A state which literally sounds like tourist paradise and strategically situated at the extreme western boundary of India, is known for plethora of attractions such as world’s largest white desert, habitat of Asiatic Lions, ancient Buddhist caves, Marine national park and many more. Gujarat has all the reasons to be listed in the every traveler diary. The state has attracted merchants, migrants and colonizers from centuries lured by the rich trade prospects offered by its long coastline open to the sea. Gujarat shares its boundary with Rajasthan to the northeast, Daman and Diu to the south, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Maharastra to the southeast, Madhya Pradesh to the east, and the Arabian Sea and Pakistan to the west. It is the sixth largest Indian state by area and the ninth largest state by population.
The state’s architectural diversity includes a variety of Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist, Islamic and European styles. Today, tourism in Gujarat is the best place for architectural enthusiasts or cultural heritage lover as the state offers an opportunity to explore a diversity of captivating and distinctive architecture from 4500 year old citadel, handicrafts and handloom to early 20th century noted places, forts and Havelis.
History :
According to Indian history evident, Harappan Civilisation flourished at various sites scattered across Gujarat state between 2650 and 1900 BC. Many evidences found at sites like Lothal in Gujarat the suggest that the Harappan people had established trade links with the middle-eastern and western world from 1,600 kilometer long Gujarat coast. The archeological survey of India conducted excavation of Dholavira and Lothal in Gujarat which are among the most substantial in India. Sophisticated urban planning, water management systems and technologically advanced culture that were found at these sites are more than 4000 years ago.
Tourism in Gujarat :
Gujarat is one of the most popular states in India popularly known for tourism where heavy footfall of tourists can be seen every year. Gujarat offers picturesque beauty from the Great Runn of Kutch to the hills of Satpura and is the only abode of pure Asiatic Lions in the world. It is noticeable that during historic regions of the sultans, Hindu craftsmanship mingled with Islamic style architecture and that only gave birth to Indo-Saracenic style. One can find many architectural structures in the state are constructed in this fashion. Moreover, Gujarat is birth place of two great iconic figures of India’s independence movement viz. Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Religious Sites in Gujarat
Gujarat is culturally-rich state of India and one of the most vibrant states known for its exquisite charm. And Gujarat is bestowed with many religious sites which play major part in the state tourism. According to Rigveda, Somnath is the first among twelve Jyotirlingas. The Palitana temples of Jainism on Mount Shatrunjaya are one of the holiest of all pilgrimage destinations by the Svetambara and Digambara Jain community. The Jama Masjid and Sidi Saiyyed are considered holiest mosque for Gujarati Muslims. The renowned Sun Temple, Modhera, Dwarakadheesh Temple and Dakor holy pilgrimage sites are for devotees of Lord Krishna are some of the noted Hindu religious sites in India.
Fairs and Festivals of Gujarat
Gujarat becomes more livable with its vivid fairs and festivals as they are colorful and beautiful. A five-day festival known as the Bhavanth Fair is held during Maha Shivaratri at the fort of Girnar, Junagarh. The Runn of Kutch festival is a festival celebrated at kutch during Mahashivratri. Classical dance festival known as "Modhra Dance Festival" is organized by Government of Gujarat’s cultural department to promote tourism in state. The folk traditions of Gujarat such as Raas-Garba and Bhavai are observed to keep alive the old traditions. Bhavai is a folk theatre and Raas-Garba is a folk dance performed during Navratri celebration.
Music
Sugam Sangeet is a popular Gujarati folk music and it is main profession of communities like Barot, Gadhvi and Charan communities. A music instrument such as Turi, Bungal and Pava and string instruments includes the ravan hattho, ektaro, and jantar and percussion instruments, such as the manjira and zanz pot drum.
Flora and Fauna of Gujarat
India State of Forest reports that Gujarat has 9.7 per cent of its total geographical area under the forest cover. The bountiful Gujarat has four national parks and twenty one wildlife sanctuaries. Gir national park is the only home of Asiatic lions. Other National Park in Gujarat include include Vansda National Park, Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar and Narara Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutchh, Jamnagar. Wildlife sanctuaries include Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary, Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Porbandar Bird Sanctuary, Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Kutch Bustard Sanctuary, Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary, Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary, Anjal, Balaram-Ambaji, Barda, Jambughoda, Khavda, Paniya, Purna, Rampura, Ratan Mahal, and Surpaneshwar.
Transport Facilities in Gujarat
Air:
Gujarat has seventeen airports. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at Ahmedabad and Surat International Airport at Surat is two international airports in Gujarat.
Rail:
Gujarat comes under the Western Railway Zone of the Indian Railways. Major railway stations include Ahmedabad, Vadodara Railway station, Surat Railway station and Rajkot Railway station are the important railheads in Gujarat.
Road:
Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation is the main government body who looks after the bus services within the state of Gujarat.
Top Hotels in Gujarat
Jaipur Hotels
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text. Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.
Udaipur Hotels
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text. Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.
Jaisalmer Hotels
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text. Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.
