Visit to Gujarat
Gujarat - The glorious land of India, is located on the western coast of Indian sub continent. It is bounded on the northwest by Pakistan, on the north by Rajasthan, on the east by Madhya Pradesh and on the south and southeast by Maharashtra. The state gets its name from Gujjur Rashtra, the land of the Gujjurs, a migrant tribe who came to India in the wake of the invading Huns in the 5th century. The west coast state of Gujarat is conveniently situated between the golden triangle of Delhi - Agra - Rajasthan and the popular triangle of Mumbai - Goa - Arungabad. It streches out into the Arabian Sea, like an open jaw of a lion, the Saurashtra Peninsula and the Kutch desert marking the mid-western border of the state of Gujarat, home to one of the most enterprising communities of India. Ancient archaeological sites, historic and architecture, natural beauty, religious places, hills, beaches, palaces, forts, temples, havelis, wildlife sanctuaries, handicrafts, cuisines, colourful cultures and a tradition of hospitality blended with modern amenities like airports, railway stations, bus connections and so on make Gujarat a paradise for contemperory traveller. It is among the most historically rich states of India. As the legend goes, Gujarat's temple of Somnath was actually there to witness the creation of the universe. Along the south coast are the sites where many of the great events in Lord Krishna's life took place. The state that has done proud to the nation in socio - cultural, agricultural and industrial fields, has also earned its rightful place on the national tourist circuit by adopting the right mix of tourism product and services.
Gujarat has some fascinating and distinctive architecture, a wide variety of scenery and some superb beaches. the new city of Gandhinagar, 20 kms north of Ahmedabad is the state's capital. Gujarat's ports have been important centres of trade and embarkation points for Muslim pilgrims bound for Mecca while European colonial nations eastablished factories and trading bases around the coast from the late 15th century onwards. Lothal was the site of the Harappan or the Indus Valley Civilization more than 4000 years ago. Gujarat has been featured in the exploits of the Budhhist emperor, Ashoka and one of his rock edicts is found near Junagadh. Later the state suffered due to the aggression of various Mughal rulers, including Muhammad Gazni and again battles between the Mughals and the Marathas were fought in this region. Gujarat has some vivid historical associations, Mahatma Gandhi - The Father Of the Nation, was born at Porbandar and had his ashram at Sabarmati near Ahmedabad. It has always been a home for the Jains and some of its most important Jain Temple centres at Palitana and Girnar Hill, near Junagadh are worth a visit. The Jains are an influential and energetic group and as a result, Gujarat is one of India's wealthier and most industrialized states. Other major attractions include the Gir National Park and many other wildlife sanctuaries at southern coast of the Gulf of Kutch, the coastal marshes of Porbandar and Jamnagarand the southeastern tip of the little Rann of Kutch.
One can explore the excellent examples of the fascinating Indo-Saracenic architecture of Ahmedabad, the fine beaches at Tithal, Ubharat, Khambhat, Diu, Chorwad and Mandvi, the shore temples of Dwarka, Somnath and Harshad Mata, picturesque harbours, stupendous work of medieval princely architecture at Halwad, Junagadh, Ghumli and Sihor, colonial period princley architecture at Jamnagar, Junagadh, Rajkot, Porbandar, Bhavnagar, Morbi, Limbdi, the architecture in north Gujarat-temples of Modhera, Patan, Taranga, Kumbhariya, Siddhpur and many more. Ancient archaeological sites, historic and architecture, natural beauty, religious places, hills, beaches, palaces, forts, temples, havelis, wildlife sanctuaries, handicrafts, cuisines, colourful cultures and a tradition of hospitality blended with modernity makes Gujarat rank high on your list of priorities! Geographically, Gujarat can be divided into three areas. The eastern (mainland) region includes the major cities of Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara(Baroda). The Gulf of Cambay divides the mainland strip from the flat, often barren, plains of the Kathaiwar peninsula, also known as Saurashtra. The Gulf of Kutch separates Saurasthra from Kutch (Kachchh), which is virtually an island, cut off from the rest of the Gujarat to the east and Pakistan to the north by the low lying Ranns (desert) of Kutch.
Also read:
Facts And Figures Of Gujarat
