Gujarat Tourism

Gujarat Tourism

Foundation Day : 1st May, 1960
Area : 1,96,024 Sq. Kms
Population :41 million
Capital City :Gandhinagar
Districts :25
Taluka : 223
Literacy : 61%
Major Languages : Gujarati, Hindi, Sindhi, Marathi
Crops : Cotton, Oil seeds, Sugar cane, Millets Tobacco Rice, Wheat etc,
Minerals : Fluorite, Lignite, Limestone, Bauxite, Sand, Gypsum, Oil & Natural Gas, Salt etc.
Industries : Textile, Cement, Chemical, Petroleum, Dairy Products, Sugar, Oil Seeds, Pharmaceuticals, Salt, Electronics, Engineering etc.
Climate: 27° C to 42° C in Summer, 14° C to 29° C in winter Monsoon is from June to September
Best Season :October to March

¤ Gujarat At A Glance

Situated on the West Coast of India, the state of Gujarat has a lively character to it, which has helped to enrich the Indian canvas of art, architecture, culture, music, painting, folk and other fine arts. It is known for a rich heritage of handicrafts, customs and traditions, fairs and festivals and an amazing variety of wildlife. This land is also famous for personalities like Mahatama Gandhi - the father of the nation, Sardar Patel - the iron man of India and social reformers like Swami Dayanand Saraswati.

With a rich coastline extending to 1,600 kms, which accounts for over one third of Indian coastline, Gujarat traded with western countries since the days of Greeks and Romans and is said to have an ancient Indian port at Lothal which had maritime connections with Egypt and Mesopotamia. Earlier ruled by the Hindu Rajput kings and then the Mughal emperors, Gujarat came under British rule as part of the Bombay presidency. Today, with a large Jain population and a strong influence of Buddhist culture since Ashoka's time, Gujarat boasts of a secular culture, which accounts for its glory and character.


¤ Main Attractions of Gujarat

Gujarat is famous for remains of Harappan civilization found at Lothal (near Ahmedabad), Surkotada and Dholavira (both in Kutch).

Gujarat has some enchanting tourist places, memorable historic monuments and sacred pilgrimages, depicting the glorious and cultural heritage, which attracts both Indian as well as international tourists. Ahmedabad is the commercial capital and an industrial city rich in various Muslim monuments. The Sun Temple in Modhera, Lord Krishna's temple in Dwarka, Temple of Ambaji, Temple of Somnath are some of the important Hindu pilgrimages. Some must-see places are the Gir National Park - home to the last of the Asiatic Lions, the country's first Marine National Park in Jamnagar and the Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary - one of the most outstanding places for viewing birds of the wetlands.

Well Developed Industrial State
Industrially, it is quite a progressive state with well-planned and advanced power projects, which complement the mineral reserves of the state.

Famous Art and Craft
This colourful state is known for its excellent handicrafts that are unique to the places to which they belong. The Patola of Patan, Jari industry of Surat, lacquer work of Sankheda, mirror-work embroidery and bead-work objects made in Kutch, Rajkot, Jamnagar and Junagarh are a highlight of this vibrant state. The numerous fairs and festivals organised here have an aura of their own with some special and interesting themes behind them.