you can do here.
Cable Car Ride - At a height of 25 to 30 ft, the Pushpak Ropeway serves as a mode of transit to take you throughout Saputara. It gives you a bird's eye perspective 10,000 feet high of the entire city. It can carry at least 12 people at a time. A definite favorite moment during the ride is the part when the cable car glides above Saputara Lake.
Sunrise Point - The famous Sunrise Point that’s locally also called the Valley Viewpoint is located in Saputara. This point can be reached via a 1.5km trek towards Waghai. You could just as well drive up there in your car or your bike, as there’s a parking area too. It gives you a great view of the Saputara Valley, and if you go there during the monsoon, you get to see a hill station in full bloom. Try heading there early in the morning to catch a spectacular sunrise.
Townview Point - This is another stunning spot, prominently built at a high elevation to make it a vantage point from where the entire sloping station is visible. It gives a mesmerizing view of the urban communities juxtaposed against the woods of the Dang Forest.
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The Saputara Museum - The Saputara Museum is also known as the Saputara Tribal Museum, lying on the road to Surat and Nasik. It gives you an insight into the entire Dand Valley and the towns falling under it, more specifically about the local, cultural life.
Nightfall Point - Close to the Saputara Museum, on Sunset Point road, you can find the Nightfall Point. It’s also called Gandhi Shikhar or Pinnacle. It’s only 1.7 kms away from the town. You get a panoramic view of dusk as it falls over the ancestral towns and the Dang Forest. Many travelers reach this point via the Ropeway in just 10 minutes.
The Saputara Lake - The Saputara Lake is located right in the heart of the valley, and there are boating facilities on the lake. Imagine rowing atop the lake that mirrors the picturesque lands, practically feeling like you’re in a trance.
Forest Nursery - The Forest Department of Saputara looks after the Forest Nursery where it houses various plants and trees. In addition, there are also many beautiful blooming carnations, roses and hibiscus plants. It’s well maintained and you can even buy plant saplings for your home.
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Gira Falls is situated at just a kilometer's length from the Saputara-Waghai Road in the town of Waghai. It’s a 30 m high gushing waterfall that originates at the Kapri Tributary and has a confluence at the Ambica River. This place is visited at its peak during the winter season as the full river and the mist makes it look mystical.
Spanning over 23.99 sq km, just 40 kms away from Saputara, lies the Vansda National Park. In the month of April, 1979, this area became secured territory. It’s home to wild creatures like hyenas, four-horned antelopes, panthers, sambars, python, cobras, Russell's vipers and many more. It is also home to 60 varieties of butterflies, 121 various bugs and 30 types of snakes.
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Located in the same area as the Lake Garden and Step Garden, only a minute’s drive away from the Saputara hill station is another area that soothes your soul. The Rose Garden is filled with various types of rose assortments in full bloom, especially in springtime. There’s also a section known as 'Smriti Club' where you can plant a rose to your name. It’s open from 8 am to 7 pm, and there’s no entry fee.
There are also many religious places that you can visit from Saputara. Some of them are the Saptashrungi Devi Mandir in Vani, Unnai Mata Temple, Nageshwar Mahadev Temple, Jain Temple and Swaminarayan Temple. All of them are in close vicinity to Saputara and convenient to reach.
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In Saputara, the Saputara bus stop and ST depot are the prime bus terminals where the frequency of the buses are regular. Saputara does not have its own railway station. The closest railway station is at Bilimora, the Waghai Railway Station, around 50 kms away from the city.
Although you can opt for a cab, there aren't many cab companies in the city. Since Saputara is a small place and the tourist attractions lay very close to one another, an ideal choice to travel within the city would be auto rickshaws. In case you're visiting Saputara for a short and limited time, various companies offer chauffeur-driven cars from the neighboring towns.
The best-advised mode of transportation to reach Saputara is via train. Waghai Railway Station at Bilimora, which is around 50 kms away from Saputara, is the closest railway station. This railway station is linked to major places like Gujarat, Ahmedabad and Mumbai. After reaching Waghai Railway Station, you can hop into a bus or taxi to reach the city of Saputara.
The bus route to Saputara is well connected across the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. There are numerous government and private buses running from Mumbai, Gujarat and Pune. There are also buses that run from Nasik, Chikli, Bilimora and Surat. The buses come in various options like regular, deluxe, air-conditioned, and with private coaches. They are very comfortable and economical.
The nearest domestic airport is the one at Surat, the Surat Airport, which is around 156 kms away from Saputara city. The closest international airport is at Mumbai, the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, which is approximately 225 kms away from Saputara city. Since both airports are far, you can book a prepaid taxi here, or take a train to get here.
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The only hill station of Gujarat is Saputara, which in itself has an intriguing appeal about the place. At first, just a valley, it was turned into a hill station due to its enticing beauty that couldn't be hidden.
It is a sanctuary to many exotic species and the region takes pride in its flora and fauna. The hill station is well maintained and every local gives a hand in keeping it such all round the year.
It's one of those destinations that can be visited all around the year. With all its mind-numbing natural beauty, the Saputara hill station is an abode to both entertaining adventurous activities and activities that provide a relaxing escape, making it unique and one of a kind.
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Which Is The Best Time To Visit Saputara?
Saputara being a hill station, it enjoys pleasant weather throughout the year. This makes it a year round destination. Going in winter means having much cooler weather than the rest of the year, while summer has temperatures of around 25°C.
Is Saputara In Maharashtra Or Gujarat?
Saputra is a hill station located in the Dang district in the state of Gujarat.
Which Railway Station Is Near Saputara?
The Waghai Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Saputara, around 50 kms away. It is well connected to major cities in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
What Is The Price Of Paragliding In Saputara?
Paragliding in India is pretty popular and Saputara is also one of the places where you can enjoy this adventure activity. Paragliding in Saputara is safe and can generally cost you INR 1800 to 3000 per person.
Which Mountain Range Is Saputara?
Saputarahill station is located in the Sahyadris mountain ranges in the state of Gujarat.
How Far Is Saputara From Ahmedabad?
Ahmedabad is 400 kms away from Saputara and can be reached with a drive of 7.5 hours. You can also take a train from Ahmedabad to Waghai Railway Station, from where you can reach Saputara after a drive of 1.5 hours.
Is Alcohol Allowed In Saputara?
the gorgeous hill station of Saputara falls under the state of Gujarat. Unfortunately, Gujarat is a dry state so alcohol is not allowed in the hill station.
