PLACE OF TOURIST PLACE IN GUJARAT

INDEX

GU

•INTRODUCTION

•AHMEDABAD

•GANDHINAGAR

JAR

•RAJKOT•JAMNAG

AR•VADODA

RA & SOUTH GUJARAT

•JUNAGADH & PORBANDAR

AT•KUTCH

& BHUJ

•SURAT

INTRODUCTION

The breathtaking state of Gujarat situated in the western coast of India is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. The state is reputed for its rich cultural heritage, historical significance, handicrafts and innumerable tourist attractions. Apart from being one of the most industrialized regions in India Gujarat is also a major tourist hub of the nation. A land of romance, charisma, mysticism, vibrant colors and infinite natural beauty Gujarat never fails to charm its many visitors

Below is a list of the important tourist destinations in Gujarat

1. AHMEDABAD

• Having immense historical significance due to its association with Mahatma Gandhi Ahmadabad is one of the most important cities in Gujarat. Thronged by visitors from different parts of the country this famous tourist destination in Gujarat is popular for its unique architecture which is a vibrant culmination of Islamic and Hindu styles.

PLACES IN AHMEDABAD

• Sabarmati Ashram / Mahatma Gandhi's Home• Calico Museum of Textiles• Adalaj Step-well• Hathee Singh Jain Temple• Kankaria Lake• Bhadra Fort• Shaking Minarets

A. Sabarmati Ashram / Mahatma Gandhi's Home

• On his return from South Africa, Gandhi’s first Ashram in India was established in the Kochrab area of Ahmedabad on 25 May 1915. The Ashram was then shifted on 17 June 1917 to a piece of open land on the banks of the river Sabarmati. Reasons for this shift included: he wanted to do some experiments in living e.g. farming, animal husbandry, cow breeding, Khadi and related constructive activities, for which he was in search of this kind of barren land; mythologically, it was the ashram site of Dadhichi Rishi who had donated his bones for a righteous war; it is between a jail and a crematorium as he believed that a satyagrahi has to invariably go to either place. The Sabarmati Ashram (also known as Harijan Ashram) was home to Mohandas Gandhi from 1917 until 1930 and served as one of the main centres of the Indian freedom struggle. Originally called the Satyagraha Ashram, reflecting the movement toward passive resistance launched by the Mahatma, the Ashram became home to the ideology that set India free. Sabarmati Ashram named for the river on which it sits, was created with a dual mission. To serve as an institution that would carry on a search for truth and a platform to bring together a group of workers committed to non-violence who would help secure freedom for India.

B. Calico Museum of Textiles

• The Calico Museum of Textiles at Ahmedabad, India, is the premier textile museum of the country, and one of the most celebrated institutions of its kind in the world for its distinguished and comprehensive collection of textiles and artifacts.

• The Calico collection along with those of Sarabhai Foundation’s collection of outstanding Bronzes, Pichhwais, Jain art objects and Indian miniature paintings are housed at the Retreat complex of Sarabhai Foundation in the Shahibag area of the city.

C. Adalaj Step-well

• Adalaj Step-well is a unique Hindu 'water building' in the village of Adalaj, close to Ahmedabad town in Gandhinagar district in Indian state of Gujarat.

• The step well was built in 1499 by Muslim king Mohammed Begda for Queen Rani Roopba, wife of Veer Singh, the Vaghela chieftain. The step well or 'Vav', as it is called in Gujarati, is intricately carved and is five stories in depth. Such step wells were once integral to the semi arid regions of Gujarat as they provided basic water needs for drinking, washing and bathing. These wells were also venues for colorful festivals and sacred rituals.

D. Hathee Singh Jain Temple

• Constructed in the year 1850 AD, Hathee Singh temple is a very famous Jain temple. It has been named after its founder Seth Hathee Singh, a prosperous Jain merchant. Hathee Singh Jain temple of Ahmedabad was built in the dedication of the 15th Jain Trithanakara named Dharmnath. The temple is known for its fabulous architectural styling and designing that consists of intricate carvings.

E. Kankaria Lake

• A polygonal lake almost a mile in circumference, it was constructed in 1451 by Sultan Qutb-ud-Din. In the centre of the lake is an island-garden with a summer palace known as Nagina Wadi. The lake is now a popular recreational centre and is surrounded by parks, 'Bal Vatika', children's gardens, a boat club, natural history museum and a zoo.

• Kankaria Carnival is a week long festival being held here in last week of December. Many cultural, art and social activities are organized during carnival. It is located in the southern part of the city, in Maninagar area.

F. Bhadra Fort

• When it comes to monuments in Ahmedabad, Bhadra fort is one name that indeed deserves a special mention. Constructed in the year 1411 A.D. during the rule of Marathas, it was established by Sultan Ahmad Shah, the founder of Ahmedabad city. Bhadra fort in Ahmedabad is a royal fort that occupies the top most position in the Ahmedabad sightseeing tour.

• Within the vicinity of the Bhadra fort, there are located a couple of Government offices. On the eastern side of the fort, lies the well known Teen Darwaza, which is another important tourist attraction spot in Ahmedabad.

G. Shaking Minarets

• Shaking Minarets Also known as the “Jhulta Minara”, they are playful but with a whir of quivering mystery. They have left the best of architects and pioneering design engineers intrigued and in unresolvable wonder. What they cannot unravel is when one minaret is shaken the other begins to vibrate, though the connecting passage between the two remains vibration-free; what causes this vibration is unknown. There are two well-known pairs of Shaking Minarets in Ahmedabad, one located opposite the Sarangpur Darwaja and the other near the Kalupur Railway Station Area. The one near Sarangpur Darwaja is within the vicinity of the Sidi Bashir Mosque built in 1452 AD by Sidi Bashir, a slave of Sultan Ahmed Shah. They are three storeys talls with carved balconies where visitors were once allowed to climb all the way up. The other set of minarets near the Railway Station is taller in height. However, these are not in a very good condition as it is believed that the British had dismantled them to understand the cause of vibrations. They could not resolve the engineering and it was not possible to put them back in their original condition. Demonstrations of the minarets shaking or vibrating are not carried out anymore.

2. GANDHINAGARGandhinagar, the Capital of Gujarat is located in the banks of Sabarmati River. Named after Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, this is the second planned city in India. The well known Akshardham Temple is located in this planned city. 

The city is divided into 30 sectors and each sector has its own shopping and community centre and Schools. 

The city has summer, monsoon and winter seasons. The Weather is hot from March to June and is humid from June to September. The city experiences cold weather from November to February.

The nearest airport is Sardar Vallabhai Patel International Airport at Ahmedabad. The nearest railway station is at Ahmedabad Railway station. The city is well connected by road network. National Highway number 8A connects the city with Ahmedabad.

PLACES IN GANDHINAGAR

•Akshardham Temple.• Indroda Nature Park.•Shopping bazaars.

A. Akshardham Temple

• Akshardham is one of the largest temples in the Indian state of Gujarat. The temple complex combines devotions, art, architecture, education, exhibitions and research at one place which is spread in an area of 23 acres. The temple came to international attention when two heavily armed terrorists attacked it in September 2002. The complex is popular among tourists visiting Gujarat.

B. Indroda Nature Park

• Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park is a precious treasure spread over an area of about 400 hectares on either bank of Sabarmati river in Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat. It is considered to be the second largest hatchery of dinosaur eggs in the world. Regarded as India's Jurassic Park, it is run by the Gujarat Ecological Education and Research Foundation (GEER), and is the only dinosaur museum in the country. The park consists of a zoo, massive skeletons of sea mammals like the blue whale, as well as a vast botanical garden, amphitheatre, interpretation center and camping facilities. It also has a Wilderness Park which is home to innumerable species of birds, reptiles, hundreds of nilgais, langurs and peafowls in its vast forest.

C. Shopping bazaars

• Any tour is incomplete without shopping. According to a considerable number of tourists, shopping and traveling are complimentary. The city of Gandhinagar being the capital of Gujarat has an adequate distribution of shops that looks to serve all possible needs of the tourists. Shopping in Gandhinagar looks to satisfy this very need.

• Shopping in Gandhinagar is incomplete without the purchase of Khadi clothing. The use of the indigenously manufactured fabric was popularized by Mahatma Gandhi as a form of protest against exorbitant prices charged by the British for their cotton manufactures. The material is used in all forms of clothing. Such clothes can be bought from the Markets in Gandhinagar. These clothes are ideal for the Indian summers.

3. RAJKOTRajkot is the fourth largest city in the state of Gujarat, India, after Ahmedabad, Surat, andVadodara. Rajkot is the 35th-largest urban agglomeration in India, with a population more than 1.28 million as of 2012. Rajkot is also the 22nd-fastest-growing city in the world. The city contains the administrative headquarters of the Rajkot District, 245 km from the state capital Gandhinagar, and is located on the banks of the Aji and Nyari Rivers. Rajkot was the capital of theSaurashtra State from 15 April 1948 to 31 October 1956, before its merger to Bombay State on 1 November 1956. Rajkot was reincorporated into Gujarat State from May 1, 1960

PLACE IN RAJKOT

• The Watson Museum• Aji Dam• Kaba Gandhi No Delo• The Rajkumar College• Mohandas Gandhi Vidyalaya• Rashtriya Shala

A. The Watson Museum

• The Watson Museum in Rajkot, India is a museum of human history and culture. Its collections precious objects of colonial period of India and History of Rajkot. It is amongst the largest and most comprehensive museum in State of Gujarat. Watson Museum is considered to be the finest amongst 7 such museums located across Saurashtra (region) and run by the State Government because it holds invaluable articles and state-of-the-art facilities like photography, guide service, reference library and sales counter of the museum's publication.

B. Aji Dam

• Aji River is one the main river of saurashtra (region), Gujarat State. It is called life line of Rajkot City and separates Rajkot in east-west parts.

• There are four dams on Aji River.• Water of them are being used for agriculture and

drinking purposes.• Originating from the hilly areas of sardhar and

hingolgadh,it runs some 250 km.• Some of the major tributaries of Aji is Nyari,

Khokaldadi,Bhankudi & Dondi river originating from hills of sardhar near Atkot

C. Kaba Gandhi No Delo

• Kaba Gandhi No Delo (literally "Kaba Gandhi's house"), Rajkot is the place where the Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his stay in Rajkot in the early years of his life.It has now been converted into a museum called Gandhi Smriti.

• Mahatma Gandhi's father, in the name of Karamchand Gandhi was also known as Kaba Gandhi. The name of the house has been derived form Gandhiji's father's name. In Gujarati, the words Kaba Gandhi No Delo literally means 'Kaba Gandhi's residence'.

4. JAMNAGARJamnagar is a city and a municipal corporation, located in Jamnagar district, in the Indian state of Gujarat. The city was built up substantially by Maharaja Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji in the 1920s, when it was known as Nawanagar. The city lies just to the south of the Gulf of Kutch and is 337 km west of the state capital, Gandhinagar. Recently, Jamnagar has shot to prominence as Reliance Industries, India's largest private company, established the world's largest oil refinery near the village of Moti Khavdi in Jamnagar. It is also home to an Essar Oil refinery, located near the town of Vadinar.Jamnagar has consequently been nicknamed the 'Oil City of India'.

PLACE OF JAMNAGAR

• Dwarkadhish Temple• Beyt Dwarka• Marine National Park• Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary

A. Dwarkadhish Temple

• The main temple at Dwarka, situated on Gomti creek, is known as jagat mandir (universal shrine) or trilok sundar (the most beautiful in all the three worlds). Originally believed to be built by Vajranabh, the great grandson of Lord Krishna, more than 2500 years ago, it is a glorious structure seeming to rise from the waters of the Arabian Sea. Its exquisitely carved shikhar, reaching 43 m high and the huge flag made from 52 yards of cloth, can be seen from as far away as 10 km. The grandeur of the temple is enhanced by the flight of 56 steps leading to the rear side of the edifice on the side of the river Gomti. The temple is built of soft limestone and consists of a sanctum, vestibule and a rectangular hall with porches on three sides. There are two gateways: swarga dwar (gate to the heavens), where pilgrims enter, and moksha dwar (gate to liberation), where pilgrims exit.

B. Beyt Dwarka

• Beyt Dwarka, also known as Beyt Shankhodhar, is a small island and was the main port in the region before the development of Okha. It offers opportunities to spot dolphins, marine excursions, camping and picnicking. Most of the archaelogical ruins excavated here and religious manuscripts correspond with Beyt Dwarka as the original abode of Lord Krishna. In order to get there from Dwarka, one might need to first get to Okha port jetty (32 km), by either rail or road and then take a ferry or small boat (Rs.5/-), 5km away.

C. Marine National Park

• The islands are uninhabited except for the workers at Pirotan Island’s lighthouse, so enjoy the solitude and use it as an opportunity to lose yourself to the wide world around you. Armed with a little knowledge, you can spend hours walking around the tidal flats at low tide, observing the fascinating marine life as it lies exposed from the receding waters. Some of the creatures, such as jellyfish, are best left untouched. Be sure to ask the park officers what others should be avoided, but don’t be afraid to have a hands on experience with the creatures that are open to it.

D. Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary

• This protected area packs in an incredible diversity of ecosystems into the relatively small area of 6 square km. The sanctuary, created over the 1920s and '30s, is formed from two man-made dykes that separate fresh water from sea water, creating the opportunity to simultaneously observe species that belong to each ecosystem, and some that share both. Along with the marine and fresh water habitats, there are also marshy lands, mangroves, Prosopis areas, mudflats, salt pans, creeks, forest scrub, sandy beaches, and even farmlands bordering the area. This provides a haven for more than 220 species of resident and migratory birds, including globally threatened species such as Dalmatian pelican, Asian open bill stork, Black-necked stork, Darter, Black-headed ibis, Eurasian spoonbill, and Indian skimmer, and provides birdwatchers with a delightful chance to sight rare birds in large numbers.

5. VADODRA & SOUTH GUJARATVadodara, also known as Baroda, is the third largest and most populated city in the Indian State of Gujarat, after Ahmedabad and Surat. It is the administrative headquarters of Vadodara District. It is located on the banks of the Vishwamitri river, southeast ofAhmedabad, 139 km from state capital, Gandhinagar. Both the railway line and national highway connecting Delhi and Mumbai pass through Vadodara.

PLACES OF VADODRA & SOUTH GUJARAT

• The Lakshmi Vilas Palace• Vadodara Museum• Sayaji Baug• Ranchhodrai Dakor Temple• Sardar Sarovar Dam• Dediapada Range• Pavagadh Hill/Kalika Mata Temple

A.The Lakshmi Vilas Palace

• Maharaja Sayajirao III commissioned Major Charles Mant (also known as 'Mad' Mant for his eccentric work) to build the Lakshmi Vilas Palace, which was later finished by R.F. Chisolm. It was built in the Indo-Saracenic tradition, with an eclectic mix of Indian, Islamic, and European elements, as if, as Philip Ward writes, “an architectural Paul Klee had taken solid lines for a walk”. The imposingly impressive interior is full of multi-colored marble, mosaic tile and various works of art and the courtyards of palms and fountains have arched entrance-ways big enough for “the tallest elephant with the largest howdah on his back” to pass through, as reported by Edward Weeden, one of the earliest Europeans to stay in the palace. The palace grounds include a golf course and Sayajirao's personal museum, containing, among other displays, original paintings by Raja Ravi Varma. While less impressive than the Vadodara Museum, this one is still worth a brief visit.

B. Vadodara Museum

• One of the two museums in the Sayaji Baug is the famous Vadodara Museum and Picture Gallery, built in 1894, one of the various buildings peppering the city that was commissioned by Sayajirao and designed by Mant and Chisholm (see following section on palaces). Sayajirao traveled widely and commissioned various dealers and scholars to find objects to build a wide-ranging collection with everything from Mughal miniatures, to sculptures, textiles and objects from Japan, Tibet, Nepal, and Egypt and coins from all over the world to exhibits of the Indian musical instruments. There are also exhibits on Earth Sciences, Natural History and Zoology. One of the highlights is the 22m long blue-whale skeleton found in 1972 at the mouth of the River Mahi, most likely washed up in a storm. The Ethnography section has exhibits about tribes from Gujarat: the Rabaris, Gamits, Bhils, Chaudhuris and Wagharis. The museum library has nearly 23,000 books and periodicals on a range of subjects, some of them extremely rare.

C. Sayaji Baug

• This large park on the banks of the river in the center of the city, across from the busy railway station and bus stand, was built by Maharaja Sayajirao III in 1879 and named after him, but also commonly known as Kamati Baug. Take at least half a day to fully explore the 45 hectares of garden grounds, with 2 museums, a zoo, a planetarium, a flower clock, and an operational toy train, among other attractions, and then come back to the park whenever you need a respite from activities in the rest of the city.

D. Ranchhodrai Dakor Temple

• The main temple, enclosed by a fort wall, is situated near the bank of the holy lake Gomti in the midst of the main bazaar of Dakor. The temple is covered with 8 domes and 24 turrets, with the central dome reaching a height of 27m. Crowned with a golden kalash and a white silken flag, this temple is the tallest in the district. Though not very rich in carving, the main cupola derives its influence from the Maharashtrian style of temple architecture. The main hall features paintings depicting events in Lord Krishna’s life.

E. Sardar Sarovar Dam

• Near Rajpipla, 1163 km away up the river from the sea, is Sardar Sarovar dam. At the reception center there is a map and an interpretation center. You can book a guided tour which will take you through six points around the dam site: a garden; the foundational stone laid by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1961; a site with a side view of the flow of the water from the dam; a lake where boating takes place; the first lock gate of the main canal; a trekking site with a nature education camp for students. Near the site is also the Surpaneshwar Shiva temple that the Government had built to replace the original ancient temple that was submerged by the dam. At the foot of the dam is the Kevadia colony, where the employees of the dam live and where there are also places for visitors to stay.

F. Dediapada Range

• In these beautiful forest range you find the Ninai waterfalls and Shoolpaneshwar wildlife sanctuary. There are excellent trekking and camping options, especially after the monsoon season, when the area is most lush. As a visitor to an area being developed as an "ecotourism" site, treat this as an opportunity to find out how your visit can have the least adverse impact on the area (as some impact is unavoidable), and how what you learn can potentially even be enriching for it, or for other areas of biodiversity around the world.

G. Pavagadh Hill/Kalika Mata Temple

• At the summit of Pavagadh hill, 762 m above sea level, is the temple to Mother Kali, which is the oldest in the area, dating from the 10th-11th centuries. Hindu pilgrims were coming to visit this temple from long before the development of Champaner as a major city, and they continued for hundreds of years after its decline, right up to the present day. To reach the temple at the summit is about a 5 km walk along a jungle footpath to the top of the hill; otherwise, there is a cable car which will haul you to the summit from about the midway point, which is the last place accessible by road. The temple has large fortifications and an open chowk in front, with two altars for sacrifices, and an array of lights for special occasions. The idol of Kalika Mata in the inner sanctum is only the head, the mukhwato, painted in red. Also present are full idols of Mahakali and the yantras of Bahuchara. The temple is open from very early to quite late, to accomodate pilgrims arriving at all hours. The Machi Haveli is a rest house available for pilgrims.

6. JUNAGADH & PORBANDARThe district is located on the Kathiawar peninsula in western Gujarat. It is surrounded by Rajkot District (North), Porbandar District(North-West), Amreli District (East). To the South and West is the Arabian Sea.Porbandar, Mahatma Gandhi's birthplace, was earlier a part of this district, before the Porbandar district was carved out of Junagadh district.Junagadh has a mountain range called Girnar which is a place of pilgrimage for Jainism and Hinduism.

PLACES OF JUNAGADH & PORBANDAR

• Jama Masjid• Mt. Girnar• Talala• Somnath Mahadev Temple• Sun Temple• Porbandar Bird Sanctuary

A. Jama Masjid

• The Jama Masjid was originally the palace of Ranakdevi, but was converted to a mosque by Sultan Muhammad Begda when he conquered the princes of Saurashtra. Perhaps for that reason, it is easily mistaken for a fort. It also has a covered courtyard, which is very unusual in Indian mosques.

B. Mt. Girnar

• The highest point in Gujarat, Mt. Girnar has for centuries been one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the state and indeed in all of Western India, with 866 Hindu and Jain temples spread over the 5 summits. The base of the mountain, known as Girnar Taleti, is just 4 km east of the center of Junagadh. A hike up the mountain is best started early in the morning, with the mind of a pilgrim. Each step upward should itself encompass the entirety of the journey, rather than be seen as another effort towards one’s goal of reaching the top.

• After 4000 steps up, 800 steps before the first summit, you reach a plateau with a Jain temple complex

C. Gir National Park

• The Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (also known as Sasan-Gir) is a forest and wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat, India. Established in 1965, with a total area of 1412 km² (about 258 km² for the fully protected area (the nationalpark) and 1153 km² for the Sanctuary), the park is located 43 km in the north-east from Somnath, 65 km to the south-east of Junagadh and 60 km to south west of Amreli.

D. Somnath Mahadev Temple

• The principal temple of Somnath is believed to have been built in gold by the moon god Soma, in silver by the sun god Ravi, in wood by Krishna and in stone by the Solanki Rajputs in the 11th century. The present temple, built in 1951, is the seventh reconstruction on the original site. Tales of its riches attracted a series of invasions, but each time the temple was invaded, it was restored to its original glory by devout Hindu worshipers. Commanding a breathtaking view from the tip of the Saurashtra peninsula, kissed by the waves of the Arabian coast, the temple has been constructed in the Chalukyan style with a shikhara nearly 50 m tall. The temple's imposing architecture includes intricate carvings, silver doors, an impressive Nandi idol and the central shivalinga. In the vast courtyard stand the massive mandapa (hall), as well as the main shrine, whose gently curved pyramidal forms tower over the whole complex

E. Sun Temple

• Sun TempleWith the help of locals, you might be pleasantly surprised to find this fascinating temple built in the 14th century. Situated adjacent to the Sitala Mata Temple, it has an imposing entrance porch, and idols of the Sun God and his two attendants.

F. Porbandar Bird Sanctuary

• Porbandar Bird Sanctuary is located amid the city of Porbandar flaunting the co-existence of man and nature. Spread over an area of 1 square kilometer this unique water dwelling, surrounded by trees and plants was affirmed as a sanctuary in the year 1988.

• Flamingos, Grebes, Pelicans, Ducks and geese, Avocets, Coots, Cormorants, Herons, Egrets, Bittern, Storks, Ibis, Spoonbill, Cranes, Whistling Teals, Gulls, Terns, Jacanas, Ruff, Red shanks, Indian roller and many other varieties of winged creatures are seen in this area.

G. Uparkot

• The oldest part of Junagadh, and the center of any visit to the city, is the upper citadel, known as Uparkot. Over 2300 years old, with walls up to 20 m high in some places, Uparkot is what allowed Junagadh to withstand a 12-year siege at one point. It is believed that these caves belong to 1st-4th Century AD and are gilded with beautiful pillars and entrances, water cisterns, horseshoe shaped chatiya windows, an assembly hall and cell for meditation. There is also a 300 ft.-deep moat inside the walls, that reportedly used to be inhabited by crocodiles, so that if any attacker managed to surmount the high fortifications, they would then either be exposed on the upper battlements or fall into the crocodile-infested trench.

7. KUTCH & BHUJIt was established by Rao Hamirji in 1510 and was made the state capital by Rao Khengarji I in 1549. Its foundation stone as state capital laid formally on Vikram Samvat 1604 Maagha 5th (Approx. 25 January 1548). 1947 to 1956 Bhuj Capital of Kutch State after 1960 Kutch part of Gujarat state Currently it is the district headquarters of Kutch District,the largest district in India. Bhuj is home to one of the first Swaminarayan Sampraday temples, built in 1822.On 21 July 1956 as well on 26 January 2001, the city was struck by a major earthquake which caused a great deal of damage and loss of life and property.

PLACES OF KUTCH & BHUJ

• Great Rann of Kutch• Aina Mahal• Kutch Museum• Ramkund Stepwell• Koday• Vijay Vilas Palace• Beaches

A. Great Rann of Kutch

• The Great Rann of Kutch, is a seasonal salt marsh located in the Thar Desert in the Kutch District of Gujarat, India and the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is about 7,505.22 square kilometres (2,897.78 sq mi) in size and is reputed to be the largest salt desert in the world. This area has been inhabited by the Kutchi people.

• The name "Rann" comes from the Hindi word ran (रण) meaning "desert". The Hindi word is derived from Sanskrit/Vedic word iriṇa (इरिरण) attested in the Rigveda and Mahābhārata.

B. Aina Mahal

• The Aina Mahal palace, or “Hall of Mirrors” was built during the flamboyant rule of Lakhpatji in the middle of the 18th century. Master craftsman Ramsinh Malam, who trained as an artisan for 17 years in Europe, felt unappreciated by lesser rulers in the area, so he went to the royal court at Bhuj and appealed to the king for work, who commissioned this palace. Malam designed it in a mixed Indo-European style and set about creating the materials for the palace locally. He established a glass factory at Mandvi, forged cannons in an iron foundry and manufactured china tiles in a factory in Bhuj. It seems Gandhiji's ideal of swadeshi had an early proponent in Ramsinh Malam. He personally crafted the fountains, mirrors and glasswork, as well as many other wonders of artisanship—a pendulum clock in sync with the Hindu calendar, doors inlaid with gold and ivory... come visit to find out the rest.

C. Kutch Museum

• The oldest museum in Gujarat, founded in 1877 by Maharao Khengarji, it has the largest existing collection of Kshatrapa inscriptions, dating to the 1st century AD, as well as examples of the extinct Kutchi script (now the language is mostly written in the Gujarati alphabets) and an interesting collection of coins (including the kori, Kutch's local currency.) A section of the museum is devoted to tribal cultures, with many examples of ancient artifacts, folk arts and crafts and information about tribal peoples. The museum also has exhibits of embroidery, paintings, arms, musical instruments, sculpture and precious metalwork.

D. Ramkund Stepwell

• Across from the Kutch Museum and behind the Ram Dhun Temple, the Ramkund well is a square stepwell, 56 feet on a side, with sculptures portraying characters from the Ramayana, such as Lord Ram, Devi Sita, Lakshman and Lord Hanuman, as well as the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu along the walls. On your walk down to the water you experience a sudden calm and coolness not to be found on the road above and in the quiet, you can pause for a while to reflect on your experiences. The Ram Dhun Temple, just in front of the well, is also worth a quick visit.

E. Koday

• Just 10 km from Mandvi, Koday houses a Jain temple complex of 72 separate shrines. Getting back to Mandvi should be easy, but if not, accommodation is available at the local dharamshala.

F. Vijay Vilas Palace

• Built in 1929 by Rao Vijayrajji, this palace is very well-maintained, and often the scene of filming for Bollywood productions. It was built of red sandstone in the Rajput style, with a main central dome, Bengal domes at the sides, bastions at the corner, and colored glass windows. The balcony at the top affords a superb view of the surrounding area, and the king's tomb can also be seen.

• The palace is 7 km from the center of town, open every day from 9am-1pm and 3pm-6pm. Entry is Rs.20/-, photography costs Rs.50/-, and entering with a private vehicle is Rs.10/-.

G. Mandvi Beach

• The first thing most people think of when they visit Mandvi is visiting the seashore. Mandvi Beach is the closest to the town center, across the bridge to the east side of the river, then down the road past a place called Salaya, accessed from just near the Kashi-Vishvanath Temple (sometimes the beach is called Kashi-Vishvanath Beach.) Wind Farm Beach is 7 km west of town, named for the windmills that line it to generate electricity for the area. You can get fresh coconuts and other snacks, swim in very pleasant water, and enjoy a nice view of the coastline.

8. SURATSurat, previously known as Suryapur, is a city in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is also administrative capital of the Surat district. The city is located 306 km south of the state capital, Gandhinagar, and is situated on the left bank of the Tapti River(Tapi), the center being around 22 km (14 mi) from the river's mouth.Surat is Gujarat's second largest city and India's eighth most populated city (in terms of population living in the Municipal Corporation area), with a population of 4.5 million. The city registered an annualized GDP growth rate of 11.5 per cent over the seven fiscal years between 2001 and 2008.A moat divides the older parts of the city, with its narrow streets and handsome historical houses, from the newer suburbs. The city is largely recognized for its textile and diamond businesses. It is also known as the diamond capital of the world and the textile capital/Manchester textile city of India, a distinction it took over from Ahmedaba. 92% of the world's diamonds are cut and polished in Surat

PLACES OF SURAT

•Textile markets•Diamond Industry•Saputara Lake

A. Textile markets

• South of the Sahara Gate which opens on to Bardoli Road, the textile markets are packed with saris, salwar kameez, dress pieces, and a range of other polyester, silk, printed, and embroidered materials that Surat, once renowned for silk weaving and brocade, and is still famous for even after a history of setbacks in the textile industry.

B. Diamond Industry

• Around the world, 8 out of 10 diamonds on the market were cut and polished in Surat. This industry earns India about 10 billion USD in annual exports. A legacy of old Dutch trade links, it began after a Surti entrepreneur returned from East Africa bringing diamond cutters. The rough diamonds themselves, however, come to Surat as rough crystals ripped out mainly from deep under the earth of South Africa and other regions of the continent, and go from here as smooth gems to Antwerp, Belgium where the international diamond trade is run mainly by Hasidic Jews and Jains from Palanpur in North Gujarat.

C. Saputara Lake

• The centerpiece of this hill resort is its lake, which offers boating facilities and lakeside recreational activities. You can hire boats from the boat-house between 8:30am and 6:30pm. For half an hour, a pedal boat costs Rs. 20/- per person and a rowboat Rs. 5/-.