Down to the coast
From Botad, the road heads south-east through flat cotton and groundnut country and small market towns to Bhavnagar on the Gulf of Khambhat. At about 84 km, a household loaded in the morning is usually unloaded in Bhavnagar by lunchtime, leaving the afternoon to unpack. Agree the expected arrival time in writing.
Cotton country
From October to March, cotton lorries and trolleys head for the gins in Botad and around Bhavnagar, and the road slows near ginning towns. Ask the crew to start early and avoid the busiest market hours.
Leaving Botad
Homes near Botad's station and bazaar need goods carried to the truck, while societies on the Bhavnagar road are easiest. If you work in a diamond workshop, keep tools and stock off the household list.
Where in Bhavnagar
Bhavnagar's old city, around the bazaars and the old palace, has narrow lanes. Newer areas such as Waghawadi Road, Kaliyabid, Ghogha Circle and the societies along the ring road are more open. Give the exact address and a landmark.
Diamonds, ship-breaking and salt
Bhavnagar is a major diamond-polishing centre, the Alang ship-breaking yard lies to the south, and salt pans line the coast. Many Botad families move for work in these trades. If an employer is paying, ask what documents they need; every mover we work with provides a GST invoice.
Heat and sea air
Both towns are very hot from about March to June; load at dawn. Near the coast, humidity and salt air are harder on steel and electronics, so ask for metal pieces to be wiped and wrapped.
November to February is usually the most comfortable window.
Palitana nearby
The Jain temple hill at Palitana lies south-west of Bhavnagar and draws pilgrims from across India, especially on Kartik Purnima. Roads towards it are busy on those days.
Temple days and kite season
Saturdays and Hanuman Jayanti at Salangpur bring busloads of devotees onto the roads around Botad, and Kartik Purnima fills the roads towards Palitana. In Bhavnagar, Uttarayan in January means kite strings across the streets and rooftop crowds, and Navratri garba runs late into the night for nine days. Pick a weekday away from these.
Colleges in Bhavnagar
Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University, the government medical college and the engineering colleges take many students from Botad district. A hostel room usually goes as a few-items move with a bed, a desk and books.
Sihor and the hills
Sihor, west of Bhavnagar, is an old town on low hills, known for its copper and brass work and snuff makers. If you're moving to Sihor or the villages nearby, give the exact address, since the lanes are narrow.
Families in the diamond trade
Botad and Bhavnagar are both diamond-polishing towns, and many families move between them as work shifts. Keep polishing tools and stock off the household list, and agree separately how anything for a workshop will travel.
Ghogha and the coast
Ghogha, an old port south-east of Bhavnagar, and the coastal villages have salt pans and fishing. If your new home is near the coast, ask for steel and electronics to be wiped and wrapped against salt air.
Settling in
In Bhavnagar, ask how often water comes and whether the building has a tank, check the inverter, and book internet. Near the coast, keep steel almirahs and appliances away from damp walls for the first few weeks. Our guide to address changes after moving lists the records to update.