Why to spend few days in Gujarat?

Gujarat has been a home for me for the last four years. For a Delhi girl, used to carry a constant frown on her face as a time tested safety drill, Gujarat - Jamnagar - to be precise, came as a refreshing change with girls roaming around unhindered on the roads till late in the night, with no person trying to cat call them or trying to grope them was the much needed impetus for my traveling dreams.

This state of Gujarat just celebrated it 50 years of foundation. On this occasion I tried to curate my own reasons to visit this state on the west coast of India.

1. Rann of Kutch - The white desert aka Rann of Kutch is a marvel of nature that is seen to be believed. A marshy stretch of white salt is shared between India and Pakistan. The unending white stretch till your eyes can see and the sun going down at the horizon is a sight to behold. Stay in Bhuj, Gandhidham or Dhordo in case you do not want to shell a bomb for the tents in Rann of Kutch during the Kutch Festival in winters. More so plan your visit on a full moon night. I ticked this item on my bucket list in December 2015. And I am already planning a trip again.

By Road - Buses to Bhuj are available from many places in and around Gujarat. The roads are in good shape so can choose the option of driving down.

By Train - It takes around 15 hours by train from Mumbai. 

By flight - One can also take flights from Mumbai.

2. The trails of Hinduism - Gujarat has been where Lord Krishna, 'the Blue One', established his Kingdom. Archeologists have stumbled upon ruins that they claim belong to Krishna's Kingdom. But besides that one can also visit the Dwarkadheesh (the King of Dwarka) temple. Dwarka is the foremost of the Chardhams, the foul holy pilgrim cities in Hinduism. The city has also been called 'Mokshapuri', one can attain Moksha or freedom from the cycle of life and death here. Located on Gomti creek the five-storey temple itself is a window to the archeological traditions of India. The temple is believed to be 2500 years old. 

While planning the trip keep in mind that the temple remains  closed between 12 to 5.30 as the god sleeps. The city also is strictly vegetarian.

By Road - Dwarka is on the state highway from Jamnagar to Dwarka. Direct buses available from Jamnagar and Ahmedabad. 

By Train - Dwarka is a station on the Ahmedabad-Okha broad gauge railway line, with trains connecting it to Jamnagar (137 km), Rajkot (217 km) and Ahmedabad (471 km), and some trains that continue all the way down the coast through Vadodara, Surat, Mumbai, Goa, Karnataka, to the southern tip of India in Kerala.

 

By Air - Nearest airport is Jamnagar (137 km).

Nageshwara Jyotirlinga - It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, the main center of worship for the Shiv followers. It is located 12 kms away from Dwarka, the temple is must visit for the people on the trails of Hinduism.

The legend goes that a group of dwarf sages living here worshiped Lord Shiva here. To test their devotion Lord Shiva appeared in the form a nude ascetic wearing only Nagas (serpents) around his neck. Seeing him the attracted wives of the sages started following him. Angered by this the sages cursed Shiva that he will lose his 'linga' or phallus. It was at these 12 places that Shiva's linga was said to have dropped.  

Somnath Temple - It is another Jyotirlinga of the state and is considered the foremost among the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. The temple also has a controversial place in Indian history as it has been destroyed by invaders and has been rebuilt many a times. This fact is sometime being used by the right-wingers to flare up emotions against Muslims. The construction of the present edifice began in 1950s. Personally, I found Dwarkadheesh temple more enamouring than the Somnath temple, which I found a tad bit more commercialized. 

By Road - There are regular buses to Somnath from other major cities of the country.

By Train - Somnath is well connected to other major cities of the country via regular trains. 

By Air -  There are no regular flights from other major cities of the country to Somnath. Nearest airport is Diu Airport. It is 63 km away from Diu Airport and 114 km away from Porbandar airport.

3. For History Buffs -  Being on the coast, Gujarat has been contact point of India with the outer world. Whether it was invaders from Central or West Asia who made this place their home, the fleeing Zoroastrians or Polish Jews during World War II, who got shelter here - everyone has contributed in enriching the state's history.

Junagadh - The first time I visited Junagadh, literally meaning the Old Fort, I called it the "Prague of the East". Every lane, every market you step into the layers of history can be seen out there in open. The seventh largest city in Gujarat, Junagadh has been under the rule of Mauryan dynasty, Solanki Dynasty, Chudasama rulers, Nawabs of Junagadh belonging to present day Afghanistan and then Britishers.   

Visit the place to see Ashoka the Great's edict, Upperkot - the fort which has been inhabited by the different rulers of the city, see Mahabat's tomb, visit the markets to appreciate the architecture, the caves where Buddhist monks meditated, in the evening come to the lake to witness sunset as various migratory birds display their take offs and landings in full glory and savour the sweet taste of the Kesar Mangoes. Best time to visit is winters.

By Road - The State Transport Corporation and other private bus operators run regular buses to and from Junagadh to other cities of Gujarat. One can take bus from Jamnagar/Ahmedabad.

By Train - Regular trains connect Junagadh to other important cities in Gujarat and India. There are trains for Jabalpur, Pune and Trivendrum from Junagadh. There is also a meter-gauge service to Delvada and broad-gauge to Veraval and Rajkot.

By Air - There is an airport in Keshod (37Kms. from Junagadh) and the major domestic airlines run flights between Keshod and Mumbai. 

A gun at Junagadh fort

Sun Temple at Modera - The beautiful carved Sun Temple, dedicated to the Hindu deity of the Sun or Surya, is a gem of the Solanki dynasty, Built in 1026 AD, the temple houses some of the best erotic sculptures. In Hinduism the erotic motifs symbolise fertility important for the propagation of life. The temple consists of a large pond known as Ramakund that houses 108 gods and demi-gods.

The steps of Ramakund leads to the Sabha Mandap that depicts the 12 forms of Aditya, another name for the Sun God, in 12 months. Thereafter, move to the "Garbhagriha" - the sanctum sanctorum. It was so designed that the Sun rays fall directly on the golden idol of Lord Sun on Solstice (June 21). The pure Gold bejeweled is no longer there, nonetheless the beauty of the temple remain undiminished over years.

Visit it during Uttarayan in the third week of January, when Modhera dance festival is organised and artists from across the country descend to captivate audience.

By Road - Distance from Ahmedabad to Modhera is 101 km and it takes around 1.45 hours. From Mehsana it is 26 km.

By Train - The train can take you as far as Mehsana (1.5 hours).

By Flight - Nearest airport is Ahmedabad

Dholavira - It is one of the sites in India belonging to the Indus Valley Civilisation. Discovered in 1967, the site is located in the Kutch district of Gujarat. It is also on my bucket list and remains elusive so far.

4. Slice of Nature - Bird sanctuary, Marine park and Wildlife sanctuary makes it a must for the nature lovers.

Gir National Park - Established in 1967 the Sasan Gir Forests are home to Asiatic Lions. It is 43 kms from Somnath and 60 kms from Junagadh. The Asiatic Lions eluded me during my last visit, but the quest continues.

Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary - Located 12 kms from Jamnagar, Bird Sanctuary is swarmed by over 200 species of birds during winter from October- March. Visit during sunrise and sunset to witness these glorious birds.

Marine National Park - It is one of its kind in India. The Jamnagar coast has some 42 small islands with Pirotan being the largest of them. One can witness the diverse marine flora and fauna.This too on my bucket list.

In all "kuch din toh guzariye Gujarat mein...." (At least spend some days in Gujarat).