Holiday in Gujarat, India in a Nutshell

Gujarat in Western India is a popular destination for international travellers for its UNESCO Heritage sites, craft heritage, white desert, beaches, pilgrimages, birding and being the only abode of the Asiatic Lions. Let me summarise holiday in Gujarat in a nutshell for the first time traveller.

Access for Holiday in Gujarat

Ahmedabad is an international airport and therefore the most popular access point for international travellers to Gujarat. Gujarat is also popularly combined with neighbouring Rajasthan for an extended itinerary.

Highlights of a Gujarat Holiday

Gujarat is best visited for the following:

Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad is the capital city of Gujarat and has been inhabited since the 11th century, therefore is rich in heritage. Ahmedabad old city is now a UNESCO heritage site for its ancient architecture and town planning. Jama Masjid, Adalaj Stepwell and Textile museum in Ahmedabad are also renowned and popular with international travellers. Ahmedabad is also home to the erstwhile residence of the father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

Heritage Sites

Modhera Sun Temple (100 kms – North of Ahmedabad), Stepwells of Patan (Rani ki Vav) (35 kms from Modhera) and Champaner (150 kms – South of Ahmedabad) are three UNESCO heritage sites at a drivable distance from Ahmedabad. Statue of Unity (100 kms from Champaner), is the recently inaugurated world’s tallest statue (182 meters) and poised to be popular for all travellers.

Kutch

Kutch is a desert area on the North West part of Gujarat, renowned for its craft heritage and White Desert. Kutch is renowned for its villages, dedicated to embroidery, wood craft, silver jewellery, painting, etc. Northern part of Kutch region is known for its desert character (popularly known as the Greater Rann of Kutch). The desert here is unique for being white in colour due to salt deposition and is therefore popularly visited.

Sasan Gir and Birding Areas

Sasan Gir is the only abode of Asiatic Lions and one of the prime attractions for wildlife travellers. Gujarat is also renowned for its birding. Exotic birds migrate to grasslands, lakes and desert areas of Gujarat in winter. Gujarat is one of the three states in India to have a birding circuit.

Pilgrimages

Gujarat is home to Palitana, the most revered of all Jain pilgrimages. Palitana is set on a hill having hundreds of intricately carved Jain Temples that are an attraction for every heritage traveller. Gujarat is home to many renowned Hindu Pilgrimages such as Ambaji, Dwarka, Somnath, Virpur, which are very popular with travellers of Indian origin.

Fairs and Festivals

Gujarat is most renowned for its festivals, each presenting a unique insight into different cultural elements of the region. Kutch Desert Festival (Nov-Feb) is a modern day festival set around the White desert areas of Kutch. Fairs like Tarnetar Fair (August) and Vautha (January) are traditional village fairs that continue to survive in the modern age. Modhera Dance festival is where travellers arrive for traditional dance performances against the backdrop of the Modhera Sun Temple.

Beaches

Diu and Mandvi are two beachside destinations in Gujarat renowned for their idyllic character. These are opted for by international travellers wanting to spending a few days relaxing in between other explorations.