Gujarat is the westernmost state of India. It has a long historical and rich cultural tradition dating back to the days of the Indus Valley Civilization. It also has a wealth of tourist spots including several historical sites including Lothal and Champaner, renowned temples, sunny beaches, the Rann of Kutch, beautiful cities, national parks, museums and sanctuaries. It is the last home of the Asiatic Lion.

Gujarat is also the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. The capital, Gandhinagar, is a planned city and is located near Ahmedabad, the commercial center of the state. Gujarat's coastal cities, chiefly Bharuch, served as ports and trading centres for the Maurya and Gupta empires of ancient India. While Hinduism is the main religion followed, the Jains are an influential community and Gujarat had Islamic rulers for many centuries - all three influences can be seen in Gujarati life, particularly in the architecture. The languages spoken here are Hindi, Gujarati, Kutchi and English.

The best time to visit Gujarat is from October to March. The state involves diverse climate conditions. The winter is mild, pleasant and dry and the summer is extremely hot and dry with nights becoming breezy.  There is sometimes too much rain in monsoon which causes severe floods. Sun is a rare sight during the monsoon season in the state.

Gujarat holds many records in India for economic development. Apart from that, the other things and places that Gujarat is well known for are:

The Gir forest, the last abode of the majestic Asiatic Lions with its dry deciduous forest and luxuriantly rich ecosystem is in Gujarat.

Art and craft:  Gujarat’s art and craft is famous world wide and is essentially the legacy of its glorious past. They were originally made for daily use purpose in homes. But with time, the stature of the crafts grew, converting it into a full fledged industry. They truly reflect the lifestyle, culture and above all, the spirit of the state. The wide array of items to choose from include furniture, jewelry, metalwork items, embroidered garments, colorful linen, leatherwork, beadwork, mirror work, baked clay articles, etc. The handicrafts of Gujarat is famous for their color scheme, detail and intricate work and artistic appearance.

 

The name of the state is derived from anshua (ansus R%u0101shtra), which means anshua nation. Anshuas and were an old clan that was present even during the Mahabharata period, according to another theory, they are one of the Central Asian tribes that migrated to India beginning from around the first century BC. Gujarat's coastal cities, chiefly Bharuch, served as ports and trading centres for the MauryaGupta empires. After the collapse of the Gupta empire in the sixth century, Gujarat flourished as an independent Hindu kingdom. The Maitraka dynasty, descended from a Gupta general, ruled from the sixth to the eighth centuries from their capital at Vallabhi, although they were ruled briefly by Harsha during the seventh century. In 775 the first Parsi (Zoroastrian) refugees arrived in Gujarat from Iran. The Arab rulers of Sind sacked Vallabhi in 770, bringing the Maitraka dynasty to an end. A branch of the Pratihara clan ruled Gujarat after the eighth century. From the ninth century until the invasion by the Muslim rulers of Delhi in the late thirteenth century, it was ruled by the Solanki dynasty.

Source: Wikipedia

All foreign visitors are required to carry a passport valid at least for 6 months. Special restrictions apply to Pakistani and Afghan nationals.
It is always advisable to make photocopies of important documents such as passport, visa and air tickets. They will be required in case the originals are lost.

 

 By Air:
There are 10 domestic airports in Gujarat, with the sole international airport being situated at Ahmedabad. There are frequent international flights to countries in Middle East, Europe and America and daily flights to Mumbai, Delhi and other major cities of India. There are quite a few International airlines also operating flights out of Ahmedabad. 

Gujarat has an ancient history and a glorious cultural heritage. It is the amalgamation of tourist spots which make for a perfect holiday. From Temples and sacred religious sites, to Fairs n Festivals, to National parks and wildlife sanctuaries to Historic sites, Museums, Beaches, Forts, Forests and colorful and eclectic Gujarati Dances; Gujarat has so much to offer.

 

By Road:
Gujarat has excellent road links, better than any other state in India, which is a significant reason for making the state so accessible. Gujarat State Transport Corporation and other private operators, operate regular bus services to all the major cities in the state and outside. There are interstate buses and private luxury coaches, which connect various cities of Gujarat with cities in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan.

Local Transport: 
The most common mode of local transport available in Gujarat, India, are taxis and auto-rickshaws.

Auto rickshaws are an important and frequently used mode of transport in Gujarat. It is a convenient and comfortable way of traveling. Usually the drivers are helpful and understand English as well as Hindi.
Taxis are another popular means of transport. There are taxi stands near the airport, railway station and bus stand. One can book the taxis for the required period of time.

Buses are one of the most popular public transports in Gujarat. Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) is the primary body responsible for providing these services. There are a lot of Private operators providing excellent services too.

The Gujarati Cuisine is predominantly vegetarian and is known for its traditional food world wide. Gujaratis are great gastronomes who enjoy food. The food is energy-efficient, environment-friendly, and highly nutritious and many Gujarati dishes have a blend of sweetness, a bit sweeter than in other parts of India. The state provides immense variety in everything, be it tourism, shopping or food. The diversity in the Gujarati cuisine is simply outstanding. So much of variation in just one state is an unusual phenomenon. The taste, preparation and type of food depend mainly on region, climate, location and lifestyle. By this, it’s obvious that Gujaratis strongly believe in 'Variety is the spice of life'. The different regions of Gujarat present a completely different platter, delectable in its own way. Apart from the taste, it is so attractive in appearance, that just a glimpse of it is mouth watering. It contains all the four major components, namely Cereal, Pulses, Vegetables, Rice and supplements like pickle, chutney, papad, buttermilk and salad. There is ample use of ginger, garlic, green chilies and jaggery/sugar in various dishes. The Gujarati Thali is an absolute treat for the taste buds.

By Rail:
Gujarat has a strong rail network. The major cities of the state like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot and Surat, are connected to all the major cities via trains and regularly to the metros of Mumbai and Delhi. With broad gauge lines, the network within the state is also effective.

Being the westernmost state of India, Gujarat is bounded by the Arabian Sea to the west, southwest and the international border with Pakistan to the north-west. The states nearby Gujarat are, Rajasthan to the northeast, Madhya Pradesh to the east, and Maharashtra and the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli to the south and southeast of the state

Gujarat being one of the most vibrant states of India, caters to every kind of tourist. Gujarat is a Must-see state of India.