Gujarat
Amitabh Bachchan the legendary Bollywood actor says, "Kuch din tau guzaariye Gujarat mein". Well, if truth be told, this very well sums up the beauty of Gujarat. Located towards the west of India, this beautiful state boasts of the longest coastline that stretches over to 1600 kilometers. Though, Surat, Ahmedabad, and Vadodra, happen to be the busiest cities of Gujarat, Kutch still happens to be the largest district of Gujarat. Right from the splendid beaches of Diu to the historical gems in Lothal and Porbandar, Asiatic lions and Blackbucks in the Saurashtra region and the beautiful temples in Vadodara, Gujarat is indeed the best holiday getaway for your family accredited to its right mélange of culture, nature, art, wildlife, history and religion
During the times of festivity, this culturally rich state puts forth a completely different ambience that is not worth a miss. Be it the Dandiya raas that is majorly seen during the Navratri festival or the traditional folk dance of Gujarat, Garba, whenever you see the locals dancing in Gujarat, you simply cannot contain yourself. The best time to plan a visit to Gujarat is during the Navratri festival that usually falls in the month of September or October.
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Gujarat FAQ's
Travel Advice
Avoid carrying too much cash in your pockets.
Never flash your jewelry or valuables in a crowded place.
Avoid leaving any valuables in your hotel room.
Do not take a room or a resort in any secluded place.
If possible stay in a hotel that offers a room safe. Place all your valuables and jewelry in the room safe.
Carry with you a first aid box with medicines that may be needed during the trip.
True that people in Gujarat are humble and lovely, but never roam around alone post the sunset.
Girls must walk around in groups if going in a place or trail that is secluded.
Do not photograph in the sacred or religious places. If you want to click a picture in the religious site, seek permission regarding the same from the person in charge.
Learn some of the common words of Gujarati. This will help you in communicating with the local people.
Always greet the locals with a smile.
Keep a copy of license or an ID proof with you always.
Avoid the touts.
When eating at street stalls, check for the quality.
Be alert whenever you are at a new destination.
Dress appropriately and maintain the decorum of the place.
Nudity is not an option in Gujarat.
You cannot shoot a film or a video without any legal permission.
Never get involved in any form of fights or verbal spats with the tourists.
Keep a medicine to relieve you from motion sickness.
Never indulge in any form of drugs.
Drinking Law
Alcohol consumption is prohibited in Gujarat.
Our Recommendations: What you can’t afford to miss?
The Gujarat’s Kankaria lake was built in the year 1451 by Sultan Qutb-ud-Din. Nestled in Ahmedabad, Kankaria lake is definitely one of the biggest lakes of the city. In the center of the lake lies the Nagina Wadi which is an alluring summer palace that is seen in the island garden. This lake is indeed the most ideal destination for the tourists as it has something on offer for tourists of all age groups. Some of the top attractions of the Kankaria lake are zoo, parks, recreational center, museum, children’s gardens and boat club. Spread over an expansive area of 21 acre of land, the lake is a home to various animals such as anaconda, tigers, elephants and python and more. There is a children’s park which offers several entertainment activities for children. Some of the entertainment activities that you can enjoy at the Kankaria lake include the toy house, boathouse, planetarium and mirror house. The toy trains here will take you all round the lake. An important thing to do here is Balloon safari which attracts a number of tourists.
Gir National Park and Wildlife SanctuarySpread over a wide area of 1412 sq. km., the Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is a home to a wide range of plants and animals. The Asiatic lions are found in huge numbers here. This place also has a number of water bodies which accommodate both birds and crocodiles. Some of the important animals that are found in the sanctuary are jackals, wild boar, antelopes, Indian porcupine, fox, sambhar, hyenas, hare, and others. One important attraction of the sanctuary is the lion show which is a must visit in Gujarat.
One important sightseeing attraction of Gujarat is Great Rann of Kutch. Spread over an area of 16,000 square km, it is the largest salt desert of the world. It is a huge area that is packed with white salt that is packed with tourists all round the year except during the period when monsoon is in India as during this time the dessert is filled with waters. The most ideal time to visit the Great Rann of Kutch would be on a full moon night when the sky looks glorious in the moonlight. You can make a visit either early in the morning during sunrise or in the evening during sunset. During that time, the view here is an absolute feast to the eyes. You can also make a visit during the month of December to experience the cultural extravaganza that is organized by the government. There are luxury tents here that assure to make your stay comfortable.
Marine National ParkMarine National Park is one of a kind in India. It is a vast 458 sq. km park that has a rich variety of wildlife including animal species such as green sea turtle, jackal, clamorous reed warbler, imperial eagle, jungle cat, flamingo, laggar falcon and others. For watchers, this park is an important place to see. You can check out 30 different types of migratory birds here.
Khijadiya Bird SanctuaryKhijadiya Bird Sanctuary is situated about 10 km from Jamnagar. It is frequented by more than 300 different types of migratory birds. Spread over an area of 605 hectare of lands, the sanctuary attracts birds accredited to the sea and fresh water found here. In the year 1982, the bird sanctuary was declared as a safe haven for different types of birds. Boating is a prominent activity here.
Porbandar BeachPorbandar beach is also known as the Chowpati Beach. It is believed to be one of the most frequented beaches of India and is located in the Porbandar region of Gujarat. Skating is a popular sport here. In the close proximity to the beach lies the Huzur Palace which is an important tourist attraction here. The most important port of Gujarat is also situated here and facilitates the commercial development of the state. Besides the commercial purposes, the beach is also a phenomenal spot for relaxation.
What will you like there?
One of the serene and oldest towns of India is Gujarat’s Ahmedabad. It is also the 6th largest city of India and is definitely the key economic hub of country. The historic old city, monuments, narrow cities and havelis are definitely the most important places to see.
World famous textilesThe textiles of Gujarat are known across the nation. It has a rich tradition of hand-block printing, quality weaving and unique Kutch embroidery. Most important of these is the tie-and-dye fabrics. The hand painted clothes of Gujarat are available in an array of colors like red, maroon, black and ochre colors. Shopping for the Patola silk sarees is a must in Gujarat. You can plan a visit to Surat that is largely known for the zari or the gold thread embroidery as well as silk sarees. Other important things to buy include rugs, woolen shawls and the blankets that are created in Jamnagar. Ahmedabad also has a textile museum that has a major calico collection.
CuisinesEvery state in India has a distinct flavor and fantastic dishes that draws tourists from across the country. Some of the best dishes of Gujarat are jalebi, khaman dhokla, fafda, bajri no rotlo, kadhi, puran poli, khandvi, sukhadi, and more. When in Gujarat, do try some of these dishes.
FestivalsGujarat is incredible popular for its festivals. Anyone can fall in love with the festivals of Gujarat especially when are celebrated here. Some of the most celebrated events and festivals of Gujarat are - Modhera dance festival, Navratri festival and International kite festival. In the Navratri festival there is dandiya and garga dance done in full fervor which is a festivity in itself. Fairs like tarnetar and bhavnath fair are also organized in Gujarat.
Ethnic diversityPeople in Gujarat are definitely the most diverse in India. Gujarat has a number of ethnic groups residing in tribal villages like Bharad, Adivacyi and Garacia that are all co existing with each other. Women of these region are known for producing some of the most remarkable textiles in the country.
Splendid isolationGujarat is relatively away from the tourist radar. This is one important reason why it sees a farily less amount of tourists as compared to the other states of India. For anyone planning to explore a place that is not marred by frequent tourism, this is your go to place.
India in one stateIf you have to see India in one state, you have to spend some holidays in Gujarat. Royal palaces of Gujarat are as impressive as the ones you find in Rajasthan. There are also some that offer great accommodation facilities for the tourists. You can find old forts, amazing temples, colorfully dressed locals, palaces and extraordinary geological formations like the salt flats seen at the Rann of Kutch.
Scenic landscapesThe splendid landscape of the Rann of Kutch is widely known for its wildlife. It seasonal salf marsh of the Thar Desert has a lot on offer. The radically arid area that borders Pakistan is also a home to different tribal groups and the wildlife sanctuaries.
Extensive coastlineGujarat has a vast coastline of 1600 km. This provides you a number of opportunities to stay in tented camps on the private beaches.
WildlifeRann of Kutch has a wildlife that is beautiful. Some of the incredible beings found here include wild asses, flamingos and a range of exotic birds. When here, do plan a visit to the Gir Forest (known for the Asiatic lions) and Jessore Sanctuary (known for its sloth bears).
Palitana templesPalitana’s Jain temples are important places to see in Gujarat. You can find more than 3000 temples that have been carved exquisitely using marble. This also is the largest temple complex of earth.
Laxmi Vilas PalaceThe huge palace of Baroda is known for being the largest private dwelling ever built. In addition to Hyderabad, Mysore, Gwalior and Kashmir, Baroda was also the ‘21 gun salute’ state during the British times. Extravagant and exquisite Laxmi Vilas Palace brings forth the status and wealth of Baroda.
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