All About Gujarat

All About Gujarat

Major Cities and Places

Gujarat is a home to incredible diversity due to its geographic and strategic location. Its Gujarati pride and rich cultural heritage is reflected in the arts, music, literature, religious traditions, cuisine, fairs and festivals of every city and place. Gandhinagar is the State Capital of Gujarat. Named after ‘Gandhi’, the father of the nation, it is situated 32 kms away from Ahmedabad and is proudly the best planned city in India. Ahmedabad, Surat, Baroda, Rajkot are some major cities of Gujarat which have been located to have the best of tradition, history, architecture, culture and philosophy of Gujarat in an atmosphere of luxury, beauty and comfort. The social life comprises various languages, customs, festivals, celebrations, costumes, food habits and dwellings of people living in different regions of Gujarat. The cultural edifice has been built in Gujarat due to its geographical, social, religious and occupational diversity. The humble natured, persevering and hard working Guajarati’s residing in its cities, towns and villages have expanded their economy and business ventures not only in Gujarat but all over India and the rest of the world.

Ensembles, lifestyles and ways of living vary all over Gujarat. The fairs and festivals are full of enthusiasm, entertainment and spirituality. Gujarat is known world over for its Navratri celebration which sees people immersed in the spirit of dance for nine nights. The dance forms depend on the unique styles that have emerged in different cities. people have adopted this traditional dance and its varied forms by the name of ‘Garba’ and ‘Raas’.
Language is the very heart of our soul. Although the principal language of Gujarat is ‘Gujarati’ and other languages spoken are Hindi and English, Gujarat encompasses many languages and dialects throughout to its many regions, castes and traditions. People of North Gujarat speak ‘northern Gujarati’, Central Gujarat speaks ‘Charotari’, Saurashtra speaks ‘Kathiawadi’ , South Gujarat speaks ‘Surti’ and Kutchh speaks ‘Kutchi.’

Major Cities & Towns		Important Tourist Places
Major Cities Ahmedabad Jamnagar Junagadh Kutchh Rajkot Surat Vadodara / Baroda North Gujarat (Ahmedabad) Major Towns Bhuj Champaner Chotta Udepur Dabhoi Dharampur Gondal Idar Lakhpat Mandvi Morbi Patan Porbandar Wankaner		Ahmedabad Ahmedabad Lothal Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary Other places to see Jamnagar Jamnagar Dwarka Marine National Park Other places to see Junagadh Junagadh Porbandar Somnath The Gir National Park Other places to see Kutch Bhuj Dholavira Kutch Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary Mandvi - Kutch Northwest Kutch Other places to see Rajkot Rajkot Bhavnagar Hingolgadh Nature Education Sanctuary Palitana - Shatrunjaya Velavadar Blackbuck National Park Other places to see Surat Surat Purna Wildlife Sanctuary Saputara Hill Station Vansda National Park Other places to see Vadodara / Baroda Vadodara Champaner - Pavagadh Dakor Narmada River Other places to see North Gujarat (Ahmedabad) Ambaji Mehsana Patan Polo Monument and Vijaynagar Forest Shamlaji Taranga Hills Vadnagar Wild Ass Sanctuary - Little Rann Other places to see