ATTRACTIONS OF GUJARAT
The state of Gujarat is in the Western India region of India. Lothal, near Ahmedabad and Dholavira. Near Kutch are sites of the Harappan (Indus) civilization, which is over 4000 years old. Gujarat is known for the Stepped Wells, Jain Temples, Asiatic Lion, and its business-oriented people.
Gujarat is a state on the western coast of India with a coastline of 1,600 km (990 mi) – most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula – and a population of 60.4 million. It is the fifth-largest Indian state by area and the ninth-largest state by population. Gujarat is bordered by Rajasthan to the northeast, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu to the south, Maharashtra to the southeast, Madhya Pradesh to the east, and the Arabian Sea and the Pakistani province of Sindh to the west. Its capital city is Gandhinagar, while its largest city is Ahmedabad. The Gujarati people of India are indigenous to the state, and their language Gujarati is the state's official language. The economy of Gujarat is the fifth-largest in India, with a gross state domestic product (GSDP) of ₹16.48 trillion (US$220 billion) and has the country's 11th-highest GSDP per capita of ₹216,000 (US$2,900). Gujarat ranks 21st among Indian states in the human development index. The state traditionally has low unemployment and is widely considered one of the most industrially developed states of India and a manufacturing hub.
1. Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad has emerged as an important economic and industrial hub in India. It is the second-largest producer of cotton in India, due to which it was known as the 'Manchester of India' along with Kanpur. Ahmedabad's stock exchange (before it was shut down in 2018) was the country's second oldest. Cricket is a popular sport in Ahmedabad. A newly built Narendra Modi Stadium at Motera can accommodate 132,000 spectators, being the largest stadium in the world. And upcoming World Class Sports Enclave (SVP Sports Enclave Ahmedabad) will be one of the Biggest Sports Centre (Sports City) in India. The effects of liberalization of the Indian economy have energized the city's economy towards tertiary sector activities such as commerce, communication, and construction. Ahmedabad's increasing population has resulted in an increase in the construction and housing industries resulting in the development of skyscrapers.
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. Reconstructed several times in the past after repeated destruction by several Muslim invaders and rulers, it is unclear when the first version of the Somnath temple was built. Estimates for the first Somnath temple vary between the early centuries of the 1st-millennium to about the 9th-century CE. The temple's history is a subject of dispute and remains controversial.
The town of Somnath is famous for Somnath Temple, considered to be one of the most revered and holy shrines in India. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is one among the twelve prominent Jyotirlinga shrines and also one of the oldest places of pilgrimage in Gujarat. The meaning of the word 'Somnath' is the 'Lord of the Moon God', which refers to Lord Shiva as He is known to wear the Moon on his head. Also, Somnath is believed to be the place where Lord Krishna ended his Lila and thereafter for heavenly abode.
3. Dwarka
Dwarka is a city and a municipality of Devbhumi Dwarka district in the state of Gujarat in northwestern India. It is located on the western shore of the Okhamandal Peninsula on the right bank of the Gomti River. In 2011 it had a population of 38,873. Dwarka is one of the Chardham, four sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites, and is one of the Sapta Puri, the seven most ancient religious cities in the country. Dwarka is often identified with the Dwarka Kingdom, the ancient kingdom of Krishna, and is believed to have been the first capital of Gujarat.
Located on the western tip of the Saurashtra peninsula in Gujarat, Dwarka is popularly known as the 'home of Lord Krishna' and is believed to have been the first capital of Gujarat. Also, Dwarka is one of the foremost Char Dhams for Hindus and among the seven most ancient religious cities (sapta puris) in India. The literal meaning of Dwarka is the 'gateway to heaven in Sanskrit, as Dwar means gate and ka refers to Lord Brahma. For this reason, the town attracts thousands of pilgrims throughout the year and reverberates with spiritual holiness.
4. Rann of Kutch
With the Thar Desert on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other side, Rann of Kutch is a spellbinding marvel of sand and salt. The name, Rann of Kutch, was derived from the word 'Rann' meaning desert in Hindi and the district it is located in. Covering over an area of 30,000 sq. km, the region is divided into two parts, the Great Rann of Kutch and Little Rann of Kutch. The Luni River and River West Banas drain into the desert in the northeast corner of the Rann while River Rupen drains from the East. Nara Canal or Puran River which is a delta channel of the Indus River empties during floods into Kori Creek located in the Great Rann of Kutch.
5. Gir National Park
The Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary are some of the most significant national parks in India that provide shelter to the Asiatic Lions. Apart from the lions, it also possesses innumerable species of various plants and animals.
Besides Africa, Gir National Park in Gujarat is the only place in the world where you can spot lions roaming free in the wild. The real discovery channel of India has situated approximately 65 km South East of the Junagarh District. The Government notified the large geographical extent of Sasan Gir as a wildlife sanctuary on 18th September 1965 in order to conserve the Asiatic Lion. It covers a total area of 1412 square kilometers of which 258 Km forms the core area of the National Park. Indiscriminate hunting by the people of Junagarh led to their decrease in population drastically, while they were completely wiped out from the other parts of Asia. It was the kind effort of Nawabs of Junagarh who protected the queen royalty in his own private hunting grounds. Later in due course of time Department of Forest Officials came forward to protect the world’s most threatened species. From a population of approximately 20 lions in 1913, they have risen to a comfortable 523 according to the 2015 census. There are 106 male, 201 female, and 213 sub-adult lions in the wilderness of these four districts.
6. Saputara
Nestled in the Sahyadri range of Western Ghats at an altitude of about 1000 m, Saputara is the only hill station in Gujarat and among the well-planned hill stations in India. Literally means 'the Abode of Serpents', this quaint hill station of Saputara derives its name from the Snake god revered by the tribals. Also, legend says that Saputara is the place where Lord Rama spent 11 years of his exile.
The lush green forests, undulating mountains, dazzling waterfalls, dreamy winding roads, stunning landscape, and salubrious climate make the picturesque hill station of Saputara a perfect escape into the lap of Mother Nature. Saputara Lake, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Saputara Tribal Museum, Gira Waterfalls, Nageshwar Mahadev Temple, Artist Village, etc.
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