Long beaches, mighty Gir lions, intricately carved temples, colorful fairs and festivals and the most exquisite and artistic handicrafts characterise Gujarat. The state of Gujarat is rightly called the 'Jewel of the West'. It has several tourist attractions like the Gir Lion Sanctuary, The Jain Temples cluster at Palitana and many more. The state is also home to Mahatama Gandhi's legacy from Porbandar to Rajkot and Ahmedabad's Sabarmati Ashram to the salt beaches of Dandi. Traditional festivals are a major attraction and the traditional crafts of Gujarat make excellent buys. Gujarat at the same time is also one of the most highly developed industrial states of India, blending harmoniously an ancient heritage with a vibrant present.
History :
There was a tribe named Gurjaras who came in Gujarat around the 5th century AD. The name Gujarat comes from these Gurjaras. This was the time when the Huns came marauding up north. A large number of Gurjaras settled up north, but a majority moved towards the western coast where they settled for a Gurjara Rashtra. These lands were ruled over by Hindu regents for several years. This was also the entry point for the Zoroastrians into India, who fled Persia to escape victimisation from Muslims who had by then, virtually overrun the middle east. Parsis were welcomed into the Indian community by the local Rajas, in turn they adoped Gujarati as their language. Gujarat had long been prized property, especially because of its coast. The Rajputs managed to ward off the Muslim invaders for a while, but their superior armies soon took over the entire region, and the Sultans of Gujarat ruled these lands from the 11th century right through to the 17th century, when they finally lost their lands to the Europeans. After Independence, British-ruled Gujarat and the several princely states were clubbed together to form the state of Bombay, subsequently split into Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Cities of Gujarat
Ahmedabad,
Surat,
Anand,
Bhavnagar, Kutch, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Dwarka, Baroda, Palitana, Champaner more ...
Tourist Attraction of Gujarat :-
Sabarmati Ashram ( Ahmedabad ) :-
This ashram was Gandhi's headquarters during the long struggle for Indian independence. His ashram was founded in 1915 and still makes handicraft, handmade paper and spinning wheels. Gandhi's spartan living quarter are preserved as a small museum and there is a pictorial record of the major events in his life.
Willingdon Crescent ( Jamnagar) :-
The most remarkable of Ranjit Singh's construction is Willingdon crescent, the swooping arches of its curved facade overlooks the wide streets of Chelmsford Market
Champaner (Jamnagar) :-
CHAMPANER, about 165 km from Ahmedabad would interest you with its fabulous Islamic monuments as well as the famous fort which withstood Humayun’s onslaught in 1535 A . D.
Jama Masjid ( Ahmedabad ) :-
The Jama Masjid, built in 1423 by Ahmed Shah, is beside Mahatma Gandhi Rd, to the east of the Teen Darwaja. Although 260 columns support the roof, the two 'shaking' minarets lost half their height in the great earthquake of 1819, and another tremor in 1957 completed their demolition.
