Location : Western India
Major Attractions : Ahmedabad, Surat
Best time to Visit : October to March


About Gujarat
Gujarat is a state situated along the western coast of the Indian sub-continent. Known for its flourishing industries, Gujarat is also a major tourist destination with its wildlife parks, beaches, hill stations and beautiful forts and monuments. Sprawled over an area of 1,96,024 sq. km, Gujarat is bounded by the state of Maharashtra on the east and Rajasthan in the north. The north west frontier is made of international borders shared with Pakistan while the Arabian Sea makes up the western coast. Gandhinagar is the capital of Gujarat while other major cities in the state are Ahmedabad, Surat and Rajkot.

Tourist Destinations in Gujarat
Though more famed for its industries, the coastal state of Gujarat is home to numerous charming cities which attract thousands of visitors for its myriad tourist attractions. The geographically diverse state is dotted all over with lush forests, beautiful hill stations, meandering rivers and wonderful architectural marvels. Besides these, the diverse culture, colorful lifestyle and sumptuous cuisine of the state will add that extra bit of tinge to your holiday experience. Amongst the most visited tourist destinations of Gujarat are Surat, Ahmedabad and Gandhi Nagar.

Wildlife in Gujarat
The forests of Gujarat, especially Gir National Park is home to some of the most amazing and rare species of flora and fauna. The highly endangered Asiatic Lion is a sole reason why tourists come to Gujarat, as also the wild ass, found mainly in the deserts of Thar, the extremely rare Great Indian Bustard and the world's only antelope with four horns. There are plenty of other species of flora and fauna which you can see on your tour to the wildlife habitats of Gujarat. Some of the prominent national parks and sanctuaries of Gujarat are Gir National Park, Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary, Porbandar Bird Sanctuary, Narayan Sarover Chinkara Sanctuary and Vansda National Park.
Forts & Monuments in Gujarat
Gujarat over the years was ruled by several dynasties including Hindus, Muslim and Europeans. Each of these dynasties made significant contributions to the architecture of the state, constructing a wealth of forts and monuments. Gujarat is perhaps the only state in India where you can see monuments which display a fascinating blend of all these construction styles in a single structure. This is one thing which make the forts and monuments of Gujarat amongst the most visited in the country. Some of the most popular forts and monuments of Gujarat are the Pawagadh Fort, Kusum Vilas Palace, Nazar Bagh and Uparkot Fort.

Temples in Gujarat
There are plenty of temples across the state of Gujarat, with some of these dating back several centuries. Each of these temples have their own presiding deities and are worshipped by a particular sect. The beautifully carved and sculpted temples display an insight into the culture and traditions of a particular region. Amongst the most famous temples of Gujarat are the Akshardham temple, Dwarkadhish temple, Sun temple, Saidham temple, Ajit Nath temple and Brihadishwara temple.

Climate of Gujarat
The climate of Gujarat is generally hot and humid while the Arabian Sea keeps things cool in the coastal cities. Summer season in Gujarat lasts between March and June, a time when the temperature can sometimes soar up to a high of 45 degrees. The south west monsoon arrives during mid june, providing much needed relief to the people from the high heat and humidity. While monsoons subsides by the end of September, the month of October remains pleasant after which the winter season arrives at the start of November. Winter season in the state is mild and pleasant. The best time for a visit to Gujarat are the months between October and March.

Getting There
By Air : Ahmedabad has an international airport which connects the state with other major cities around the world. There are 10 other domestic airports situated across the state, which connects it with all the major cities of India through a number of regular flights.

By Rail : Indian railways provides regular services to the two major railheads of the state, located at Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. There are a number of other railway stations dotted across the state.

By Road : A well built network of roads runs through the state, connecting it with neighbouring states. State transport buses ply regularly between the various cities of Gujarat and other neighbouring states.