Touring Services - Travel in Gujarat
GUJARAT TRAVEL GUIDE
The state of Gujarat is in the Western India region of the India. Lothal, near to Ahmedabad and Dholavira, near to Kutch are sites of a Harappan (Indus) civilisation, which were older than 4000 years. Gujarat is known for the Stepped Wells, Jain Temples, Asiatic Lion and business oriented people.
REGIONS
Gujarat (North Gujarat, Central Gujarat, South Gujarat)
Saurashtra
It was never incorporated into British India. Instead it survived as more than 200 princely states until Independence.
Kutch
The largest district in the state and the second largest district of the country. The main city is Bhuj.
CITIES
Below is a selection of eight of Gujarat's most populated cities. Other cities can be found under their specific regions.
- Gandhinagar — administrative capital of Gujarat, city of Akshardham Temple and the second planned Green City
- Ahmedabad — Manchester of the East, commercial capital of Gujarat, home of Mahatma Gandhi's Ashram and the World's finest Textile Museum
- Bhavnagar — busy industrial centre, base for journeys to nearby sites
- Jamnagar — home to the world's largest Grass-Root Refinery complex
- Junagadh — city of ancient Ashokan Stone Edicts
- Rajkot — former capital of the state of Saraushtra
- Surat — Diamond City, famous for mouth watering Surati food
- Vadodara — Cultured City, Oxford of Gujarat
OTHER DESTINATIONS
- Pirotan Island
- Gir Forest National Park
- Dholavira - Harappan (Indus) Civilization Site.
- White Desert of Kutch - A desert created by nature with Salty soil in Kutchh district.
- Champaner - UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Lothal - Well planed Harappan (Indus) Civilization Port.
- Rani niVav - A famous stepwell (1304 AD.)
- The Sun Temple Modhera - 1000 years old famous Sun Temple.
- The Somanath- Glory of the Somnath temple attracted Islamic looter (Mahmud of Ghazni). That time temple is so wealthy that it had 1000 priest and 300 musicians. The temple is located on beach of Arabian Sea.
- The Dwarka- The Dwarkais believed to have been built by Lord Krishna himself. The temple must have been erected during the period of Mughal Emperor, Akba
TRAVEL BY ROAD
The route you take depends on where you're coming from:
- From Delhi Agra, Jaipur Jodhpur, and from other place of North India: Take the National Highway 8 (NH8).
- From Mumbai and from other place of North India: Take the National Highway 8 (NH8).
- From Nagpur and from other part of Vidarbh: Take the National Highway 6 (NH6).
- From Indore Bhopal and from other part of Central India: Take the National Highway 59 (NH59).
Gujarat has 1,572 Km National Highway Network.Most people in Gujarat travel by private buses or by Taxi. (These are excellent modes of
transport as the roads are among the best in India). Check In Hotel for Travel Agent for private buses. Avoid Government operated
public-transport if possible.
What to see?
MUSEUMS
- Sabarmati Ashram (Mahatma Gandhi Ashram), is located at Ashram Road, Ahmedabad, + 91.79.2755.7277 (mahatma@sabarmati.org, fax: +91.79.2756.0569), [2]. Opening hours are 8.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. on all days including Sundays and Holidays. Entry is Free.
- The Calico Museum of Textiles, Located at Sarabhai Foundation, Opp. Underbridge, Shahibag, Ahmedabad-380 004, Gujarat, India., + 91-79-2286 5995 (info@calicomuseum.com, fax: +91-79-2286 5759), [3]. Opening hours are 10.30 am to 12.30 pm and 2:30 PM to 5 PM. except Wednesday. (No entry after 11 am in morning.) Entry restricted to 30 visitors – 15 visitors on the basis of first-come-first-served and 15 by group booking. Entry is Free.
- LalbhaiDalpatbhai Indology Museum, Located at R GujratUniversisity, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad-380015, Gujarat, India. Opening hours are 10:30 to 17:30 except except Monday and public holidays. Entry is Free. The Museum covers a wide variety of topics from Buddhism, Jainism and its darshans, grammar, tantra and poetics to Vedas, agama to the different branches of Indian philosophy. It is learnt that this museum has the largest collection of Jain scripts which come around 75, 000 manuscripts with 500 illustrated versions and 45,000 printed books.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
- The Modhera Dance Festival - The three dayModhera Dance Festival is held every year during the third week end of January after the conclusion of Uttarayan festival. The dance festival is frequently visited by art and dance connoisseurs from all across the world. Classical and folk dancers and musicians from different states of the India exhibit their talent and flair while culture enthusiasts become part of the festival to witness this splendid event.
- The International Kite Festival - The three-four days International Kite Festival is held every year during the second/third week end of January at Ahmedabad during Uttarayan festival (14-January). Visitors come from around India for the celebration and international visitors have come from countless countries, including Japan, Italy, the UK, Canada, Brazil, Indonesia, Australia, the USA, Malaysia, Singapore, France, China, and many more.
- The RannUtsav (desert festival) - The three dayRannUtsav is held every year during the Full moon night in the month of December at Bhuj and goes around the district with a grand finale. The festival is visited and enjoyed by more than 8000 tourists from all over the world to celebrate the mystical magic of Kutch and its diversity.
- Traditional Festival
- The Uttarayan- The one-day Uttarayan is held every year 14th January at each and every cities and villages of Gujarat. Peoples from all ages go to roof and take full enjoyment of Kite fligting for full day even in night also.
- The Navratri Festival - The ten days Navratri Festival is held roughly corresponding to dates in the Gregorian calendar in September/October at all cities and villages of Gujarat. Navarati s the dance festival of Gujarat the dance form known as rasgarba. Very large group of Youth enjoy dance all nine nights.
- The Tarnetar fair - The fair is held for three days every year during the Hindu calendar dates of BhadarvaSud - 4th, 5th and 6th (during the Gregorian calendar months Aug.-Sept). The Tarnetar fair is held 8 km from the town of Thangadh, in Surendranagar District.
- The Bhavnath Fair- The fair during Mahashivaratri is held for five days commencing from the Hindu calendar date of MaghVad 11, during the Gregorian months of February-March. The Bhavnath Fair is held at the BhavnathMahadev Temple near Junagadh.
- RathYatra - RathYatra is a huge Hindu festival associated with Lord Jagannath held at Ahmedabad , Bhavnagar and rest of India during the months of June (Rainy Season).
- The Vautha Fair - This fair is held during KartikaPurnima, the full moon night of the month of Kartik in the Hindu calendar at Dholka near Ahmedabad, corresponding roughly to the month of November. It lasts for five days.
ITINERARIES
- International Tourist Route (4 Day / 3 Night) - Start from Ahmedabad- Day one - Mahatma Gandhi Ashram - Calico Museum of Textiles - Night (Ahmedabad or Utelia Palace Hotel or Velavadar National Park gust house) - Day Two - Velavadar National Park - Palitana - Night (Bhavnagar or Diu) - Day Three - Relax on beaches and resorts of Diu or The Somnath temple - Junagadh - Night (Junagadh or Rajkot or Rann Riders Resort) - Day Four - Rann Riders Resort or Shopping or Exit for Rajasthan or Delhi or Mumbai.
- Buddhist Route (4 Day / 3 Night) - Start from Bhavnagar - Day one - Buddhist Caves at Talaja - Night (Junagadh) - Day two - Ashoka Rock Edicts, Buddhist Caves at Junagadh and Upperkot Fort - Night (Bhuj) - Day three - Buddhist caves in Siyot village via Lakhpat - Night (Bhuj)- Day Four - Shopping at [Ahmedabad]] and/or Exit for Rajasthan or Delhi or Mumbai.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS:
- International Tourist Route (4 Day / 3 Night) - Start from Ahmedabad- Day one - Mahatma Gandhi Ashram - Calico Museum of Textiles - Night (Ahmedabad or Utelia Palace Hotel or Velavadar National Park gust house) - Day Two - Velavadar National Park - Palitana - Night (Bhavnagar or Diu) - Day Three - Relax on beaches and resorts of Diu or The Somnath temple - Junagadh - Night (Junagadh or Rajkot or Rann Riders Resort) - Day Four - Rann Riders Resort or Shopping or Exit for Rajasthan or Delhi or Mumbai.
- Buddhist Route (4 Day / 3 Night) - Start from Bhavnagar - Day one - Buddhist Caves at Talaja - Night (Junagadh) - Day two - Ashoka Rock Edicts, Buddhist Caves at Junagadh and Upperkot Fort - Night (Bhuj) - Day three - Buddhist caves in Siyot village via Lakhpat - Night (Bhuj)- Day Four - Shopping at [Ahmedabad]] and/or Exit for Rajasthan or Delhi or Mumbai.
- Travel by Royal Orient Train Indianrail.gov.in/royal_orient.html: The Royal Orient train is one of the world's most exotic trains. The journey by the Royal orient train is a rare delight. It is an experience that takes you back to the times of Rajas and Maharajas. You get to explore two of the most fascinating and culturally rich states of India, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The train travel 7 days through Delhi - Chittaurgarh - Udaipur - Junagarh - Dilwara - Palitana - Ahmedabad - Jaipur and back to Delhi
- Travel by man driven Boat in NalSarovar (lake) Bird Sanctuary spread over 120 sq.kms to see over 250 species of migrated birds from Siberia and Europe. Best time to visit Nal Sarovar is Between November and February. In April Birds start to leave the lake.
- Safari in Blackbuck National Park to see group of jumping Black Bucks from every parts of the park. There is no wild animal in park, it is also fun to trail or Camping in park.
- Jumping Blackbuck at Blackbuck National Park.
- Hiking on the Shatrunjaya hill and biking on Hastagiri to see devotion of Jain. There are in total 863 amazing Marble temples (largest cluster of temples in India).
- Safari in Gir Forest National Park to see Remaining Asiatic Lions in the world.
- Diu is house of lots of good quality of Beach. Administratively, it is not part of Gujarat, so every one can get good quality alcohol.
- Stay at Rann Riders Resort [9] to see and feel typical rann village life, music and culture. Resort also offer Camel safari to Wild Ass Sanctuary in the little rann of Kutch. It is very important destination of Rural tourism in Gujarat.
