It is the seventh largest state of India and is located on western Part of India with a coastline of approx 1600 kms. It offers scenic beauty from Rann of Kutch to the Satpura Hills. It is one and only place to view pure asiatic lions in the world One can find Indo Saracenic style (mixed Hindu and Islam carftmanship) of architecture. Many structures are built in this fashion. It is also birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel iconic figures of India’s independence movement. One can see Beaches, temples, mountains, museums, wildlife, craftsmanship and many more. We have listed below some of these places below.
AHEMDABAD
Sultan Ahmed Shah found this city in 1411 AD. One can see the synthesis of Islamic and Hindu craftsmanship in its monuments. It is one of the major industrial city of India. It is called the ‘Manchester” of the East’ due to its textile industry and smokestacks. This city also has a lot for the visitors.
Sightseeing and Excursion
It was here that in 1915 Mahatma Gandhi on the bank of River Sabarmati built his first Ashram. It is now a national monument-Gandhi Dham and has been preserved exactly as it was in the time of Gandhijee. Shaking Minars (jhulta Minar)- when one Minaret is shaken the other also vibrates. Sidi Saiyed Mosque famous for its stone window tracery, Rani Rupmati’s Mosque, Sarkhez Roza-Tomb of Mohammed Begada, Dada Hari vav-unique example of Gujrat Architecture, Huthising Jain Temple, Calico Textile museum-finest textile museum in the world, Shreyas folk art museum, Veechar Utensil museum , Adalaj Vav another Step-well, Lothal (80 km) the site of archeological ruins of the Harappan civilisation of the 2nd millenium BC.
GANDHINAGAR
Capital of Modern Gujarat is just 32 km from Ahmedabad and is located on the western Bank of Sabarmati river. The name given to the city is after the name of Gujrat born Mahatma Gandhi.This is India’s second planned city after Chandigarh.The secretariat was moved here in 1970. Gandhinagar’s sole tourist sight is the Akshardham Temple of the Hindu Swaminarayan Sect. It is constructed out of 6000 tonnes of Pink sandstone.
VADODRA
Also popularly known as Baroda is the city of gardens and palaces. Prior to independence it was the capital of the princely Gaekwad State. The city’s fine arts college attracts students from around the country and abroad.
Sightseeing and Excursion
Sayaji Bagh is an extensive park encircled by a mini Railway. Within the park are several attractons- Baroda mueum and art Gallery (10 am to 5 pm) which houses some good Indian statues and carvings, there are also zoological exhibits and an Egyptian room. Planetorium gives demonstration in the evening, It also has a small zoo & a Healt museum. Also visit the naulakhi Well and the EME a Hindu temple which has aluminium domed roof.
BHAVNAGAR
Founded in 1743 is an important trading post for the cotton goods manufactured in Gujarat. Nothing much for the tourist here but has an Interesting Bazar with overhanging wooden balconies, lots of local colour and rarely a tourist in sight. One can also visit the Takteswar temples sites and the Gandhi smriti museum with a moderate collection of Gandhi memorabila and religious statue. 51 kms from here are the Palitana temples of the Jainism located on Shatrunjaya hill. As the temple-city was built to be an abode for the divine, no one is allowed to stay overnight, including the priests. Every Jain believes that a visit to this group of temples is essential as a once in a life time chance to achieve nirvana or salvation. There are approx. 863 marble carved temples on the hills. To reach the main temple one has to climb 3500 steps
DIU
Diu for many is highlight of Gujrat. It was a Portugese colony like Goa and Daman until it was taken over by India in 1961. It has huge fort and quiet beaches. Its 13 km long and 3 km wide. It’s a nice and quiet Place to relax.
JUNAGADH
Junagadh was the capital of the Junagadh state under the Muslim ruler of Babi Nawab. In Gujarati the word Junagadh means an ancient fort and the city takes its name from the fort that enclosed the medeaval town. It was constructed between 1588 and 1593 Raja Rai Singh a General in Akbars army. It is situated in the Saurastra region at the foothills of Girmar Hills.
Sightseeing and Excursion
Various ancient temples, museums, and palaces are the major interesting monuments located in Junagadh. The most important tourist attraction in Junagadh is the remarkable Upperkot Fort (Upper Fort). Over the centuries, enemies had tried to capture this fort but couldn’t do so. The walls of the fort are as high as 70 feet. Some Buddhist caves are also situated in Junagadh which show that there might have been a monastery here before its regal history began. Another attraction in Junagadh are the 14 rock edicts of the great emperor Ashoka which are inscribed on a huge stone in Pali script. His 14 edicts in Pali are exhortations to virtue and assurances that he, “the Beloved of the Gods”, is looking after all his subjects. Other important place in Junagadh is the Mount Girnar. Mount Girnar is one of the hills which is most sacred to the Jain community. The Neminath temple, one of the largest and the oldest temple, the Bhavnath temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and the Amba Mata temple are also situated on this hill. Damodar Kund is a holy water reservoir that marks the ascent to the Girnar temples. It is surrounded by a well-built ghat. It is believed that here Lord Krishna placed a flower garland around the neck of the great poet and saint Narsinh Mehta. Jama Masjid is built inside the Upperkot Fort in Junagadh. This mosque was built from a demolished Hindu temple and has an interior filled with columns
SASAN GIR WLS
The last refuge of the Asiatic Lion is 59 km from Junagadh.The 1400 sq km sanctuary was set up to protect the Lion and its habitat.Apart from Lions there are 30 more species including leopards,hyenas,foxes,wild bear and a number of deer and antelope, crocodiles and monkeys.
SOMENATH-POREBANDAR-DWARKA-NAGARJUN -BETDWARKA
Somnath is well known one of the twelve jyotirlingas. It is approx 80 kms from Junagadh.It is said that originally it was built out of Gold by Somraj only to be rebuilt by Ravana in silver and then by Krishna in wood and by Bhimdev in stone. Todays temple is built by the sea on the original site (which was destroyed by Mahmood of Ghazni).Close by is Bhalka Tirth where Krishna was mistaken for a deer and wounded by an arrow. The legendry spot is at the confluence of three rivers. Close by is the temple of Sun which was also destroyed by Mahmmod of Ghazni. This temple is supposed to be of the same period as of Original Somnath Temple.
Porebandar –The Port city of gujrat is the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. Kirti Mandir-memorial to Gandhijee was built in 1950. Next door is Gandhijees actual birth place-a three storey 300 years old house. A swastik marks the spot where the great man was born on 2nd Oct 1869. In the ancient time the city was called Sudamapuri after Sudama-the noted friend of Krishna.
Dwarka Located on the extreme western tip of the Kathiawar Peninsula, Dwarka is one of the four most important places of Hindu Pilgrimage sites in India and is closely related to the legend of Krishna. It was here that Krishna set up his capital after fleeing from Mathura. Dwarkadheesh temple is dedicated to Krishna. Also worth a look are the carvings of Rookmani Temple, many pillar Sabha Mandap reputed to be over 2500 years old and the Nageshwar temple (another Jyotirling). Archeological excavations have revealed five earlier cities at the site all of which have submerged. A little north of Dwarka is a ferry across from Okha is the island of Bet where Lord Vishnu is said to have slain a demon. There are modern Krishna temples on the island.Dwarka also has a light house open to public between 4 to 6 pm and also has a beautiful beach.
KUTCH-BHUJ-MANDVI & Little rann of Kutch
Kutch is the westernmost region of India, is virtually an Island. The Gulf of Kutch divides the Kutch from the Kathiawar Peninsula, in north it is separated from Sind region of Pakistan the great Rann of Kutch. During the monsoon it gets flooded first by the sea water and then by the river water. During dry months its just a hard dried mud/land. Salt in the soil makes this low lying area completely barren. The villagers of the Kutch region have been renowned for their distinctive and high quality handicraft. The land was badly effected by earth quake and many villages wiped off the map. Many cooperative society are working to preseve the art & culture of the Region. A permission is required from the District Majistrate of Bhuj to visit the Kutch area.
Bhuj is the closest town of the region. All most 90 % of the buildings were destroyed in the earth quake of 2001. Most of the Tourist attractions were lost in the quake. Its now only a major transit point to enter the Kutch area.Gandhidham is the newest town near Kandala was established to take refugee from the Sind. It’s the nearest railhead for neighbouring Bhuj. Mandvi was promoted as a beach destination. Little Rann of Kutch is the barren expense of desert (actually salt plains) which divides Gujrat western Region of Kutch with rest of Gujarat. Every year the Gujarat Government organises Rann Utsav – 3 months long festival where tourists can see the various sights of the Rann as well as get a taste of the local culture, cuisine and hospitality. Specially built local houses are also used to house tourists to give them a taste of the region.
