Jose KunnappallyGujarat: This ‘growth engine’ State of India has always believed in ‘king size’ when it came to going about its affairs: be it the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor Summit, the Statue of Unity, screen legend Amitabh Bachchan endorsing Gujarat Tourism’s high-profile “Khushboo Gujarat Ki” marketing blitzkrieg or Rani-Ki-Vav appearing on the new Rs. 100 currency notes.
Gujarat is bestowed with great geographical diversity. From Dholavira, one of the first cities in the world, to the first prototype of ‘Smart City’ in India, Gujarat has it all. Tourists here soak in the rich cultural diversity, indulge in the various fairs and festivals, savour the cuisines and take back fond memories of their visits which they relish for a lifetime. Apart from religious and cultural tourism sites and events, the State’s major attractions include the only habitat of the Asiatic Lions in India (Gir Forests), a desert ride at the Wild Ass Sanctuary and the beautiful Indo-Saracenic Architecture of Ahmedabad.
Gujarat is once again all over the news thanks to the Statue of Unity dedicated to the nation on October 31 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Over 1.28 lakh tourists visited Statue of Unity in the first 11 days. The statue, dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, is situated on an islet near the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Kevadiya. www.soutickets.in
Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, S J Haider IAS says, “The new tourist attraction will help increase the number of travellers visiting the State from other parts of the country and also abroad.”
The towering structure (182 metres), is nearly twice the height of Statue of Liberty in the United States. Gujarat Tourism has added many attractions nearby. An Observation Deck at 135 metres that can accommodate 200 persons at a time is the highlight. High-speed lifts installed are capable of taking 5,000 people per day to the viewing gallery which offers a panoramic glimpse of the surrounding areas. Other attractions include the Valley of Flowers, Memorial, Museum & Audio Visual Gallery and the Sardar Sarovar Dam. Tent City Narmada, a luxurious nature resort, has been created along the backwater lakes of the Narmada dam reservoir for tourists.
Gujarat witnessed an increase of 11 per cent last year in visitations. In 2017, 5.2 crore people, including over 10 lakh FTAs, visited the State. Tourism has a budget provision of Rs. 450 crore in the current year. To drive FTAs, Gujarat is promoting its architecture, heritage sites, step wells (vav), Indus Valley civilization sites and handicrafts. “We want to look at what other destinations cannot offer,” says Jenu Devan IAS, Managing Director & Commissioner, Gujarat Tourism. “Foreign tourists comprise only two per cent of the overall visitor footfalls in Gujarat. We are aggressively promoting Gujarat on the international platform, including Italy, east Europe, Japan and South Korea, among others. We are hoping to increase inbound tourist footfalls to five per cent by the end of 2020,” he said adding that the State will continue to strengthen its top source markets – the US and the UK, and refrain from focussing on religious tourism abroad.
The robust Tourism Policy (2015-2020) has helped attract Rs. 11,000 crore worth of investments so far totalling 350 projects in which 250 are in the accommodations sector. Of this, 115 projects have already been commissioned. This will add over 50,000 more classified rooms to the existing inventory of about 50,000.
Gujarat offers a capital investment subsidy of 15 per cent. For mega projects it is 20 per cent. In addition, for five years, an interest subsidy has been granted to hotels. Also, for five years, there is 100 per cent registration and stamp duty reimbursement as well as electricity duty exemption.
In a bid to promote tourism in Gujarat, the Central government has approved development of heritage circuits under Swadesh Darshan-Integrated Development of Theme-Based Tourist Circuits and pilgrimage circuits under the National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD). The Centre has sanctioned Rs. 292.95 crore for these projects under the two schemes.
The Heritage circuits are Ahmedabad-Rajkot-Porbandar-Bardoli-Dandi and Vadnagar-Modhera-Patan and the Buddhist circuit is Junagadh-Gir-Somnath-Bharuch-Kutch-Bhavnagar-Rajkot-Mehsana. For Heritage circuit Ahmedabad-Rajkot-Porbandar-Bardoli-Dandi, the government has sanctioned Rs. 93.48 crore while for Vadnagar-Modhera-Patan Rs. 99.81 crore has been sanctioned. There is also a Mahatma Gandhi Circuit under Swadesh Darshan which covers locations like Ahmedabad, Porbandar, Dandi and Rajkot – this will be completed in March 2019. The Alfred High School Rajkot where Gandhiji studied is being made into a museum with AV infrastructure.
In the 1960s, remnants of Lord Buddha were found in a casket recovered from Dev ni Mori. The government is planning to erect a 150 metre tall Buddha Statue, Museum and Study Centre for Buddhist Ideology here. For the Buddhist circuit of Junagadh-Gir-Somnath-Bharuch-Kutch-Bhavnagar-Rajkot-Mehsana, the Centre has sanctioned Rs. 35.99 crore. Under PRASHAD scheme, Rs. 26.33 crore and Rs. 37.44 crore respectively have been sanctioned for the development of Dwarka and Somnath.
The Union Ministry of Tourism (MoT) has identified 17 sites in 12 clusters across the country for development under Iconic Tourist Sites Project. This includes Somnath and Dholavira in the State. MoT will carry out interventions at these monuments in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and State Government, and all development plans will have elements of universal accessibility, cleanliness at the monuments, use of green technology and enhanced security for tourists.
Gujarat has two sites showcasing the Indus Valley culture. One is in Kutch and the other is in Lothal, more than 50 km away from Ahmedabad. The museum at Kutch is being upgraded. Along with the Ministry of Shipping, Gujarat Tourism will establish a National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal where culture, handicrafts and artifacts of that period will be showcased. Even the Gujarat Maritime University is under construction.
At the Navratri press conference, Tourism Minister Ganpatsinh Vasava said Navratri is the flagship event of the government initiated by then Chief Minister Narendra Modi many years ago and has been growing in scale year on year.
Compared to other major programmes of the government like Rann Utsav, Monsoon Festival and Patang Utsav (Kite Festival), Navratri is bigger in scale, spend and visitors. “In 2013, over 2.5 lakh tourists attended Navratri and in 2017 the numbers crossed 6 lakh,” Minister Vasava said. “This is because the festival has something for everyone: Bal Nagari, Anand Nagari, Sardar Patel enclave, Mahatma Gandhi enclave, hundreds of stalls and artists from all over India.”
Gujarat Tourism has new initiatives too, like Seema Darshan, a border tourism programme at Nadabet near Suigam in Banaskantha district. The project demonstrates how the Border Security Force (BSF) protects the border as round-the-clock sentinels. Thousands of tourists are participating in this programme currently. By sunset, the tourists are taken back to the BSF camp and they get to witness the ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony. The only difference between ceremonies at Wagah Border (Punjab) and Nadabet is that the latter does not involve the Pakistani Rangers.
In July this year the government approved an additional investment of Rs. 39 crore for this project. It entails the development of more infrastructure facilities from T-Junction to Zero Point at Nadabet including an exhibition hall and a parade ground with an amphi-theatre for 5,000 people. The development will be done under phase-2 of the project.
In what will provide a perfect backdrop for selfie-enthusiasts, a point along the Indo-Pakistan border is all set to get a selfie tower. The BSF is constructing a selfie platform near Zero Point in Nadabet. The tower will offer tourists a breathtaking backdrop of the border fence.
The government has expedited work on the Dandi Heritage Corridor project and Gandhi Circuit spurred by the fact that the two year long 150th year celebrations of Mahatma’s birth anniversary was kicked off on October 2. Dandi Heritage Corridor maps 21 locations where Gandhiji stayed during the Dandi March.
“The project is underway and we are stretching this to Dandi beach at Navsari so that tourists can experience the most important phase in Mahatma’s life up close. We are also building a big Dandi Museum showcasing his teachings and philosophy, and making it interactive, especially for the younger generation,” adds Devan.
Coastal and cruise tourism is another area of focus and the government is investing in building jetties in Porbandar, Somnath and Dwarka. “We are working with the Union Government and even exploring the feasibility of deploying seaplanes,” informed Principal Secretary Tourism, Haider.
The Gujarat government is also looking to promote tourism by developing beaches in the State and modelling them based on those in Israel.
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had recently led a high-profile delegation on a six-day trip to Israel. “They (Israeli beaches) offer a variety of options for tourists and travellers which is something we can also replicate on our sea shores,” he said. “We are planning to develop our beaches in Ahmedpur Mandvi (Gir Somnath), Shivrajpur (Dwarka) and Mandvi (Kutch). So far, tourism in the State can be largely described as religious and cultural tourism. The beaches could add more to the tourism potential of the State.”
MICE
Gujarat Tourism is targeting MICE in a big way. Among the convention centres, the jewel in the crown is Mahatma Mandir, undoubtedly India’s largest convention centre, in Gandhi Nagar. The complex is spacious enough to handle up to 15,000 people. In April it was handed over to The Leela Group to manage. The Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor Summit is held here. Leela will also be opening a 300-room property nearby, expected to be functional sometime in 2019. There are convention centers also in Ahmedabad, Baroda, Rajkot and Surat.
PATAN PATOLA HERITAGE MUSEUM
Gujarat is known for its world famous double Ikat Patola from Patan. The magic of Patola textile is created by the art of tying and dyeing both the warp and weft silk threads and then weaving them with great precision into priceless fabric forms with clear patterns. The technique is called double Ikat. In the 1930s, the Patola sari cost Rs. 120. Today, the simpler versions of double Ikat cost upwards of Rs 1.5 lakh. Each sari takes four to six months to weave. The Salvi family runs The Patan Patola Heritage, the only museum of Ikat.
Statue of Unity – KEY ATTRACTIONS
Accommodation in Premium AC/Non-AC Tent
Priority Pass
Visit to Statue of Unity and Sardar Sarovar Dam
Sightseeing tour of Shoolpaneshwar Temple and Rajvant Palace
Crocodile spotting at Sardar Sarovar Dam
Shopping and cultural delights
Selfie Point for perfect photos with Statue of Unity
Delicious regional, Indian and continental cuisines
Hiking tour to explore ecotourism sites
Baroda – How to reach?
Vadodara (Baroda) is the nearest city to reach Statue of Unity, at a distance of 95 km from Ahmedabad.
No Country for Tipplers
Gujarat is a dry State, meaning liquor is not freely available and consuming it without a permit is illegal. Tourists cannot bring their own liquor into the State. However, liquor permits are available and can be secured online for a fee of Rs.70 with a 45-day validity. It allows one bottle of foreign liquor (1 litre) or 750 ml x 3 bottles of wine or 650 ml x 10 bottles of beer. Identity proof is required. The hotel of residence has to give a certificate of stay and airline boarding pass is needed to prove that the guest is from outside the State. Securing the permit is usually managed by the licensed outlet. Permits vary for Indians and foreign nationals. www.eps.gpeonline.co.in
Sabarmati Ashram
Sabarmati Ashram was one of the many residences of Mahatma Gandhi. He stayed in Sabarmati and Wardha (Maharashtra) for a total of twelve years along with his wife Kasturba Gandhi and followers including Vinoba Bhave. The Bhagavad Gita was recited here daily, as part of the Ashram schedule. It was from his base here that Gandhi led the Dandi March also known as the Salt Satyagraha on 12 March 1930. The Ashram now has a museum, the Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya. This is the most peaceful place in Gujarat and sitting on any of the benches facing the Sabarmati river amidst all the greenery, is worth every second. Open daily and no entry fee. Digital audio guide in multiple languages is available. Free wi fi too. www.gandhiashramsabarmati.org/en/
Follow The Footsteps of The Mahatma
- Porbandar – birthplace of Gandhiji
- Rajkot – Gandhiji’s father lived here as the Diwan of Rajkot State; Gandhiji held a fast for 21 days here (Rajkot Satyagraha)
- Kochrab Ashram – Gandhiji established the Ashram on his return from South Africa
- Gandhi Ashram – Established on the banks of river Sabarmati by Gandhiji after his return from South Africa
- Gandhi Smriti – Museum with over 40,000 books on Gandhian thoughts, at Bhavnagar
- Swaraj Ashram – Iron Man of India Vallabhbhai Patel got the title Sardar after the Bardoli Satyagraha launched here by Gandhiji
- Dandi – The village made famous by Gandhiji’s Salt March to challenge the imposition of tax on salt by the British
Ahmedabad – UNESCO® WORLD HERITAGE CITY
After the founding of Ahmedabad on the east bank of the Sabarmati River by Ahmed Shah in 1411 AD, the city grew steadily over the next several decades. By 1487, it had become enough of a power centre that Shah’s grandson Mahmud Begda decided to fortify it against possible attacks. A wall 10 km in circumference was built to encircle the city. This wall had twelve gates, 189 bastions and over 6,000 battlements.
Eventually, most of the walls were removed. Today, only the gates and a short section of the wall stand along the riverfront. Each of the gates has beautiful carvings, calligraphy and some of them even balconies. The Heritage Walk Ahmedabad, also known as ‘Mandir to Masjid’ walk organised by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) offers the opportunity to experience Ahmedabad like nothing else – 20 sites explained by a learned guide over two and a half hours.
Morning Package
The tour commences at Swaminarayan Mandir, Kalupur at 8 am daily and concludes at Manek Chowk Jumma Masjid at 10.30 am. (Rs. 60 and Rs. 120 for Indians and foreign nationals respectively).
Night Package
The tour commences at Siddi Saiyad Mosque, Lal Darwaja at 8.45 pm daily and concludes at Manek Chowk at 11.30 pm. (Rs. 150 and Rs. 200 for Indians and foreign nationals respectively).
www.heritagewalkahmedabad.com
Rani-Ki-Vav
Rani-Ki-Vav (Queen’s Step Well), an intricately constructed step well situated in the town of Patan on the banks of Saraswati River, was built as a memorial to the 11th-century king Bhimdev by his queen Rani Udayamati. It is today a UNESCO® World Heritage Site. Built in the complex Maru-Gurjara architectural style with an inverted temple and seven levels of stairs, it holds more than 800 principal sculptures in 7 galleries. The minute carvings of this vav is one of the finest specimens of its kind. Befitting its name, the Rani-Ki-Vav is now considered the queen among step wells of India. Foreign national Rs. 600; Indian national Rs. 40.
Sun Temple Modhera
The Sun Temple is dedicated to Surya and located on the banks of the river Pushpavati at Modhera village of Mehsana district, less than two hours from Ahmedabad. It was built during the reign of Bhima I of the Chaulukya dynasty. No worship is offered now and it is a protected monument maintained by Archaeological Survey of India.
The temple complex has three components: Gudhamandapa, the shrine hall; Sabhamandapa, the assembly hall and Kunda, the reservoir. The halls have intricately carved exterior and pillars. The Tourism Corporation of Gujarat organises an annual three-day dance festival known as ‘Uttarardha Mahotsav’ at the temple during the third week of January, following the festival of Uttarayan. The objective is to present classical dance forms in an atmosphere similar to that in which they were originally performed. The Sun Temple is under the Swadesh Darshan scheme. The Union Ministry of Tourism along with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is planning to make Modhera a solar energy-based self-sustainable village.
Navratri – Around We Go
United Way Garbha Mahotsav Baroda is the largest of its kind in the world attracting over 100,000 players. You don’t dance Garbha; it is played. Dandiya is played with sticks and Garbha with bare hands.
The 9-day festival is pricey too especially for the men folk. Entry fee is Rs. 700 for women and Rs. 3500 for men for 9 days. The Garbha starts at 8 pm and ends sharp at 12 midnight. Live renditions of prayer songs celebrating nine gods by Gujarati folk musician and Garbha legend Atul Purohit fills the air. The crowd sings along and makes the dance moves in concentric circles. Small groups of girls, boys, men and women, dressed in colourful well-coordinated traditional attire, barefoot, mobile phone in hand, dancing in synchronised steps which each group has practiced for months – sweating, whistling, singing, smiling, it is a fine kaleidoscope of art forms and rituals. Garbha is truly a celebration of harmony and feminine power. At midnight, the one lakh strong crowd, more than 60 per cent women, disperses without an incident. Gujarat is indeed safe for women.
Rann Utsav
November 1, 2018 to February 20, 2019
Every winter, the white sand salt marshes of Kutch come alive with colours. The festival is held when the desert is most attractive, and celebrates the unique culture of Gujarat with music and dance performances, storytelling sessions, walks through the desert, fabulous displays of handicrafts and of course some authentic, mouth-watering food native to the Rann of Kutch. Spread across 7500 sq. km., Rann of Kutch is one of the largest salt deserts. Kala Dungar at 1500 feet is the highest point in Kutch. Sighting Kharai camels, a unique breed that can swim is another attraction here.
The Rann Utsav – Tent City sprawling across an area of 5,00,000 sq. mt. near the village of Dhordo is the largest tent accommodation in India. MICE and weddings can also be planned here. The handicraft bazaar provides local artisans a fantastic platform to showcase their work.
Accommodation options include the Rajwadi Suite (price on request) to premium tents, and deluxe AC/Non AC Swiss cottages.
- 200,000 visitors from 20+ countries
- 400 tents across 9 clusters
- Spectacular performances by folk artists
- Adventure activities including hot air ballooning, ATV, paramotoring, rock climbing
- Skyzilla – The Adventure Tower for aerial sports
- Village visits and interactions with local communities including artisans
- Shop for handicrafts, mirrored embroidery work, hand block prints, wood carvings, beautiful silver jewellery and even little seashell toys.
www.rannutsav.com
Tourism Bouquet
Gujarat has 10 products to offer discerning travellers:
- Beaches
- Ecotourism;
- Heritage & Culture including museums
- Gandhi Circuit
- Golf
- Religious Sites
- Fairs & Festivals
- Cuisines
- Handicrafts
- Medical & Wellness
Laxmi Vilas Palace
The largest private residence in the world and four times the size of the Buckingham Palace, Laxmi Vilas Palace, a UNESCO® World Heritage Site, was built in 1890 by Maharajah Sayajirao Gaekwad III, who ruled the State of Baroda. The Gaekwads are held in high esteem by the locals. Sayajirao Gaekwad III was a reformer and modernist who transformed Baroda. Built at a cost of Rs. 27 lakh then, the palace with 170 rooms boasts of modern amenities like elevators, water sprinklers and electric bulbs. The sunken garden facing the palace was filled with water then and reflected the palace. Now the venue is used for MICE. The championship golf course is another attraction. As the royal family continues to reside on the first floor, no photography using camera is allowed inside or outside the palace. The audio guide (available in English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati and French) can be rented for Rs. 190 plus tax.
Tent City Narmada
Tent City Narmada is beautifully placed beneath the shadow of the Statue of Unity with the Sardar Sarovar Dam in the backdrop. The luxurious nature resort is a perfect getaway from the fast-paced city life and has three exciting accommodation options – Luxury Tents, Deluxe Tents and Standard Tents, well-equipped with modern amenities.
www.tentcitynarmada.com
Little Rann of Kutch
Just two hours away from Ahmedabad, Little Rann has some features of Rann of Kutch especially the salt desert landscape. Over 3000 wild asses can be found here apart from numerous species of birds. Good boutique resorts offer excellent accommodation.
