Gujarat tourist place

PLACE OF TOURIST
PLACE IN GUJARAT

INDEX
GU

JAR

AT

• INTRODUCTION
• AHMEDABAD
• GANDHINAGAR
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RAJKOT
JAMNAGAR
VADODARA & SOUTH GUJARAT
JUNAGADH & PORBANDAR

• 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
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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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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. GANDHINAGAR
Gandhinagar, 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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

• 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.

• 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

• 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. JAMNAGAR
Jamnagar 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
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Dwarkadhish Temple
Beyt Dwarka
Marine National Park
Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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

• 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 multicolored 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 & PORBANDAR
The district is located on the Kathiawar peninsula in
western Gujarat. It is surrounded by Rajkot
District (North), Porbandar District(NorthWest), 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
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Jama Masjid
Mt. Girnar
Talala
Somnath Mahadev Temple
Sun Temple
Porbandar Bird Sanctuary

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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

• Sun Temple
With 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.

• 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.

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

• 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 ( ) meaning "desert". The
Hindi word is derived from Sanskrit/Vedic
word iriṇa (
) attested in
the Rigveda and Mahābhārata.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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/-.

• 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. SURAT
Surat, 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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/-.

Gujarat tourist place

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