GUJRAT

Located on the country's western coast, Gujarat is bounded by the Arabian Sea to the west and southwest and Pakistan to the northwest. Rajasthan neighbours it to the north, Madhya Pradesh to the east and Maharashtra to the southeast. It has a fertile plain land in the south cut by several rivers, low hills in the west, and broad mudflats in the north that adjoin the Thar (Great Indian) Desert. A varied climate characterised by a dry northwest, scorching summers, a cold winter have made this state a land of unexplainable contrasts.

Ahmedabad is the first place to stop. Some of its sights include some outstanding mosques, including the Jami Masjid, Siddi Bashir's Shaking Minarets and Sabarmati Ashram. Gujarat's loveliest beach - and the state is well endowed with them - is Ahmedpur Mandvi whose chief attraction is the ethnic beach resort. Situated on the Gujarat Coast, Dwarka is one of the holiest centres of Hindus.

Getting to Gujrat

Air: : Gujarat has 10 domestic airports apart from an international airport at Ahmedabad. Most of the domestic airlines operate out of Ahmedabad connecting it to rest of the country.

Rail: Gujarat has a good railway network that not only connects the state internally but connects the state to other places in India also.

Road: Gujarat has a better road network than most of the other Indian states and they are in a fairly good condition. The Gujarat State Transport Corporation and private operators operate regular buses to all the major destinations of the state from most of the larger cities.

City Map of Gujrat

Essential Attractions in Gujrat

Gandhinagar:

Sited approximately 25 kilometers north of Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar is the present capital of Gujarat, named after Mahatma Gandhi. It is india's second plan city after Chandigarh. Gandhinagars sole tourist sites is the splendid Akshardham temple of the Hindu's swami Narayan Group. It was built by thousand artisans and is constructed out of six thousand stones of pink sand stone.

Ahmedabad:

The city of Ahmed Shah who was the medieval ruler of Gujarat, associated with the great thinker and freedom fighter, Mahatma Gandhi, Ahmedabad offers the traveler an exclusive blend of Hindu and Islamic styles of architecture. Gujarat major town is friendly frantic. Ahmedabad is one of indias major industrial city. Gujarat is famous for its handicrafts and ahmedabad is an excellent place to buy this with fine stores and glittering night market. It also has a rich legacy of architecture from indo sara sanik style.

Jamnagar:

At approximately 302 km from Ahmedabad, Jamnagar is situated in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat and offers tourist attractions in Gujarat, namely, Lakhota Fort, Willington Crescent, Kotha Bastion, Solarium, Jamsaheb's Palace, and Rozi and Bedi ports.

Vadodara:

A town famous for its age old cultural tradition of music, and fine arts, Vadodara, is considered as the cultural capital of Gujarat.

Surat:

TWidely acclaimed as a center for textiles, zari and diamond cutting and polishing, Surat in Gujarat is one of the most wanted tourist sites.

Rajkot:

Founded in the 16th century by a Rajput chief, the city of Rajkot in Gujarat is positioned in the middle of the peninsula to the northwest of Surat

Bhavnagar:

TThe erstwhile capital of a state of Bhavnagar and reigned by the Suryavanshi Rajputs from Marwar, Bhavnagar is positioned to the southeast of Rajkot in Gujarat.

Junagadh:

Located to the west of Bhavnagar, at the foothills of the Girnar Hills of Gujarat is Junagadh which offers tourist attractions like the rock edict of Emperor Ashoka, dating back to 250 BC.

Dwarka:

Situated on the northern belt of the Saurashtra peninsula, at the meeting point of the Gomati River and the Arabian Sea, the sacred town of Dwarka is another important pilgrimage site.

Sabarmati Ashram:

About 5 Kms from centre of town is a peaceful place on the west bank of the Sabarmati river. This ashram was Gandhi's headquarter during the long struggle for independence. It was from here that Gandhi started the salt march to the Gulf of Cambay. In protest against government policy over the production and save of salt.

Handicrafts, handmade paper and spinning wheels are still produced on the site. Gandhi's living quarters are preserved and there are excellent historical records of his life.

Navsarovar bird Sanctuary:

The sanctuary is home to flocks of Indian and migratory birds passing through the park. Ducks, geese, pelicans and flamingoes.

Lothal:

About 85 Kms south west of Ahmadabad towards Bhavnagar this important archeological site was discovered in 1954. The city that stood here 4500 years ago is part of the Indus valley civilization. It has neatly laid out street patterns carefully assembled neat brick work and scientific drainage system.

Modhera:

The beautiful partially ruined temples was built by king Bhim Dev I and bears some resemblance to the far better known sun temple at konark in Orissa. The main hall and shrine are reached to a complex pillared pavilion. The temple exterior are intricately and delicately carved showing demons and evolving gods. 52 intricately carved pillars depict scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.