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Draft:List of tourist attractions in Gujarat

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Tourist attractions in Gujarat refer to the captivating destinations within the Indian state of Gujarat. It is situated on the western coast of India, Gujarat is known for its cultural heritage, festivals, and diverse landscapes. It is the sixth-largest state in India by area and the ninth-most populous,]having a mix of historical and natural sites and modern urban centers. Gujarat shares its borders with the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, as well as the Union territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The Arabian Sea bounds its western coastline.

The state capital is Gandhinagar, while Ahmedabad, the largest city, serves as an economic and cultural hub. Gujarat features two distinctive geographical regions: the fertile plains of Saurashtra in the west and the arid landscapes of Kutch in the northwest. Its diverse topography includes the Gir Forest National Park, the only natural habitat of the Asiatic lion. Historically, Gujarat played a pivotal role in trade and commerce, with ancient ports like Lothal in its maritime history. The state also has a unique architectural legacy with influences from various periods, including the Solanki dynasty's temples, Islamic monuments, and colonial-era structures. Ahmedabad, an UNESCO World Heritage City, reflects a blend of Hindu, Islamic, and Jain influences in its architecture. The city's pols (traditional housing clusters) and Sabarmati Ashram, associated with Mahatma Gandhi, attract history enthusiasts. Vadodara, another major city, boasts the Laxmi Vilas Palace, a symbol of Indo-Saracenic architecture. The state's diverse cultural tapestry is showcased during festivals like Navratri, Uttarayan (Kite Festival), and Rann Utsav in Kutch. Gujarat is well-connected by a network of roads, railways, and airports. Major cities like Surat, Rajkot, and Vadodara are crucial transportation hubs, facilitating easy exploration of the state's myriad attractions.To track tourist numbers, the Gujarat Tourism Corporation Limited (TCGL) launched the AATITHYAM portal, becoming Gujarat the first state in India to do so.[1]

Top tourist attractions

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In 2022, the most visited tourist attractions in the Gujarat were:

Place Location Visitors (millions)
Statue of Unity Kevadia, Narmada District 4.3[2]
Gir National Park Junagadh
Somnath Temple Prabhas Patan, Gir Somnath
Dwarkadhish Temple Dwarka
Rann of Kutch Kutch
Sabarmati Ashram Ahmedabad
Adalaj Stepwell Adalaj, Gandhinagar
Modhera Sun Temple Modhera, Mehsana
Laxmi Vilas Palace Vadodara
Ahmedabad Heritage City Ahmedabad 1.54[3]

By district

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Top Visitors by districts[4]
No. Name Nov-2023 (Lacs) Annually 2023 (Lacs)
1 Ahmedabad 35.3 339.49
2 Junagadh 19.12 54.04
3 Banaskantha 14.85 147.65
4 Gir Somnath 12.62 117.36
5 Devbhumi Dwarka 12.48 122.22
6 Surat 10.38 73.91
7 Panchmahal 9.91 99.32
8 Rajkot 9.06 45.69
9 Narmada 6.67 34.55
10 Mahisagar 6.52 43.47

National parks

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Wildlife sanctuaries

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Waterfalls

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  • Juna Ghata Falls, located in Narmada district along the Narmada River.[5]
  • Gira Falls, situated near Saputara, is a waterfall surrounded by lush greenery. Gira Falls, also called Giradudh, originates above the Kapri River and flows into the Ambika River. The height of the waterfall is about 75 feet. The Gira waterfall naturally descends 30 meters to the Ambica River.[6][7]
  • Hathni Waterfall, with a height of 100 meters, is situated in Panchmahal and is located near the Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary. Near the waterfalls, in the cave, is a small temple devoted to Hathni Mata.  [8]
  • Jamjir Falls, standing at 12 meters, is situated near the Gir Forest National Park in Junagadh. It is situated amidst the greenery of dense trees near the Jamadagni Ashram at Jamwala village in Somnath district. This waterfall is also infamous as the waterfall of death. The height of the falls is 1214 feet[9][10]
  • Ninai Falls, located in the Dediapada taluka of Narmada district. It is approximately 35 km from Dediapada and approximately 143 km from Surat.[11]
  • Zanzari Waterfall is situated on the banks of the river Vatrak near the Dabha, Bayad taluka, Arvalli district. About 12 km from Bayad, this beautiful place is situated 7 km south of Bayad-Dahegam Road.[12]
  • Zarwani Falls in Narmada, near Kevadiya, in the Narmada district. It is 7 km from the Thawadia checkpost. It is situated inside the Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary which is home to a gamut of flora & fauna.[13]
  • Girmal Falls, situated in Dang, Girmal, Dang District. This waterfall extends to a height of up to 100 feet, making it the highest waterfall of Gujarat.[14]
  • Jatashankar Falls in Junagadh, Girnar, Junagadh District, is a waterfall surrounded by the Girnar mountains.[15]

Forts

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  • Bhadra Fort: It is situated in the walled city area of Ahmedabad, India. It was built by Ahmad Shah I in 1411. With its well carved royal palaces, mosques, gates and open spaces, it was renovated in 2014 by the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as a cultural centre for the city.[16]
  • Surat Fort: It is a 16th-century structure in the city of Surat. The Ahmedabad king Sultan Mahmood-III (1538-1554) ordered its construction to defend the city from the frequent attacks that had devastated it. He entrusted the work to Safi Agha, a Turkish soldier who had been ennobled with the title of Khudawand Khan. The construction work of this castle was completed in the year 1546.[17]
  • Bhujia Fort: It is a fort located in the outskirts of the town of Bhuj in the district of Kutch, Gujarat, India. The fort is built atop Bhujia Hill overlooking the town.Kanthkot Fort in Bhachau is a historical fort with a unique architectural style, contributing to the region's cultural landscape.[18]
  • Kanthkot Fort: It is an old fort on the top of an isolated rocky hill about three miles (5 km) in circumference, has walls built of massive blocks repaired in many places by smaller stones. It is said, in the eighth century, to have been the capital of the Kathis and to have been taken from them by the Chavdas.[19]
  • Manek Burj: Itis a structure with historical significance, is the foundation bastion of Bhadra Fort in the old city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. The Burj is associated with legendary saint Maneknath.[20]
  • Pavagadh: It is known for its historical and religious importance, features structures and fortifications that attract visitors.[21]
  • Roha Fort: The fort is located on the periphery of Roha village, in Nakhatrana Taluka of Kutch. It was the seat of Roha Jagir. One hundred twenty Soomra Rajput princesses sought asylum with Abda (Jagirdar of Abdasa) who died in the battle with Allaudin Khilji. Consequently, all the princesses sacrificed their lives and took samadhi here, consequently, the place came to be known as Sumari Roha.[22]
  • Uparkot Fort: A fort and town was established at the foothills of Girnar hill during reign of the Maurya Empire and continued to be used during Gupta period, but it lost its importance when the capital of Saurashtra region was moved from Junagadh to Vallabhi by Maitraka. Chudasamas settled around Junagadh from 875 CE according to bards when they acquired Vamansthali (Vanthli) from Chavda ruler.[23]
  • Songadh Fort: It is a 16th-century fort in Songadh town of Tapi district, Gujarat, India. The fort gots its name from the Gujarati language terms son (gold) and gadh (fort). It is located near the Tapi River Ukai Dam at an elevation of 112 meters above sea level.[24]

Beaches

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Other

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Heritage Sites

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Religious Sites

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Buddhist Circuit

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  • Devni Mori, Sabarkantha
  • Khambhalida Caves, Rajkot
  • Sana Caves, Junagadh

Flora - Fauna

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Bird Watching Sites

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Museums

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Indus Valley Civilization Site

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  • Lothal, Ahmedabad district
  • Dholavira, Kutch

Gandhi Circuit

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Art Museums

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Botanical Gardens and Arboretums

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Amusement Parks

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  • Aalloa Hills Resort & Golf Course, Ahmedabad
  • Swapna Srushti Water Park, Gandhinagar

Beaches

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  • Mandvi Beach, Kutch
  • Dwarka Beach, Dwarka
  • Gopnath Beach, Bhavnagar

Festivals

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National Wildlife Refuges

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Open-Air and Living History Museums

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  • Shreyas Folk Museum, Ahmedabad

Shopping Malls

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  • AlphaOne Mall, Ahmedabad
  • Inorbit Mall, Vadodara
  • Ahmedabad One Mall

Indoor Arenas

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Seaside Resorts

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  • Madhubhan Resort & Spa, Anand
  • The Fern Residency, Diu

Stadiums

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Zoos

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Gujarat launches 'AATITHYAM' dashboard for real-time data of Domestic–International tourists". The Times of India. 6 March 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Tourism triumph: Statue of Unity sets visitor records in its fifth year". Hindustan Times. 24 October 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  3. ^ "15.40 lakh foreign tourists visited Gujarat till August 2023". The Times of India. 26 September 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  4. ^ "Total Tourist Footfall of Gujarat Till (Nov - 2023) -1522.71 Lacs". commissionertourism.gujarat.gov.in.
  5. ^ "Juna Ghanta Waterfall - Tourist attraction - Juna Ghanta - Gujarat | Yappe.in". yappe.in. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Gira Waterfalls". gujrattourism. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  7. ^ Jain, Vinita (11 October 2022). "Gira Falls In Gujarat: A Stunning Natural Beauty To Admire". Curly Tales. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  8. ^ Sengar, Resham SengarResham. "Hathni Mata Waterfalls". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  9. ^ flaxtravel (7 February 2022). "Jamjir Waterfall". Medium. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  10. ^ "1200 ફૂટની ઊંચાઈથી ડ્રોનનો નજારો:ગાઢ જંગલની વનરાઈ વચ્ચેથી પસાર થતા જમજીર ધોધનું અદભુત કુદરતી સૌંદર્ય; ધોધની ઊંડાઈ કેટલી છે એ હજુ સુધી કોઈ જાણી શક્યું નથી". www.divyabhaskar.co.in.
  11. ^ "NINAI WATERFALL | District Narmada, Government of Gujarat | India". Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Zanzari Waterfall | District Arvalli, Government of Gujarat | India". Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Zarwani Waterfall". gujrattourism. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Girmal Waterfalls". gujrattourism. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  15. ^ "The beautiful falls in the leap of nature - Review of Jatashankar Mahadev Temple, Junagadh, India". Tripadvisor. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  16. ^ "Bhadra fort may get date palms to signify history". DNA India. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  17. ^ "Surat Fort". www.suratmunicipal.gov.in. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  18. ^ Cutch, Palanpur; Kantha, Mahi (1880). Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency. Printed at the Government Central Press. p. 218. bhujia fort.
  19. ^ Archaeology, India Dept of (1959). Indian Archaeology: A Review. Department of Archaeology.
  20. ^ "Ahmedabad's quiet birthday at Manek Burj". DNA India. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  21. ^ Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  22. ^ "About Kutch". www.panjokutch.com. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  23. ^ Bell, H. Wilberforce (1916). History Of Kathiawad From The Earliest Times.
  24. ^ "Songadh Fort to become a tourist destination". The Times of India. 7 September 2016. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  25. ^ Rao, S.R. (1991). "Further excavations of the submerged city of Dwarka" (PDF). Recent Advances in Marine Archaeology: 51–59. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  26. ^ "Dandi Beach, Surat, Tourism Hubs, Gujarat, India". Archived from the original on 19 September 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  27. ^ "Dumas sea face work begins today". The Times of India. 24 December 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  28. ^ "District Census Handbook - Valsad" (PDF). Census of India. p. 5. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  29. ^ "Tithal Beach near Valsad attracts thousands of tourists in Diwali festival". The Blunt Times. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  30. ^ DeshGujarat (24 May 2011). "Nargol beach to be developed as tourist attraction". DeshGujarat. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  31. ^ "Suvali: The birthplace of Indian Navy". The Times of India. 21 November 2015. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  32. ^ "Mahuva Beach". gujrattourism. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  33. ^ "Gujarat beaches". Gujarat Tourism. Archived from the original on 17 January 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  34. ^ "Madhavpur Beach". gujrattourism. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  35. ^ "Porbandar Beach, Gujarat - Travel Information". www.tourmyindia.com. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  36. ^ "Okha Madhi Beach". gujrattourism. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  37. ^ "Kachhigadh Lighthouse - Lighthouses - Indian Logistics Directory - India". www.indianlogisticsinfo.com. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  38. ^ "Mandvi Beach". gujrattourism. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  39. ^ "Mandvi Beach | District Kachchh, Government of Gujarat | India". Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  40. ^ "Pingleshwar Beach". gujrattourism. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
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