Things To Do in Gujarat

Gujarat Tourism offers an assortment of experiences for every traveller, from the vast salt marshes of Rann of Kutch to the thick forests at Gir National Park. It doesn’t matter if you are a history buff, shopaholic, foodie, or adventure enthusiast. Gujarat will always have something for you. This article will delve into some interesting things that you can do in Gujarat; it will cover Adventure Activities in Gujarat, food and shopping.

The Rann Utsav is a cultural extravaganza held annually in the Great Rann of Kutch, which is known as a huge salt desert. This festival runs between November and February and showcases the rich culture of Gujarat through folk dances, music forms, handcrafts and local foods, among others. Most Rann Utsav Packages include accommodation in traditional tents and some other services, such as guided tours around the tent city or nearby tourist destinations and cultural performances performed by local artists. The Rann Utsav Itinerary typically includes visits to nearby attractions like the Kalo Dungar (Black Hill) and the historic town of Bhuj. The festival is characterised by lively cultural experiences such as camel rides and ATV rides, among others, which are full of life, thus attracting both locals and international visitors alike. On this particular day, there is a full moon night glowing over a white desert under moonlight, creating an unusual life-like situation. The Rann Utsav is an enchantment for those who want to be carried away by the natural beauty and culture that characterises this part of India.

If you love wildlife, then Gir National Park should not be missed on your must-visit list because it inhabits Asiatic lions, which are indeed majestic animals. At Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, one can have a unique chance to observe these beautiful animals in their natural habitat. Gir National Park Safari Booking is available online; it is worth noting that this park is always full of visitors, so it would be better if you booked your safari well in advance. During the tour, one can see leopards, deer, and other species of birds as they take visitors through the thick forests of the park. The park does not only have lions but also other forms of life since there are over 300 bird species, another 37 reptilian types and more than two thousand insects here. December to March, when the weather is pleasant enough and the probability of animal sightings is high, should be considered for visits. Additionally, the park provides eco-friendly accommodation options and guided nature walks that make it suitable for wildlife photographers and nature lovers.

The Somnath Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is a vital pilgrimage point on the western coast of Gujarat. Somnath Tour Packages often involve trips to Prabhas Patan Museum and Triveni Sangam nearby. You can also opt for Somnath and Dwarka Tour Packages, which cover both Somnath Temple and Dwarkadhish Temple if you want a more comprehensive experience. The architecture of the temple is an amalgamation of Chalukya, Solanki and Maru-Gurjara styles that make it very appealing to the eyes of people who love architecture. As part of this complex, there is a sound and light show that tells the history and importance of this temple. In addition, its tranquil location near the Arabian Sea makes it suitable for meditation sessions.

The World’s tallest statue at 182 metres, the Statue of Unity, was erected in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Located at Kevadia, this structure stands out as a modern engineering wonder. The most common type of Statue of Unity Tour Package includes visits to the statue itself, the Sardar Patel Museum, as well as Valley of Flowers. If coming from Ahmedabad, you can use the Statue of Unity Tour Package from Ahmedabad, which covers transportation costs and organised tours. The observation deck at 153 metres provides panoramic views across the surrounding landscape found in the statue complex. They are also complemented by nearby attractions like Sardar Sarovar Dam and Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, thus making it an all-rounded tourist destination. In addition, there is an evening light-and-sound show narrating life achievements made by various statues named after patriotic leaders called “must see.”

One of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites, Dwarkadhish Temple, is a temple built for Lord Krishna. This ancient temple in Dwarka city is an important religious site. Dwarka Tour Packages often encompass visits to other places of interest, such as Bet Dwarka island and Rukmini Devi Temple. The architectural marvel that it is, the temple has five storeys supported by 72 pillars. In addition, there are also palaces on this complex which contain many things concerning Lord Krishna. Evening aarti at the temple with devotees singing hymns and lights illuminating it is simply breathtaking. Another significant place of worship is Gomti Ghat, where the Gomti River meets the Arabian Sea. You can also choose the Dwarka Somnath Tour Package, which involves visiting both Dwarka and Somnath if you want an extensive pilgrimage experience. 

The design of Akshardham Temple, located in Gandhinagar, represents modern epochal temple architecture. Having beautiful gardens, interesting carvings and an impressive light-and-sound show, this temple is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan. The exhibition hall associated with this temple complex showcases various aspects of life and teachings of Lord Swaminarayan. The architecture of the temple features both classic and contemporary styles, thus making it visually attractive. Through Kena Upanishad, Sahaj Anand Water Show displays water and sound performances in the evening, which are attended by numerous people who come to see them. The compound also contains Sahajanand Van, a big garden with a children's park, herbal garden and lake. Being quiet in general, the area near the temple has several meditation points that can be used by worshippers for relaxation purposes.

Camping in the White Desert of Kutch is a memorable experience. There is a vastness that must be covered by salt under the moonlight, creating an unreal landscape. This is the perfect way to capture the singular beauty of Rann of Kutch. Camping is best during Rann Utsav when cultural activities and celebrations are spread all over the desert. These camps are fully equipped with modern facilities so you can spend your nights comfortably amidst the wilderness. Adventure activities like camel rides, ATV rides and star gazing make it more exciting and fulfilling. Those white deserts witnessed as the sun rises or sets are stunningly beautiful and provide great photo opportunities as well. You will also find local handicrafts and souvenirs on sale here, which are sold by craftsmen who come to sell their wares.

Ahmedabad is a UNESCO World Heritage City with an interesting Heritage Walk through its historic pols (neighbourhoods), ancient temples and bustling markets. The walk offers glimpses into the city’s rich past as well as architectural heritage. Swaminarayan Temple, the Jama Masjid, and the Manek Chowk market are prominent. This walk commences early in the morning, so as to avoid heat, it usually lasts for two hours only. A stopover at Havelis (traditional mansions)and step wells showcase Ahmedabad’s brilliance in architecture. Local guides provide anecdotes while talking about the place, thereby making it educative. The walk ends at busy Manek Chowk, where you can taste the street food.

Gujarati Thali: A traditional Gujarati thali is a balanced meal that contains rotli (flatbread), dal or kadhi (lentil or yoghurt-based curry), rice, and shaak (vegetable curry). It often consists of farsan (snacks) such as dhokla and khandvi, along with desserts like shrikhand or mohanthal. This assortment of food creates an amazing harmony of tastes and textures.

Dhokla: Dhokla is a spongy steamed snack made from fermented rice and chickpea flour. Usually, it is served with coriander chutney and garnished with fresh coriander leaflets and grated coconut.

Thepla: Thepla is a spiced flatbread made from wheat flour, which may also contain besan and methi leaves. In fact, thepla can be enjoyed along with pickles, curd or tea; the reason why, for many people, it forms their favourite travel munch is due to its long life span.

Undhiyu: Undhiyu refers to mixed vegetable dish that is generally prepared during winter season. This dish is usually made in large quantities during festivals like Uttarayana because of its complexity in flavour.

Khandvi: Khandvi rolls are really thin sheets of gram flour batter cooked along with yoghurt folded into bite-sized pieces. Not surprisingly, khandvi is a rather delicate snack that has a unique taste and can usually be used as a morning or evening light meal.

Handvo: Handvo is just a savory cake made from fermented lentil-rice batter with the help of bottle gourd. The batter is spiced with ginger-green chilies-turmeric powder then pan-fried until it becomes crispy outside and soft inside. 

Fafda-Jalebi: This famous breakfast combination comprises fafda (a very crunchy gram flour snack) and jalebi (a sweet, deep fried pretzel-like treat soaked in syrup). It’s one of the most liked dishes during festivals such as Dussehra because of the contradiction between fafda having saltiness and jalebi sweetness.

Sev Tameta nu Shaak: This dish is basically a tangy, spicy, salty, and sweet tomato-based curry garnished by crunch sev (fried chickpea flour noodles). 

Gujarati Kadhi: Gujarati kadhi refers to yoghurt curry that contains gram flour for thickness flavoured with jaggery. Usually, this dish is eaten together with rice or khichdi due to its coolness; hence it suits best in summer seasons.

Mohanthal: Mohanthal is a traditional sweet dish made from gram flour cooked with sugar flavored with saffron, cardamom powder and nuts. It has a fudgy texture; hence it is usually prepared during festivals and special occasions.

Basundi: Basundi is a thick dessert made of sweetened condensed milk, flavoured with cardamom and laced with almonds and pistachios. The mixture is then cooked slowly to make it dense, smooth and normally served cold.

Ghughra: Ghughra are round shaped sweets that contain fillings such as nuts, dry fruits and sometimes coconut. Usually eaten during festivals like Diwali, they have an intense festive taste.

Gota: Gota is pakoras from Gujarat prepared from the combination of Besan (gram flour) and methi (fenugreek leaves), which are fried till it become golden in colour and crispy. 

Murghanu Shaak: Despite being dominantly vegetarian, some groups do enjoy meat dishes such as Murghanu Shaak, which is chicken spiced up Gujrati style. This dish reflects how wide Gujarati cuisine can be and is popular among those who eat meat.

Gujarat, an energetic state on India’s west coast, boasts a rich cultural heritage and markets that never sleep. Below are some of the best places for shopping in this Indian State:

This market is famous for its traditional Gujarati dresses such as bandhani sarees, bangles, chaniya-cholis, etc. It comes alive at night to offer a variety of crafts, including jewellery, alongside street food. It has a lively ambience, making it a must-go place for anyone looking to learn about local culture or foodstuffs.

Situated near Kalupur Gate, Sindhi Market offers affordable textiles, bedsheets, sarees, and materials. The market offers both modern attire and traditional Indian garments.

A unique market that takes on a different shape every time during the day; it is a vegetables market in the morning, a jewellery seller in the daytime, and an eateries area at night. It is well known for its gold and silver jewellery stocks as well as Gujarati snacks.

Shopping Places in Gujarat go beyond buying. It's an experience that brings you closer to the culture and traditions of the locals. So if you want to buy traditional clothes, lovely ornaments or nice handcrafts, Gujarat markets will satisfy your desires. 

The state offers a range of Gujarat Holiday Packages, which are well supported by its tourist industry. Be it a cultural tour, wildlife safaris, or adventure trips, there is always a package suitable just for you. Moreover, there are several important archaeological sites in Gujarat that provide valuable insights into its ancient past. By seeing them, one could understand more about what happened in this locality centuries ago with regard to its historical background.