Places to Visit in Gujarat

Ahmedabad, also known as the 'Manchester of India' is an apt weekend destination amongst tourists who want to unwind themselves amidst nature and capture the beautiful essence of Gujarat. Ahmedabad is the western India's most vibrant city known for its cotton industries mushrooming into the cities and its cotton products burgeoning across India. The best tourist places in Ahmedabad offer an array of activities as ­ a known shopping destination for fabrics, an exciting and pleasing vista of flora and fauna, an essence of true Gujarati cuisine and an amalgamation of architecture.

The Sabarmati Ashram situated in 1917 was the abode of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi or better known as Mahatma Gandhi during the years of Independence struggle. The ashram on the banks of and named after the river 'Sabarmati' has a very subtle architecture with a soothing and tranquil atmosphere.

The ashram has served two purposes quintessentially as the epicenter of freedom struggle and as the place that united a group of people who committed to 'ahimsa' or non-violence to secure independence. Tourists get to explore nature and the place does immense justice to tourists with its varied ecosystem and an enriched heritage that provides fun, frolic, adventure and a sneak peek into India's ancient history. The city offers a number of sanctuaries, national park and lake rides with beautiful sunsets that was inhabited by Bhil king of Ashaval in 11th Century, Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1411 C.E. and later by Shahjahan.

The marvelous architecture juxtaposed with breathtaking view serves the tourist places in Ahmedabad as a popular destination for tourists with a mixture of fun, food and frolic. The standalone architecture essays a great trip down the lane of history and magnificence.

The city of Surat, in Gujarat, has a lot to offer for travellers seeking a break from the humdrum.  This vibrant Diamond city in Gujarat offers much to see and soak for travellers. From a visit to the vast salt expanse to retreating to the forests of Gir close by and from cultural heritage of the temples of Surat to modern art, the city has something for everyone to stay inspired. The city of Surat, makes for a good base to explore the many offerings of the state of Gujarat, like the lions in the Gir Forest and the Asiatic Wild Asses of the Little Rann of Kutch as well as a wonderful travel getaway in itself.

Surat, often called the Diamond City, for it has been the trade centre for diamonds for centuries! The city sparkles with its natural beauty, the hot springs, temples, tree-lined roads and access to some of the most beautiful beaches. Believed to have been settled as Suryapur in 1516, Surat city of today is a marvel to behold and a visitor’s delight. There is celebration in the city of Surat, almost all through the year. From the vibrant Navratri celebrations across the many shrines dedicated to the Hindu goddesses at the beginning of the year to the festive colours of the Garba dance in October-November.

There’s the enthusiastic kite-flying festival in January which attracts travellers from all over the world and then there are music festivals after the rains. Surat has the tropical weather with hot summers, delightful winters, plenty of rain during the monsoon along with a sparkling although short, springtime. The city attracts travellers from all corners of the world through October to March which is the best time to visit the state. The lovely beaches around Surat, like Dumas and Suvali, make for a wholesome travel experience at any time of the year.

If you are looking for places to visit in Gujarat, then Kutch is the crème de la crème of the places you would want to explore. The architectural grandeur, cultural marvel, and sumptuous cuisine are bound to make it difficult for you to leave.  Kutch lies on the India-Pakistan border, and you can see parts of Pakistan from here.

The best time to visit Kutch is during winter, from November to February. The long winter evenings reflect the light of the moon on white sands, giving it an aesthetic appeal. In fact, the famous Rann of Kutch festival takes place at the same time, flaunting its remarkable glory.

The second most important determinant of how your trip goes, after climate, is where you should go. Be it for a short period of time or a long one; there are places in Kutch that must be visited for a memorable sojourn into a cultural lifestyle.

You must have heard about the Rann of Kutch in your geography classes, but seldom did they cover the humbling beauty of the place. The massive deposits of salt in the area gives it a surreal appeal. It’s beauty has also been portrayed in various Bollywood films like Ramleela and Refugee.

If you want to explore Kutch from a historical viewpoint, then Kutch Museum has in its inventory some extinct scripts like the Kutchi Script and ancient coins. There are also paintings, arms, and embroidered pieces marveling at the cultural lifestyle.

The Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary inhabits animals like cormorants, wild boards, porcupines, and black-necked storks, making it a popular tourist attraction. There are also jeep safaris available here.Another reason to visit Kutch is the Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary that is considered to be the largest saline wetland area.  It preserves several species of birds, wild ass, and flamingos.

Situated on the west coast of Sabarmati River, this city was named after the great freedom fighter and Father of The Nation of India, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Located 32km to the north of Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar is the epitome of rich cultural heritage. Gandhinagar offers you the climate and atmosphere that is difficult to find around these days.

The city engulfs you in its pace in such a manner that you may find it hard to come back. It puts you away from the chaotic world and brings peace to you and your soul. Often referred to as the commercial and cultural heart of Gujrat, Gandhinagar presents the spacious, well-organized look of an architecturally integrated city. The city encompasses various eye gazing and enthralling places to explore. It offers a rich cultural heritage, beautiful temples and tranquil environment to all its visitors.

There are various things to do in Gandhinagar; from visiting Akshardham Temple, one of India's biggest and most beautiful temples to mapping Craftsmen village, from trying Undhiyu to Khandvi, from attending the khadi festival to buying local specialities, you’ll find endless reasons to fall in love with this city. The city also has a small Khadi Gram or Khadi village where the traditional khadi clothes are prepared, but these days it has been turned into a tourist attraction also where tourists can also go and learn how to make cloth from original wool.

Also known as the green city, Gandhinagar stores in everything that will give you a hell of lifetime experiences. It is also popularly known as the Tree Capital of India as 54% of its land is covered with trees. This makes it a perfect place for a long weekend holiday. Gandhinagar also has extensive green parks and recreational areas which further adds to the list of fun things you can do after coming to the city. This was just the beginning, here are a few more exciting places that you can visit in Gandhinagar :

One of the newest additions to the state of Gujarat and amongst the most remarkable places to visit in Gujarat, Gir Somnath was carved out of the Junagadh District in 2013. The two places are located in the Saurashtra region edging on the Arabian Sea in the south and are famous around the world for their stunning natural beauty and centuries-old heritage that even finds a mention in the Rigveda and Gita.

Though their names are often used interchangeably, Gir and Somnath have a distinctly unique beauty. While Somnath’s location next to the Arabian Sea adds richness to its landscape, Gir’s tropical forest cover lends a luxuriant and verdant charm looking like a sea of green extending across endless miles.

Believed to have been built by the Yadava dynasty in 649 CE, the Somnath temple is amongst the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The architecture of the temple is influenced by the Chalukya style complete with a ‘shikara’ that is 15-metres in height, intricately carved walls, and ancient figurines of Shiva. One of the inscriptions in Sanskrit here says that Antarctica and the Somnath temple lie in a straight line without any land interrupting this line.

Gir’s National Park’s rare savannah & deciduous forest cover is the only place on the planet to house the Asiatic Lions besides other famous residents like Golden jackals, Ruddy mongoose, Honeybadger, Chinkara, Monitor lizard, etc. The park is also famous for its scenic water reservoirs like Hiran, Datardi, and Raval that also serve as water points for wild animals.

One of the best things to do here is to take a long stroll on the Chorwad Beach and try local snacks at the beachside shacks. Visit the Prabhas Patan Museum to explore ancient pictures and manuscripts about the history of the place. Visit the majestic and intricately adorned Junagadh gate, which is said to be the route taken by Mahmood Gazni to plunder the Somnath Temple. Enjoy a safari and overnight camping at Gir to spot the elusive Asiatic Lion and explore the coastal biodiversity.

Gir Somnath experiences hot and dry summer months (March-June) with temperatures rising ranging between 30-42°C. The winter months (October-February) are cold with temperatures ranging between 10-24°C. Their proximity to the coastal areas makes Gir Somnath experience heavy and humid monsoon rains (July-September) with possibilities of cyclones and sharp winds.

This district of Gujarat located in Ahwa is an erstwhile kingly estate that still houses the Bhil Kings’ families, the only royal dynasties to still rule and get support from the Government. The tribal heritage, intriguing culture, and astonishing landscape of Dang make it one of the most offbeat and interesting places to visit in Gujarat.

Being the smallest and the least populated place in Gujarat, the stunning natural beauty of Dang is mostly untouched. Dang literally translation to ‘hills’ is bestowed with a unique landscape of hills, lush valleys, and beautiful rivers. What adds more colour to the already rich atmosphere of the place is the presence of several tribes. These tribal people have their own traditions, dances, and fairs that can be experienced easily at Dang.

One of the best places to visit in Dang is Saputara Hill station, which is a planned hill resort city and quite a beautiful one at that. Visit the Artist Village here to see explore amazing tribal exhibits. One of the most scenic places here is the 75-ft. Gira waterfall surrounded by thick forests that’s perfect for escaping in the cool lushness of nature. Another great attraction here is the Waghai Botanical Gardens that house native and exotic species of plants & flowers.

One of the most amazing activities in Dang is to savour a beautiful hillside sunset at the Sunrise Point in Saputara. Those who love nature must explore the Purna Wildlife Sanctuary, covered in teak and bamboo forests, to see wildlife that Indian civet cat, Leopards, Bonnet macaque, Leafbirds, Flycatchers. etc. When in Dang, don’t miss to attend the Dangs Darbar festival, held in March every year, to explore the lifestyle, costumes, food, and dances of the local tribal people in the presence of the members of the royal families.

The plains in Dang experience hot and dry summers (March-May) with temperatures rising to 40°C.  Winter months (October-February) are cool and pleasant with temperatures dropping to around 13°C. Hilly places like Saputara and Don are much cooler around the year.