Gujarat Holiday

Gujarat is the most industrialized state of India, commonly referred to as “Jewel of the West”. It is bounded on the west by the Arabian sea, on the north-west by Pakistan, on the north by Rajasthan, on the east by Madhya Pradesh and on south-east by Maharastra. The state of Gujarat offers some of the most spectacular attractions to the globetrotters. The state also boasts of a vibrant culture and a rich heritage which has been a result of it being the melting point of disparate civilizations. The place also is a hub of several architectural marvels, that have been the witness to a glorious history. The various pilgrim centres are also available in Gujarat and its mythological and historical figures are famous all over the world. Gujarat's beaches, holy temples, historic capitals, attractive handicrafts, delicious cuisine, colourful lifestyle of the people, wildlife sanctuaries and various hill resorts define the best of Gujarat.

Major Attractions
The age old palaces, magnificent temples, wild animals and the lush green forests are some of the prime draws of Gujarat. The other attractions of the land are: Ahmedabad - This city of Ahmedabad is also termed as the “ Manchester of the East”. In this city one can find many 15th century monuments exhibiting a perfect blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture. Some of the famous monuments in Ahmedabad are:

Jama Masjid – It is one of the biggest and oldest mosques of India built in an Hindu architectural style.

Rani Rupmati's Mosque – This mosque is of Rani Rupmati, the wife of Mahmud Begado. The mosque has the Indo-Sarcenic style of architecture.

Rani Spri's Mosque – This mosque displays a unique style of delicate carving specially on the stone walls.

Sidi Bashir's Mosque – This mosque has shaking minarets which show an excellence of the craftsmanship because they respond to vibrations which are transferred across through a stone bridge.

Kankaria Lake – This artificial lake was built in 1451 by Sultan Qutub-u-din. By the side of the lake one can find a zoo and a children's park.

Shahi Bagh – This bagh was one of the famous palace gardens of its times, which now houses the Governor's residence.

Sabarmati Ashram - The Ashram of Mahatma Gandhi, located on the banks of the river Sabarmati is one of the biggest attractions of Gujarat and draws a number of tourists to it. It is the place from where the famous Dandi March started. The Ashram also houses a museum where personal belongings of Mahatma Gandhi are kept. Other attractions in Gujarat include:

Dwarka - The town of Dwarka is famous across the world for its popular legends related to the life of Lord Krishna.

Patan – The city of Patan has certain architectural wonders that make it an absolute destination to visit.

Somnath Temple – This temple is one of the most famous temples of Gujarat. One of the 12 jyotirlingas (Shiva Shrines) is found in this temple. The temple was plundered seven times by Muslim invaders but at the same time and at the same spot was recreated always.

Dining
Restaurants in Gujarat are many some of the are:

• New Honest Corner
• Annapurna
• Gopi Restaurant and Lodge
• Mirch Masala
• Nita International
• Sheeba Restaurant
• Tomato's

Accommodation
One can experience a wide variety of accommodation options in Gujarat ranging from luxury hotels to budget economy hotels. Have a look at some of the fine hotels of Gujarat:

• Heritage Hotels in Gujarat
  • Wankaner Palace
  • Utelia Palace
  • Nilambagh Palace
  • Balaram Palace Resort

• Hotels in Ahmedabad
  • Taj Residency Ummed
  • The Pride Hotel
  • Le Meridien
  • Fortune Landmark

• Hotels in Vadodara
  • Welcomhotel Vadodara
  • Express Hotel
  • Taj Residency
  • Hotel Yuvraj

Shopping
Shopping in Gujarat is an irresistible activity for the tourists. The age-old history of the state's embroidery is still reflected in its traditional handicrafts. The sarees of the state are also famous worldwide for their amazing variety with inlaid zari works, bead work, embellished mirrors, shells and block-print designs. Have a look at some of the must buys of Gujarat:

• Wall hangings
• Marriage costumes
• Bandhnis and traditional ghagra cholis
• Cloth toys
• Patola silk sarees
• Embroidered footwear
• Applique work

How To Reach
The state of Gujarat is well connected by air, rail and roadways. This easy accessibility also helps the place to become a wannabe tourist spot.

By Air: The state of Gujarat has 10 domestic airports and an International airport. The International airport is located at Ahmedabad. This density of airports has made the state connected to other places of India and abroad.

By Rail: Gujarat has a good railway network that connects the state not only internally but also with other destinations of India.

By Road: Gujarat boasts of a fairly good network of roadways. The road network is considered to be one of the best in India. The Gujarat State Transport Corporation and private operators operate regular bus services from all the major destinations of the state.