PHOTOS
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GUJARAT
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Location |
: West India |
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About Gujarat
Gujarat is bounded by the Arabian Sea to the west and southwest and Pakistan to the northwest. Rajasthan neighbours it to the north, Madhya Pradesh to the east and Maharashtra to the southeast. The most convenient entry point into Gujarat is through the metropolis of Ahmedabad. Gujarat today offers a wide range of the most spectacular attractions - which includes breathtaking locations and scenic landscapes. Gujarat is also a melting pot of several civilizations resulting in a vibrant culture and a rich heritage. Gujarat is home to several architectural marvels, witnesses of its glorious history and pilgrim centres for many faiths. Finally, it is also the land of several mythological & historical figures like the legendary Krishna and Mahatma Gandhi the apostle of non-violence. Signs of civilization in the region that is now Gujarat date back to the period from 3000 to 1500 BC. The region was part of the Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BC under King Asoka. In 1818 the British East India Company took control of Gujarat administering the state through local princely rulers. With the independence of India in 1947, Gujarat became part of the state of Bombay. In 1960 Bombay state was split up, and Gujarat was formed from the northern and western portions, which were predominantly Gujarati-speaking areas. The remainder of Bombay state became Maharashtra state. Festivals of Gujarat Navaratri
Navaratri, being celebrated in Gujarat, India, also involves as its modern avatar, Dandia Ras, which is a rumbustious explosion of color and gaiety with colorful attires and sparkling dresses being worn by both males and females, forming the order of the day. Navaratri, being celebrated in Gujarat, India, has of now become so popular that it has found its practioners and acolytes in the states of Gujarat, the state of origin, Maharashtra, where the large stadiums and maidans host dandia ras and other Navaratri celebrations. Rajasthan, Delhi and other situations in the Indian Tourism industry too, have emerged as the receptacles of Dandia Ras and other attendant Navaratri celebrations in India. The festival no longer remains confined to the boundaries of the stately and colorful state of Gujarat, situated in India.
Shivratri
Shivratriis celebrated all across Gujarat, in India, as the birthday of Lord Shiva. Shivratri, is celebrated in the month of phalguna in India, and is commonly referred to as the great night of Lord Shiva. The festival of Shivratri, being celebrated throughout the state of Gujarat is also known by the name of Mahashivratri and the devotees, mainly women perform the worship of Lord Shiva and the shoveling with a deluge of milk. The devotees perform the nightlong worship and do not eat anything during the day and finally on the morning of the next day, they perform the eating rituals and break the fast, completing the worshiping of Lord Shiva, the destroyer.
Kite Festival Kite Flying has always been the favorite pastime of the localites of Gujarat with Ahmedabad and some of the smaller towns too being the practioners of the regaling and thrilling Kite Flying Festival, being celebrated in Gujarat, India. Uttarayan, marks the day when monster winter starts declining and days begin to become longer and the heat of the festival can be felt. Ahmedabad, situated in Gujarat, India, is known as the kite flying capital of Gujarat, India, with an attendant Patang bazaar, which remains open through the 24 hours personifying the popularity of the kite flying festival, to the brink of a frenzied preoccupation. People in Gujarat make their own kites with locally available paper and sticks along with the making of the kite thread being done with glass powder and a quaint rice paste. Janmashtami
The birth of Lord Krishna, in the form of Janmashtami. Janmashtami celebrations are carried on in the town of Dwarka, situated in Gujarat, India. It is believed according to a legend, that the yadavs, the clan Lord Krishna belonged to, left the town of Mathura and settled down in the town of Dwarka for the betterment and further perpetuation of their clan. Dwarka, situated in Gujarat, India, is replete with temples dedicated to Lord Krishna and so when the festive occasion of Janmashtami comes along, the temples are all filled with decoration and pageantry which culminate with the midnight birth of Lord Krishna, who as a child is adorned with a crown and made to sit on a cradle. People visit Shankhoddhar Beyt in Dwarka, Gujarat, India. Other temples which are high on the list of the devotees are the temple of Shank-Narayan, dedicated to the Matsyavatar, the incarnation of Vishnu as a big fish.
Deepavali
The festival of lights is celebrated with great pomp and vigor. Gujarat, already celebrates 2,000 big and small festivals, with Deepavali and the grandiose Navaratri celebrations being one of them. Deepavali, being celebrated in Gujarat, India, is one of the major festivals in the Hindu calendar. It occurs in October/November, and is spread over four days. Dhanteras (Dhanatrayodashi) is the first day or rather the eve of the day on which the festival begins. Narkachaturdashi which is also known as Kalichoudas is the second day. Laxmi Pujan and New year (Padava) normally occur (depending on the Hindu calendar) simultaneously on the third day and Bhaiya-duj is the last day.
Kutch Desert Festival Like so many other regions of Gujarat. Kutch has its own distinctive character. It is, in fact, a peninsula, lying between the Sir river, the Sir Creek and the Great Rann of Kutch on the north-west, and the Gulf of Kutch on the east. The country is somewhat bare and wild, with some cultivated fields near the villages. It has a remarkably heterogenous population, who belong to 18 different tribes, each with its own language and culture. Yet Kutch, with its colourful people, historic towns, and remarkable handicrafts, has much of interest to offer visitors. How to reach Air
The state of Gujarat has 10 domestic airports and an international airport in the state capital Ahmedabad . All major airlines of India like Air India, Indian Airlines, Jet Airways,Air Sahara,Spice Jet, Air Deccan,Kingfisher Airlines have regular operations in the airports of Gujarat including Ahmedabad.
Road
Total 68,900kms of roadways comprising of National Highways, State Highways and other roads run through the state connecting the major cities of the state with the rest of the country.
Rail
Extensive railways network runs through the state of Gujarat. The state is served by several important trains.
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