Gujarat

The Indian state of Gujarat is situated on the western part of the country and has the longest coastline of 1,600 km among all states in the country. It shares its boundaries with Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and the Union Territories of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli. The Arabian Sea borders the state both to the west and the south-west. It is one of the most developed and industrialized state of India. It is the largest producer of processed diamonds and denims in India and third largest in the world. It is the second largest producer of crude oil in India.  The state has excellent infrastructure as compared to other states. There are 45 ports, 18 domestic airports and one international airport.

Gujarat has a rich traditional and cultural heritage which is reflected by the fairs and festivals which are organized here. The major religion followed here is Hinduism followed by Islam, Jainism and Sikhism also. Most of the people speak Hindi and Gujarati. The main festivals celebrated here are Holi, Dusshera, Diwali,. Though modern in their outlook people of Gujarat follow their traditions and customs with full faith. The Gujarati culture is not only prevalent in Gujarat but has spread all over the world. The cuisine of Gujarat is similar to that of Maharashtra. The staple food of Gujarat is daal, roti, rice, vegetables, salad, chaas, farsan followed by a sweet dish.

 

  • International Kite Festival:- It is celebrated on 14th January, that coincide with the festival of Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti. The festival is celebrated to mark the end of winter. On this day, the kites flew all over Gujarat, including Ahmedabad and Baroda. Today, the International Kite Festival is famous all over the world. This festival enables the people of Ahmedabad to see the unusual kites brought by the visitors, some of which are truly works of art.
  • Modhera Dance Festival:- The Modhera Dance Festival is held during the third week of January every year, after the festival of Uttarayan. This festival is celebrated at the Sun Temple in Modhera. The style in which the temple was built bears a strong resemblance to that of the Jain temples at Mount Abu.
  • Kutch Mahotsava:- The Kutch Mahotsava is usually organized during February and March each year. This mahotsava is organized by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited in order to promote tourism in Kutch. In this festival, the visitors are taken on a six day tour of Kutch. This tour is known as a mahotsava, or great festival, because of the great variety of sights and scenes that are offered to visitors. Kutch has everything to offer to its visitors like the colorful people, historic towns and remarkable handicrafts.
  • Bhavnath Mahadev Fair:- The Bhavnath Mahadev Fair is held for five days during Mahashivratri in the month of February. This fair is held at the Bhavnath Mahadev Temple, located at the foot of Girnar hill in Junagadh. The events which are associated with the fair are very colourful. During this fair, the visitors are served free meals by the organizers. In the fair there are special stalls that sell idols, sarees brought by vendors from Ayodhya and Mathura, utensils of brass and copper, sweets and fruits.
  • Holi:- The spring festival of Holi is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Phalguna. While Diwali marks the end of the monsoon and therefore the agricultural season of the Kharif crop, Holi marks the agricultural season of the Rabi crop. The next day after Holi is celebrated as Dhuleti (Dhuli Padvo) when people throw colour powder at each other and enjoy.
  • Raksha Bandhan:- On the festival of Balev or Raksha Bandhan, the Brahmins change their sacred threads. On the same day sisters tie Rakhi on their brother's wrist wishing them a happy life. The day is also celebrated as Nariyeli Poonam in the coastal areas of the State, where people worship the sea offering coconuts.
  • Saptak Music Festival:- Saptak Music Festival of Indian classical music is usually conducted on the first week of January in Ahmedabad every year. This festival was inaugurated by Pandit Ravi Shankar in 1980. The musical event is organised by a public charitable trust which runs the Saptak School of Music. This festival which spans the first 11 days of January, showcases the best talent of more than hundred musicians.
  • Janmashtami:- Janmashtami, is celebrated as the birthday of Shri Krishna, the main deity of Dwaraka is Shri Krishna. During the festival, the pilgrims visit the temple in Dwaraka from all parts of India and abroad. In this festival, the rows of lights are lit everywhere, kirtans and bhajans are sung, sermons are delivered and Krishna is worshipped in his infant form. After visiting the main temple, devotees visit the Shankhoddhar Beyt.
  • Bhadra Purnima Fair:- This fair is held for three days in the month of September, every year on the full moon of Bhadrapad at the temple of the goddess Ambaji in Ambaji. Ambaji is the principal shrine of the goddess Ambaji in Gujarat. The devotee attend readings of the Sapatashati, the seven hundred verses in praise of the goddess, and visit the temple for an auspicious view of the deity.
  • Shamlaji Fair:- The Shamlaji Fair, also known as the Kartik Purnima Fair is held during the month of November, every year. This fair is held in Shamlaji, about 80 kms from Ahmedabad.
  • Tarnetar Fair:- The Tarnetar Fair, also known as the Trinetreshwar Mahadev Fair is held at Tarnetar, near the industrial town of Thangadh, Saurashtra. This fair is one of the most important fair of Gujarat. The local as well as the tribal people gather from all over Gujarat to participate in the various activities that take place at the fair. The folk music and dances like the Garba ras and hodo are the main features of the fair.
  • Navratri Festival Gujarat:- Navratri, that means ‘nine nights’ is an ancient, colourful and religious festival of Gujarat. This festival is celebrated to honour the one Divine Shakti or Force which supports the entire universe and is personified as the Mother Goddess. The Mother Goddess protects her worshippers, destroys evil and grants boons to her children. Navratri is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm throughout the Gujarat, but in Ahmedabad and Baroda, Garba and Dandia.
  • Vautha Fair:- Vautha Fair is a magnificent fair that is held every year at Vautha, where two rivers, Sabarmati and Vatrak meet. This fair is considered to be one of the largest fairs in Gujarat. According to the legends the Kartik Swami or Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva, visited the site.
    Madhavrai Fair: Madhavrai Fair at Madhavpur near Porbandar is held to celebrate the marriage of Lord Krishna and Rukmini, on the 9th day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra (March/April).
  • Urs:- The Urs at Shah Alam Roza in Ahmedabad and at Miran Datar in the Mehsana district are most important fairs for Muslims.
  • Diwali:- Diwali, the festival of lights which is a four-day festival celebrated in the month of Asvina, which marks the end of the harvesting season. The first day of the festival starts with the Lakshmi Puja. The second day is considered as the day of casting off evils. The third day is the main Diwali day. On this day every home is illuminated with earthen lamps and the courtyards are decorated with Rangoli designs. The fourth and the last day is the New year day for the Gujarati's when people visit temples in colourful costumes and greet each other.

Must Visiting Places In Gujarat:

  • Rani Ki Vav, Patan: As the name suggest it was built by the Queen (Rani) of Bhimdeva, Udayamanti in the 11th century to preserve ground water, Rani ki Vav came into limelight in 1972 when the area was fully earthed.
  • Gir National Park, Junagadh: It is home for the Asiatic Lions and is a sparkling diamond in the jewels of Gujarat. Along with lions, it is also home to more than 300 wildlife species like great horned own, crested serpent eagle and other members of the cat family like leopards.
  • Dwarkadhish Temple: It is one of the char Dhams of India and Sapata Turis (seven sacred cities), Dwarkadeesh Jagat Mandir doesn’t need any introduction. The word ‘Dwarka; is made of two words- ‘dwara’ meaning road, and ‘ka’ implying eternal significance. Along with Jagat Mandir, you can also visit the nearby temples like Bet Dwarka, Okha, and shrines dedicated to Rukmini (Lord Krishna’s Wife), Mirabai, Narsinh Mehta and Shank Narayan.
  • White Desert – Great Rann of Kutch: It is the largest salt desert in the world. spred over an area of 7505 sq km in the western fringes of Gujarat. To witness the best of the white desert, one should visit there during the Rann Utsav, which happens between November and March. Apart from the a white desert, you can also visit Narayan Sarovar, Koteshwar temple and Bachuchara temple.
  • Somnath Temple: It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, and is located in the small town of Gujarat’s Junagarh district. It carries out one of the most expensive aartis, costing approximately 15 lakhs. The shivling at the temple is believed to be ‘swayambhu’ or self-born, manifested in the temple. You can also visit the beach, and the museum, close to the temple, which exhibits 1638 pieces from 7th to 15th century.
  • Polo Monument and Vijaynagar Forest: The temples of Polo, located near Vijaynagar, were built between 10th and 15th centuries under the Gurjara-Pratiharas and later the Rathores as a hiding place from enemies, citizens, angry wives, and even from the sun. While there are number of medieval temples in the polo region of this period, the most famous ones are Sarneshwar temple (still in use), Lakha Dera Jain temple and Shiv Shakti Mandir. There is only one homestay available at the Vijaynagar.
  • Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Gujarat: Located in the foothills of Pavagadh it is a UNESCO world heritage site which is located on a rocky hilltop and bristling with forts, mosques, temples and palaces. Kevda Masjid and Cenotaph, Jami Masjid, Lila Gumbaj Ki Masjid, Pavagadh fort, Lakulisa temple, and Helica Step-well, are some of the famous places to visit in Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park. Also here you can find many Chalcolithic Indian Sites from the stone age era. The Champaner complex is hardly 50 km away from Vadodara, thus, can be a good option for a weekend gateway.
  • Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad: Sabarmati is Mahatma Gandhi’s second ashram (first being the Kochrab Ashram) where he planned a significant number of freedom movements between 1917 to1930. One can find a special mention of Sabarmati Ashram in the history of India as here Mahatma Gandhi trained activist to join his movements like Swadeshi movements, non-violent and civil disobedience.
  • Marine National Park, Jamnagar: Gujarat has the largest costline in India spread over a 1600 km. which has a tiny reserve called Marine National Park, which is one of its kinds in India, on the Gulf of Kutch. It’s the only place in India where one can see the coral reefs of different shapes and sizes without diving in the water. Some of the finest marine species that can be found in the national park are sponges, starfishes, sea cucumbers, puffer fishes, sea horses, huge green sea turtles, etc. Also, you can see many sea birds like cranes, flamingos, sea gulls, etc. 
  • Saputara: If you think Gujarat is all about forts, palaces, temples and jungles, think again, as this fine state also has a hill station within its vicinity, Saputara. Tucked in the Sahyadri hills amidst the dang forest, Sapatura is an uber cool retreat that offers people of Gujarat respite from its humid weather. Honey bees Center, Rose Garden, Lake Garden, Step Garden, Gira Waterfalls, Mahal Forest, Gandhi Shikhar and Sunrise Point are most visited tourist attractions in Sapatura.
  • Dholavira: It is located at a distance of 250 km from Bhuj district of Gujarat and depicts the Harappan culture and its magnificent civilization. On a trip to Dolavira, you walk can pass through the sun-dried buildings, 5,000-year-old step well, ancient reservoirs.

The staple food of Gujarat is daal, roti, rice, vegetables, salad, chaas, farsan followed by a sweet dish. Gujarati cuisine is quiet similar to that of Maharashtra, and most of the Gujaratis are vegetarian. Some of the famous Gujarati cuisines are dhokla, fafda, khandvi, dhal dhokli, undhiyu, handvo, ganthia, dal wada, khakhra, and thepla. Gujarati dishes have a mix of sweet, spicy and sour tastes. A normal Gujarati dinner includes bhakri-shak or khichdi-kadhi. The Gujaratis are noted for their sweet tongue, and hence every meal is followed by a sweet dish or sometimes even jaggery.

All Destinations in Gujarat

Gujarat Tour Packages