Gujarat is a peaceful city on the western coast of the Indian subcontinent. It is a place full of magical myths, amazing wildlife and sacred sites. Gujarat has always been a popular place to visit on holidays, even when Lord Krishna ruled it during the Satyuga. Gujarat is a unique, spectacular place that should be on everyone’s travel list. It is filled with a variety of wildlife, has beautiful step-wells and has a beautiful landscape. Gujarat tour packages are the best way to see this amazing state, which is known as the “cradle of civilization” and has given the world some of its greatest leaders. These are the 16 best places in Gujarat that you can visit.
List of the 16 Best Places to Visit in Gujarat
1. Dwarkadheesh Temple
Dwarkadhish Temple, also known as Jagat Mandir, is a major religious site in India. It is in the middle of Gujarat and has a huge flag fluttering in the wind. This temple is part of the All India Char Dham Yatra along with Badrinath, Rameswaram and Jagannath. People worship Lord Krishna in this temple, who is known as the “King of Dwarka”. This temple is very important for all Krishna followers as it was built by the grandson of Lord Krishna at the place where he first lived. This temple is an important part of the Dwarka Somnath tour package. It was built more than 2,000 years ago and the main temple rests on 72 pillars.
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2. Somnath Mahadev Temple
The Somnath Mahadev Temple is in the Prabhas Patan region of Gujarat. It is not only a place to worship Shiva but also shows how devoted and steadfast Indians are to their beliefs. One of the most important Shiva Jyotirlingas in India is the Somnath Mahadev Temple located in the holy Prabhas Patan region. It has been destroyed and rebuilt 17 times in the past. The temple is right next to the rough Arabian Sea and was built in the grand Maru Gurjar style of temple construction. During the first thousand years, the Moon God is believed to have created the first form of the Somnath Temple. The vast area where the temple is located has many grounds and recreation areas.
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3. Gir National Park
Gujarat is the best place to strike a balance between spirituality and the beauty of nature. The Indian Gir National Park is one of the most important parks in the country. To date, it is the only and last home of the Asiatic lion species. Established in the 1800s to provide a safe natural environment for these lions to live and thrive, Gir has become famous all over the world. In addition to Asiatic lions, the national park is home to more than 2,300 other animal species, such as crocodiles, lions, hyenas and many others.
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4. Rann of Kutch
The Great Rann of Kutch is a 7,500 square kilometre salt desert that glistens with white salt. The vast, shallow Arabian Sea was once the Great Rann of Kutch. Over time, a natural change turned it into a white desert. It is now a protected area, which becomes a haven for pink flamingos during the rainy season. The Great Rann Utsav is celebrated in the Rann of Kutch every year from December to February. It reflects the rich cultural history of Gujarat. It is also home to many Gujarati tribe groups who are famous for their artistic works, such as pottery, leather work, Kutchi embroidery, and more.
5. Marine National Park
Marine National Park is India’s first wildlife refuge and national park with the sole purpose of protecting aquatic heritage. It is located in the Gulf of Kutch. There are 42 islands in this group, with Pirotan being the most famous. Spread over 458 square kilometres of land, some of the most beautiful, rare and colourful marine creatures can be found in this national park. These include giant leatherback turtles, beluga whales, Ganges dolphins, sea cucumbers, sea urchins and more. Along the shores, some islands are home to many species. You can walk around the national park on the jetty. One can witness one of the best clusters of marine life in the country.
6. Statue of Unity
In terms of height, the Statue of Unity is the world’s tallest statue at 182 meters. The statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, also known as the “Iron Man of India”, is a large building in the Narmada Valley. Patel was an Indian politician who worked for independence and was the first Deputy Prime Minister of India. The Statue of Unity complex houses a three-star hotel, a food court, a man-made lake, a memorial park, and a museum. It faces the Sardar Sarovar Dam. At a height of 153 meters, people can see the Sardar Sarovar Dam, the Grand Satpura Mountain Range, and the Vindhyachal Mountain Range all at once. This statue, which took three years to build, is a work of art that has put India on the world map.
7. Lakshmi Vilas Palace
Laxmi Vilas House is a famous heritage house in Vadodara. It was built by the royal Gaekwad family. The fact that it is 4 times bigger than Buckingham Palace makes it the largest private house in the world. Built-in the Indo-Saracenic style, this palace reflects how advanced the society and skills were at that time. The construction of the palace began in 1878 and took 12 years to complete. It has over 170 rooms and beautifully maintained grounds. The building is an interesting mix of different styles, such as Mughal, Rajput, Marathi, Gujarati and even Gothic and Venetian.
8. Rani Ki Vav
Rani ki Vav is on the banks of the Saraswati River and means “Queen’s step well.” It is in the Patan region of Gujarat. This architectural marvel was built by Queen Udaymati, who was the wife of the Chalukya king Bhima I in the 11th century. It was restored in the 1980s and is now on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is one of the finest examples of the magnificent architecture prevalent in Gujarat at that time. The stepwell has over 500 main sculptures, designer panels and intricately carved pillars spread over 7 different floors. One can see the care and attention to detail that went into its construction.
9. Sabarmati Ashram
The Sabarmati Ashram is right next to the holy Sabarmati River in the suburbs of Ahmedabad. It is also known as the Gandhi Ashram. Mahatma Gandhi lived in many places, but the ashram was the most important because it was from here that the Dandi March, also known as the Salt Satyagraha, began. This non-violent protest was later called one of the most revolutionary acts of non-cooperation. The ashram was built to make India independent, but it was also built so that the father of the nation could take care of animals, raise cows and do other work related to khadi.
10. Dholavira
Gujarat is where society began, where people lived along the coasts in prehistoric times. This is an archaeological site called Dholavira. It is in the Kutch district and shows how people lived in the past. The site is important because it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It contains the ruins of an ancient city of the Indus Valley Culture. The site is one of the five largest Harappan sites in the world, and it is different from other Harappan sites in India. The ruins give people a glimpse of this old city, which was once the most impressive in its time.
11. Modhera Sun Temple
As its name suggests, this old Hindu temple is dedicated to the Sun God. It is in the village of Mehsana district. The temple was built in the 10th century on the banks of the Pushpavati River. It was once an important place of prayer, but the Archaeological Survey of India did not do much to protect it. The temple has three main parts: the temple room, the assembly hall and the reservoir. The entire building is covered with statues, sculptures and patterns that are very detailed and carefully carved. The Modhera Dance Festival, which lasts for three days and includes a variety of traditional dances, is held at the temple.
12. Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park is a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Panchmahal district. It has archaeological sites dating back to the 8th century. The area also has archaeological, historical and living cultural heritage sites that have not yet been excavated. The site has palaces, forts, religious sites, water features and more. A must-see for most visitors is the Kali Mata Temple, which is at the top of the Pavagadh Hills. In total, the area covers 7,200 acres. The entire region used to be very important due to its strategic location.
13. Girnar Hills
One of the most famous holy places in Gujarat is Girnar Hills, which is a place where people come to pray. Girnar Hills, also known as Revatak Parvat, are holy mountains that are completely covered with Hindu and Jain temples. As part of the journey to the top, you have to climb 10,000 steps to get to the top. The cluster of Jain temples is very well put together and has a lot of mosaic tiles and patterns on them. Sadhus and spiritual leaders from all over the world visit these sites during important holidays. There is a lot of spiritual energy there, and it will make your soul feel better.
14. Dandi Beach
When we hear the word “Dandi”, we only think of Mahatma Gandhi, who taught others how to make their salt, which was a gentle but firm way to get them to not work with the British. In the 1930s, the salt plains of Dandi became the centre of the Satyagraha movement. This beach soon became known as much more than just a beach; it was also a place that had immense historical and evolutionary significance. The salt dunes of Dandi beach, which is close to Navsari, are a great place to spend time with your family and think about the past.
15. Adalaj Stepwell
Gujarat is known around the world for its amazing architecture. Along with forts, temples and palaces, the step-wells of Gujarat are also an important part of the country’s history. The Adalaj stepwell, also known as Rudabai stepwell, is in Adalaj village, which is close to the Gandhinagar district. It is one of the finest examples of Gujarati architecture and design. Built-in the 1400s, this stepwell was a very important way of storing water for the people living in this semi-arid region. The fact that they could use the water for so many things was a boon. You will be amazed to see how many carvings, sculptures and paintings are there on every part of the stepwell.
16. Kankaria Lake
The Kankaria Lake Boardwalk is a world-class man-made lake with a circumference of about 2.5 km. It is in the southeast of Gujarat. People from Ahmedabad come here to have fun with their family and friends. The lake boardwalk opened in 2008, and has a mini train, food court, walkways, and other complete entertainment centres. During the Solanki period, the lake was first built so that people living in the local areas could get water for everyday use. People can spend a good time there with their family on weekends, and there are a lot of fun things for children to do.