Gujarat Travel Guide

Where azure seas meet sparkling sands, blushing sunsets embrace rosy dawns. The jungles are verdant, lush and green, where lions prowl and flamingoes preen. Marble temples white and pure, reflect the glory of the days of yore. Age-old palaces browned in the sun and water parks for a day of fun. Here tribal life is a celebration, of music, dance and multicoloured traditions.

Top Destinations

• Modhera Sun Temple
• Mandvi Beach
• Wild Ass of Kutch
• Akshardham Temple
• Hutheesing Temple
• Lothal
• Nal Sarovar
• Palitana Jain Temple
• Saputara Hill Station
• Sasan Gir
• Somnath Temple
• Beaches of DIU

Beaches

A 1600km. long coastline, the longest in India, binds the state of Gujarat from the west. It is dotted with some really fine beaches like those of Ahmedpur-Mandvi, Kutch-Mandvi, Chorwad and Gopnath. The coast was also a historical centre with interesting Portugese forts, shore temples, princely port cities and beach palaces.

Bhavnagar

• Gopnath

Jamnagar

• Rozi & Bedi Ports
• Bet Dwarka

Junagadh

• Ahmedpur Mandvi
• Chorwad
• Diu
• Madhavpur

Kutch

• Mandvi

Surat

• Dumas
• Hajira and Tithal

Wild Life

Gujarat is a unique state that has many kinds of habitats. These varied landforms include dry deciduous forests, majestic grasslands, wetlands, marine ecosystems and rich moist deciduous forests. These habitats are home to some extremely rare wildlife. The Asiatic Lion is found only in Gir. The Wild Ass in the Rann of Kutch, the rare great Indian bustard in the bird reserves, the world's only four-horned antelope and the Black Buck are some other valued species protected in Gujarat. The dugong and the rare boralia species also find a safe haven here.

Ahmedabad

• Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
• Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary
• Thol Wildlife Sanctuary

Bhavnagar

• Velavadar Black Buck Sanctuary

Jamnagar

• Marine National Park

Junagadh

• Gir Wildlife Sanctuary

Porbandar Bird Sanctuary

Fairs & Festivals

Gujarat could well be termed the 'Land of Festivals and Fairs' with almost 3,500 of them being celebrated in different parts of the state every year. Like elsewhere in India, the festivals and fairs of Gujarat revolve around an occasion - be it the turn of a season, the time for harvesting a golden field, or a religious event from India's extensive and rich mythological traditions.

What's more, these fairs and festivals, governed by the solar and lunar calendars of old world astrology, offer the visitor an excellent opportunity to experience the diverse cultural and religious identity of the people of Gujarat.

Gujarat has always been known for its splendid and evocative festivals. An estimated two thousand festivals are celebrated every year in Gujarat. More than two hundred of these are unforgettable occasions that attract tens of thousands of people. Though rooted in religion and mythology, these celebrations centreing around gods and goddesses are truly secular socials in which people of all faiths participate.

• Trinetreshwar Mahadev Fair
• (Tarnetar Mela) Bhavnath Mahadev Mela
• Vautha Mela Dangs Darbar
• Shamlaji Melo Chitra-Vichitra Mela
• Dhrang Fair
• The International Kite Festival The Kutch Mahotsav
• Navratri Janmashtami
• Dance Festival (Modhera) Bhadra Purnima
• Diwali
• Holi
• Dhuleti Rath Yatra
• Raksha Bandhan