Top 5 Must See Tourist Places in Gujarat, India

Located on the western coast of India, the state of Gujarat is one of the most alluring tourist destinations in India with a host of gorgeous sightseeing options like the antique palaces, renowned temples, verdant green forests, architectural wonders, charming hill resorts and captivating parks. The cities of Gujarat have numerous places of interest for the tourists and people from all over India and abroad visit Gujarat for its major attractions throughout the year. More than anything else Gujarat is fondly remembered for its historic links with Mahatma Gandhi - “the Father of the Nation”. The state shares its borders with Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

The tourist attractions in Ahmedabad, often referred to as the “Textile City” and the "Manchester of the East" are a curious mixture of the ancient heritage and the vibrant modernity. Ahmedabad is replete with numerous tourist attractions, ranging from quaint monuments to famous religious sites to romantic lakes to amusement parks. The city has a rare style of architecture, known as the Indo-Sarcenic style of architecture, which is a harmonious blending of Hindu and Islamic styles. For instance, the Jama Masjid in Ahmedabad, one of the largest and most ancient mosques reflects this style. This mosque built by Ahmed Shah - after whom the city got its name - is located in the heart of the city and one can perceive the Hindu style of architecture on the walls and the niches of the mosque. The other religious sites of significance in Ahmedabad are the Narayan Temple found inside the large courtyard and Raj Babri's Mosque which has shaking minarets.

It is worth traveling many miles to see the Kankaria Lake, located south -east of the city. This is a circular artificial lake, with an island summer palace constructed in 1451 by Sultan Qutub-ud-Din and adjacently has a huge zoo and children's park. No one visiting Ahmedababd should not miss going to Sabarmathi Ashram located in the peripheral areas of Ahmedabad, on the west bank of the Sabarmati River. The modest house within the Ashram, 'Hridaya Kunj', where Mahatma Gandhi lived, is preserved as a national monument.

Although Ahmedabad was the capital of Gujarat when the State was in 1960, a new capital Gandhinagar was created 32 km north-east on the West Bank of the Sabarmati River. Gandhinagar is India's second well-planned city after Chandigarh. Akshardham is a unique cultural complex built in Gandhinagar in memory of Lord Swaminarayan. This is an incredibly aesthetic, intricately carved, stately monument using 6000 tons of pink sand stone and sedulously built by thousands of devout volunteers. The magic is - the entire monument has been built without the use of steel.

A seven-ft gold leafed idol of Lord Swaminarayan and his holy relics, three different shows on Indian Culture with light and sound and an animatronic show are the other highlights.

Widely acclaimed for its age-old cultural tradition of music, and fine arts, Vadodara or Baroda, is indisputably the cultural capital of Gujarat. Vadodara, rising from the banks of River Vishwamitri, is indeed a charming city of ancient monuments, historic palaces, romantic parks, religious sites and museums. Built in old classical and ornate style, Nazarbaug Palace houses the royal family heirlooms. Lakshmi Vilas Palace that is the royal family's residence is lavishly built in Indo- Saracenic style. Its extravagant Darbar Hall with Italian mosaic floor and walls is a delight to watch. The Pratap Vilas Palace is a magnificent super structure that features a collection of old armory and bronze, marble and terra-cotta sculptures.

The museums at Vadodara are known to possess an excellent collection of Art and Archaeology, Natural History, Geology and Ethnology. Visitors to Vadodara should not miss to see the Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary spread over an area of 608sq. kms. with abundant plant and animal life.

Surat is a city of Textile mills and nationally known for its zari and brocades and is also an important diamond cutting centre. Located on the southern bank of Tapti, visitors flock to Surat to buy fine silk and exquisite brocades woven with gold and silver threads. There is the Old Fort built by Mohammad Tughlak in the 14th century, which is a wondrous sight. Dumas is a salubrious seaside health resort where people travel to enjoy a quiet holiday and spend quality time with their families. The pleasant Hajira Beach, fringed by stately Casurina' trees, is yet another comfortable holiday resort sought by visitors.

Jamnagar, situated in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat offers many tourist attractions including the Lakhota Fort, Willington Crescent, Kotha Bastion, Solarium, and Jamsaheb’s Palace. Pavagadh is a charming hill resort and is certainly is one of the dream destinations for tourists coming to Gujarat. Adorning the coast of Gujarat to the west of Junagadh is Porbandar that has a huge historical significance as the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. Peculiarly situated at the meeting point of the Gomti River and the Arabian Sea, the sacred town of Dwarka is another important pilgrimage site that most visitors to Gujarat do not miss.