Gujarat is one the most prosperous states in India, forming as it does the most industrialised corridor between the Town of Mehsana in North Gujarat and Bombay in Maharashtra. Its original wealth stemmed from its roots in textile industry that is now nearly dead and defunct. However, due to...

Gujarat is one the most prosperous states in India, forming as it does the most industrialised corridor between the Town of Mehsana in North Gujarat and Bombay in Maharashtra. Its original wealth stemmed from its roots in textile industry that is now nearly dead and defunct. However, due to that history, some of the world's best textiles and dress materials are still found only in Gujarat.

Gujarat is also the home to the almost extinct Asaiatic Lions. If there is just one reason you need to visit Gujarat, it will have to be the lions- the only wild population outside of Africa, and fast vanishing due to lack of variation in the gene pool.

Another reason to visit Gujarat will have to be its rich culinary interests. Gujarti cuisine is one of the best tasting vegetarian cuisine in the world. Famous varieties include Dhokla, Khandavi, Khaman, Khakhara, Shakkarpara, Muthia, Bajri Vada and Bajri Dhebra. Gujarati sweets are also as famous, as are Gujarati Rotlas.

Third reason to visit Gujarat will have to be its rich shopping of exquisite clothes, textiles and hand made or woven or hand decorated fabrics and clothes, beddings and wall decorations.

Gujarat is a study in contrasts - Between Tribal Culture and Modern Cities, Between the Desert and the Seas and between a Rural based and Urban Economy.

With the longest coastline of any state in India, Gujarat is perhaps the last of the unspoilt tourist destinations. Mandvi, in the district of Kutch and Ahmedpur in southern Junagarh district are great sea side getaways.

Rich in Archeology, Dholavira and Lothal are two of the largest and well preserved sites of the later Indus Valley Civilisation.

The Temple of Somnath, in Junagarh district, Sarkhej Roza, Jhulta Minar and Sidi Sayed Jali in the heart of Ahmedabad (Gujarats largest city) are wonders of medieval architecture which are easily missed by the tourist community due to lack of proper marketing.

Also worth a look are The Sun Temple in Modhera (90 km north of Ahmedabad) and Rani ni Vav (Stepwells, again around 100 km north of Ahmedabad).

This state is worth a stop and easy to stay in with great infrastructure and diverse ways to interest a discerning tourist

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