Saputara- The Only Hill Station in Gujarat

Situated on the border of 2 beautiful Indian states- Gujarat and Maharashtra, Saputara is a beautiful hill station adorned with snow-capped mountains, cool climate, marvelous waterfalls, scenic vistas, magnificent gardens, and a chunk of other attractions that allures the tourists from different parts of the world. It is believed that the great King Rama stayed in the dense forests of this hill station for almost 11 years and there is also an idol of a serpent installed on the riverbank of Sarpaganga. Its livid landscapes, dreamy winding roads, and a plethora of beautiful cubbyholes make this a perfect destination to spend some quality time with your family, friends, and your partner. Saputara is reckoned as an ideal destination for wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers, and also the adventure seekers. Continue reading this article to get all the relevant information of this beautiful hill station and plan your Saputara summer vacation tour with our well-designed Gujarat tour packages.

Location

This tiny hill station in Gujarat is located on the Western Ghats or in Sahyadri ranges. Saputara is nestled at an elevation of almost 875 meters above sea level. This beautiful hill station is located almost 4 km away from the Maharashtra border and almost 250 kilometers away from Mumbai.

History

There is not much to know about the history of this only hill station in Gujarat as there is nothing much known to anyone. Saputara means the abode of serpents which means that snakes are found in a large number in this area. One can also witness the idol of a snake installed on the banks of River Sarpaganga which moves beautifully towards the town. It also holds a spiritual significance as Hindu mythology states the presence of Lord Rama in this city. There is a famous saying that Lord Rama stayed here for almost 11 years.

How to Reach Saputara?

There is no specific airport or railway station so the only option to reach Saputara is the roadways. Waghai Railway Station is the closest railhead to Saputara and the nearest airport is located in Suraj but be very clear that it is not well-connected to the destination city. So, Bilimora is the most convenient way to reach Saputara.

Visiting Saputara by Flight

The nearest airport to Saputara is Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport located in Mumbai (at a distance of approx. 360 km away from SAPUTARA). The airport is well connected with some major cities in India and also with some foreign countries too. From the airport, you can take a bus or can opt for a taxi to reach the destination.

Reaching Saputara by Train

Waghai Railway station is the closest railhead to reach this hill station. This railway station is located almost 30 miles away from the hill city. Waghai railhead welcomes a number of trains coming to the platform from different corners of the country.

By Road

Saputara is pretty much connected with the major cities of the country with various other cities of the country. One can either opt for a public or a private bus service as per their budget. You can get the buses from various other regions of the state.

Commuting within Saputara

It is quite convenient to commute within or outside the city. One can find a number of taxis, buses, cycle rickshaws an also the metered or unmetered taxis.

Places to visit in and around Saputara

1. Artist Village

This is a pretty beautiful village located near the Nasik road and is adorned with spectacular artifacts of clothes, bamboo forests, and many more things. Warli, Bhil, and Kunbi are the major tribal communities living in the village. Besides doing the shopping and buying the souvenirs for family and friends one can also get indulged in the workshops where one can create various unique artworks and you also get to know about the artist and also the cultures in a much better way.

2. Saputara Lake

A beautiful and pristine lake studded with lush green meadows and colorful gardens all around it, Saputara Lake is believed to one of the most preferred travel destinations in the region where one can come across the admiring cultures, history, and the lifestyle of the residents. This beautiful place is located almost 1.5 km away from the Saputara hill station and is reckoned as one of the most preferred picnic spots along the Saputara Valley. This man-made lake offers tourists to get indulged in boating activity.

3. Gira Falls

Situated near to the Waghai Saputara state highway, Gira Falls is one of the most happening and popular places in Saputara if one wants to attain some rejuvenating experiences to their trip. It is best to visit this enriching destination in the monsoon months as it welcomes the guests with cool refreshing air after the bitter hot weather in the summer season. It looks quite alluring and admiring in watching the water falling down from the height of approx. 150 feet. One can easily reach this destination either by hiring a cab or opting for a jeep ride.

Fairs and Festivals in Saputara

Monsoon Festival Saputara

Tourism Department in Gujarat organizes Monsoon Festival in Saputara every year. This festival continues for one month almost and is based on the motive of tourism promotion. One can get indulged in various activities like boating competitions, adventure sports, gaming, cultural programs, and also the entertainment activities. Tug of water, rock-climbing, camel riding, mountain climbing, archery, etc.

Paragliding Festival Saputara

In order to promote paragliding and to make Saputara a famous paragliding hub in the country, Tourism Department of Gujarat organizes this grand celebration in the month of December and January every year. A huge number of adventure enthusiasts flock to this place to participate in this festival and according to the tourism report, the number of participants has reached to more than 5000 after 2010. One needs to follow the strict guidelines while going for paragliding and is also required to carry proper gear for this adventurous activity.

Dang Darbar

One can participate in a number of fairs and festivals in Saputara and Dang Darbar is one of them. Only a few days before Holi- the festival of colors, Saputara celebrates this auspicious festival which is reckoned as an important tribal festival celebrated annually. You can buy a number of attractive items from the stalls organized at the venue of the event. You can also witness the activities like songs, folk dances, dramas, Garba, and Raas.

Best Time to Visit Saputara

Nestled at an elevation of 1000 meters above the sea level, Saputara Hill station welcomes its guests with a pleasant, calm, and favorable weather throughout the year. The minimum and maximum temperatures recorded at this place are 10 degree Celsius and 30 degree Celsius respectively. Although, the valley is not crowded in the same manner in every part of the year and the tourism rate of Saputara fluctuates accordingly.

Visiting Saputara in the Winter Season

Winter season commences in the month of September and continues till the month of February. Sometimes during the winter season, the temperature falls down at 8 degree Celsius and the weather becomes quite favorable during this season. On the other hand, the temperature reaches the maximum level at 28 degree Celsius and this is why good crowd can be seen here. If you are planning a trip to Saputara hill station in the winter season then plan between December and January so that you can participate in the 26-day long celebration of Paragliding Festival. Reckoned as one of the most happening paragliding destinations in the world, Saputara offers a wide opportunity of adventurous activities like parasailing, zorbing, go-carting, and biking.

Saputara in the Summer Season

March to June is counted as the summer months in the Saputara Valley where the temperature ranges between 26 degree Celsius and 32 degree Celsius. You might not bear the scorching heat in the afternoon but still, Saputara is believed to be visited more during the summer holidays. If you are in the city for summer vacations then you can explore the Sunset Point, the Rose Garden, the Saputara Lake, and the Tribal Museum to get some really beautiful memories to your trip.

Visiting Saputara in the Monsoon Season

July to September are the monsoon months in the Saputara Valley and especially the months of July and August witness heavy rainfall and in September, the region receives less rainfall. During the monsoon months, the temperature in Saputara ranges between 19 degree Celsius and 27 degree Celsius which make it a perfect time to explore the sightseeing destinations especially for those who love monsoon months. Gira Waterfall, the Terrain, and the views are best to explored during this season. Also, the Saputara hill station can be witnessed in the monsoon season where one can get indulged in the entertainment programs and cultural shows.

Delicacies in Saputara

One of the major tourist destinations in Gujarat in India, Saputara is a spot where one doesn’t need to bother about savoring the mouth-watering delicacies as you get plenty of options irrespective of the destination you are visiting. Bajri no Rotlo, and Bhakri are the most ordered delicacies in Saputara. Bhakris are somewhat like Rotis and are little thicker and crispy than Rotis. Khandvi, Dhokla, and Fafda are also the options yet dal, roti, and Khichdi are the most common dishes in the region.

Accommodation in Saputara

Tourists, as well as locals of the state flock to this only hill station and, stay there for a few days to get some refreshing experiences. There are various staying options in Saputara ranging from deluxe resorts to budget-friendly resorts. Shilpi Hill Resort, Chitrakoot Hill Resort, Vaity Ropeway Resort, Anando Palms Resort, etc are some of the most popular and top-notch resorts in the region. Savshanti Lake Resort, Toran Hill Resort, etc. are the resorts which fall under the category of budgeted resorts in Saputara.