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Gujarat

Gujarat

Country

India

Continent

Asia

Best Cities to Visit

  • Ahmedabad
  • Surat
  • Vadodara
  • Rajkot
  • Gandhinagar

Size

196,024 KM2

Population

62,700,000

Spending Budget

$155 - $620

Famous For

  • Traditional clothing
  • Food
  • Natural Landspaces

Best Time to Visit

  • January
  • February
  • November
  • December

History

Gujarat was one of the main central areas of the Indus Valley Civilisation. It contains ancient metropolitan cities from the Indus Valley such as Lothal, Dholavira and Gola Dhoro. The ancient city of Lothal was where India’s first port was established. The ancient city of Dholavira is one of the largest and most prominent archaeological sites in India, belonging to the Indus Valley Civilisation. The most recent discovery was Gola Dhoro. Altogether, about 50 Indus Valley settlement ruins have been discovered in Gujarat. The ancient history of Gujarat was enriched by the commercial activities of its inhabitants. There is clear historical evidence of trade and commerce ties with Egypt, Bahrain and Sumer in the Persian Gulf during the time period of 1000 to 750 BC. There was a succession of Hindu and Buddhist states such as the Mauryan Dynasty, Western Satraps, Satavahana dynasty, Gupta Empire, Chalukya dynasty, Rashtrakuta Empire, Pala Empire and Gurjara-Pratihara Empire, as well as local dynasties such as the Maitrakas and then the Chaulukyas. The early history of Gujarat reflects the imperial grandeur of Chandragupta Maurya who conquered a number of earlier states in what is now Gujarat. Pushyagupta, a Vaishya, was appointed the governor of Saurashtra by the Mauryan regime. He ruled Girinagar (modern-day Junagadh) (322 BC to 294 BC) and built a dam on the Sudarshan lake. Emperor Ashoka, the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya, not only ordered engraving of his edicts on the rock at Junagadh but asked Governor Tusherpha to cut canals from the lake where an earlier Mauryan governor had built a dam. Between the decline of Mauryan power and Saurashtra coming under the sway of the Samprati Mauryas of Ujjain, there was an Indo-Greek defeat in Gujarat of Demetrius. In 16th century manuscripts, there is an apocryphal story of a merchant of King Gondaphares landing in Gujarat with Apostle Thomas. The incident of the cup-bearer torn apart by a lion might indicate that the port city described is in Gujarat. For nearly 300 years from the start of the 1st century AD, Saka rulers played a prominent part in Gujarat’s history. The weather-beaten rock at Junagadh gives a glimpse of the ruler Rudradaman I (AD 100) of the Saka satraps known as Western Satraps, or Kshatraps. Mahakshatrap Rudradaman I founded the Kardamaka dynasty which ruled from Anupa on the banks of the Narmada up to the Aparanta region which bordered Punjab. In Gujarat, several battles were fought between the south Indian Satavahana dynasty and the Western Satraps. The greatest and the mightiest ruler of the Satavahana Dynasty was Gautamiputra Satakarni who defeated the Western Satraps and conquered some parts of Gujarat in the 2nd century AD.

Present Day

Gujarat draws its name from the Gurjara (supposedly a subtribe of the Huns), who ruled the area during the 8th and 9th centuries CE. The state assumed its present form in 1960, when the former Bombay state was divided between Maharashtra and Gujarat on the basis of language. Area 75,685 square miles (196,024 square km). Pop. (2011) 60,383,628. It encompasses the entire Kathiawar Peninsula (Saurashtra) as well as the surrounding area on the mainland. The state is bounded primarily by Pakistan to the northwest and by the Indian states of Rajasthan to the north, Madhya Pradesh to the east, and Maharashtra to the southeast. Gujarat also shares a small segment of its southeastern border with the Indian union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and, together with the Arabian Sea, it surrounds the territory of Daman and Diu. The coastline of Gujarat is 992 miles (1,596 km) long, and no part of the state is more than 100 miles (160 km) from the sea.

Future

Gujarat’s cities are also growing at an astounding pace; so much so that the 2010 Forbes list of the world’s fastest growing cities placed Ahmedabad at number three after Chengdu and Chongqing. Infrastructure is good, businesses are booming, foreign investors are flocking to the state in droves, and the people seem happy. It is no wonder that swathes of Indians (domestic and non-resident) and businesses want Modi to run for the Prime Minister’s office. Following his win in Gujarat, Modi is likely to be the BJP’s prime-ministerial candidate in the 2014 general elections, which means that his current state-level policies could hold the key to India’s economic future. Gujarat is one a handful of states that defy what has come to be accepted as a thumb rule in India: access to ports, good roads, and uninterrupted power cannot be taken as a given. Gujarat’s infrastructure speaks for itself. It is no surprise that 26 per cent of investments in terms of implemented projects in India (till 2011) have been made in Gujarat. It appears that industrial and infrastructure development in Gujarat has not left the agricultural sector behind, and that growth over the last two decades has indeed been inclusive. For instance, Gujarat can boast of 100 per cent rural electrification.
Must Visit Places ------------

GIR NATIONAL PARK

It is to be noted that it is the largest home to the Asiatic Lions in India. Other than that, this rich forest is the safe shelter for Sambar and spotted deer (chital), blue bull (nilgai), chousingha (the world’s only four-horned antelope), chinkara (Indian gazelle) and wild boar, Jackal, striped hyena, jungle cat, rusty-spotted cat, langur, porcupine and black-naped Indian. One can also spot about 250 species of birds in the national park. So, if watching wildlife is in your head and bird watching is one of your interests, then visiting Gir National Park is an ideal weekend plan in Gujarat

RANN OF KUTCH

The White Salt Desert is definitely a place that one should visit in his lifetime. The Great Rann of Kutch is by far the largest white salt desert in India and is truly a magnificent destination to be at. One can enjoy camel safaris on a moonlit night (During the Rann Utsav in December-March). Accommodation is available at the nearby villages called Dhordo and Hodka. It is once in a lifetime experience to be at Great Rann, and is indeed one of the best weekend tours you will ever plan in your life!

SOMNATH TEMPLE

The next one on the list of famous places in Gujarat is a famous temple. One of the most sacred of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, Somnath Temple is not just a religious site. Lying as it is on the shores of the rough Arabian Sea, the temple is also a thing of wonder. It has been destroyed and rebuilt countless times, once by Lord Soma in gold, once by Ravana in silver, once by Krishna in wood and once by King Bhimdev in stone. It is the stone edifice that stands tall now, and attracts millions of devotees to come over and seek the Lord’s blessings.

RANI KI VAV

Everyone has heard of the great Taj Mahal that was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the loving memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, but have you ever heard of something memorable that was built in the memory of a king by his queen! Rani ki Vav is one of those rare UNESCO World Heritage Sites that was built by a queen in memory of her king! Sort of like Taj Mahal, in reverse and one of the best places to visit in Gujarat. It is an ancient step-well, from the early 11th century, which was constructed by Udayamati in memory of Bhimdev I. With stairs that can take you down seven levels, it is home to more than 1,500 sculptures. The best part about it is that it has been discovered fairly recently, since the River Saraswati had flooded it in the earlier years, and it is only now that it has been excavated and become a popular tourist spot.

MARINE NATIONAL PARK

If you have been to enough wildlife reserves and this weekend looking for something new to explore, then it’s time that you should be introduced to India’s first Marine National Park, which is situated on the shore of the Gulf of Kutch. This national park is one of its kinds as it conserves the marine life that consist of coral, Dugong and smaller cetaceans (Fin less Porpoise, Common Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin, Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin), large whales like Blue Whales, Sei Whales, Humpback Whales, and Sperm Whales. At this marine park, coral reefs are the prime tourist attraction. In fact it is the only place in the world where one can view the reefs without diving into the water.

BHAVNAGAR

Offering an insight into the history and culture of Gujarat, Bhavnagar is amongst the most popular cities in Gujarat. The city is at a distance of about 198kms from Gandhinagar; thus anybody seeking a heritage tour can easily reach Bhavnagar from the capital of Gujarat. There are a number of historical monuments in Bhavnagar including Brahma Kund, Nilambagh Palace, Takhteshwar Temple, Palitana Jain Temples, Gopinath Mahadev Temple, the Khodiyar Temple and the Ganga Devi Mandir, Alang Braking Site and Victoria Park which make up the list of major attractions in Bhavnagar. Other than these, Velavadar Blackbuck National Park is in proximity to the city. It wouldn’t be incorrect if we call Bhavnagar the authentic face of Gujarat.

DWARKA

Dwarka needs no introduction; this sacred city of Lord Krishna has an unspoiled charm that draws a large number of Hindu devotees all year long. One of the four Dhams in India (Hindu Pilgrimage Destinations), Dwarka is nestled in the lap of Gujarat, offering divinity and abundant peace to everyone who visits it. Amongst the most important places to visit in Dwarka, Dwarkadhish Temple is a five-storied shrine believed to have been constructed 1400 years ago. Other than this, you would love to see Bet Dwarka, Okha (30kms from Dwarka) and different temples dedicated to Rukmini (Lord Krishna’s Wife), Mirabai, Narsinh Mehta and Shank Narayan.

BHUJ

Gujarat’s rich heritage can be rightly seen in Bhuj and if you are someone who takes keen interest in history and architecture, then there is no place better than Bhuj for you to visit. You are guaranteed an amazing weekend in Bhuj with lots to explore and learn from; visit Sharad Baug Palace, Aina Mahal, Prag Mahal and Swaminarayan Temple that display excellent architecture. Make sure to visit the Kutch Museum that preserves 2000 years old Kshatrapa inscriptions. About 72kms from Bhuj is Khavda, which is famous for Eco-tourism; so for all you nature lovers, it is a good idea to visit this place. Also, Khavda Natural Park is the departure point of one of the world’s largest Flamingo colonies. J Kundaliya is a lake in Khavda Desert, which is home to a sizable number of flamingo birds. Another good destination for Eco-tourism in Bhuj is Chhari Dhandh, which is situated 80kms from Bhuj and is a wet salty land. About 370 bird species can be spotted here.

DAKOR

Known for its prominent Ranchhodrai Dakor Temple, Dakor is more of a pilgrimage than a holiday destination. Once a quiet little village in Kheda district, Dakor became a bustling centre for Hindu devotees after the establishment of the Ranchhodrai Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, who according to legends walked back from Dwarka to Dakor with his ardent devotee named Bodana. Dakor is a lovely place to visit on a weekend as it offers the opportunity to soak in the devotion of Lord Krishna and forget about everything else. Dakor is also known as the place where Rishi Dank (after whom the city is named) had his hermitage. It is believed that Lord Shiva was so pleased with his devotion that he granted his wish of staying in his hermitage in the form of a Linga. This Linga is believed to be presiding in the Danknath Mahadev Temple on the bank of the holy pond of Gomti.

KUTCH GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD SANCTUARY

Bird watchers would love this place as it is home to one of the rare Indian birds called Great Indian Bustard. These birds are considered to be among-st the heaviest flying birds in the world. Also, this bird sanctuary is considered to be the smallest wildlife sanctuary in India as it is spread over a 2 sq km area. The sanctuary is situated near Naliya in Kutch district of Gujarat and has a convenient rail-head and bus station. The best time to be here is during the monsoon, when the Great Bustards can be spotted easily.