Gujarat is the westernmost state of India, situated on the coastline of the Arabian Sea. Gujarat is renowned for its temples, beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, sculptures, architecture, handicrafts, art, and culture. Gujarat is filled with a lot of places to visit; through Gujarat tour packages, you can witness the most amazing culture and tradition of Gujarat.
Gujarat is loaded with historic sites and the actual history, different revolutionary moments, and vibrant festivals. The people of Gujarat are very welcoming, which draws tourists and makes their journey memorable. From the mouthwatering cuisine to the colorful dresses and jewelry, the cultural depiction of Gujarat is very unique. Every corner of the state has something to offer, from the Rann of Kutch, the Statue of Unity, and the holy temples like Somnath and Dwarka; there are many places to explore. Besides this place Gujarat shelters the Asiatic Lion in Gir National Park; apart from the lion, you can spot many animals housed in the national park. Apart from all this, Gujarat is a dry state but has many vibrant festivals that should be experienced by every tourist.
Why visit Gujarat?
Gujarat is the best place to visit as it is loaded with many places, art, historic monuments, and temples, which are the true depiction of the culture of the state. There are many reasons to visit Gujarat, and some of the main highlights of the state are as follows:
History
The history of Gujarat has been showcased by the religion and architecture. The stories of royal dynasties, freedom fighters, and the ancient towns have been preserved, which can be witnessed by tourists.
Nature and wildlife
Gujarat is blessed with some of the best nature and wildlife, as the state is home to the Rann of Kutch, hill regions, and national parks where you can easily get the perfect landscape of nature along with activities like spotting animals and bird watching.
Religious spot
Gujarat is home to many spiritual places, including Hindu temples, two of the twelve Jyotirlingas, and many Jain temples. The Gujarat Temple Tour Package will take you on a holy journey where you can offer prayers and seek blessings.
Food and Shopping
The state is popular for its culinary experiences; exploring the diverse food culture, with famous foods like Jalebi, fafda, dhokla, and Locha, are favorites of tourists. And Shopping in Gujarat has a whole different vibe; the authentic bandhani prints, along with Ghaghracholis and embroidered footwear, has its own charm.
Festival
The vibrant festivals of Gujarat are celebrated with full enthusiasm. The 9-day Garba nights are the best time of the year, from dressing up in vibrant festival clothes, with music and lively dance is the best time to visit Gujarat.
Best places to visit in Gujarat
Gujarat has many places to visit, including popular temples, ancient historic sites, white sand beaches, and many more places. Here is a list of some of the most visited places in Gujarat:
Ahmedabad:
The capital city of Gujarat is a blend of modernity and history, along with many popular sites to visit like Sabarmati Ashram, AdalajStepwell, SidiSaiyyed Mosque, Modhera Sun Temple, and many more. Other than that, Ahmedabad is a living museum where you can find old Haveli, pols, and traditional costumes and Indian textiles that are famous among tourists; they visit Gujarat especially for shopping for popular Indian prints.
Best time to visit: October to March, as the season has festivals like Navratri, which offers the most vibrant environment.
Rann of Kutch:
It is the most popular destination to visit in Gujarat as the place has the unique landscape of a salt desert, which provides the best sunrises and sunset views along with the most popular traditional Kutch handicrafts. It features the westernmost part of India, on the Indo-Pak border, known as the Indian Bridge.
Best time to visit: November to February for Rann Utsav Season.
Statue of Unity:
The world’s tallest statue of 182 meters (597 feet), the Statue of SardarVallabhbhai Patel, better known as India’s Iron Man. The statue is one of the major attractions of Gujarat, standing on the Sadhu Bet Island on the Narmada River. Enjoy the laser light and sound show narrating the life story of Sardar Patel. The place also features Unity Glow Garden, which displays a musical fountain and a light show.
Best time to visit: October to March (cool atmosphere)
Gir National Park:
Gir National Park is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries; you can book a Gujarat Wildlife Tour to spot the Asiatic Lion in their natural habitat. The place is a paradise for bird watchers as it homes more than 300 species of birds. Along with lions, you can also witness other animals like Leopards, Hyenas, Jackals, marshals, and many more. The Kamleshwar Dam is a spot where Lions come to drink water.
Best time to visit: December to March (High probability of spotting lions).
Park closed from Mid-June to Mid-October in the monsoon season.
Valley of Flowers: The Valley of flowers located near the SadarSarovar dam in Ekta Nagar, Kevadia, in the Narmada district. The place is filled with over 300 species of Flowers and offers a scenic view of the Narmada River and the Statue of Unity. The valley is spread across 24 acres of land, also known as Bharat Van.
Best time to visit: October to March for clear skies, better view, and cool atmosphere.
Dwarka:
It is one of the holiest cities of India, which is believed to be the kingdom of Lord Krishna. The place homes the holy Dwarkadhish temple, one of the Char Dham, which attracts many tourists round the year. The temple is built in 5 stories, which are supported by 72 pillars. Along with other places to visit like GomtiGhat, BeytDwarka, GopiTalav, Rukhmini Devi Temple, and many more. One of the 12 Jyotirlingas, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga temple is located in Dwarka, featuring 80 feet statue of Lord Shiva.
Best time to visit: October to March for pleasant weather and August or September for the festival of Janmashtami.
Somnath:
The place has the Somnath temple, which is one of the major pilgrimage sites dedicated to Lord Shiva; it is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. The temple attracts millions of devotees round the year. The temple was invaded several times and was reconstructed under the guidance of Sardar Patel and has Chalukya architecture. Travelers book a DwarkaSomnath tour package to cover both pilgrimage sites of Gujarat. Tourists can also witness the TriveniSangam of Hiran, Kapila, and Saraswati, which offers a sacred bathing spot.
Best time to visit: October to March, the best time for temple visits, and on the auspicious day of MahaShivratri to seek the blessings of the divine place.
Vadodara:
Vadodara is famous for its culture, art, and historical architecture. Must-visit places in Vadodara are Laxmi Vilas Palace, Sayaji Garden, Baroda Museum, and many more. A Gujarat tour package includes all the best places of Gujarat, including Vadodara, which has a more relaxed and calm atmosphere where you can witness more of the informative side of Gujarat.
Best time to visit:
October to March for weather and January for Uttarayan, the festival of kites.
Saputara:
It is the only hill station in Gujarat that offers scenic views, a cool and calm atmosphere, and the view of a beautiful sunrise. Moreover, you can enjoy a ropeway ride and boating in Saputara Lake. The only escape for people of Gujarat from heat is Saputara. The place offers waterfalls like Gira Waterfall, an artistic village where tribals showcase their art, handicraft, and traditional homes. Learn about the Dangi tribal culture, their tradition and lifestyle.
Best time to visit: July to September for lush green paradise and November to February for cold mountainous atmosphere.
Surat:
Surat is a modern city that is famous for its food, textiles, and coastal attractions. Dumas Beach, Suvali Beach, and Dutch Garden are the must-visit places of Surat. The city is situated on the banks of the river Tapi, also known as the Diamond City. Although the city has its modern representation, it is loaded with cultural heritage such as Surat Castle, Chintamani Jain Temple, the Dutch Garden Cemetery, and many others. Best time to visit: October to March are the perfect time to explore the delicacy of Surat.
Dholavira:
The place is a depiction of ancient civilization, one of the most fascinating places in Gujarat. The place is significance of Indus Valley civilization, which can be witnessed in modern times. The city includes a castle and a ceremonial site, which testifies to the unique view of the death rituals of Harappa.
Best time to visit: November to February, as the weather remains pleasant to explore the place.
Gujarat Beaches:
Gujarat coastline offers the most beautiful and serene beaches. Mandvi beach, Tithal beach, Madhavpur beach, Dwarka beach, and Dandi beach are some of the most popular beaches as they receive less crowd and more peace. The beauty of the beaches of Gujarat increases with the fragrance of incense sticks from the shore-side temples, which pleases the environment at its best. Witness the National Marine Park at the coast of Jamnagar, which includes many aquatic lives.
Best time to visit: The ideal time is in the months of October to March, as these are the most suitable months for outdoor activities.
Things to do in Gujarat
- Explore the iconic Sabarmati Ashram to know more about Gandhi and his concept of non-violence.
- Visit the Rann of Kutch and experience a camel ride. Also be a part of Rann Utsav.
- Offer prayers at the holy Dwarkadhish temple and seek blessings.
- Enjoy the jungle safari and bird watching in the Gir National Park.
- Get to know about the Dholavira part of the Indus Valley civilization.
- Explore the different temples like Sun Temple, Jain temple, Swaminarayanmandir, Vasai Jain temple, and many more.
- Trek through the only hill station of Gujarat, Saputara, and witness the most beautiful landscape.
- Enjoy adventure activities like snorkeling, diving, and many more at Mandvi Beach, Nagoa Beach, Goghala Beach, and others.
- Visit the stepwells like Rani kiVav.
Best time to visit in Gujarat
Summer (April to June)
The summer season is a bit harsh for traveling as the temperature rises above 40°C, making sightseeing inappropriate. However, the season is best for backpackers, as the rates of stays and crowds are lower. Early morning visit to Dwarka, Somnath or Statue of Unity is preferable.
Monsoon (July to September)
Monsoon turns the landscape of Gujarat into lush green, especially in hilly and forest areas like Saputara. The monsoon brings one of the best times for nature enthusiasts, which makes them capture nature in its full swing. However, some areas are restricted due to heavy rainfall.
Winter (October to March)
These are the ideal months to visit Gujarat as the temperature drops to 12°C-29°C. The atmosphere remains cool and calm, with the prime time to experience the culture and festivals of Gujarat. Winter brings the festive season with festivals like Navratri, RannUtsav, and many more. Even though the weather is pleasant, the crowd is very high as it is one of the best times for sightseeing.
How to reach
Gujarat is well-connected to other states of India by all modes of transport. Through a Gujarat tour package, your journey will be at ease by providing the best way to reach Gujarat.
By Air:
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International airport Ahemdabad is the major airport connected internationally, and other airports are Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, and Jamnagar, providing frequent domestic flights.
By Rail:
Gujarat has good railway connectivity with major railway stations such as Ahmedabad Junction, Vadodara Junction, and Surat, which are easily accessible for tourists traveling by train.
By Road:
Gujarat has the best roads and highways, which are well-maintained via various cities. You can easily travel by your own vehicles or GSRTC buses and enjoy your road trip through all the major spots of Gujarat.
Food and cuisine of Gujarat
Gujarati cuisine is purely vegetarian came from the Hindu and Jain communities. The flavors of Gujarati food are different from others, as the food has a hint of sweet and savory flavors. The food is very soulful, with a punch of sweet, salt, and savory together. Some of the famous foods of Gujarat are:
- Dhokla
- Khandvi
- Undhiyu
- Gujarati Kadhi
- Thepla
- Fafda Jalebi
- Dal dhokli
Sweet dishes of Gujarat
- Mohanthal
- Basundi
- Ghughra
- Kansar
There are many more popular dishes of Gujarat that are widely popular among the locals and tourists. Tourists pack the “Farsan” while leaving from Gujarat. It is a category of snacks such as Dhokla, khaman, Chakli, and Bhajiya.
The Gujarati Thali is another specialty of the people of Gujarat, in which you will have a perfect blend of everything from sweet to savory and salty. Booking a Gujarat tour package will make you taste the real essence of the place. The popular dishes of Gujarat are included in the thali, such as Thepla, Gujarati dal, khichdi, seasonal shaak (curry), Undhiyu, farsan, chutney, salad, along with sweet dishes like Shrikhand, Basundi, and lastly Chaas buttermilk and many other dishes.
Festivals of Gujarat
A trip to Gujarat will introduce you to the festivals in Gujarat which are celebrated with full energy and enthusiasm. From dressing up for garba to decorating and flying kites in Uttarayan, and many more fun activities to indulge in.
- Navratri: Navratri is the most celebrated festival of Gujarat, worshipping Goddess Durga for 9 continuous days along with Garba, lively music, competitions, and flea markets.
- RannUtsav: The festival is organized by the Gujarat Government and is celebrated at the Rann of Kutch, including cultural activities, food fiestas, handloom and handicraft exhibitions, wildlife, adventure sports, and much more.
- Uttarayan: The festival is known as MakarSankranti, which is dedicated to the Sun god. The festival is also known as the harvest festival of India, as it is the time when the harvest season begins. People decorate kites and celebrate the festival by flying the kites and making the sky colorful.
- ShamlaljiMelo: The festival is celebrated on the KarthikiPurnima, when the people of Gujarat and Rajasthan come together and gather at the holy Shamlalji shrine on the banks of River Meshwo and perform grand pooja.
- VauthaMela: The festival holds major significance as it is celebrated at the place where seven holy rivers converge, where the fair is held, where you can expect decorated camels, donkeys, and many people living in tents and taking a holy dip in the river.
- Janmashtami: Janmashtami is celebrated on the birth of lord Krishna, with a fast before the actual day of birth, followed by the celebration, jhanki decoration, and rituals performed at the birth of Krishna, with the grand celebration in Dwarka.
- Madhavrai fair: The festival is celebrated in a small village of Gujarat called Madhavpur. To celebrate the wedding of Shri Krishna and Rukmini, devotees perform grand pooja and a cultural fest to celebrate the fair.
Travel tips:
- Explore the city’s historic charm and modernity at your pace; do not rush your tour.
- Visit the city in pleasant weather to avoid problems caused by the weather.
- Respect the local customs and etiquette and follow the rules to avoid hurting locals’ sentiments.
- Wear clothes in moderation while visiting religious sites and remote villages.
- Carry a small medical kit for instant assistance.
- Carry cotton clothes and comfortable footwear to explore the beauty of the city.
- Follow the rules while doing a jungle safari to avoid unnecessary chaos.
- Do not forget to indulge in the taste of Gujarat and pack some famous snacks for friends and family.