ABOUT GUJARAT
Situated on the western part of the Indian sub-continent, Gujarat derives its name 'Gujaratta' meaning the land of Gurjars. Being the home state of Mahatma Gandhi, Gujarat is a remarkable coastal state rich in crafts, history and natural beauty. Punctuating the skyline with chimneys of sophisticated textiles mills, Gujarat is one of India's most industrialized states in western India. It is bounded by the Arabian Sea in the West, by the States of Rajasthan in the North and North-East, by Madhya Pradesh in the East and by Maharashtra in the South and South East. The State has an international boundary with the Pakistan at the north-western fringe. The two deserts, one north of Kachchh and the other between Kachchh and the mainland Gujarat are saline wastes. It has the longest coast line 1600 kms, dotted with 41 ports; 1 major, 11 intermediate and 29 minor ports. Gujarat spans an area of 196,024 km2 and the population is over 5,05,97,000. The state capital is Gandhinagar. Gujarat has two official languages: Gujarati, which is derived from Sanskrit, and Hindi. The important rivers of the state are Tapti, Narmada, Sabarmati and Mahi. Forming an area that housed the regions of the Indus Valley civilization and Harappan sites, Gujarat is also a leader in various industrial sectors such as Chemicals, Petrochemicals, Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, Dairy, Cement & Ceramics, Textiles, Engineering and Gems & Jewellery.
Somnath Temple
The Somnath Temple located in the Prabhas Kshetra near Veraval in Saurashtra, on the western coast of Gujarat, India, is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of the God Shiva. Somnath means "The Protector of (the) Moon God". The Somnath Temple is known as "the Shrine Eternal", having been destroyed many times by various kings and rulers.Most recently it was rebuilt in November 1947, when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel visited the area for the integration of Junagadh and mooted a plan for restoration. After Patel's death, the rebuilding continued under K. M. Munshi, another minister of the Government of India.
Champaner-Pavagadh
Champaner is a very unique city, which tourists find very interesting, as the city grew from being a small place to a capital of kingdom and then was left entirely deserted.Built in the late 15th century, as the capital of Gujarat in a complete Islamic (pre-Mughal) style, the Champaner city is home to a rich architectural heritage showing the transition between the Hindu and Muslim traditions. Champaner is among the few cities in India that were once the center of development, and later was left deserted in ruins and rubbles. However, tourists will still find the city as a showcase to its past glory and grandeur with some of the best architecture and archaeological specimens like forts, palaces, mosques, temples, stepwells and granaries.
Beyt Dwarka Beach
A visit to Beyt Dwarka Beach along with an attendant visit to Tourism of Gujarat, offers information at the disposal of the visiting tourist that the Beyt Dwarka Beach is one of the lesser known beaches in the annual calendar of the travelers. Beyt Dwarka Beach in Gujarat is located in the deeply historical and religiously popular town of Dwarka which is known to be of immense importance for the tourists visiting the site from various parts of the country. Beyt Dwarka Beach comprises of an isolated island called Beyt Dwarka, in Dwarka with the people coming to visit from the seafront of Okha.
The Gir National Park
In the south west part of Gujarat state, 360 kilometers from the capital Ahmedabad, 65 kilometers from Junagadh, and 40 kilometers from Veraval. It's inland from the beaches of Diu. The entrance to the park is located at Sasan Gir village, and this is where the park reception and orientation center is (next to the forest department's official Sinh Sadan Guest House). There's also a Gir Interpretation Zone 12 kilometers west of the village, at Devalia. It's a fenced off area of around four square kilometers that contains a variety of wildlife, including lions. A bus takes visitors on a 30-40 minute tour of it.