G U J A R A T

Gujarat lies tucked away on the northwestern seaboard of India and shares a border with Pakistan. This is the hallowed land where the legendary Hindu God king, Krishna set up his capital at Dwarka, a port city now being excavated from its watery grave. In more recent times, Gujarat is revered as the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, the ‘Father of the Nation’, who was born at Porbandar, in 1869.

Though off the regular tourist beat, Gujarat is well worth a visit. It is home to people of diverse races and religions, ruins of ancient cities and some of the finest wild life sanctuaries in the country.

Visit Gujarat to see the last of the Asiatic lions in Sasan Gir National Park and vast colonies of flamingos, pelicans, avocets and herds of wild asses in the Rann of Kutch; 4000-year old archaeological sites at Lothal and Dholavira; Mauryan Emperor Ashoka’s rock edicts near Junagadh (3rd century BC) disseminated the message of Buddha and several important Hindu and Jain pilgrim centres at Dwarka, Somnath and Palitana, beautiful mosques, mausoleums and monuments and the oldest sacred fire of the Parsi community in India at Udvada.

To make your visit truly memorable you could pick up excellent textiles & handicrafts for yourself and let your hair down at one of the many beaches in the state. The incredible diversity and rich cultural heritage of Gujarat is highlighted in some 2000 Festivals and 1500 Fairs held each year! Over two hundred of these are on major festive occasions, rooted in religion and attracting thousands of people – and colourful tribal and rural folk dressed in their traditional finery. So plan your visit to coincide with at least one of them and see Gujarat in all its hues.

On the morning of the 26^th January 2001, an earthquake measuring almost 8.1 on the Richter scale devastated large parts of Gujarat. The earthquake destroyed entire communities and settlements, especially the villages in the Rann of Kutch, Bhuj, its outlying towns and villages and parts of Ahmedabad. Travellers are advised to check with the appropriate authorities before travelling to the worst affected areas of Kutch, Mehsana, Ahmedabad, Banaskantha, Surendranagar, Rajkot and Jamnagar.