Janki Van, Bhinar, Unai, Gujarat – Forest Garden In Surat, Navsari Based On Ramayana
Janki Van is a planned forest developed by the Gujarat Social Forestry Department. Spread over 10 acres, Janki Van is all set to become the next-big-thing in the Gujarat tourism circuit. Located in the village of Bhinar near Vansda, the forest has been designed on the Ramayana theme.
Janki Van has 50,000 trees of different species, thus claiming the title of ‘tree library’ amongst the Surat visitors.
UPDATE (26th Novemeber, 2015):
Janki Van has now become popular attraction in this area. Many many visitors are coming down here.
Video of Janki Van, Bhinar
Here’s one travel video capturing essence of Janki Van in 2 minute footage. Have a walkthrough!
Shot by Kunj Dodiya
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What to eat?
A. Forest department doesn’t allow any commercial activity inside garden campus. There’s a good restaurant exactly opposite Janki Van. Or else, the best choice would be to go to Vansda town. Vansda is 5 minutes from Janki Van and has many good food options.
Q. How to reach?
A. If you ever been to Saputara? Take route to Saputara.
If you’re coming via Chikhli – Vansda road, take a left turn at Khadkala Chokdi and drive for a minute.
If you’re coming via Bardoli – Unai – Vansda road then no need to take any turn. It’ll be on right side after you drive 10 minutes from Unai.
Q. Where to stay?
A. As I mentioned, no commercial activities in Janki Van. You can’t stay there. Many decent guest houses are available in Vansda, you can stay there. If you’re planning to stay in Dang, Saputara, Ahwa, Campsites or Don Hill Station, check this article.
Q. What are the timings?
A. Janki Van remains closed on Monday for maintenance. In normal days, 10 AM to 6 PM, depending on the sunlight.
Q. For whom the place is for?
A. For everyone, kids, adults, oldies. It has something for every age group.
Q. What are nearby destinations?
A. Scroll down this article and you’ll find it.
Q. How to contact me?
A. Please note than I’m not a travel agent or official contact person. I live nearby Janki Van and thus posted photos and information here, to help tourists like you. I’m not affiliated with anyone or any agency. Contact details
Q. Where to find basic amenities like CNG?
A. Head over to Vansda. Vansda has everything you’ll be needing.
I live in Vansda, which is just 10 minutes from the forest garden. Though, I haven’t been fortunate to visit the Janki Van, my parents and younger brother visited the destination on the inauguration ceremony, held in August in the presence of Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel.
In this article, I will share photos and interesting information about the Janki Van. The place has enormous potential to become a major tourist attraction for visitors of Saputara Hill Station or Don in Dang.
Janki Van – Etymology
Janaki is related with Sita Mata from Ramayana.
Janaki van has been developed in nine hectare area on Ramayana theme. It is because this particular pocket of south Gujarat has age-old connection to Ram and Sita.
Dang district located next to Vansda was originally known as Dandakaranya area of Ramayana period. Dang is believed birth place of Lord Hanuman and there’s Mandir also situated in a village which is believed Hanumanji’s birth place.
There’s one village called Subir which has been named after Shabri.
Popular pilgrim destination Unai is believed the place where Shri Ram hit the land with his arrow to arrange hot water so that Sitaji could take bath.
Janki Van – What’s In There?
The forest garden has,
- Sindur van
- Chandan van
- Dashmularisht van
- Ashok vatika
- Aamra van
- Bilwa van
- Panchvati van
- Rashi-kshetra van
- Naagraha van areas.
The surroundings has 4 water bodies.
Other major attractions are,
Unai tale
Women empowerment mural
Interpretation center
Valimiki ashram
Janaki model
Tribal bazaar
Laxman zula
Van kutir
Amusement ride for kids
Decorative lake and a
Step garden.
People can know about each tree at an interpretation centre that has been set up at the Janki Van. The tourists would get complete information about the plants and also about tribal culture, Ayurveda and Yoga at the interpretation centre.
A real tree library, isn’t it?
Food & Accomodation @ Janki Van
Food
Food is the one area in which the forest falls short. Apart from local vendors, there’s nothing like a cafeteria or canteen inside campus. One good restaurant is situated exactly in front of Janki Van.
But, but, it’s totally fine!
Reason is, the town Vansda. Vansda has a dozen of good hotels and restaurants. They serve decent quality food. Vansda is 10 minutes drive from Janki Van.
Moreover, if you’re heading towards Saputara, Dang (Gujarat), Nasik, Shirdi (Maharastra) then this is the last major town where you can get almost all the facilities. Towns after Vansda are still undeveloped. A CNG pump is also there in Vansda, it’s the last one if you’re headed towards Dang.
Accomodation
It’s not actually required. Because Janki Van is not a standalone tourist destination. It’s a stop-and-rejuvenate tree library where you stop for a couple of hours to relieve from excessive journey hours.
Nearby Places
Some places near to Janki Van where you can hang out and have fun.
Ajmal Gadh, Vansda – Dharampur Road – 22 km
Waghai Botanical Garden – 25 km
Gira Falls, Waghai – 27 km
Sadgurufal Ashram and Garden – Vansda – 15 km
Unai Mata Temple – 8 km
That’s what I know about Janki Van. Do drop me a message if you’ve visited the place and want to share more insights about the forest garden.
Enjoy some more photos!
Personal Notes
- Take your kids to Janki Van. They will love it!
- As Janki Van is inaugurated in August 2015, it’s still relatively unknown to most tourists.
- I hope that forest department maintains it well, otherwise an awesome potential destination would be shattered.
All photos and information from younger brother, Kunj Dodiya. Huge thanks!
Discover more:
- Vansda National Park
- Padamdungari Campsite
- Ajmal Gadh
- List of Campsites in Gujarat
- 9diad: Decoding 9 Lakes, 9 Exits, 9 Stepwells of Nadiad!
Anonymous
Jankivan is open now or not ?? please suggest
Jignesh Patel
Actually we are taking a route to Saputara…..so actually we are planning to visit it around 3 PM…..We dont rather go out for a day picnic due to busy schedule as students….. so just for sake of a bit relief I think i must go to Janki Van…..anyways thanks for ur prompt response…..
https://patelblog.com/
Dineshbhai
What’s charges for jankivan? Guide is necessary?it’s nearby navsari or surat?
Darpan Dodiya
I don’t remember them charging entry fee. There are no charges I believe.
Guide is neither available nor needed.
It’s near to Navsari.
monil solanki
I have visited on 28/0/16 Sunday. Nice and beautiful garden.
Jinesh bhandari
Hello Darpan…. Is there janki van open on 15 Aug 2016??. Bcoz its monday…nd earlyer u mentioned in your blog that it ll b closed on monday.
Darpan Dodiya
Hello Jinesh!
No, I don’t think it will be open…
Nilesh Patel
nice
Tanmay Shah
Hi Darpan…
Thanks for this wonderful info….
You should be the tourism ambassador for Gujarat…!!!
By the way, is it worth visiting in hot summer probably tomorrow i.e. 5 june 2k16.
Will it be a cool nature lovers destination for summer ???
Thanks
Tanmay
Darpan Dodiya
Oh thanks! Never thought about being ambassador!
No, Tanmay, I wouldn’t recommend it in hot summer.
AVOID SUNDAYS!
Last time when I passed by Janki Van, there were hundreds of cars parked outside garden. Too much crowd is…you know..!
Tanmay
Actually we are taking a route to Saputara…..so actually we are planning to visit it around 3 PM…..We dont rather go out for a day picnic due to busy schedule as students….. so just for sake of a bit relief I think i must go to Janki Van…..anyways thanks for ur prompt response…..
Darpan Dodiya
Alright, if you are choosing at as mid way rest point, then it’s definitely good place.
I thought, you were exclusively coming to Janki Van. 🙂
Tanmay Shah
Darpan, Our Saputara plan was cancelled and we went for janki van….it was a definitely brain turner mind blowing place…well maintained……
Thanks for exploring such interesting places
MAHESH
Till the date I didnt know that a great person like darpan dodia is residing in vansda…..!!!!
Who is highly intrested in travelling; language;knowledge sharing; art; computer; photography, college study too….!!!!!!
Any way v r proud of u.
Keep your activity continue…. V will meet sometime…God bless u…… Kya gazab ka aadami hai…..
Darpan Dodiya
Hi Mahesh!
That’s a great compliment for me!
Thanks a ton for such kind words!
shoeb sulamani
seems to be a nice place to visit & enjoy.. but how could we reach there?? & the timing ???
Darpan Dodiya
Janki Van is easily accessible.
It falls on the Vansda-Unai road, about 10 minutes from Vansda.
Road is well maintained.
It is accessible after 10 AM.
Ajay Desai
Though such a nice place I returned from gate on mahashivratri day as it was closed. Why it should remain close on public holiday, when there can be so many tourist. One can visit nearby shukleshwar temple also at Anaval.
Darpan Dodiya
As I’ve mentioned in article above, Janki Van is closed on Mondays for maintenance activities. That could be the reason of your disappointment.
Thanks for mentioning Anaval! It’s a good place too!
SUNIL KUMAR PATEL
One of the best place of our tribal village .
Awesome ..
Please WELCOME to every visitor in JANKI VAN.
Rahul Thakor
Government of Gujarat builds these type of Vans every year.
One Van in one year.
Janki Van is part of it and it is 7th or 9th Van.
Darpan Dodiya
Oh! Cool data, didn’t know about this! 🙂
Jitu
Nice and beautiful garden.
Naresh Chauhan
Can we have opening/closing timing of JANKI VAN so that we can plan accordingly while going or coming from Saputar & Jankivan is how far from VANSDA .
Darpan Dodiya
Currently, I don’t have information regarding timings. I will email you and update this post as soon as I get the info.
Janki Van is 10-15 minutes from Vansda.
UPDATE: I’ve updated the article.