This article first appeared in My Travelogue by Bhushavali
Clicking on the links below will take you to my detailed articles about each and every one of these places, which have all information about their history, location, how to reach, tickets, opening hours and more.
1. HISTORIC CITY OF AHMEDABAD
I've been to Ahmedabad thrice and I could visit there again and again. Being the capital city, it is also one of the most tourist places in Gujarat. The city was founded by Sultan Ahmed Shah in 15th C CE, so currently there are several historical monuments & heritage places in Ahmedabad. This walled city in the banks of River Sabarmati, is filled amazing architecture of both Hindu & Islamic styles. The most important aspect of the city are its 'pol' neighbourhoods - these are historic, closed communities with 2 main entrances/exits and few secret entrances/exists to protect themselves during war and riots. The best way to experience this historic city is by taking the Heritage Walking Tour through these various pols.
2. RANI KI VAV, PATAN
This is personally my favourite & one of the top Gujarat destinations. Visiting Rani ki Vav (Queen's well) is an experience by itself. As you walk towards it, you won't see a thing and it looks so dull and sad. But as you walk closer and closer and see the architectural beauty of this 'well', and 'inverted building' filled with tons of intricate, miniature carvings, all of a sudden, you're just awe-struck!
3. PAVAGADH & CHAMPANER
Pavagadh region is located very close to Baroda/Vadodhara. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, complete with the Champaner Jama Masjid, various stepwells including Helical vav, Pavagadh Jain Temples, hilltop Lakulisa Temple, and more, are all together protected together under UNESCO. The Jama Masjid is vast and is filled with filigree like relief work. Reaching Lakulisa temple and Pavagadh can be done by foot or the easier way by is by the rope-way car! It was the first one I had ever been on, before Koblenz, Germany!
4. DHOLAVIRA - A HARAPPAN CITY (Update July 2021)
The brand-new addition to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Gujarat after the UNESCO Committee met in China in July 2021, is Dholavira: A Harappan City. It has been in the nomination since 2014.
Lothal & Dholavira are very important historical places in Gujarat. Dholavira was occupied by humans from 3000 to 1500 BCE. The archaeological site is one of the best-preserved urban settlements from the period. There is ofcourse a fortified city including sections of houses, shops, workshops etc, has a cemetery, multiple water reservoirs and much more. It is located in the middle of nowhere, very close to the border of Pakistan.
Dholavira is so stunning that I'd never say no to a chance to visit there again. It has been ages since I've seen so many stars in the night sky as I did in Dholavira. The guest houses there are the traditional, circular pol houses of Gujarat and it was an experience that I'd never ever forget. It is just so so fascinating!
Also Read: When you're in Dholavira, set aside a day to witness the handicraft villages of Kutch
##. WESTERN GHATS
This is the hillstation near Ahmedabad. The good-old Western Ghats that begins at the southern tip of the country, extends into Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat. While the whole of this mountain range is described as a UNESCO Ecological hotspot, there are 39 enclaves (like Silent Valley, Eravikulam, Nagarhole etc) within Western ghats that listed as protected regions as well as listed under Man and Biosphere programme of UNESCO while the rest of the mountain range are in buffer zone. Purna Wildlife Sanctuary, the part of this mountain range in Gujarat is under the buffer zone of UNESCO and this sanctuary itself is not listed. This sanctuary is listed under WWF though!
I've seen quite a few websites list Manas Wild Ass sanctuary also as a UNESCO Site. But it isn't so! It is on the Tentative list. Tentative list only means that these sites have been proposed by Indian committee for UNESCO, to the World Committee to consider them to be included. They have not yet made it to the final listing of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. I haven't been to here yet, but that's a good excuse to visit Gujarat again.
The largest airport in Gujarat is ofcourse located in the capital city of Gujarat at Ahmedabad called Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, which is connected with very many domestic flights. Internationally it is connected to a few far-eastern countries including Bangkok, Singapore etc as well as middle-eastern countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE etc with Etihad, Air Arabia etc.
oh my God, look at those UNESCO sites. I traveled in Gujarat for 10 days sometime back and I absolutely loved that state. I have seen some of these sites but not all of them. Looks like I need to plan on visiting the state again.
ReplyDeleteI was amazed to see the UNESCO sites in Guarat. Interesting that there are 3 new ones on a tentative list. I am amazed with the detail in the carvings. And the stories they tell. Great to see that they are maintained in such great shape. Hard to believe some were built centuries ago.
ReplyDeleteI am from Gujarat and I know there are so many archaeological sites here. Ahmedabad has so many things and I loved the intricate Jali of Sidi Sayed ki Jaali. Visiting Rani ki Vav (Queen's well) must be great thing to do here. I have not visited Rani Ki Vav yet as love to see all intricate sculptures of Gods and Apsaras. Patan is also a great place to visit for knowing about special weaving technique here.
ReplyDeleteWow! Ahmedabad is beautiful! The details in the Queen's well are astonishingly pretty. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGujarat has so many Unesco World heritage sites! They are all beautiful and so much history! I am especially interested of visiting the city of Ahmedabad! The architecture is amazing and so many details! If I have time I would also visit the Western ghats!
ReplyDeleteGujarat is rich in many ways. UNESCO heritage sites are best to start from. I still haven't done the state beauties really well. My last trip was very short. I have heard a lot about Rani ki Vav. Thank you for reminding that I have to go there.
ReplyDeleteI am truly amazed with their unique beauty! Now all I can do is to dream of exploring these UNESCO places while waiting for our lives to be back to normal. I would love to visit the Queen's Well and admire its detailed sculptures.
ReplyDeleteWow, those rock carvings are absolutely amazing. I wonder how many years of hard work the artists spent creating those. How much time do you recommend spending there?
ReplyDeleteI love Ahmedabad's heritage and espcially the poles. The Old City used to be my favorite because that is the only place to find amazing non veg food. I love Champaner and Patan, these are some places that are simply gorgeous and worth exploring. I missed Lothal but I'd surely visit the place on my next trip.
ReplyDeleteIve always loved the intricate carvings on temples in India. The handwwork is so amazing and makes temple hopping so much fun.
ReplyDeleteWOw the architecture of GUrat is so impressive, I would love to see it for my own eyes. It reminds me a bit of Hampi, if I can compare. Seeing this kind of art I always think how many years it took to acomplish all the details and how many people had to work on it.
ReplyDeleteThat was an interesting read on the UNESCO heritage sites in Gujarat. The Rani ki Vav is my favourite from this list. It looks really interesting and those intricate sculptures of Gods and Apsaras are worth seeing. I would love going down in that well too.A visit to Patan to learn about special weaving technique will be on our list too.
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