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Gujarat

Have you always been fascinated by places that are culturally and traditionally inclined? Are you looking for a place that can soothe your eyes and soul at the same time? Then what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and transport your body and soul to the pure and pious land of Gujarat- the birthplace of “The Father of the Nation”.

Gujarat - An Overview

The number of days required to visit Gujarat depends on various factors such as your interests and availability. Since it is considered to be a diverse state with a wide range of attractions, including historical sites, cultural landmarks as well and wildlife sanctuaries, it may take you a week or two to cover up the primary locations. If you simply want to visit the major and popular cities of the state such as Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Surat, you may wrap your trip up in 4-5 days. On the other hand, if you want to explore the Rann of Kutch, you need to invest at least 2-3 days for this unique and memorable experience. However, if you are somewhat religious and looking out to plan a spiritually blessed trip, you need to visit places like Somnath, and Dwarka, and for that, you have to spend 3-4 days.

Famous Places to visit in Gujarat

Here are some of the most popular and famous places that you can visit in Gujarat:

Ahmedabad

This city has always been in the limelight from the time India was on its mission to attain independence from the British. Besides, it is considered to be the first city to be declared as India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City. It offers a seamless amalgamation of spectacular architecture of centuries-old mosques and contemporary avant-garde design. Since it is an integral part of Gujarat darshan, you must add it to your bucket list.

Ahmedabad is divided into two parts, cut into distinct sections by the Sabarmati River. Here are some of the top attractions of Ahmedabad:

Sabarmati Ashram

The very first thought that clicks on listening to the word “Sabarmati Ashram” is Mahatma Gandhi a.k.a Bapu. Once the center of operations related to the independence of India, it is located on the banks of River Sabarmati. This place can make you nostalgic and give an insight into the life and struggles of Mahatma Gandhi because it is well-decorated with artifacts, including his glasses, slippers, and books. If you are someone who loves to explore, you can visit the art gallery and library that houses almost thirty thousand books in English, Hindi, and Gujarati here. Moreover, this location holds the honor of being the starting point of the iconic Dandi March, which was a turning point in the Indian freedom struggle.

Sabarmati River Front

Another intrinsic part of Gujarat darshan is this monsoon-fed river that flows north-south through Ahmedabad, bisecting the city into two halves- eastern and western. It has been an integral part of Ahmedabad city. It has also gained immense importance as it has provided space for recreational activities along the banks. Earlier, this wide riverbank was utilized by the locals to launder their clothes and dye textiles. During the dry season, it served as the land for farming.

Jama Masjid

This architectural wonder was created during the rule of Sultan Ahmed Shah and is now considered to be one of the top tourist spots in Gujarat. It was built in the year 1423 by the Sultan, who wanted the Muslims of Ahmedabad to have a place where they could gather and offer their prayers to the almighty on Fridays. The architecture is a perfect blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles, and it is said that the yellow sandstone used to build this mosque was once a part of some Hindu and Jain temples.

Adalaj Stepwell

Ahmedabad is decorated with many stepwells out of which the most prominent one is the Adalaj Stepwell, popularly known as Adalaj ni Vav. Visiting this location is a captivating experience as it is considered a place of worship by the locals where they perform their traditional rituals. The striking and mesmerizing sandstone structure with a square stepped platform leads to a deep well below.

During those days when Adalaj Stepwell was constructed, step-wells used to be quite popular because they were the ultimate source of drinking water and other household needs. Adalaj Stepwell hosts a Water festival every year that ends up attracting several visitors to witness the excellent performances by eminent musicians and gather some unforgettable memories.

Temples of Gujarat

Gujarat has received worldwide recognition and popularity for its ancient and celebrated temples. It is known to be one of the most desirable tourist places in the world due to the presence of temples that add a Midas touch to its charm. If you are looking for the most astounding temples of Gujarat to add to your “Gujarat Temple Tour” list, then you must consider Swaminarayan Akshardham and Sun Temple, Modhera.

Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple

The word “Akshardham” means the divine abode of God. It is a pure and pious place where you can offer your prayers and devotion, thereby facilitating the way to connect with the almighty. This temple is occupying a major portion of the city of Gandhinagar and is a humble tribute to Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781-1830) and the avatars, devas, and sages of Hinduism. There are approximately 200 idols inside the temple, representing spiritual stalwarts from over many millennia. Each prayer offered in this temple is a baby step closer to God. A visit to Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple is a life-altering experience where you will find yourself spiritually inclined and surrounded by positivity only.

Sun Temple, Modhera

This temple is dedicated to Lord Surya (the solar deity), located in the Modhera district of Gujarat. Bhima I of the Chaulukya dynasty is credited with the construction of this temple but now people don’t offer any worship here and is a protected monument maintained by the Archeological Survey of India. The temple is mainly divided into three compartments- the shrine hall, the assembly hall, and the reservoir, which has steps to reach the bottom and numerous small shrines.

Interestingly, this temple hosts an annual 3-day dance festival called Uttaradha Mahotsav during the third week of January, following the festival of Uttarayan. Here, dancers mainly present classical dance forms.

Rani ki vav

This city used to be very popular during the period of the Chalukya dynasty or Solankis of Patan. There is a stepwell called the Rani ki vav (Queen’s step well) which was constructed during that time and is a richly sculptured monument. This step well was built by Udaymati in memory of her husband Bhima I (1022-1063). Moreover, there is a small gate below the last step of the step well, having a 30 km tunnel that is now blocked using stones and mud. It is to be noted that this stepwell is the oldest and the deepest out of the 120 other step wells located in Gujarat. It holds the record of being on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the year 2014.

Laxmi Vilas Palace, Vadodara

It is considered to be still the residence of Vadodara’s royal family. This palace is spread across an area of approximately 500 acres and also holds the record of being the largest private home built to date and four times the size of Buckingham Palace. The well-maintained interior, elegant mosaics, breathtakingly beautiful chandeliers, and artwork are enough to keep you engaged all the time while visiting the palace.

There is a stepwell in the premises called the Navlakhi stepwell which is a window to the ancient water resource system built by the then Kings of Gujarat. Besides, this palace also houses the Moti Bagh Cricket Ground, the offices of the Baroda Cricket Association, and a rare indoor teak floored tennis court as well as a badminton court.

Statue of Unity

This statue has been built in loving memory of the Iron Man of India- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who was also the first home minister of independent India. It holds the record of being the World’s tallest statue which was inaugurated in the year 2018. It is a tribute from the people of Gujarat to the leader who prioritized people during his lifetime.

The Statue of Unity stands strong and proud on the Sadhu Bet hillock, connected by a 300-metre bridge, which offers access from the mainland to the statue. Visitors can also enjoy the light and sound show using laser technology projected on this statue that takes place every evening except Monday.

The cuisine of Gujarat
  • The people of Gujarat have perfected the art of vegetarian cooking and their cuisine is the proof of it. To taste the excellent vegetarian Gujarati cuisine, one needs to have the Gujarati Thali Meal- the ultimate delightful vegetarian fare.
  • Seasonal specialties include Aamraas (Mango pool) is commonly served during summer.
  • Besides vegetarian dishes, the Muslim community, the tribal groups like the Bohras and Khojas offer special non-vegetarian cuisine. Also, Saurashtra’s garlic spice mixture- a combination of garlic, red chillies, and salt pounded together, which adds extra flavour.
Best time to visit Gujarat

The best time to visit Gujarat is from November to February because during this time, the weather is pleasant.