Things To Do In Gujarat

Culture

Religious Sites - The whole state of Gujarat is highly opulent with godly places of pilgrimage and holy temples like Ambaji, Somnath, Dwarka, Palitana, Girnar, and Dakor.

Art and Craft - Gujarat has an array of a rich variety of crafts. Its embroidery, bead work, wood crafts, printed and woven clothes, pottery and tribal art are expressions of folklore and festivals. The exclusive range of these works of craftsmen imbued with the social and cultural hue of the region from where they have sprung are original in nature and craftsmanship. Today far moved from the hut or the village of the craftsman, pieces of handicrafts come to adorn the houses of the elite, the five-star hotels both at home and abroad. Their products have received acclamation not only across the country but in overseas countries too.

Cuisine

“Surat ka jaman aur Banaras ka maran” is a popular saying in Gujarati, which means dining at Surat and dying at Varanasi, is the way to heaven. One of the thrills of traveling to Gujarat is its cuisine. The people of Gujarat have perfected the art of vegetarian cooking and their cuisine is delectable and mouth watering. To taste the excellent vegetarian Gujarati cuisine, is to have a Thali Meal – the ultimate delightful vegetarian fare. The traditional Gujarati Thali is one of the best ways to know the Gujarati cuisine. Saurashtra’s typical seasonings – mustard seed, turmeric, pounded red chillies, cumin and coriander – flavour Gujarat’s distinctive vegetarian cuisine

. There are also seasonal specialties – aamraas (mango pool) is commonly served in summer while undhiyu which has roast vegetables and muthias (veg kebabs) is characteristically had in January.

Besides vegetarian dishes, the Muslim community, the tribal groups like Bohras and Khojas offer special non-vegetarian cuisine. And also Saurashtra’s garlic spice mixture – a combination of garlic, red chillies and salt pounded together, is a must-try. Many Gujarati dishes are distinctively sweet, salty, and spicy at the same time.

Flora And Fauna

Gujarat wildlife sanctuaries are known for exotic collections of flora and fauna species which call on many tourists from several parts of the globe. Its topographical location has gifted Gujarat with 4 National Parks and 21 Wildlife Sanctuaries, which are managed by the Forest Department of the Government of Gujarat.

The vast expansion of mountain range is covered with scenic landscapes, dense forests, waterfalls, mountain streams, and rivers that support rich biodiversity of wildlife reserves. It has varied landforms, ranging from dry deciduous forests, majestic grasslands, wetlands, marine ecosystems, and rich moist deciduous forests. The rich biodiversity of this place has as many as 500 varieties of mammals, more than 2000 species of birds, a wide range of insects, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, and many more.

The Gujarat Forest Department, over the years, has spearheaded the conversion of waste land into small tracts of lush green land.

Must visit Gir National Park, Wild Ass Sanctuary, Velavadar Blackbuck National Park, Ambardi Safari Park, Marine National Park and many more.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Rani Ki Vav, Patan - The stepwell was built in 1063 by Rani Udayamati of the Chaulukya Dynasty to commemorate her husband, Bhimdev I. The stepwell was rediscovered in 1940s, and the Archeological Survey of India restored it in the 1980s.

Champaner and Pavagadh Archaeological Park - A UNESCO Heritage site, Champaner and Pavagadh, are often clubbed together as one of the most engaging historical attractions of Gujarat. The duo makes a rich heritage site dotted with forts, mosques, monuments, tombs, arches, temples, step-wells and fortresses from 8th to 14th centuries.

Ahmedabad World Heritage City - Situated in the heart of Gujarat, Ahmedabad has a character like no other, defined by a spirit of enterprise. Although Ahmedabad is a bustling metropolitan with reputed institutes and a rapidly growing economy, it is deeply rooted in tradition. The city is known for its association with Mahatma Gandhi, and in addition to a complex maze of neighborhood called pols, hosts some of the country’s finest medieval Islamic Architecture.