The top Holiday Destination in Gujarat are Below:-
Table of Contents
Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary(Sasan Gir)
Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Sasan Gir, is a forest and wildlife sanctuary near Talala Gir in Gujarat, India.
Gir National Park is the only place in the world where you can spot lions roaming free in the wild. The real discovery channel of India has situated approximately 65 km South East of the Junagarh District. The Government notified the large geographical extent of Sasan Gir as a wildlife sanctuary on 18th September 1965 in order to conserve the Asiatic Lion. It covers a total area of 1412 square kilometers of which 258 Km forms the core area of the National Park. Indiscriminate hunting by the people of Junagarh led to their decrease in population drastically, while they were completely wiped out from the other parts of Asia. It was the kind effort of Nawabs of Junagarh who protected the queen royalty in his own private hunting grounds. Later in due course of time Department of Forest Officials came forward to protect the world’s most threatened species. From a population of approximately 20 lions in 1913, they have risen to a comfortable 674 according to the 2020 census. There are 277 male, 260 female, and 137 sub-adult lions in the wilderness of these four districts.
The best time to visit it is between December and March. Although it is very hot in April and May, these are the best months for wildlife viewing and photography.
The carnivores group mainly comprises the Asiatic lion, Indian leopard, jungle cat, striped hyena, golden jackal, Bengal fox, Indian gray mongoose and ruddy mongoose, and honey badger. Asiatic wildcat and rusty-spotted cat occur but are rarely seen.
The main herbivores of Gir are chital, nilgai, sambar, four-horned antelope, chinkara, and wild boar. Blackbucks from the surrounding area are sometimes seen in the sanctuary. Among the smaller mammals, porcupine and hare are common, but the pangolin is rare.
The Statue of Unity
The Statue of Unity is a colossal statue of Indian statesman and independence activist Vallabhbhai Patel (1875–1950), who was the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of independent India and adherent of Mahatma Gandhi during the non-violent Indian Independence movement
The statue is located in the state of Gujarat, India. It is the world’s tallest statue with a height of 182 meters (597 feet).[3] It is located on the Narmada River in the Kevadiya colony, facing the Sardar Sarovar Dam 100 kilometers (62 mi) southeast of the city of Vadodara[4] and 150 kilometers (93 mi) from Surat.
Junagadh Girnar Hills
- Girnar Parvat has an extremely rich history and the mountain is older than the Himalayas. The Jain temples on the mountain are considered as the most ancient temples in India.
- Just 3 kms east of Junagadh’s center is Girnar taleti the base point of the trek to Mount Girnar.
- winter are the best time to visit this place.
- Also, the Girnar Parikrama Festival and the Bhavnath Fair(Near shiv mandir) are organized in the months of January and February.
Kutch Rann of Kutch (White Desert)
The Great Rann of Kutch, is a seasonal salt marsh located in the Thar Desert in the Kutch District of Gujarat. Dhordo Village, 80 km from Bhuj is now renowned as one visited for its desert with a white sheen, for being the largest salt desert in the world. The White Sheen on the desert is unique and therefore attracts visitors in large numbers. Dhorodo village is also a center for Mutua embroidery (small mirrors, leather embroidery, and silver jewelry). Guests can purchase handicrafts directly from the artisans here.
The government of Gujarat holds a three-month-long festival known as ‘The Rann Utsav’ every year starting from December to February. This is the main source of income for the locals around who welcome visitors from across the globe to savor in local delicacies and to witness the culture and hospitality of Kutch.
Once at Rann Utsav the shopaholics can also indulge in buying authentic Gujarati handicrafts handmade by the Kutchhi people with a variety of options in clothes, bags, and other items such as shoes and puppets.
During the season, a variety of food options are also available at Rann starting from local chaats, Gujarati snacks to full-fledged Gujarati thalis
Somnath Temple
Somnath is a magnificent temple situated in Sagar Kant of Saurashtra in Gujarat state. Shree Somnath is first among the twelve Aadi Jyotirlingas of India. It has a strategic location on the western coast of India. The temples lie at the meeting of Kapila, Hiran, and Sarasvati rivers, and the waves of the Arabian Sea ebb and flow touching the shore on which it is constructed. The present form was reconstructed in 1951.
Ancient Indian traditions maintain a close relationship of Somnath with the release of Chandra (Moon God) from the curse of his father-in-law Daksha Prajapati. Moon was married to the Twenty-Seven daughters of Daksha. However, he favored Rohini and neglected other queens. The aggrieved Daksha cursed Moon and the Moon lost the power of light. With the advice of Prajapita Brahma, Moon arrived at the Prabhas Teerth and worshipped Bhagvan Shiva. Pleased with the great penance and devotion of Moon, Bhagvan Shiva blessed him and relieved him from the curse of darkness. Pauranic traditions maintain that Moon had built a golden temple, followed by a silver temple by Ravana, Bhagvan Shree Krishna is believed to have built Somnath temple with Sandalwood.
The research-based on ancient Indian classical texts shows that the first Somnath Jyotirling Pran-Pratistha was done on the auspicious third day of the brighter half of Shravan month during the tenth Treta yug of Vaivswat Manvantar. Thus, this temple is a perennial source of inspiration for millions of Hindus since time immemorial.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Somnath Temple is in the cooler months of October to February, though the site is open all through the year. Shivratri (usually in February or March) and Kartik Purnima (close to Diwali) are celebrated with great enthusiasm here