Top 8 Places to Visit in Gujarat is the favorite tourist destination and a business hub of India. Gujarat is located on the western coastline of India spread in 1600 kms. This place is also the home town of the father of nation “Mahatma Gandhi”. Gujarat is also famous for its serene beaches, temples, wildlife sanctuaries and historic capitals. There are scores of places to visit in Gujarat. Gujarat is a perfect blend of nature where tourists can fulfill their desires. Gujarat is also highlighted in the world map as the present Prime Minister Narendra Modi born in Gujarat and after he became the Prime Minister in 2014 many international ambassadors and politicians visit this state.
The present population of this city is around 60 million and it is one among the largest state in India. The ancient names of Gujarat are Pratichya and Varuna and this city is also recognized in the world for its textile industries Gujarat Tour Packages.
Gujarat receives around 50 million tourists every year including domestic and international visitors. This is is the first state in India which is known as Liquor Free State. Gujarat tourism industry did lot of campaigns to promote Gujarat tourism in which the Campaign of Bollywood actor Mr. Amitabh Bachchan ad campaign was very famous which increase a lot of tourism in Gujarat. Here in this article we introduce you the Top places to Visit in Gujarat.
Rani Ki Vav: A Stunning Stepwell Recognized by UNESCO
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Visiting Time: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Entry Fee: Rs 15 for Indians and Rs 200 for foreigners
A stepwell in Patan, Rani Ki Vav was built by Queen (Rani) of Bhimdeva, Udayamanti. Constructed in the 11th century to preserve ground water, Rani ki Vav today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The major highlights of the stepwell are its walls that are decorated with figurative motifs and showcases images of various gods and goddesses from the Hindu pantheon.
The central part of each storey contains the primary sculpture. Winter is the best season to visit Rani Ki Vav as you can enjoy the light shows, cultural events and exhibitions during the Rani Ki Vav Festival.
Gir National Park: Largest Home for the Asiatic Lions
Best Time to Visit: October to May
Summers Visiting Time: 6:00 am to 9:00 am and 4: 00 pm to 7: 00 pm
Winters Visiting Time: 6:45 am to 9:45 am and 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Boasting being the only place in India with the largest population of Asiatic lions, Gir National Park in Junagadh, Gujarat is the best destination for wildlife lovers.
Along with lions, this national park is home to more than 300 bird species like greathorned owl, crested serpent eagle. It is also inhabite by other members of the cat family like leopards.
Akshardham Temple: A Modern-Day Architectural Marvel
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the Year
Visiting Time: 9:30 am to 7:30 pm, Mondays are closed
Entry Fee: Free
Exhibition: Adults (Age 11+): Rs 60 and Children (Age 3 – 11): Rs 40
Water Show Tickets: Adults (Age 11+): ₹ 100 and Children (Age 3 – 11): ₹ 70
Established in 1992 in Gandhinagar, Akshardham Temple is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan, who belongs to Vaishnav tradition. The temple is considered to be one of the top sites to see in Gujarat because of its history as well as architecture.
Set up in an area of over 23 acres, the temple complex serves as a place for education and entertainment. The major highlight of Akshardham Temple is its architecture. It is built of 6000 tons of pink sandstone and no cement or steel has been used in its construction. The main hall of the temple enshrines 7 feet tall idol of Lord Swaminarayan, which is yet another attraction of Akshardham Temple.
Dwarkadhish Temple: A Sacred Place for Hindu Pilgrimage
Best Time to Visit: November to February and during Janmashtami
Visiting Time: 7:00 am to 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Sudama Setu Timings: 7:00 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm
One of the Chardham destinations and Sapata Turis (seven sacred cities), Dwarkadhish Jagat Mandir in Dwarka, Gujarat is an important religious site. The word ‘Dwarka’ is made of two words – ‘dwara’ meaning road, and ‘ka’ implying eternal significance. Going by the mythological records, Dwarka was the kingdom of Lord Krishna, and he stayed there for quite some time.
This five-storey temple stands on 72 pillars, which according to the science of archeo-astronomy, is of immense significance. The sandstone plinth and walls of the temples are embellished with panels depicting dancers, elephants, musicians and celestial beings. A bridge called Sudama Setu at the base of the temple takes one across the Gomti creek towards the beach.
White Desert – Great Rann of Kutch: A Spectacular Site of Sprawling Salt Desert
Best Time to Visit: November to March
Entry Fee: Rs 100 for adults and Rs 50 for children
A must-visit on a trip to Gujarat, Great Rann of Kutch is reputed to be one of the world’s largest white salt deserts. Spanning over an area of 7500 sq km, the salt desert is best to be visited during the Rann Utsav, which happens between November and March. A tent city is set up amidst the desert for tourists during the Rann Utsav and cultural festivals are organised.
During the festival, one can enjoy camel safaris and can witness traditional handicraft of Gujarat. One can also experience the village life in the nearby rural areas like Hodka and Dhordo Top 8 Places to Visit in Gujarat.
Somnath Temple: The Jyotirlinga that Withstood the Test of Time
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Visiting Time
Morning – 7:30 am to 11:30 am
Afternoon – 12:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Evening – 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm
A primary shrine amongst the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, Somnath Temple is located in the small town of Junagadh district and is an important spiritual site in Gujarat. The Hindu temple is known for one of the most expensive aartis.
Locals call this temple as ‘shrine eternal’ because it has withstood the test of time. It was destroyed six times and every time it was rebuilt. The current structure of the temple is built in the Chalukya style of architecture by the master masons of Gujarat, known as Sompuras. The shivling at the temple is believed to be ‘swayambhu’ or self-manifested in the temple.
Sabarmati Ashram: A Comprehensive Collection Throwing Light on the Life of Mahatma Gandhi
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the Year
Visiting Time: 8:30 am to 6:30 pm
Entry Fee: Free
Originally called Satyagraha Ashram, Sabarmati Ashram is Mahatma Gandhi’s second ashram (first being the Kochrab Ashram) where he planned a significant number of freedom movements between 1917 and 1930. This place is perfect for history lovers and those wanting to have a look inside Mahatma Gandhi’s humble life and his immense political power. Sabarmati Ashram is also the top attraction in Ahmedabad.
One can find a special mention of Sabarmati Ashram in the archives of India as Mahatma Gandhi trained activists to join his movements like Swadeshi movements, non-violent and civil disobedience here. Gandhi’s living quarter along with that of his many allies are also situated in Sabarmati Ashram, and there’s an open-air museum that presents an informative record of his life and teachings, Top 8 Places to Visit in Gujarat.
Laxmi Vilas Palace: A Reflection of Gujarat’s Plush History
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the Year
Visiting Time: 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Entry Fee: Rs 150
Museum Fee: Rs 60
Built in 1890 as the private residence of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, Laxmi Vilas Palace is indeed one of the grandest structures in India and the top place to visit in Gujarat. Sprawling over an area of 700 acres, the palace is believed to be nearly four times the size of Buckingham Palace and features many buildings like Moti Baug Palace, Makarpura Palace, Pratap Vilas Palace and Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum building.
You can easily figure out the magnificence of this palace by the fact that Robert Fellows Chisholm, the head architect, took twelve years to build this grand building. The property also has a Navlakhi stepwell, Maharaja Fatehgarh museum, and a small zoo, which is a resting ground for crocodiles Top 8 Places to Visit in Gujarat.