VIBRANT GUJARAT! Why should you Tour #INDIA XI

Gujarat is one of the most industrialized and the 6th largest state in India.

This state boasts a wide variety of historic forts, palaces, mosques, temples, and places of historical importance in India’s struggle for independence. Many of these palaces and forts have been converted into heritage hotels to keep tourists close to the vibrant history of Gujarat.

Gujarat is well known for its rich culture: with the Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch, Mughals and British as well as Parsis having left their mark on the state!

The folk arts and handicrafts production (bamboo craft, block printing, embroidery, woodcraft, metal crafts, pottery, namda, rogan painting etc.)is a major part of the real culture of the state.
Let me also point out that most people here are vegans as they are religious Hindus. There are other communities like the Christians, Muslims & a few Hindu minority that consume meat but these people are only a minority in the State!

I am from Kerala, God's own Country but I am brought up in Gujarat and lived there almost close to 16 years of my life!

Tourism

Rann of Kutch
Rann translates to desert; this is one of the world's largest salt deserts located in the Kutch district of Gujarat to Sindh province in Pakistan!

The Gujarat Government hosts an annual 3 day festival called the Rann Utsav (festival of the Rann), where tourists can see the various sights of the Rann as well as get a taste of the local culture, cuisine and hospitality. On full moon night during Rann Utsav, the region wakes to an endless cycle of dance, music, art and craft in a celebration. This is the best time to visit Kutch, when the region brims with hospitality, vigour, magic and mythical flavour of Rann.

The Gir (forest/sanctury)
Famous for its Asiatic lions; this is a forest and wildlife sanctuary near Talala Gir in Gujarat. Right now its a highly protected area due to its supported species!
Champaner
A historical city in the state of Gujarat, founded by Vanraj Chavda, the most prominent king of the Chavda Dynasty, in the 8th century. Then it came under the Mughal empire and hence you see a lot of Islamic influence monuments with the most famous one being the Jama Masjid!
Modhera, Sun Temple
The Sun Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the solar deity Surya located at Modhera village of Mehsana district, Gujarat, India. It is situated on the bank of the river Pushpavati. The temple complex was constructed as a magnificent offering in sculpture to the lord of life and light, fiery Surya, the sun god, under the patronage of Bhimdev I in the year 1027 AD.
Saputara
Saputara is a hill station municipality in the Dang district of Gujarat state in India. It is minimally commercialized, still unspoiled. You can visit the hill station through out the year for various reasons; undulating mountains and the drifting birds,echoing green hues, lush with flowers, the meditating rain drops sitting still on sloping leaves or watch the sky shimmer with stars in the night!
Rani ki Vav
Rani ki vav, a UNESCO heritage loaction is an intricately constructed stepwell situated in the town of Patan in Gujarat, India. It is located on the banks of Saraswati River. Rani ki vav was built as a memorial to an 11th century AD king Bhimdev I.
Mahabat Maqbara Palace
It is quite surprising how this astonishing monument is well ignored as an attraction! It the tomb of Bahar-ud-din Bhar.
Dasada
This place boasts a lot of natural prosperity and sancturies! It is located in the Surendranagar District.