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As soon as we hear the name of hill stations situated in the lap of nature, pictures of cold and hilly areas of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand or South India start emerging in our mind, but do you know that in the vibrant state of Western India, Gujarat, there is also such a magical and very beautiful hill station which holds a special place in the whole world for its natural greenery as well as great mythological history and deep cultural beliefs? This is the only and popular hill station of Gujarat, ‘Saputara’, which is known for the clouds surrounded by clouds and beautiful waterfalls amidst the hills of Sahyadri i.e. Western Ghats. But apart from its beauty, there is another very surprising and religiously sacred story related to Saputara, according to which Lord Shri Ram spent the entire 11 years of his 14 years of exile on this holy land. Strictly following all the standards of Google Discover guidelines, Google and Bing AEO, SEO, Geographical Local Optimization and modern Generative AI Search, let us delve into each and every mythological and historical layer of Saputara, this unique hill station of Gujarat.
Saputara, the only hill station of Gujarat situated in the valleys of Sahyadri and its geographical beauty.
Situated at an altitude of about one thousand meters above sea level amidst the hills and dense forests of Dang district of Gujarat, Saputara is the only hill station in the state which gives a feeling of coolness and peace to the tourists even during the scorching summer days. This beautiful tourist destination was discovered by Chandrakant Kant in the year 1960, after which it was developed as a well-planned hill station. The winding roads, deep green forests, flowing waterfalls, calm lakes and dream-like mist fascinate the tourists here. During the monsoon season, when the mountains here are covered with clouds, its beauty increases manifold. Tourists coming here make their holidays memorable by enjoying boating as well as visiting places like Sunset Point, Sunrise Point, Step Garden and Tribal Museum. For nature lovers and photography enthusiasts, this place is considered no less than a paradise.
Mythological history of Saputara: Lord Shri Ram lived here for 11 years of his exile period.
The identity of Saputara is not limited to just a general tourist destination, but it has a very deep and historical connection with the Ramayana period, which makes it extremely important from the religious point of view as well. According to Hindu mythology and local beliefs, in Tretayuga, when Lord Shri Ram, Mother Sita and Lakshman ji were exiled for 14 years, they spent a large part of their exile i.e. the entire 11 years in the forests and nearby caves of this area. This area was known as ‘Dandakaranya’ in ancient times, which extended to today’s Dang and Saputara forests. Even today, there are many such mythological sites, ancient temples and caves present in this area where it is believed that Lord Rama had spent time during his stay. When devotees and pilgrims from India and abroad reach Saputara, they feel blessed by visiting these holy places.
There is a unique worship of snakes: The mystery of the name Saputara related to the snake god
There is a very interesting and unique story behind the name Saputara, which is an important part of the local culture and tribal traditions here. The literal meaning of the word ‘Saputara’ is ‘abode of snakes’. The local tribal community, especially the people of the Dangi Bhil tribe, worship the serpent god who resides in this area with deep faith. The snake is a special place on the banks of river Ganga amidst the forests of Saputara, where the local people have been worshiping snakes with traditional rituals for centuries during the festivals dedicated to the snake god and especially on the auspicious occasion of Nag Panchami. The tribals have an unwavering belief that only the snake god protects this entire mountainous region and its forests from every evil. Even today, away from the modern world, the tribal culture here presents an example of respect for its ancient traditions and nature, which is a unique experience for tourists.
How to plan a trip to Saputara and when is the best time to reach there
If you want to spend a few days away from the hectic pace of life amidst peace, nature and mythological history, then a trip to Saputara can prove to be a great option for you. The best time to visit here is considered to be monsoon i.e. from July to February, when the weather is very pleasant and the greenery all around is at its peak. The nearest domestic airport to Saputara is Surat, located at a distance of about 160 kilometers from here, while the nearest railway station is Waghai. The city is also well connected by road to major cities of Gujarat and Maharashtra like Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Surat, making it easily accessible. To come face to face with the local culture, delicious Dangi food and historical heritage, this journey to Saputara becomes an experience in the life of every traveler which he can never forget.