Often called the land of unity in diversity, India’s culture is versatile and ancient, about thousands of centuries old. Every Indian state attracts plenty of tourists due to its unique cultural identities and attractive travel destinations. Located by the Arabian Sea, Gujarat, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi is a culturally enriched state of India that also has many beautiful places to explore. Gujarat’s cultural heritage is as ancient as the Harappan Civilization when ports such as Surat and Lothal were established for trading goods.
After the warrior communities primarily came and settled their kingdoms in this state, the following rules of Sultanates, Mughals, and the British also greatly impacted the present culture of Gujarat. From the spectacular architecture to the biodiverse forests, Gujarat never disappoints travelers with its enchanting beauty. If you are making a plan to visit this state shortly, then the below-mentioned tourist places in Gujarat must be on your bucket list.
1. Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad is one of Gujarat’s most significant cities due to its historical glory, educational institutes, and fast-developing industries. Ahmedabad, which used to be the capital city of Gujarat is situated by the Sabarmati river. The ancient region of Ahmedabad has also been titled as a UNESCO world heritage site due to its historical importance. Several famous temples such as the Swaminarayan temple, local handicrafts, colorful markets, and important museums have increased Ahmedabad’s reputation as a great tourist attraction in Gujarat. The living quarters of Gandhi in the Sabarmati Ashram is also another tourist attraction where you can taste the flavor of history and traditional Indian culture.
2. Somnath
The temple town of Somnath has been mentioned in Hindu mythological stories and legends. One of the twelve famous jyotirlingas is preserved in the ancient Somnath temple. Surrounding the gorgeous Shiva temple, there are museums, beautiful beaches, and other attractive spots that are worth visiting. Though the Somnath temple and beach is the primary attraction for travelers, you can explore other beautiful places such as Somnath Museum, Kamnath Mahadev Temple, Baluka Tirtha, Gita Mandir, etc.
3. Gir National Park
Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is the only place in India where one can find the famous Asiatic Lions. The Sanctuary is located in a biodiversity hotspot of Kathiawar-Gir dry forests. Every year, from 16th June to 15th October, the Sanctuary remains closed for visitors. If you want to spot wildlife animals, then April and May is the most suitable time to come here. The preservation of lions was initiated by the Nawab of Junagarh to prevent them from extinction and the suite has followed ever since. Besides the Asiatic Lions, several rare species of birds and mammals like Sambar deer, leopard, and hyena are also conserved in this wildlife sanctuary.
4. Junagadh
It is the erstwhile capital of the princely state, Junagarh, and therefore, you can witness innumerable heritage monuments in this place that hold historical significance. The Mahabat Maqbara mausoleum complex is a marvelous sight to visit in Gujarat owing to its spectacular Indo-Islamic architecture. On your way to the Grinar hills, you will find 14 rock-carved Buddhist scriptures of Emperor Ashoka which have existed since 250 BC. The relics of Chandragupta Maurya’s Uparkot Fort is also an interesting historical site due to Buddhist rock-cut caves and step wells.
5. Rann of Kutch
Often titled the “Wild West” of India, the Rann of Katch is one of Gujarat tourism’s unique travel destinations that is visited by many to witness the most spellbinding white desert in India. The extensively stretched landscape is barren and remains submerged into the sea during the monsoon. Kutch’s seasonal wetlands are divided into two parts Great Rann of Kutch and Little Rann of Kutch. Apart from the famous salt deserts, the Kutch region is regarded for its colorful handicrafts, the ancient Bhuj, the Mandvi port, Rann Utsav, etc.
6. Lothal
Located on the Gulf of Cambay, Lothal is the most widely excavated historical Harappan civilization site in Gujarat. It used to be a well-developed port and commercial center during the Indus Valley civilization and is regarded as one of the ancient ports of the world. You can notice the dockyard ruins in this site, and several other historical items are kept on exhibition at the small archaeological museum. Apart from Friday as it remains close, you can visit the museum on any other day of the week.
7. Dwarka
According to the Hindu religion, Devbhoomi Dwarka is a part of Sapta Puris, or seven holy cities, and Char Dham ( four primary sacred places). Hindu mythology describes Dwarka as the holy kingdom of Lord Krishna. Also, another one of the twelve holy jyotirlingas is placed in the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple. Due to the legends related to this ancient town, many Hindu pilgrims visit Dwarka every year. The seashore and beaches add to the charm of the destination.
8. Rani Ki Vav
Rani Ki Vav is a deserted 11th-century stepwell that was established during the rule of the Solanki dynasty. The widowed wife of King Bhimdev-I built this step well in her husband’s memory. There are seven levels of staircases to go at the bottom of the well. The 500 primary sculptures adorn the walls of this UNESCO world heritage site. The Archaeological Survey of India explored this site in the latter part of the 1980s.
9. Baroda Or Vadodara
Gujarat’s cultural capital, Vadodara, is renowned for its magnificent mansions and historical monuments, including the Lakshmi Vilas Palace. The celebration of Navaratri in Vadodara is grand and unmatched. Maratha leader Sayajirao Gaekwad II first had the vision of establishing Vadodara as the center of education, culture, and commerce. Today, the city perfectly resembles his vision. One of the leading universities in India, Maharaja Sayajirao University, is located in this city.
10. Gandhinagar
The capital of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, is an important travel destination that you cannot miss out on your trip to Gujarat. The well-planned city is home to the gorgeous Akshardham Temple. The ambiance of the city is serene and culturally enriched. Also, you can visit some other beautiful locations like Hanumanji Temple, Children’s Park, Brahmani Temple, etc. during your tour.
The tourist places in Gujarat are a perfect amalgamation of tradition, culture, religion, and adventure. You cannot leave these travel destinations if you want to see the true picture of Indian culture. Using the AI circuit planner tool, you can easily chalk out your trip to Gujarat based on your preferable time, route, and mode of transport, and gift yourself a memorable travel experience. Stay connected with Adotrip – the online travel platform that caters to all your travel needs.
