INTRODUCING Gujarat
Culture, History and Ghandi
Gujarat O
BY DEBBIE WARD
ften overlooked for the more famous sights of the ‘Golden Triangle’ or
the tropical south, Gujarat has plenty to interest the culturally- minded tourist. Located on the Western tip of
India, its key points of interest include the magnifi cent Jain temples atop Mount Shatrunjaya at Palitana, sites associated with Ghandi, and wildlife viewing in the national parks. Some operators also include a beach stay at Mandvi.
Ghandi’s home Porbandar in Gujurat is the
Clockwise from left: Beautiful local textiles; A holy man or sadhu; the Asiatic lion; A Hindu temple
birthplace of Mahatma Ghandi, while the city of Ahmedabad was for years the centre of his non-violent struggle for Indian independence from British rule. He established the Satyagraha Ashram on a riverbank here and today it’s a museum, the Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya, which displays some of his letters. Among other historic sites are the rocks at Junagadh, which are inscribed with emperor Ashoka’s edicts on Buddhism, dating from the third century BC and the coastal city of Dwarka, which is one of Hinduism’s holiest centres, because the deity Lord Krishna is said to have spent time there.
Ancient history Visitors can also visit ruins of the
once-prominent city of Lothal (dating from 2,400 BC) and see fossil fi elds and cave paintings. The state also has rewarding wildlife hotspots. In the Little Rann of Kutch sanctuary clients can see wild ass and birdlife including fl amingos and pelicans, which fl ock to its spectacular saltmarshes. Gir National Park, also featured by several operators, is the only remaining home of the Asiatic Lion. Gujarat is also known as the
Land of Festivals; some accolade in a nation famous for them. One of the most celebrated is the international kite festival in Ahmedabad which had its 25th anniversary this January. Among its spectacles is kite fi ghting, for which competitors harden the lines of their kites with an abrasive material and try to cut those of their opponents, cheered on by spectators. October to March is the best time to visit Gujarat. The state would suit India repeaters who have hit the famous sights of Rajasthan and the Taj Mahal and want to delve further into the country’s cultural side. It will also appeal to those interested in Ghandi’s life and
“Kutch is not only home to the Little Rahn wildlife
INDIA
sanctuary but has renowned handicrafts bazaars”
wildlife-lovers who can tour its national parks. Handicraft enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice – the state is well-known for its production of textiles, popular mirror-inset embroidery, tie dye fabrics and more.
Operator offerings Indus Experience’s The
Royal Gujarat tour includes archeologically-important Lothal, the Jain temples at Palitana, Ghandi’s Ashram in Ahmedabad, the Little Rann of Kutch wildlife sanctuary and Gir National Park. It also includes opportunities to see textile production and ends with a beach stay at Mandvi. As well as the Jain temples and
Lothal, Cox & Kings’ nine-night Colours of Gujarat tour takes in Bhuj and the Banni handicraft villages, a stay in the Nilambagh Palace in Bhavnaga, Junagadh for the Ashoka rock edicts and Uparkot Fortress. TransIndus’s Gujarat Tribals
and Textiles tour includes the Unesco-listed Champaner which has remains of Islamic, pre- Moghul architecture, with stays in a royal mansion and a restored merchant’s’ home. On The Go’s Footsteps of Ghandi visits his museum/ashram and other signifi cant sites.
GENERAL INFO Language: Gujarati,
Hindi Tine Zone: GMT +5.30hr Visas: Required Curency: Indian Rupee (£1= 83 INR) Cilmate: Sea breezes in the coastal areas take the edge off the heat between November and February, while the typhoon season runs from July to October Useful contacts: TransIndus, Cox & Kings, On the Go
BOOK IT Cox & Kings offer a
13-night Wonders of Gujarat private journey from £3,845, including fl ights. It visits Junagadh, Ghandi’s Ashram in Ahmedabad, the sun temple at Modhera and Jain temples at Palitana and several handicraft villages and also incorporates safaris in Little Rann of Kutch and Sasan Gir.
coxandkings.co.uk
GETTING THERE Air India via
Mumbai; Jet Airways via Mumbai and Delhi; Emirates, Qatar and Etihad via their hubs
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May 2013 15
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