Gujarat is surrounded by the desert on the north, forest on the east, the Satpura mountains on the south and the Arabian Sea along a 1,600 km coastline on the west. Gujarat is synonymous with enterprise, whether in the fields of business, cooperative ventures of voluntary organizations. Its culture has emerged from a mixture of influences that include both the maritime aspect and the broader involvement of this area with historical changes in the rest of India.
Gandhinagar, a planned administrative township 26 km from Ahmedabad, is the capital of Gujarat. The Gir forests, the Rann of Kutch and Porbandar are some of the other prime attractions of this state. Situated on the western part of India, Gujarat derives its name from Gurjars. The Gurjars passed through Punjab and settled here and called the area “Gujaratta” meaning the land of Gurjars. Gujarat today is one of the foremost in textile trade and most prosperous states in India. Gujarat offers a wide range of the most spectacular attractions – breathtaking locations and scenic landscapes. Geographically Gujarat has hilly tracts, fertile plains, dry desert sands and a coral-enriched shoreline.
There is plenty of wildlife too, the famous lions in the Gir National Park. Gujarat is also a melting pot of several civilizations resulting in a vibrant culture and a rich heritage in mosques, tombs, forts and palaces. One can witness several architectural marvels, glorious history and pilgrim centre for many faiths – Jains, Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims. Several mythological & historical figures like the legendary Krishna and Mahatma Gandhi the apostle of non-violence lived here.
Places of interest include: Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Dwarka, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Kutch&Bhuj, Palitana, Porbandar, Rajkot, Saputara, Sasangi, Somnath, Surat, Vadodara.
