The beauty of Gujarat is that it has something for everyone. If you want to soak in the splendid history or you want to explore the lively cities; if you wish to binge on an adventure or just relax in the lap of nature, Gujarat has it all for you.
One such place for nature lovers that sits quietly amidst the lush green mountains and waterfall- The monsoon getaway of Gujarat, Saputara. Saputara is a perfect place to immerse yourself in the scenic beauty of serene sunrise and sunset, cozy mountains, and whispering waterfalls. The only hill station of Gujarat, Saputara is a pleasing location to take a break from your usual humdrum and experience the magic of nature.
Snuggled in the Sahyadri Mountain Ranges, Saputara is one of the most visited places in Gujarat. Located in the Dang district of Gujarat, Saputara is at its best during monsoons. It has easy road connectivity from the major cities like Surat, Ahmedabad, Vadodra, Mumbai, and Nashik.
It is also famous for the Dang Darbar tribal festival that happens every year before Holi. The spectacular dance of the Dang tribe is sure not to be missed! You can also find some tribal art and artifacts to be bought as a souvenir of a memorable experience in Saputara.
Saputara has a unique name and has a mention in one of the great epics of India, the Ramayana.
Saputara means the Abode of Snakes. The name is derived from a serpent deity that is worshipped by the tribals. The river that flows through the town is also called as Sarpaganaga and one can find a stone idol of the snake deity on the shores of the river. The tribals pay homage to the snake deity during the festivals of Holi and Nagpanchami every year.
Saputara is surrounded by waterfalls, lakes, and temples. And when the rain touches down, the whole land is carpeted in the lush green beauty that makes you believe heaven is here right in front of you!
Saputara has an air of tranquillity and spirituality. On one hand, where nature gives you eternal peace, on the other hand, the roots of Saputara goes eons back.
According to the famous epic of India, the Ramayana, Saputara is the place where Lord Ram met an ardent devotee, Shabri during his 14 years exile. The story goes like this- Shabri was a tribal woman who was a seeker of spiritual knowledge and served her Sage Matanga with earnest devotion. Happy to see her devotion, the Sage blessed Shabri that she will attain the eternal liberation by Lord Ram. She prayed and waited for Lord Ram for years till she turned old and one day her prayers were answered.
Each day she would go and pluck berry fruits for Lord Rama. Unaware of the practice that fruits must not be tasted before being offered to the deity, Shabri tasted the berry fruits to avoid offering any rotten fruits to Lord Ram.
When Lord Ram arrived, she was elated to see him and offered the already tasted sweet berry fruits she collected. Lord Ram tasted the fruits and moved by her untained devotion, he blessed her with eternal liberation.
The history of Saputara is intertwined with the story of Shabri. Although, one can also take a religious trip to Shabri Dham situation not far from Saputara. Some locals also suggest that Saputara was indeed the famous Dandakaranya, where Lord Ram, Laxman, and Sita briefly spent some time of their 14 years exile.
Nevertheless, Saputara is a place for peace-lovers who wish to escape from the bustling city life and enjoy the company of beautiful enchanting nature!