Gujarat (g, Gujarat) is the westernmost state of India, where there are five largest cities-millions of the country. Once upon a time there were settlements of the ancient Proto-Indian civilization of Harappa. Today, in the Lotkhal area, excavations of the ancient port city, which carried out trade with Egypt and Mesopotamia, are in full swing.
From the state of Gujarat there is a popular Hindu sect Svaminarayan (here, in Ahmedabad, is their main temple), which reveres the deity Krishna (Srinath-ji). There are fewer tourists here than in neighboring Rajasthan, and the sights are not as diverse as in the example. Therefore, Gujarat is often called "the undiscovered pearl of India."
The capital is Gandhinagar, the largest cities are Ahmedabad and Surat.
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How to get here
The only international airport with regular flights to London, New York, Chicago, Singapore, Muscat, Kuwait, Doha, Sharjah and Dubai is in Ahmedabad. In addition, it accepts domestic flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Madras, Hyderabad, Calcutta.
The state can also be reached by train: from Bombay (500 km) and Delhi (1000 km) several times a day, trains run to Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara (Vadodara, a student city, Oxford Gujarat).
Search for air tickets to Delhi (the nearest airport to Gujarat)
Transport of Gujarat
There are no internal flights to Gujarat. Most tourists travel around the state on buses or taxis (in Gujarat, very good quality roads!) In addition, you can use the railways. There are stations in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, Bhavangar, Bhuj, Jamnagar and some other cities.
Daman and Diu
Daman and Diu - until 1961 the Portuguese colonies, today - enclaves on the lands of Gujarat, the allied territories included in the Indian Republic. Thanks to the "Portuguese past," local authorities are more liberal and allow residents of their enclave to sell and buy spirits (in Gujarat alcohol is prohibited), and also to swim. For that Daman and Diu and have earned the glory of beautiful sea resorts.
Climate of Gujarat
Gujarat is characterized by a pleasant winter with a daytime temperature of +29 ° C (at night +12 ° C) and always clear weather. But the summer is extremely hot here: in the daytime it is more than +40 ° C, at night +30 ° C. Monsoon, coming in the middle of June, eases the heat, but not much. In autumn (in October), the temperature in Gujarat is kept at +35 ° C.
The best time to visit Gujarat is in winter, from October to March.
Beaches of Gujarat
Gujarat, together with the enclave Daman and Diu (and in total it is over 1,600 km of the coast), can offer tourists a complete list of romantic epithets for recreation: these are the azure waters, and snow-white beaches, and pink sunsets and thick jungles, as well as graceful flamingos
- Gopnath is once the favorite summer residence of the Maharaja of Bhavnagar County, one of the most popular beaches in the state .The resort is a complex of cozy bungalows and cottages in a colonial style .The sandy beach is located in Khambhat Bay, 75 km from the capital of the Okrug .Descent into the water is shallow, convenient, coastal waters are shallow .The only drawback of this beach is the pronounced ebbs and tides that make the water somewhat cloudy .Plus Gopnata - a large number of bright birds and a fresh breeze that brings relief from the summer heat .Near the village of Razhpara there is a less secure beach for the swimming because there are stones in the water .But here you can walk alone and visit Fort Jangmer .Another interesting sight is the volcanic hill, on top of which there is an ancient temple, and in the hills are dug Buddhist caves of the 1st century and .e .
- Dwarka Beach is located in Kuchchh Bay - a major pilgrimage center, the legendary land of Krishna .Not surprisingly, along the coast there are many temples, there is a large Vedic center .Despite the popularity of the resort among the local population, here one can still find nooks for rest .In addition, the ferry can be crossed to the picturesque island of Bet, literally "stuck" temples .On its eastern part is a small sandy beach with coral reefs and active marine life: dolphins, octopuses, starfish and turtles .
- Ahmedpur-Mandvi is one of the best resorts in the country. The beach is well equipped and offers almost all types of recreation: from lazy sunbathing on the beach to active water sports. The sand is white, dense, easy to walk; The water is blue and transparent, ideal for swimming. Along the coast are scattered several picturesque fishing villages. Local hotels are located in luxurious gardens and palm groves and are renowned for their excellent service and fine cuisine.
- The beach of Diu is across the bridge from Ahmedpur-Mandvi beach, on the island of the same name. Despite the fact that Diu is located just a few minutes from the traditional Indian coast, the atmosphere of this Mediterranean island reigns here. The colonial past of this enclave has retained the magnificent Baroque facades of churches and official buildings, galleries, terraces, columns. In excellent condition are the wide roads and cozy, clean sandy beaches of the island.
- The sandy beach of Somnat is also considered one of the best beaches in the state, so here it is always quite crowded. Features of the beach: no shade, riding camels and donkeys, located nearby one of the 12 temples of Shiva. For entertainment from here it is better to go to the port of Veraval, and for sightseeing - on an excursion to the Gir National Park.
- Chorvad, located 23 km from Veraval, was built in 1928 as a summer residence. Here is a sandy, secluded, not too crowded beach, which is perfect for long walks and relaxing holidays. The sea is not always calm, but the climate is very comfortable; the coast in places is rocky, well suited for boat trips.
- Mandvi - a historic port city with a mass of ancient buildings and palaces, as well as a small sandy private (paid) beach. This place is considered picturesque and original: there are many birds nesting here, always good fishing, and in the neighboring docks, traditional wooden vessels are made. In the city nearby you can buy products of local craftsmen - silver weaving or sewing with colored stones.
Good beaches are also in Khazhir (the industrial capital of South Gujarat, located 28 km from Surat) - sandy, surrounded by palm trees, with a water park; Titkhale (108 km from Surat) - sandy with luxurious palm trees, where cozy cottages hide; Ubharate (42 km from Surat) - a sandy beach with shady groves and great depth of the sea.
Entertainment, excursions and attractions
Noteworthy is the ancient city of Ahmedabad with many magnificent temples and palaces, as well as unique architectural monuments of vava (water storage). In coastal Dwarka (Dwarka) is Dwarkanath - one of the main temples of Krishna. The city itself is one of the four main Dhamas (shrines) of India, along with Rameshwaram, Puri and Badrinath, and one of the seven oldest cities in India.
Other places of interest: Mount Shatrunjaya near Palitana with a fantastic Jain complex of 863 temples; Somnath is the seat of one of the twelve jyotirlingames of Shiva (it is also believed that Krishna was lost here); Modhera (Modhera) with the ancient temple of the Sun-Surya, the only and one of the most beautiful in Gujarat; Lothal with excavations of the settlement of the Harappan civilization; 84 magnificent Jain temples in Patan; and the city of Junagadh, near which is Mount Girnar.
National parks of Gujarat
In the state there are several amazing national parks, more than worthy of attention of tourists. In particular: the lake-reserve Nalsovar, where water birds live; the island of Flamingo; and Little Rann of Kutch is the home of an Indian wild ass.
The Sasan-Gir National Park is the only habitat of the Asian lion since 1884. In addition, it is inhabited by: cirkar antelope, wild boar, striped hyena, jackal, leopard, fox, muskrat, Indian lizard, deer, common langur, porcupine, hare, black antelope, and crocodiles and other animals. In total, over 200 species of birds can be seen in the reserve, including the peacock, the gray partridge, the Bonelli eagle, the eared snake eagle, the forest partridge, the grouse and the pigeons.
Another notable park is the marine national park (the first in India), located 30 km from the city of Jamnagar. The main attractions are coral formations on reefs. Here are found: sea turtles, octopus, seahorse, two hundred species of mollusks, fish-dogs, butterfly fish, parrot fish, sea urchins (including a starfish, sea flat hedgehog, and sea cucumber). Best time to visit the park: December - May. Photo of Gujarat (11)