Gujarathhas been a major tourist attractions as it is the combination of all types of landscapes.GIt is also a melting pot of several civilizations resulting in a vibrant culture and a rich heritage.
Gujarat has a desert at Rann of Kutch; pilgrimage temples in Somanath & Darka ; beautiful beaches at Diu ; historical and archaeological places like Porabander, Modhera, Lothal ; Wildlife sanctuary at Gir known for Lions ; Well developed cities like Ahmedabad and what not!
Here is the list of few places which are must visit in Gujarat –
Dwarka & Bet Dwarka are extremely sacred pilgrimage destination which is believed to have been the original home of Lord Krishna during his years spent in Dwarka as a king. The land is located off the coast of Dwarka on Gulf of Kutch. The other name for Bet Dwarka is Bet Shankhodara.
It has many beautiful temples like – Dwarakadhish temple, NageshwarJyothirlinga etc.
RANN OF KUTCH
The Great Rann of Kutch is a salt marsh located in the Thar Desert in the Kutch District of Gujarat, India. It is reputed to be one of the largest salt deserts in the world. This area has been inhabited by the Kutchi people.A stroll on the desert on a full moon night makes for an unforgettable experience. It is located about 1 hr drive away from Bhuj town. Ou can stay in Bhuj and do a day trip. If you are travelling between Nov-Feb, you can stay in the tents in the desert.
Kutch is cultural district of Gujarat which is famous for its Culture. The music which is influenced by Sufi & Folk song. Various handicraft items – Garments Embroidery, Handwall painting, Jewellery items, Wood Carving, Wall Paintings, & many more . Kutch district is inhabited by various groups and communities. Many of these have reached this region after centuries of migration from neighbouring regions of Marwar Rann Utsav is another attraction which takes place in December. The cool winter breeze and soothing rays of full-moon night will welcome about 8,000 tourists in the Great Rann of Kutch for the three-day long 16th Rann Mahotsav. The Rann of Kutch hosts a three-month long Rann Utsav annually that attracts thousands of tourists and locals alike. If you love the thrill of an adventure, you can partake in para-motoring.
BHUJ BANNI VILLAGES
Sumraser: To see scoff embroidery done by Harijan& soda community.
Nirona: to see bell making by khatri Muslim community , to see Rogan art by khatri Muslim community to see lacer work by Vandh community.
Dhordo: to see Jatt community working on muthwa embroidery & visit village.
Ludiya: to see wood carving & painted houses of Harijan community.
Bhurandiyara Village : A beautiful Kutch village. Every household is an artisan here. Local Meghwal community is known for its fine colourful embroidery, and colourful mud bhungas which is a tourist attraction
Khavda: to see Ajarak print & painted pottery work done by Muslim khatri community.
Kutch Museum: The oldest museum in Gujarat, founded in 1877 by MaharaoKhengarji, it has the largest existing collection of Kshatrapa inscriptions, dating to the 1st century AD, as well as examples of the extinct Kutchi script (now the language is mostly written in the Gujarati alphabets) and an interesting collection of coins (including the kori, Kutch's local currency.) A section of the museum is devoted to tribal cultures, with many examples of ancient artifacts, folk arts and crafts and information about tribal peoples. The museum also has exhibits of embroidery, paintings, arms, musical instruments, sculpture and precious metalwork.
SOMANATH
The Somnath temple located in PrabhasPatan near Veraval in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat, is believed to be the first among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.[1] It is an important pilgrimage and tourist spot of Gujarat. The temple came to be known as exceptionally auspicious--people suffering from incurable diseases were reported cured after simply touching the linga. In the Mahabharata, Krishna advised the Yadavas that a pilgrimage to Somnath would absolve them of Durvasa's curse.
GIR
Besides Africa, Gir National Park in Gujarat is the only place in the world where you can spot lions roaming free in the wild. Gir Forest National Park is a wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat, western India. It was established to protect Asiatic lions, who frequent the fenced-off Devalia Safari Park, along with leopards and antelopes. Gir Jungle Trail, outside the fenced area, traverses deciduous forest and is home to wildlife including vultures and pythons. The Kamleshwar Dam has marsh crocodiles and birds, such as Indian skimmers and pelicans. You can book safaris online.
PORABANDER
It is the birth place of Mahathma Gandhiji. Kirti Mandir: was the house of the Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba, his wife. This place is situated near the place where the Mahatma Gandhi was born. This place is now a small museum and also has a Gandhian library and a prayer hall.
AHMEDABAD
Ahmedabad is one of the richest cities of India which houses many industries and textile houses. Sabarmati river runs through the centre of the city.
Sabarmathi Ashram is situated in Sabarmati which is about 6 kms from the Ahmedabad. This ashram is one of the beautiful ashram and the important tourist attraction in Ahmedabad. This ashram was the Mahatma Gandhi's headquarters during their struggle for India's independence and now houses some of the records of the major events in his life, a memorial centre and a library.
The Akshardham Temple, located in Gandhinagar is the most famous temple of the Swaminarayan Sect, one of the richest religious sects in the world. This temple houses the 7 feet gold-leafed idol of Lord Swaminarayan and is a unique cultural complex. Akshardham is an intricately carved, majestic monument of 6000 tonnes of pink sandstone and is surrounded by lush green gardens and beautiful fountains.
Other places of attraction in Ahmedabad are -
Kankaria lake
Sabarmathi river cruise
Adalajstep well
Kamla Nehru Zoo
Vintage Car museum
DIU
Diu is a coastal town at the eastern end of Diu Island, India. A bridge connects the island to the state of Gujarat. Overlooking the Arabian Sea, Diu Fort, a 16th-century Portuguese citadel, features a lighthouse and cannons. Inland, centuries-old St. Paul’s Church was built in elaborate baroque style. Nearby, whitewashed St. Thomas Church is now home to the Diu Museum, with wooden carvings and religious artifacts.
GUJARAT ITINERARY
6 Nights & 7 Days
Places covered -Ahmedabad, Somanath, Gir, Dwarka, Bhuj, Rann of Kutch
DAY 01 : AHMEDABAD
On arrival at Ahmedabad airport, pick up and local sightseeing –
Visit Sabarmathi Ashram &Akshardham Temple. Evening drop to the railway station. Overnight train to Veraval.
Gandhi Ashram is situated in Sabarmati which is about 6 kms from the Ahmedabad. This ashram is one of the beautiful ashram and the important tourist attraction in Ahmedabad. This ashram was the Mahatma Gandhi's headquarters during their struggle for India's independence and now houses some of the records of the major events in his life, a memorial centre and a library.
The Akshardham Temple, located in Gandhinagar is the most famous temple of the Swaminarayan Sect, one of the richest religious sects in the world. This temple houses the 7 feet gold-leafed idol of Lord Swaminarayan and is a unique cultural complex. Akshardham is an intricately carved, majestic monument of 6000 tonnes of pink sandstone and is surrounded by lush green gardens and beautiful fountains.
Day 02: AHMEDABAD – GIR:
Early morning drive to Gir resort. (Check in time 12 pm, early check in is subject to availability at the time of check in. Afternoon Gir Safari (3-6 pm)
Overnight stay in Gir resort
Day 03: GIR- SOMNATH- DWARKA
After breakfast, check out and drive to Dwarka. Enroute visit Somnath temple and Porabander.
Somnath Temple: The Someshwar Mahadev temple stands tall among the temples of India. The construction of the present temple in Junagadh district began in 1950. It is the seventh temple built to commemorate the glory of Lord Somnath. The temple is so situated that there is no land from here to the South Pole. An arrow indicates the direction
Kirti Mandir: Kirti Mandir was the house of the Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba, his wife. This place is situated near the place where the Mahatma Gandhi was born. This place is now a small museum and also has a Gandhian library and a prayer hall.
Day 04 : DWARKA LOCAL SIGHTSEEING –
Dwaraka is situated on the Saurashtra coast, where the River Gomti meets the Arabian Sea. According to the legends, Dwarka was once the capital of the Lord Krishna's empire. It is also believed that the original Dwarka, which was an island, was submerged in the sea. Dwaraka is also one of the four holy places of the Hindus. Dwaraka is known all over the world for the temple of Dwarkadhish, the 'Lord of Dwarka', also known as the Jagat Mandir or temple of the world.
This temple was constructed over 1400 years ago and houses the image of Lord Krishna. Besides the Dwarkadhish temple there are various other temples in Dwarka like the Rukmani temple.
The Dwarkadhish temple (also known as Jagat temple) and its Sikhar rises to 170 feet. The pataka or flag of the temple is changed three times a day. The temple has rich carvings. The ancient shrine has been supported by kings and commoners alike from its inception. It is one of the important mokshdhams. The Gomti River flows nearby.
Gopi Talav: The stories of Lord Krishna's childhood abound with youthful pranks and romance have a connection with this lake. As a young boy he used to dance the raas with the Gopis (young female inhabitants) in Vrindavana (or Vruj). When he moved to Dwarka, the Gopis could not bear the separation and came to visit him. They united with their Krishna at the Gopi talav, 20 km north of Dwarka on the night of Sharad Purnima (full moon) and once again danced the raas with him. Legend says that, unable to part from Krishna, the Gopis offered their lives to the soil of this land and merged with their beloved. It is said that they turned into yellow clay, known as Gopi Chandan. Even today the soil of the Gopi talav is extremely smooth and yellow in color.
NageshwarJyothirlingaTemple: Located on the route between Dwarka city and Beyt Dwarka Island on the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat is this important Lord Shiva Temple. It is enshrined by one of the 12 swayambhu (self-existent) jyothirlingas in the world, in an underground sanctum. A 25 m tall statue of a sitting Lord Shiva and a large garden with a pond are major attractions of this rather serene place. Some archaeological excavations claim five earlier cities at the site.
Beyt Dwarka: also known as BeytShankhodhar, is a small island and was the main port in the region before the development of Okha. It offers opportunities to spot dolphins, marine excursions, camping and picnicking. Most of the archaelogical ruins excavated here and religious manuscripts correspond with Beyt Dwarka as the original abode of Lord Krishna. In order to get there from Dwarka, one might need to first get to Okha port jetty (32 km), by either rail or road and then take a ferry or small boat
Day 05 : DWARKA -BHUJ (360 KMS/ 8 HRS APPROX.)
After breakfast, check out and drive to Bhuj. Check into the hotel and overnight stay
Day 06 : BHUJ LOCAL SIGHTSEEING
Day to explore Banni Villages to See the Art, Craft & Culture of Kutch.
After breakfast full day excursion of North side of Banni Villages. Places to visit are: (depending on the time limit)
The Rann of Kutch: The Rann of Kutch, also known as the Great Rann of Kutch (there's a Little Rann of Kutch as well), is a remarkable place to visit in Gujarat. Much of it consists of the world's largest salt desert, measuring around 10,000 square kilometers. What makes it even more amazing is that the salt desert is underwater during the main monsoon season in India. For the remaining eight months of the year, it's an enormous stretch of packed white salt.
Sumraser: To see scoff embroidery done by Harijan& soda community.
Nirona: to see bell making by khatri Muslim community , to see Rogan art by khatri Muslim community to see lacer work by Vandh community.
Dhordo: to see Jatt community working on muthwa embroidery & visit village.
Ludiya: to see wood carving & painted houses of Harijan community.
Khavda: to see Ajarak print & painted pottery work done by Muslim khatri community.
Kutch Museum: The oldest museum in Gujarat, founded in 1877 by MaharaoKhengarji, it has the largest existing collection of Kshatrapa inscriptions, dating to the 1st century AD, as well as examples of the extinct Kutchi script (now the language is mostly written in the Gujarati alphabets) and an interesting collection of coins (including the kori, Kutch's local currency.) A section of the museum is devoted to tribal cultures, with many examples of ancient artifacts, folk arts and crafts and information about tribal peoples. The museum also has exhibits of embroidery, paintings, arms, musical instruments, sculpture and precious metalwork.
Overnight Stay at Bhuj
Day 07 : BHUJ –Departure
Morning local sightseeing . Afternoon drop to Bhuj airport. Fly back to your destination.
The Aina Mahal palace, or “Hall of Mirrors” was built during the flamboyant rule of Lakhpatji in the middle of the 18th century. Master craftsman Ramsinh Malam, who trained as an artisan for 17 years in Europe, felt unappreciated by lesser rulers in the area, so he went to the royal court at Bhuj and appealed to the king for work, who commissioned this palace. Malam designed it in a mixed Indo-European style and set about creating the materials for the palace locally. He established a glass factory at Mandvi, forged cannons in an iron foundry and manufactured china tiles in a factory in Bhuj. It seems Gandhiji's ideal of swadeshi had an early proponent in Ramsinh Malam. He personally crafted the fountains, mirrors and glasswork, as well as many other wonders of artisanship—a pendulum clock in sync with the Hindu calendar, doors inlaid with gold and ivory... come visit to find out the rest.
Prag Mahal: Next door to the Aina Mahal, in the same walled compound, is the giant Prag Mahal, which may at first seem slightly out of place at the far western edge of India, looking more appropriate in France. But then again, globalization is not a new phenomenon. This is a palace commissioned by King Pragmalji in the 1860s, designed by Colonel Henry Saint Wilkins in the Italian Gothic style and built in the middle of Bhuj next to the Aina Mahal. While little about it may seem Indian, there are elements;
see if you can find them. In the courtyard behind the palace, there is a small Hindu temple with very nicely carved stonework
