Tulsishyam - Gir National Forest - Gujarat

These are some photos and snippets I received for the upcoming Gujarat Yatra that I will be joining in December this year. I love the pictures of the mighty King of the Forest - Lion King and his family. Also, the forest, temple and the Anti-gravity effect makes the place very interesting. Can’t wait to visit this place. 

Tulasi Shyam Temple

Tulasi Shyam

Forest of Tulasi Shyam

King of the Jungle

Fearless like a Lion

Lion King and the family

Tulsishyam is a place situated on the border of Amreli district and Junagadh district, in the Gir forest national park in Gujarat. It is famous for the 3,000-year-old Krishna temple and houses a hot water spring known for its healing powers. Another highlight of Tulsishyam is the famous anti-gravity hill (One theory says it is Purely an optical illusion occurring due to the structure of land on either side of the road. Who knows?).

If you love nature, the green forests, the sound of chirping birds, the wild life, the flowing streams, the hill climbing, natural hot water springs, bush walking and  finally, Lord Krsna then you want to be in Tulasi Shyam.

As per *Skandha Purana*, this is the place where the pastime of Tulasi, Jalandhar and Vishnu (fondly called Shyam here ) took place.

*Pilgrimage to Dwarka is considered complete only after visiting Tulasishyam.

Temple has a recently built Guest House with a number of AC Rooms. There are some hot water springs nearby.

About 1600 square km of Gir National Park forest stretches from Junagadh at one end to TulasiShyam at other end with SasanGir somewhere in the centre. We go to SasanGir next day to spot the lucky lions.

Here at TulasiShyam - you will see a unique defiance to the Law of Gravity! Water flows at certain places uphill rather than downhill! I was reminded of BG 2.69 - ya nisha sarvabhutanam tasya jagarti samyami.......... just as the night for all is a day for the sthitprajna yogi, the water flowing downhill at all places flows uphill here at TulasiShyam !!

Gir National Park - Lion Safari:-

https://girlion.gujarat.gov.in/

At Sasan, a thoughtfully developed and well-managed ecotourism is in function, with properly assigned trails and routes in Dedakadi and Sasan Ranges. Such routes have been made within the tourism zone of the Sanctuary with an average length of 35 km each. Each of the routes encompasses almost all habitat types of Gir region and facilitates wildlife sightings with a considerable ease. Artificial water-holes along the routes increase the probability of wildlife sightings. Private open Gypsies registered by the Forest Department are available locally along with the well-trained local Guide. All the Permits are issued online by the Forest Department at the Reception Counter, Sinh Sadan, Sasan.

By Road: -Gir National Park is around 55 km from Junagadh City, the most common base for making a visit, and 348 km from Ahmedabad and 156 kms from Rajkot. The Reception centre is at Sasan Gir, and has a Forest Guest house maintained by the forest department, nearby the railway station.

By Rail: - One can travel by Rail to Junagadh from Ahmedabad or Rajkot and then take a 55 km road trip on bus or taxi to Sasan Gir or can come via local trains from Junagadh city.

By Air: -Flight up to Rajkot or Ahmedabad and drive-in.