Aavo Padharo, words of welcome in the language of Gujarat because it is here that these words ring truly and the guest is ‘God’ and the people of Gujarat are gregariously friendly, inviting and will entice you to come again and again.
Stretches out into the Arabian Sea, with a hint of the desert and with a coastline of 1600 kms long is Gujarat – the home state of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of Nation. It is renowned for its beaches, temple towns and historic capitals. Wildlife sanctuaries, hill resorts and natural grandeur are gifts of Gujarat. Sculpture, handicrafts, arts, festivals also make the state rich. Gujarat is also among the most technologically advanced, housing the largest petrochemical complex in the country. Gujarat has always been a major centre for the Jains and some of its most interesting locations are the Jain Temple centres at Palitana and Girnar Hills. Besides the Jain temples, the state’s major attractions include the only habitat of the Asiatic Lions in India (Gir Forests), a desert ride at the Wild Ass Sanctuary and the beautiful Indo-Saracenic Architecture of Ahmedabad. The colourful tribal villages of Kutch make a visit unforgettable.
  • Gujarat has the longest coastline in India. It is 1,596 km long, and no part of this western state of India is more than 160 km from the sea.

  • India’s first port was established in Gujarat’s Lothal, a Harappan Site.

  • Gujarat with 17 airports is the state of India with the highest number of operating airports.

  • The world’s first ‘vegetarian outlets’ of fast food brands Domino’s, Pizza Hut, and Subway, were opened in Ahmedabad.

  • Gujarat is the only place in India where Asiatic Lions are found.

  • Gujarat is the largest producer of milk in India.

  • Despite the common belief, Gujarat is not the land of vegetarians. Bhatiyar Gali in Ahmedabad is the best proof of it.

  • The Lakshmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara is the largest private residence built in India. It is four times bigger than the Buckingham Palace in London.

  • Kutch District of Gujarat is the largest district in India. It covers an area of 45674 sq km.

  • Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary in Gujarat is one of the last places on earth where the endangered wild ass sub-species Indian Wild Ass (Khur) belonging to the Asiatic Wild Ass species Onager can be spotted.

  • The Sardar Sarovar Dam, near which the popular attraction of the Statue of Unity is situated, is the second largest concrete dam in the world in terms of the volume of concrete used to construct dam after the Grand Coulee dam across the River Columbia, US.

  • At Ahmedabad’s New Lucky Restaurant, diners eat their meals sitting at tables scattered between 12 coffins. Weird but true.

  • Armabada, a town in Kutch District of Gujarat, has the world’s first lake where a rare species of ‘upside down jellyfish’ lives.

  • Patang Bazaar, a Kite Market in Ahmedabad, stays opens 24 hours of the day during the International Kite Festival Week (Uttarayan) held annually in the month of January.

  • Gujarat has its own version of Leh’s Magnetic Hill. The hills in Tulsi Shyam near Gujarat’s Amreli district, act against gravity – like Leh’s Magnetic Hill objects and cars appear rolling uphill.

  • Ahmedabad in Gujarat is now home to the world’s largest cricket stadium. The new stadium can seat 1,10,000 spectators and has parking space for 3,000 cars and 10,000 two-wheelers.

  • Located near Bhuj, Mandvi is a coastal destination that boasts a 400-year-old shipbuilding tradition.

Statue of Unity

Statue of Unity is located at Kevadia, 197 Kms from Ahmedabad. The world’s tallest statue, Statue of Unity has been created as a tribute to the ‘Iron Man of India’, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The Statue of Unity is broadly divided into 5 zones, out of which 3 are accessible to general public. These zones include a memorial garden and museum, an exhibition area, and viewing gallery that can accommodate 200 visitors at a time. Located at a height of 153 mts., this Viewing Gallery offers a spectacular view of Sardar Sarovar Dam, its reservoir and the Satpura and Vindhya mountain ranges. The other two zones are maintenance area and an upcoming zone at the head and shoulders of the mammoth statue, which are restricted for general public.

Gir National Park

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. 320 Kms from Ahmedabad.

Somnath Temple

The Somnath temple, also called Somanātha temple or Deo Patan, is located in Prabhas Patan, Veraval in Gujarat, India. One of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for the Hindus, they believe it to be the first among the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. 404 Kms from Ahmedabad.

Dwarka

Dwarka is an ancient city in the northwestern Indian state of Gujarat. It’s known as a Hindu pilgrimage site. The ancient Dwarkadhish Temple has an elaborately tiered main shrine, a carved entrance and a black-marble idol of Lord Krishna. Dwarka Beach and nearby Dwarka Lighthouse offer views of the Arabian Sea. Southeast, Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary protects migratory birds and endangered species like the Indian wolf. 439 Kms from Ahmedabad.

Rani ni Vaav

Rani ki Vav or Ranki vav is a stepwell situated in the town of Patan in Gujarat state of India. It is located on the banks of Saraswati river. Its construction is attributed to Udayamati, daughter of Khengara of Saurashtra, queen and spouse of the 11th-century Chaulukya king Bhima I. Silted over, it was rediscovered in 1940s and restored in 1980s by the Archaeological Survey of India. It has been listed as one of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites since 2014. 128 Kms from Ahmedabad.

Rannotsav

Rann Utsav is one of the most eagerly-awaited tourism events of India, which celebrates the marvels of nature at the White Desert and the rich cultural and artistic heritage of Kutch. The concept of Rann Utsav was envisioned by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the then Chief Minister of Gujarat. 450 Kms from Ahmedabad.

Modhera Sun Temple

As one traverses the length and breadth of Gujarat, one constantly stumbles across architectural legacies of the ‘Solanki’ rule. You keep coming across living spaces and monuments of another time, offering an eclectic glimpse of the artistic and ingenious beauty that makes this exotically state vibrant.

A soothing drive amidst green farmlands almost 25 km away from Mehsana on the way to the temples of goddess Bahucharaji reposes the village of Modhera. Set along the backdrop of River Pushpavati, surrounded by a terra-formed garden of flowering trees and songs of birds, rests the famed Sun temple of Modhera.

The remains of the Sun Temples at Modhera dedicated to sun god are relics of times gone by when reverence of the natural elements fire, air, earth, water and sky were at their peak sharing space with myriad manifestations of Vedic gods. The ancient philosophy venerating natural elements and its association with humans was considered the prime force and energy of the life cycle. A walk around the serene temple campus makes you aware of the positively strong aura of energy which the place radiates and through it brings one closer to the environs.

Adding the beauty in this already famous popular Modhera Sun Temple. In October, 2022 Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi Inaugurated Solar powered 3-D Projection Mapping Show and Heritage Lighting at the Temple. Which is one of a kind experience. It has added another feather in the cap of this already well known temple.

Seema Darshan – Nada Bet

Travel to Nada Bet, a small slice of land jutting into a sprawling lake, where the Seema Darshan is held. It is an opportunity for travellers to see the workings of an army post on the border of India. Some of the activities and sights that will interest the traveller include the retreat ceremony against the backdrop of a glorious orange sunset where the Border Security Force (BSF) jawans put up a gallant show of marching with pride to end another day of guarding the borders. A weapon display and photo gallery at Nada Bet includes guns, tanks and other sophisticated devices that help in keeping the border and inland places secure. As an ode to the camels and to showcase their expertise and disciple, a camel show is presented for the visitors.

Pavagadh Hill Kalika Mata Temple

At the summit of Pavagadh hill, 800 m above sea level, is the temple to Mother Kali, which is the oldest in the area, dating from the 10th-11th centuries. Hindu pilgrims were coming to visit this temple from long before the development of Champaner as a major city, and they continued for hundreds of years after its decline, right up to the present day. To reach the temple at the summit is about a 5 km walk along a jungle footpath to the top of the hill; otherwise, there is a cable car that will haul you to the summit from about the midway point, which is the last place accessible by road. The temple has large fortifications and an open chowk in front, with two altars for sacrifices, and an array of lights for special occasions. The idol of Kalika Mata in the inner sanctum is only the head, the mukhwato, painted in red. Also present are full idols of Mahakali and the yantras of Bahuchara. The temple is open from very early to quite late, to accommodate pilgrims arriving at all hours. The Machi Haveli is a rest house available for pilgrims.

Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum

The beautiful land of Gujarat has never had scarcity when it comes to marvel and awe. The vast arrays of arable fields and wilderness that wrap the state are nothing less than a wonder to behold. To add another gem to this list, India’s largest memorial, and the museum has recently opened its doors to the public in Bhuj, from the Kutch region.

Smritivan (can be translated as Forest of Memories), adorned as the largest memorial and museum to ever be built in modern India, covers a vast area of over 470 acres. It is situated on the Bhujiyo Dungar (a small hill) in the outskirts of Bhuj. It also shares the area with the Bhujia fort, which is more than 300 years old.

Created for the bereaved families of the earthquake victims from 2001, Smritivan is a place of pilgrimage, praise for the resilience and reverence of the people of Kutch, and a haven for those who find solace in nature. The memorial consists of a Sun-Point that overlooks the city, the sunrises and the sunsets from atop the Bhujiyo Dungar

The memorial also consists of the world’s largest Miyawaki Forest with over 3 lakh plants, spread across the entire memorial to create a living, breathing monument that also serves as the lungs for the city of Bhuj.