Until a century ago, the Asiatic lion roamed vast areas of India, from Gujarat all the way to Bihar in the east. Now, the Sasan Gir National Park is the only habitat left of the lion outside Africa. A number of rivers wind through Gir, making it a haven for a range of wildlife including the caracal, the blackbuck and a substantial leopard population.
Sasan Gir is also a base to visit the Somnath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the most important spiritual sites in the Hindu circuit. Skirted by the Arabian Sea, the temple commands a spectacular view of the Saurashtra peninsula. Boasting an imposing architecture of the Chalukyan style, the Silver doors, intricate carvings, a shiv-ling and a Nandi idol (bull god) add to the splendour of the building. After paying obeisance, devotees can slip through a side door to find an ethereal view of sunlight tripping over the sea waves.
