GUJARAT,
the land of rich Culture and Heritage! The mystic experience as it
unfolds its magic in abundance. Tourists flock in to explore its unique
development, join in the festive seasons, enjoy the originalities of the
performing genius of the folk art, music and dances. Above all, the
Historical Places that dates back to the time of Indus Valley
Civilization and Mahabharata times to the existence of Vedas.
Gujarat, the land of the Mahatma and many freedom fighters, is acclaimed in History as the departing souls leave footprints on the sands of time. It also exposes the rich archeological monuments with mix cultural blends.
Gujarat also emerges the fusion of the old bygone era to the new rural architectural modernity of changing times. It has emerged a developing State with high quality Construction and Architecture as the new diverse styles creates blend of International styles with regional flavors. The most enriched destination in Architectural Tourism, Gujarat is a fast paced State in India to focus on ‘Heritage spots’ and revives the history with touch of modernity in it’s renovation schemes.
The subterranean architecture for water, such as step well at Adalaj, Ranki vav at Patan or Dada hari ni vav at Ahmedabad, are uniquely exclusive to Gujarat in terms of their typology, attitude to water and stylistic manifestations.
Some Historical and Archeological Places in Gujarat
Hriday Kunj :
The place where Mahatma Gandhi resided. Gandhiji initiated the movement
of non violence and freedom struggle for India from this small house
which is preserved as a national monument at Gandhi Ashram. A once upon a
time heaven for untouchables, the ashram in Hriday Kunj of Gujarat
still makes handicrafts, handmade paper and spinning wheels.
Adjacent to the Hriday Kunj of Gujarat, there is a central library and a
‘Sight-and-sound’ show is organized for visitors and tourists. You will
find a vast prayer ground near Hriday Kunj which is of great historical
importance. Adjacent to the Hriday Kunj, there is a Museum which is in
the popular Ashram of Mahatma Gandhi and it preserves valuable articles
and documents of the Indian national movement.
Lothal:
History dates back to Indus Valley Civilization which leave behind the
ruins of Lothal, the first Indian Port between 1800-2400 BC. It also
shows a very high degree of town planning, like other sites in the Indus
valley.
The discovery of seals at Lothal suggests that the
former civilization from this part of the Indian subcontinent traded
frequently with the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt and
Persia. An unusual discovery was made here of two bodies found in a
single grave. At least three such instances show that double burial was a
common feature among the people who lived in Lothal. More than
4000-year-old seals of the Indus Valley and Sumerian civilizations,
terracotta artefacts, ancient beads and necklaces made from colourful
semi-precious stones, resembling modern day junk jewellery, among others
is being brought alive in the minds of the people by the Archeology
survey of India. Thus, Lothal is an emerging Tourist attraction in
Gujarat.
Kirti Mandir:
A national monument, as it happens to be
the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. This place has some religious
importance, as it is also the birthplace of the legendary character
Sudama, who was supposed to be Lord Krishna's best friend..
Vadnagar:
Vadnagar is famous for its torans and Hatkeshwar Temple.
Torans, a pair of 12th century columns supporting an arch, about 40
feet tall built in red and yellow sandstone, just north of the walled
town. They stand majestically on the bank of Sharmistha Talav, on a road
going down from Arjun Bari. They are among the few surviving examples
of the entrance gates, once a regular feature of the architecture of
Gujarat in Solanki period. The carving style is similar to the Rudra
Mahalaya at Sidhpur.
Perhaps erected after a war victory, the
architecture is embellished with carvings of battle and hunting scenes.
The one to the east is in better condition and has been used as a symbol
of Gujarat in recent times. The torans might have served as an entrance
to a large temple complex, but there are no remains found here.
The Hatkeshwar temple is a 17th Century carved temple at the entrance
of the town. The family deity of Nagar Brahmins, who were once a
prominent community in Vadnagar. The temple's inner sanctum houses a
Shiva linga said to have self-emerged (swayambhu). From the roof of the
sanctum a massive shikhar soars high into the sky. Facing east, the
temple is enclosed by a high wall topped by three circular domes
interspersed with flat stretches in the Indo-Saracenic tradition.The
exterior of the temple is exquisitely ornamented with figures of the
nine planets, musicians, evocative dancing apsaras, regent deities, the
chief gods of the Hindu pantheon, scenes from the Ramayana and
Mahabharata, and varied animal and floral motifs. The premises also have
an ancient Kashivishveshvara Shiva temple, a Swaminarayan temple and
two Jain temples.
Dholavira:
Dholavira site, an ancient
metropolitan city in Gujarat has been voted as one of the Seven Wonders
of India. Dholavira located in Kutch, in Gujarat was an Indus Valley
settlement known for its sophisticated urban planning and architecture.
Dating back to 2900 BC, all the buildings are almost exclusively built
out of brick. Dholavira has sophisticated water conservation systems,
possibly the oldest in the world.
Champaner-Pavagadh:
Champaner-Pavagadh is promoted as World Heritage site with developments
on move as modern tourism destination. GoG promotes tourism to
Champaner-Pavagadh site along with other tour packages such as travel
spots at Nimetabag, the Azwa lake, Jambughoda Sanctuary and Dhaboi.
Pavagadh along with Champaner and Machi is a UNESCO world heritage
site. This site reflects grand historical confluence, displaying 1,200
years of history and culture. It is believed to bear testimony to the
Indian Puranic ages, the Rajput saga, the glory of the reign of the
Marathas, the Islamic influences and finally lays proof to the British
occupation within its remains. The 15th Century Muslim influence as
muslim period began with Muhammad Begada defeating the Patai Raval clan
that was ruling the area, and strategically moving his capital from
Ahmedabad to the Champaner site. Gateway to Panchmahal, 46 kms away from
Vadodara (Baroda), it is a tribal area populated predominantly by the
Bhils. The government has granted many concessions and offers subsidies
to the new industries coming up in this area.
This is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Accordingly, it is difficult to figure out when to end it. But then, this is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Period.
ConversionConversion EmoticonEmoticon