Adalaj
Situated 19 km north of Ahmedabad, Adalaj is one of the finest of the Gujarat step wells or baolis. Built by Queen Rudabai in 1499, it provided a cool and secluded retreat during the hot summer months.

Lothal
Lies about 80 km south of Ahmedabad towards Bhavnagar, and is of great interest to archaeologists as the city which stood here, 4500 years ago was closely related to the Indus Valley cities of Mohenjodaro and Harappa.

Nalsarovar
From November to February this 116 square km lake is a home for vast flocks of indigenous and migratory birds-ducks, geese, pelicans, and flamingoes.

Patan
Situated about 120 km north-west of Ahmedabad, this was an ancient Hindu capital before being sacked by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1024. Now a pale shadow of its former glory, it still has over 100 Jain temples and is a centre for the manufacture of beautifully designed Patola silk saris.

Pavagadh
Is about 190 kms from Ahmedabad situated in Halol on Panchmahal district. The hills of Pavagadh rise in three stages from Champaner. The plateau at an altitude of 1471 feet is known as Machi Haveli. The two points on the hill are named after Goddess Bhadrakali and Mahakali.

Sidi Sayed Mosque
This elegant mosque is noted for its twin windows of pierced stone, worked in a style of a tree with palm leaves and curving tendrils. A superb and peerless example of delicate carving that transforms stone into. filigree.

Akshardham
Is a unique cultural complex built in Gandhinagar in memory of Lord Swaminarayan. It is an intricately carved, majestic monument built of 6000 tons of pink sand stones. The entire monument was built without the use of steel and consists of a 7 feet gold leafed idol of Lord Swaminarayan and his holy relics.

Cambay
The old sea port of Ahmedabad is situated to the south-west, at the northern end of the Gulf of Cambay.

Gandhi `Ashram
Known as Satyagraha Ashram during the lifetime of Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhi Ashram is situated on a quiet stretch of the Sabarmati river. It was from here, in 1930, that the Mahatma began his famous `Dandi March` to the sea to protest against the Salt Tax imposed by the . British. `Hridaya Kunj`, a cottage where he lived, is preserved as a National Monument.

Gandhinagar
Is Gujarat's new capital city which rises on the west bank of the Sabarmati river, about 32 kms north east of Ahmedabad. Occupying an area of 57 sq. kms Gandhinagar presents a spacious, well designed look of an architecturally integrated city. Extensive planting of trees and large recreational areas along the river give the city a fresh, green garden city atmosphere. The famous temple of Swaminarayan is also built in Gandhinagar.

Hatheesing Jain Temple
Built outside Delhi Gate in 1850 by a rich Jain merchant, this temple is one of the best Jain Temples in Ahmedabad. Built of pure white marble and profusely decorated with rich carvings, the Hatheesing Temple is dedicated to Dharamnath, the 15th Jina or Jain apostle.

Hussain-Doshi`s Gufa
It is a gallery located in the campus of the Center for Environment Planning and Technology, housing the collaborative efforts of artist M.F.Hussain and architect B.V.Doshi where art and architecture fuse together and complement each other magnificently.

Jama Masjid
Is one of the finest mosques in India with 260 pillars supporting 15 domes at different elevations. Built by Ahmad Shah in 1423, the Masjid is located in the center of the old city.

Kankaria Lake
It is a circular lake constructed in 1451 by Sultan Qutub-ud-Din. In the center of the lake is an island garden with a summer palace known as Nagina Wadi.

Attractions of Vadodara

Makarpura Palace
A beautiful palace designed in the Italian style, the Makarpura is now used as a training school of the Indian Air Force.

Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum
Is a royal collection of art treasures of Roman exhibits, Chinese and Japanese art and a large collection of contemporary Indian art.

Nazarbagh Palace
Built in the old classical style, the palace was used on ceremonial occasions by the Gaekwads. It now houses the royal family heirlooms.

Pratap Vilas Palace
Is an extravagant and flamboyant building in the Indo-Sardonic style. The palace houses a remarkable collection of old armoury and sculptures in bronze, marble and terracotta.

Bhavnagar Attractions

Burton Library and Museum
One of the oldest institutions in the region, the library has a rich collection of more than 41,000 books, including some old Sanskrit manuscripts. It also has a vast collection of rare coins, artifacts, arms and armour used by former Bhavnagar rulers.

Lock Gate
Is the first of its kind in Gujarat. The sea water here is impounded by the lock gates to keep ships afloat during low tide, and can be seen with special permission.

Takhteshwar Temple Palace
Situated on a hill, the site provides a panoramic view.

Gandhi Smriti
This memorial comprises a library with 40,000 volumes on Gandhian thought and social sciences, a Gandhi picture gallery and museum and a khadi and village industries emporium.

Junagadh Attractions

Sasangir Forest & Sanctuary
380 kms South-West of Ahmedabad and 50 kms from Junagadh is located Gir Forest, sprawling on 1412 sq kms. It has a dry deciduous forest and a luxuriantly ric eco system endowed with fauna plenty. Gir is the last home of the Asiatic lion.

In this sanctuary one can see lions roaming freely. This rare sight can be enjoyed on a guided jeep tour. While driving one can see animals like Chital, Nilgai, Sambar, Black Buck, Chinkara, Wild Pig, Jackal, etc. Guides and vehicles are available on hire. Tulsishyam, a temple dedicated to Bhim and his mother Kunti is located in the heart of Gir, which is a scenic spot because of its hot water springs.

Somnath
The temple of Somnath, 5 kms from Veraval is one of the twelve sacred Shiva shrines in India. According to the legend, Somnath was built by Som, the moon God and contains one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India. Constantl washed by the Arabian Sea, the temples of Somnath were destroyed seve times but were rebuilt each time. The present temple Maha Meru Prasad was recently rebuilt on the exact location of the original shrine. Adjacent to this temple is the temple built by Ahalyabai Holkar of Indore.

Uparkot
The fort walls are 20 metres high and the fort is entered by an ornate, triple gateway. The top of the old fort forms a plateau-like area covered in lantana scrub. Inside the fort is a mosque, the Jami Masjid, built from a demolished Hindu temple.

Durbar Hall Museum
Consists of the usual weapons and armor of the Nawabs. Also displayed are silver chains and chandeliers, settees and thrones, howdahs and palanquins, a few cushions and gowns, and a photo gallery.

Maqbara
The mausoleums of the Nawabs of Junagadh consist of silver doors and intricate architecture, including minarets with spiral stairways.

Girnar Hill
Is a 600 metre ascent, up 10,000 stone steps to the 1118 metre high summit of Girnar. The temple topped hill is of great significance to the Jains. It has five Jain temples while on top of the peak is the temple of Amba Mata, where newly weds worship for a happy marriage.

Ashoka`s Edicts
On the way to the Girnar temples one passes a huge boulder on which 14 edicts of Emperor Ashoka are inscribed. Of which some are moral lectures, while the other inscriptions mainly refer to recurring floods destroying the embankments of Sudershan Lake, which no longer exists.

Kachch Attractions

Lakhpat
Lakhpat is situated 135 km. from Bhuj on the Kori creek. It is named after Rao lakha but it could also have been named so because of the many Lakhpatis. millionaires residing there in the hey day of Lakhpat's glory. The Lakhpat fort houses many temples, dargarts, and a gurudwara from which, as popular belief goes, Gurunanak made his sojourn to Mecca.

The Jurassic Terrace
Kachchh stands on the ancient land mass that spawned civilisation two thousand five hundred years ago. Discovery of Dholavira, Kotdi. Shikarpur, and so many other prehistoric sites is a testimony to the antiquity of this land. However the jewel in the crown is Dhotavira with its twin mounds that date back to 3000 B.C. Dholavira is presumed to be amongst the largest Harappan settlements so far identified in the subcontinent today. Besides prehistoric sites so many other historic sites dot Kachchh that are a treat. So do not miss a visit to the following places.

Bhadreshwar
Which nestles on the ruins of the ancient city of Bhadravati. In here is the famous Jain temple dating back to the tenth century.

Bhuj
The district headquarters is a town that is steeped in history. Bhuj houses The Aina Mahal ( The 18th century royal palace) with its resplendent hall of mirrors, Pragmahal palace -an elegant Italianate palace, The Sharad Baugh palace, The Royal cenotaphs Chattris, the Kachchh Museum (the oldest museum in the state ) Ethnology Museum and the Bharatiya Sanskruti Darshan Complex. Also close to Bhuj is Kera, the legendary capital of Lakha Phulani, the famous ruler of Kachchh.

Anjar
In Anjar is the famous Jesal Toral Samadhi ( Tomb of the Jesal and his wife Toral ).

Koteshwar & Narayan Sarovar Temples
Famous for their lake temples sacred to Hindus.

Mandvi
With its ancient harbour and the majestic Vijay Vilas palace is another place not be missed.

For migratory birds, Kachchh is an aerial junction. Soon after monsoon the skies assume the role of an expressway with a great medley of birds gliding along its unhindered paths.

The Flamingo Land
The marshes of Kachchh are the only known breeding ground for flamingoes in India. In a cycle of once in a decade, when conditions are favourable, flamingoes descend in thousands to breed on islands in the Great Rann. After a good monsoon rainfall you can hope to sight these majestic birds in Dhand, in Banni. However a journey to the Flamingo city near Kala Dungar means a back breaking camel tide for 48 hours through slush and marshes. But if you can wade through this mire you know the toil was not in vain. It is a breath I taking sight to watch thousands of flamingoes with their young-ones.

Sighting the Wild Ass, Ghorkhur is not as difficult and tedious as the flamingoes. These asses romp the marshy lands in quest of the coarse grass that grows on the bets or islands during monsoon. Come summer and these asses move on to other bets where there is a perennial supply of water.

When it comes to speed and stamina few can match the wild ass. It is a marathon runner. If lucky you could see this sturdy beast gallop untiringly for hours, reaching a top speed of 70 km/h over short distances.

However much of the fauna in Kachchh has been edged out by human beings like everywhere else. Chronicles recount panthers roaming wild around Bhuj. However, now perhaps less than half a dozen remain around the Dhinodnar mountain. If you are lucky you may find the Blackbuck cross your path. Persevere and you could sight the Cinkara and Nilgai too.

A more common sight when you are in Kachchh is the camel. Amongst domestic animals, the Kachchhi camel Is a fleet footed beast more suited for riding than carrying loads. It can stomp and j splash through the marshy .lands unlike the Rajasthani camel and is therefore best suited for Kachchh.

Jamnagar Attractions

The Sharada Peetha
This is one of the four Mathas established by Jagatguru Shankaracharya, all of which survive to this day. The Matha runs an educational society, an arts college and a Sanskrit Academy, which prepares scholars for doctorates in Sanskrit and Indology.

Dwarka
It is one of the four maths or cardinal centres char eastablished by Shankaracharya, the 8th century guru who is credited with the reawakening of the Hindu religion. The other three are Puri in the east Badrinath in the north and Kancheepuram in the south.

A Hindu must visit to these four places to attain moksha. Dwarka is also one of the sat dham (7 important pilgrim centres) destinations (the others being Kancheepuram, Haridwar, Varanasi, Mathura, Ujjain & Ayodhya).

Dwarka is believed to have been founded by Lord Krishna. Archaeological excavations show that presents day Dwarka is the 6th city at this site; the earlier five have been submerged in the sea.

Dwarka is situated 145 Kms. from Jam nagar, Dvara means door and Dwarika means a small doorway, located at the western most tip of the Gujarat peninsula, it opens like a doorway to the Arabian Sea. In August every year during Janmashtami, (Krishna`s birth anniversary) frenzied religious activity takes place here. The Dwarkadhish temple also known as the Nij Mandir is 2500 years old & is one of the main centres of Krishna worship. The 5 storey temple is supported on 60 columns and is crowned by an intricately carved spire which seems to touch the skies.

Jagat Mandir
Dwarka is famous for the temple of Dwarkadish, the 'Lord of Dwarka', also known as Jagat Mandir or temple of the world. Constructed over 1400 years ago, the temple houses the image of Lord Krishna and draws pilgrims from allover India and abroad. Magnificently built on traditional lines, the temple has five floors and is profusely carved from base to pinnacle. The festival of Lord Krishna's birth is celebrated there every year in the auspicious month of Shravan with great splendour. The festival of Navratri too is celebrated with great rejoicing.

Kotha Bastion
Is an old well where the water can be drawn by blowing into a small hole in the floor. Other places of interest are Solarium, Jansahed's Palace and Rozi & Bedi Ports.

Porbandar
South of Dwarka, on the western coast, Porbandar is a picturesque old sea port associated with the birth of Mahatma Gandhi. There is the mid-18th century Gandhi home, where Gandhiji was born in 1869. The three storeyed, 17 room house remains unaltered.

Other Shrines & Temples
There is a popular temple dedicated to Rukmini, Lord Krishna's wife, who is considered an incarnation of Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and beauty. There are also temples dedicated to Mirabai and Narsinh Mehta, which are visited by those who go to Dwarka on a pilgrimage.

Bhuj Attractions

Surkotada
Is situated at a distance of 85 km from Bhuj.

Koteshwar
An ancient place of pilgrimage, Koteshwar is at a short distance from Narayan Sarovar and 215 kms. from Bhuj. Situated on a high plinth overlooking the sea, it is an excellent breathtaking sunset point.

Surat Attractions

Surat
The ancient port of Surat has been renowned for its fine silks and exquisite brocades and its trade in spices. It has been one of the most prosperous of India's cities in the 17th & 18th century.

Dangs Darbar (Royal Assembly)
This is the most popular fair of Dangs, The origin of the fair was the practice, during the British regime, of calling the Dangi Darbar and awarding of Privy purse amounts to the five Dangi (Adivasi) Rulers and nine Naiks at the hands of the political Agent. The occasion, coinciding with the, only^ major festival of Holi of the tribal people of the Dangs, came to be celebrated by vast numbers who came from all corners to the district Mandal Dangs.

Ahwa the district head Quarters 44 Kms. from Saputara; where one can enjoy captivating tribal folk dances, songs, ras, garbas, and dramas During the fair one finds stalls of house hold articles, utensils, toys, cutlery, bamboo craft articles,& forest products. In this fair you may see not only Dangi Darbars but Bhil, Kanbi, Vanjara and other non Hindu tribes also. Kahalia and Tadpur form the main feature at the fair.