Gujarat

Chhattisgarh || Daman & Diu (UT) || Gujarat || Dadra & Nagar Haveli (UT) || Goa || Madhya Pradesh || Maharashtra

The most convenient entry point into Gujarat is through the metropolis of Ahmedabad. The city contains some very fine museums, the Calico Museum of Textiles being considered among the world’s finest. Ahmedabad’s walled city is a living testimony to its heritage of crafts as women walk by in dazzling embroidered garments and flashing ethnic silver jewellery. Traditional Ahmedabad combines mosques of inspired workmanship, wooden Jain temples, unique stone stepwells and houses with ornately carved wooden balconies and window screens. Modern Ahmedabad, just across the River Sabarmati spanned by four bridges, is a showpiece of contemporary architecture with designs by Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn and the best known Indian architects. Ahmedabad is a convenient base for a number of excursions, Modhera being the best known. 106 km away, this is one of the very few sun temples in the country.

Palitana, 215 km away, is a hilltop place of pilgrimage for Jains. 863 temples of all sizes crowd the hilll which has to be approached on foot. Stone and marble spires with their rich detail of carving make for Palitana’s very special appeal. Portuguese rule in India included the territories of Goa, Daman and Diu, the last two lying within the state of Gujarat.

Gujarat’s loveliest beach – and the state is well endowed with them – is Ahmedpur Mandvi whose chief attraction is the ethnic beach resort. Cottages modelled on rural Gujarati architecture look out onto a secluded beach, one of the state’s chief centres for water sports.

Udaipur and its environs, easily accessible by air and road from Bombay, are another facet of Rajasthan. Far from being surrounded by flat arid desert, Udaipur is situated in the lap of the thickly wooded Aravalli hills. Three lakes form an attraction of the city whose focal point is the towering cluster of honey coloured palaces that go to make up the complex of the City Palace and other palatial apartments.

Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad blends harmoniously an ancient heritage with a vibrant present. The city's prosperous and eventful past and present is embodied in its rich kaleidoscope of history, art and culture, rich architecture and imposing monuments. Tourists can visit Ahmedabad throughout the year.

How to get there
 

Places of interest

• Ahmed Shah's Mosque

• Balvatika 4 kms

• Teen Darwaza and Bhadra Fort

• Daria Khan's Ghummat 3 km

• Siddi Sayyad's Mosque

• Gita Mandir 3 km

• Swami Narayan Temple 2 km

• Hathisinh Mandir 2 km

• Jhulta Minar 3 km

• Jumma Masjid 0,5 km

• Kankaria Lake 4 km

• Rani Sipri's Mosque and Tomb 2 km

• Rani Roopmati Mosque .5 km

• Rauza of Shah Alam 3 km

• Sabarmati Ashram 6 km

• Siddhi Sayyad Mosque .5 km

• Dada Hari Vav 4 km

Museums & Art Galleries
(Closed days are within the bracket)

• Calico Museum of Textiles, Calico Mills (Wed. and bank holidays)

• Shreyas Folk Art Museum. (Mondays & school vacations)

• Gandhi Smarak Sanghrahalaya, Gandhi Ashram Sabarmati (Mondays)

• L.D. Institute of Indology, Navarangpura (Mondays)

• National Institution of Design

• Tribal Research & trg. Museum, Ashram Rd (Sun. & bank holidays)

• N.C. Mehta Art Gallery, Sanskar Kendra, Paldi (Mondays)

• Kite Museum, Sanskar Kendra (Mondays)

• Veechar Utensil Mumseum, Vasna Tolnaka (Sundays)

• Natural History Museum, Kankaria

Excursions:

• Adalaj Vav 19 km

• Lothal 80 km

• Patan 113 km

• Nal Sarovar 71 km

• Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram 6 km

• Gandhi Nagar 25 km

• Modhera (Sun Temple) 106 km

Rajkot

Rajkot, the former Capital of the princely state of Saurashtra was founded by the Rajput Chief Kunwar Vibhuji in the 16th century, Rajkot is famous for its Bandhani Sarees, mirror-work, patch work, bead work and silk embroidery.

How to get there
 

Places of interest

• Aji Dam 8 km

• Mahatma Gandhi's Home (Kaba Gandhino Delo)

• Lal Pari Lake & Renderda 4.8 kms

• Sardar Smriti Bhavan

• Watson Museums & Jubliee Gardens

Excursions

• Jadeshwar (60 kms)

• Virpur (64 kms)

• Bhid Bhanjan (60 kms)

• Manas Mandir (14 kms)

• Gondal (38 kms)

• Wankaner (50 kms)

Jamnagar

Jamnagar is known for its tie-&-dye work on fabrics, silken & gold embroidery. Tourists can visit Jamnagar throughout the year.

How to get there
 

Dwarka

Situated on the Gujarat Coast. Dwarka is one of the holiest centres of pilgrimage for Hindus. Best Season : November to March.

How to get there
 

What to see

• Dwarkadish Temple

• Bhadkeshwar Temple

• Rukmani Temple

• Sunset Point

• Shri Jagatguru Shankaracharya Math

• Ved Havan

• Light House

• Shardapith Math Museum

Excursions

• Bet Dwarka (2 kms from Okha. Ferry Service from Okha Port)

• Vasai 12 kms

• Pindhara 72 kms

• Harshad Mata Temple 58 kms

• Nageshwar 16 kms

• Shri Vallabhacharya 's Baithak

• Okha 32 kms

Porbandar

Porbandar, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, is a picturesque little seaside resort on the west coast of Gujarat. Best Season : November to March.

How to get there
 

Places of interest

• Arya Kanya Gurukul

• Bharat Mandir

• kirti Mandir

• Sudama Mandir

• Planetarium

Excursions

• Harshad Mata Temple 38.6 kms

• Madhapur Temple 64.3 km

• Mul-Dwarka 28.8 kms

Somnath Veraval

Somnath also known as Prabhas Patan has religious and historical significance. The Somnath Temple has one of the 12 Jyotirlingas or Shiva shrines and is one of the most important pilgrim centres for Hindus. Season : November to March.

How to get there

Places of interest

• Somnath Temple

• Triveni Ghat

• Ahilyabai Temple

• Junagadh Gate

• Bhalka Tirth

• Dehotsarga

• Manipur Masjid

• Museum

Excursions

• Chorwad 26 kms

• Sasan Gir 43 kms

Sasan Gir

Gir Forest is today the only place in the world outside Africa, where the lion can be seen in his natural habitat. The forest also harbours a variety of smaller animals and birds. Other predators are the panther and the hyena. The Indian Deer, Sambar, Chital (spotted deer), Nilgai (blue bull), Chinkara and the Chowsingha (four horned antelope) are found here, alongwith the bear and the long tailed langur.

How to get there
 

Junagadh

Stippled with hills, Junagadh derives its name from an 'old fort'.

How to get there
 

What to see

• Ashoka's Edicts

• Uparkot Fort

• Shrine of Narsi Mehta

• Willingdon Dam

• Mahabat Maqbara

• Damodar Kund

• Girnar Hills & Temple (8 km.Situated at a height of about 610 metres one has to climb nearly 2000 steps to see the magnificent Jain Temples)

• Darbar Hall Museum (Diwan Chowk)

• Sakkarbag Museum

• Sakkarbag Zoo

 Excursions

• Chorwad 66 kms

• Prabhas Patan 92 kms

• Sasangir 58 kms

• Tulsi Shyam Hot Springs 160 kms