Lakhpat is a sparsely populated ghost town in the Kutch district of the Gujarat state of India.
Understand
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Lakhpat was once a large trading port in the mouth of Kori Creek. Two centuries ago, it was resided by more than 15000 people. Following earthquake in 1819, Indus river changed its course and the port lost its water depth and became unusable. The town lost its economic importance. By 21st century, the population was around 500 people making it a ghost town in far way corner of Kutch.
Solo travellers, especially woman, should be careful while visiting this town in view of safety precautions. Bring your own food, water and vehicle as there is not much facilities in the town.
The places of interest have tourist information boards.
Get in
[edit]- 1 Lakhpat Bus Stop. Two state transport buses in morning.
Few private transport Jeeps connect to Lakhpat so it is better to have one's own car or taxi to visit this isolated ghost town.
Get around
[edit]Private car or taxi is an only option or visit places by foot. There is no transport in the town as it is sparsely populated.
See
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- 1 Lakhpat Gurdwara Sahib. The place was visited by Guru Nanak who founded Shikhism on one of his pilgrimage to Mecca in 16th century.
- 2 Lakhpat Fort. The fort, rebuilt and expanded in 1801 by Fateh Muhammad, is an irregular polygon, defended by round towers and built of hard brown stone. The 7km-long walls are of considerable height but not thick. The walls can be climbed at several places and has post of Border Security Force as it is near Pakistan border. The vast open marshlands of creek can be seen from the walls in the north and Arabian sea from the walls in the west.
- 3 Pir Ghaus Muhammad Kubo. 19th-century tomb dedicated to Sufi saint is made of black stone, situated on a high platform, rising in a conical dome, and octagonal in shape, with four side doors arched and richly carved, and the walls decorated with patterns of flowers and leaves. Inside, the floor is paved with white and black marble, and the grave is covered with a white marble canopy. On the walls are passages from the Quran. It is still unfinished. The water tank opposite the tomb is believed to have healing characteristics for skin diseases.
- 4 Sayyed Pir Shah Dargah. Nine-domed Dargah with intricate carvings.
- 5 Lakhpat Maqbara. Tomb from past era.
- 6 Akbani Mahal. Ruins of the house of Akbani, the wealthy trading family of Lakpat in its glorious days.
- 7 Custom House. This 19th-century administrative building for collecting custom duties from trade was located on crossroads of Bada Bazar and Chowk Bazar. It has meeting rooms for merchants and officials. The high ornate window was for camels who can feed from the windows while goods on their back can be checked by custom officials without unloading them. It is in ruins.
Do
[edit]Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]There is no restaurant here. Only Langar at Gurdwara provides food for tourist and pilgrim on prior requests.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]The are no hotels in Lakhpat. One should leave before evening to reach nearby Narayan Sarovar or Bhuj for hotels.
Connect
[edit]- 1 Post Office.
There is no medical facilities here.
Go next
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