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Why Visit Gujarat

The land of legends, Gujarat lies at the border of Rajasthan and Pakistan in northeast while Maharashtra together with the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Diu, and Daman, in the South and Madhya Pradesh in the east. The vast Arabian Sea also touches the border of the state in the west and south west.

Dazzling like a diverse state Gujarat shakes up all Idnophile while reveals the treasures which were hidden from the tourists hordes. Gujarat is one state which has no dearth of things in which one can indulge himself, as this Indian state is vibrant, which is also a melting pot and blend of assorted traditions and culture. The geographic diversity together with its strategic location makes Gujarat act like a home to people of assorted diversities, thereby making it one of the most developed and industrialized states in India.

Gujarat took its name from natives Gujjars that ruled the region during the times of 700s and 800s. The Stone Age settlement amid the Mahi and Sabarmati River indicated the similar time like that of the Indus Valley Civilization while the Harappan centers are too discovered at Amri, Rampur, and Lothal together with some other places.

The winter season in Gujarat is marked by dry, pleasant, and mild climate while the summer season is considered to be very hot and dry together with harsh sunshine. Relief comes to the state in the form of Monsoon which starts around the middle of June month. The winter season is considered to be best for planning a trip to Gujarat.

Gujarat is situated on the Western part of India which shares its border with the Arabian Sea. Ahmadabad is the capital of this state. Besides, it also shares border with Pakistan. Gujarat is acknowledged as treasure of historical as well as dynamic attractions apart from many other things in which the tourists can indulge themselves. Gujarat is also known for being a resourceful and wealthy state.

Gujarat has an impeccable 1600 km coastline in India together with an easily traversable landscape. The state is also known for its eminent temples, and industrious reputation. The main city of Gujarat is Ahmadabad which is also called the home of Mahatma Gandhi Ashram. This city also houses the world’s finest textile museum here.

Why Visit in Gujarat

As a well known tourist destination in India, Gujarat is acknowledged for its historical monuments, hill resorts, architectural assets, holy temples, wildlife tours, and world renowned beaches.

Gujarat has many ruins of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization like Lothal and Dholavira. Dholavira is even acknowledged as Kotada Timba while is also known for having largest architectural sites which are prominent in India. This is located in Kutch district. Gola Dhoro was recently excavated while the site dates back to as old as 2500 BC.
Some other famous religious centers in Gujarat include – the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque and Chotila, Becharaji Temples, Dakor, Ambaji, Girnar, the Patan, Shankeshwar Jain Temples, Sun Temple, the Somnath Temple, the Palitana Temple and the Dwarkadeesh Temple in Dwarka.

Acknowledged as dynamic state, Gujarat is considered as a relatively prosperous state which is barely glimpsed by the tourists who scurry between Rajasthan and Mumbai. However by stopping and exploring the city, you will discover that this homeland of legendary Mahatma Gandhi is full of surprises. It has many industries, while also has artisans that weave and embroider most of India’s finest textiles. It also has unique wildlife and pristine parks. The terrain of this city is almost flat however it is scattered with sacred, temple topped and dramatic mountains. The cities range from hectic to frantic while have numerous exquisite palaces, mosques, and temples that have impeccable architecture. The people of Gujarat are well known for their entrepreneurial skills and industriousness however with the foreign tourists that are found in scarce numbers, one is more likely to enjoy the friendly chat instead of the hard sell from localities. Though Gujarat is a dry state, yet it is has a non alcoholic drink which is worth drinking.

Gujarat Glance


Archeological and Heritage Tourism

Gujarat has as assortment of temples, mosques, palaces, historic forts and places that have immense historical importance in the struggle of India’s independence. Most of the palaces and forts have now been transformed into heritage hotels which keeps the tourists close to the dynamic history of Gujarat. Like the Laxmi Vilas Palace, in Vadodra is acknowledged to have the largest privately owned dwelling which was built many years ago while is four times in size when compared with the size of Buckingham Palace in London. These sites are presently under development while are thought to have immense potential for being considered as huge developmental sites. The world heritage sites like Champaner, Lothal and Dholavira can also be found in Gujarat itself.

Cultural Tourism

Well known for its flourishing and rich culture, Gujarat has folk arts which form a main part of the state’s culture. The state preserves the rich tradition of drama, dance, and song. The handicrafts of this state include pithora, rogan painting, namda, pottery, metal crafts, woodcrafts, embroidery, block printing, bamboo crafts, khadi, kutchhi work, patolas of patan and bandhani together with many other art forms. The Parsis, British, Mughals, dutch, Portugese and the Arabs have left a prominent mark on culture of Gujarat.

Religious Tourism

Gujarat is a home to various devotional and religious centers like Lojpur, Sattadhar, Tulsi Shyam, Narayan Sarovar, Bujh, Swaminarayan Mandir, Ashapura Mataji madh Kutch, Sudama Mandir, Hindu Temples, Jain Temples, Ahmadabad, Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Akshardham in Gandhinagar, Modhera, the Sun Temple, Kabirvad, Pavagadh, Bahucharaji, Shamlaji, Somnath, Shankheshwar, Mahudi, Palitana, Ambaji, Dakor, Dwarka etc.

Wildlife Tourism

Acting as a habitat to some of the rarest and endangered species, large number of flora and fauna, Gujarat is a perfect place for the nature lovers. Fauna includes – Storks, Pelican, and Flamingos, which are some of the migratory birds, together with dolphins, chinkara, paradise flycatcher, Nilgai, Monkey, bears, blackbuck, wild ass, and Asiatic Lions. The flora includes – species of Bordi, Asundro, Ber, Khakro, Salai, Babul, Timru, Sadad and Khair. Gujarat also has many national parks and Sanctuaries like the Blackbuck National Park, Kutch Bustar Sanctuary, Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Vansda National Park, Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch, Gir National Park etc.

Medical Tourism

Ahmadabad, the capital of Gujarat is known as the leading state which is also acknowledged for its medical tourism all across the country. Offering world class health care facilities at economical cost, Ahmadabad is now becoming one of the most sought after medical tourism center in India. The 108 service is greatly appreciated service which means medical at doorstep. Nearly 1500 foreign visitors visit this state every year seeking for assorted medical treatments. The civil hospital of Ahmadabad is one of the biggest hospitals in Asia which is located in Ahmadabad itself. It is estimated that the city shall have many more upcoming hospitals.

Royal Orient Train

Considered as the luxury tourism train, the Royal Orient Train runs between Rajasthan and Gujarat covering significant tourist destination in these two states. This train started in the year 1994-95 as one of the joint ventures of Indian Railways and Tourism Corporation of Gujarat. There are 13 royal coaches in the train which are named after the kingdoms of Rajputana. The coaches offer world class or five star amenities to its passengers. The cabins are well furnished in palatial style while have spacious washrooms attached to them. The passengers are offered multi-cuisine dishes which include Rajasthani, continental, Chinese, Indian and Gujarati food. The Royal Orient train even has a bar in it together with a lounge in each coach where the passengers can sit comfortably and read books or magazines, while also watch TV, listen to soothing music while interact with co-passengers. Some other services which are offered include – channel music, intercom, DVD system, TV together with a massage cum beauty salon. This train offers seven days and eight night package which covers main heritage tourist destinations of Gujarat and Rajasthan. This train commences from Delhi Cantonment Railway station while stops at Sarkhej, Madvi, Sasan Gir, Veraval, Junagarh, Mehsana, Ahmadabad, Udaipur, Jaipur and Chittorgarh. But now the Royal Orient train is no longer in operation due to maintenance.

Festivals to Enjoy

  • The famous kite festival – Uttarayan (held on 14 and 15th Jan in Ahmadabad
  • The famous Indian classical dance jamboree – Modehera Dance Festival (held around 20th Jan in Modhera)
  • The Hindu Festival which is celebrated at the foothills of Girnar Hills – Bhavnath Mela (held in Jan/Feb in Junagadh)
  • The Mahakali festival when the pilgrims pay homage to Maa Kali at Pavagadh hills (held in the months of March and April in Pavagadh
  • The Nine night when dance is held all around Gujarat – Navratri (takes places in Sep and October in different states)
  • A Large fair is held at Somnath where the Jain pilgrims flock to visit the shatrunjaya hills – Kartik Purnima (held during the months of November and December in Somnath)

Food

Gujarat serves mainly vegetarian food and all thanks to the presence of Jain culture which has a strong influence on this city. Gujarati meals are vegetarian which include food that is less spicy, lighter, and sweeter with less oil than the Punjabi thali and no wonders the localities consider it as one of the best thalis. It starts with a large stainless steel plate on which the teams of waiters serve almost all or few of these things as required – dhal, pickles, chutneys, curries, kadhi(made from yogurt and gram flour) rice, roti, raita, khichadi which is a perfect blend of lentils and rice, salad, farsan, together with one or two sweet dishes which must be eaten concurrently with the rest of thali ingredients. Butter milk is one more accompanying drink with water which is best served here. Generally the rice or Khichadi are not served unless you have completed the rotis. In most of the Gujrati thali restaurants, the waiters serve you and keep coming back to you unless you are done and say no more. An excellent thali is a combination of flavors together with healthy and balanced nutritional meal.

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