Historic City of Ahmedabad was founded in the year 1411 by Sultan Ahmed Shah on the old site of Karnavati town, which was ruled by Asha Bhil. The city wall which was well preserved at some places, was 10 km in circumference, having 9 corners, 12 gates, 139 watch towers and over 6000 battlements. Two more gates namely Prem Darwaja and Panch Kuwa Darwaja were added in 18^th century. Due to the expansion of the city, city wall was removed at most of the places and only Gates has been kept for the historical importance. Relief road (Tilak road) and Gandhi Road (Richi Road) are two main roads in the walled city. In the last sixty years the city sprawls in all the directions around the wall-city and across the river Sabarmati. Ashram road is the new main road in the city across the river Sabarmati while C. G. Road is the new posh road with shopping centers & office buildings.

Mahatma Gandhi founded two Ashrams here across the river Sabarmati, on Ashram Road. Kocharab Ashram (1915 to 1917) and Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram (1917 to 1930) are situated on the two ends of Ashram road. These Ashrams were the headquarters of Indian struggle for independence organized by Mahatma Gandhi. On 12^th March 1930 Mahatma Gandhi started Dandi Kuch (Salt March) from Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram with 79 disciples and reach Dandi on 25^th March 1930, covering *** Miles/*** km, in 25 days.

Ahmedabad is also known as Manchester of India because of the several Textile Mills here. Mosques of Gujarat, particularly of Ahmedabad are very famous for their Indo-Sarsenic Art. Hindu craftsmans beautified mosques with excellent stone carvings. Semi-circular sandstone grill (perforated screen window) of Sidi Saiyad mosque with palm tree motif, is the excellent piece of stone carving and now becomes the symbol of Ahmedabad city.

World renowned architects Le Courbusier - 1. Sanskarkendra / Museum / Exhibition Building 2. ATMA / Amhedabad Textile Mills Association Building. 3. Mrs. Manorama Sarabhai House. 4. Shodhan House are built between 1951 to 1965) and Louis Kahn (IIM / Indian Institute of Management) designed some building in Ahmedabad between 1950 to 1963.

Ahmedabad is the strong hold of Jainism. There were about 400 Jain temples in the city. Among them, the biggest is Hathisingh Jain Temple, which was built in the year 1854-56. The man who built this temple was the richest person of the city known as NAGAR SHETH. The temple was completed with in two years by employing thousands of craftmen and is the one of the best speciment of Jain Architecture with torans ( archies ) and sand stone carvings . In other Jain temples, one can also find wood carvings and inlaid work of colour stones in the marble.

Ahmedabad is also head quarter of Swaminarayan religion which was founded by Shri Ghanshaymji Maharaj, later known as Lord Swaminarayan. The Haveli of Swaminarayan Temple at Kalupur (Dabhagarwad) is a master piece of wood carvings. Other important Swaminarayan temples in the city are at Shahibagh, Maninagar & Ghodasar. There are several houses with excellent wood - carvings in the poles of the old city.

Dhalgarwad ( Textiles & Readymade Garments ), Ratanpole ( Jewellery, Sarees & Textiles ), Manek Chowk ( Fruits & Vegetable, Gold & Silver, Utenciles , Spicies etc. ), Panch Kuwa Sindhi Market ( Cotton and Synthetic Textiles ) and evening market near Law Garden ( old & new Embroideried Clothes, Readymade Garments & Metal Jewellery ) are the important markets of the city for the tourists. Rani-no-Hajiro and Astodia are the markets for traditional cotton textile known as Gamthi Kapad.

Ice Cream and Kulfi of Ahmedabad are very well-known. Patel, Vadilal, Havmore, Asarfi and Dairy Den are some of the popular brands of Ice Cream and Kulfi.

There are some excellent museums in Ahmedabad, namely Calico Textile Museum, Shreyas Folk Art Museum, Tribal Museum, L. D. Museum of Indology, Veechar Utencil Museum, Miniature Painting Gallery and recently opened (year 2000) City Museum.

NID ( National Institute of Design ), IIM ( Indian Institute of Management ), PRL ( Physical Research Laboratory ), ATIRA ( Ahmedabad Textile & Industrial Research Association ), School of Architect, L. D. Research Institute, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization), Gujarat Vidhyapith, SEWA are some of the prime institutes and organization of Ahmedabad.

There are several stepwells in the city area and Dada Hari stepwell (1499) at Asarwa is the biggest amongest all the step wells ( five stories underground ). There are about 400 stepwells in Gujarat and the biggest amongest them is Ranaki Vav / Rani ni Vav / Queen's Stepwell (seven stories underground ) at Patan, 140 km from Ahmedabad.

14^th of January is the unique day for the people of Ahmedabad to fly the kites from 6 a.m. to midnight. On this day each and everyone of the family will be on the terrace of their houses, enjoying kite flying inrespective of age and sex. Even they take their breakfast and lunch on the terrace. Previous day's night, 13^th January night is known as Katal-ni-Rat. On this night people will be busy preparing their threads with Glass Powder & Colour and also purchasing kites. Raipur, Tankshal, Pankor Naka and Delhi Darwaja are the main markets for kites.

Another unique event of Ahmedabad and Gujarat is Navratri festival which generally falls in the month of Sept / Oct. Navratri means nine nights (Nav = nine, ratri = nights). On this nine nights people worship Goddess Amba Mata and play Ras & Garba from 8 P.M. to midnight. Now-a-days money minded people make this festival as a source of income and commercially organize Ras & Garbas.

EXCURSIONS :

1. Sarkhej Muslim Monuments
2. Adalaj Stepwell
3. Akshardham Temple at Gandhinagar
4. Modhera Sun Temple & Patan (Ranaki Vav & Patola Saree weaving)
5. Lothal
6. Dakor (Temple of Krishna)
7. Kaleshwari Nal monuments.

Air : Ahmedabad is connected with Mumbai (4 flights), Delhi (2 flights), Vadodara(1 flight), Bangalore &

Channai (1 flight-not daily) etc.

Rail : Well connected with important towns of India.

Bus : Well connected with important towns of Gujarat and other towns of neighbouring states.

Ahmedpur Mandvi is a pleasant beach with resort developed by Gujarat Tourism. It is about 2 km long and 10 km away from Una town.

It is connected with Diu island by a bridge via Ghoghala & also via Tad.

Accommodation is available there at Samudra Beach Resort now known as Magico Do Mar. Next to it is Suzlon Beach Hotel, in Ghoghala (DIU). Other Hotels nearby are Pruthvi & Seaview.

Excursion :

1. Delvada : Interesting village with Shaking Minarets of Mehmed Begadh time.
2. Tulasi-Shyam Temple & Hotspring
3. Somnath Temple

Air : Nearest Airport are at Diu ( 15 km) & at Keshod (155 km)

Rail : Nearest Railway Station is at Delvada. (5 km)

Bus : Regular buses to Diu and Una.

Interesting town of Anjar was founded by Ajepal, brother of king of Ajmer. It rose to importance under King Khengarji (1548-85) and was fotified by Desalji (1718-41) early in the 18^th century. It is welknown for traditional Silver Jewellery, Nut-crackers, Pen-knives, Hand-print textiles such as Ajarakh, Batik and Bhandhanis.

Places of interest :

1. Vaishnaw temple of Madhavrayji (67 ft. X 64 ft. and 62 ft. high) dated 1869 AD. Here are the idols being of Krishna with Radha and other of Chatrubhuj - four armed Vishnu.
2. Jesal Toral Samadhi : Jesal was the holy lady who make thief Toral, a holy man.
3. Out side the city walls are the temple of Ajepal, Kalya Madhav, Vankal Mata etc,.

Menkan Dada fair on last day of Shravan and Jesal Toral fair on Chitra Sud 14 and 15 are held at

Jesal Toral Samadhi.

Air : Nearest Airport is at Bhuj (40 km)

Bus : Regular buses to Bhuj, Gandhidham, Bhadreshwar, Ahmedabad, Rajkot etc.

Bhadreswar is a popular place of pilgrimage for the Jains, situated near Sea - Shore, about 22 km from Mundra and 70 kms from Bhuj. Bhadreswar Jain Temple was repaired in 1125 by Jagadushah, a famous merchant of that place. Bhadreswar is the site of the ancient Bhadravati Nagari mentioned in the Mahabharat.

Air : Nearest airport is at Bhuj. (70 km)

Rail : Nearest Railway stations are Anjar (36 km), Gandhidham (50 km) & Bhuj ****

Bus : Regular buses to Anjar, Gandhidham, Bhuj, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jamnagar etc.

Situated at the head of the Gulf of Cambay, Bhavnagar was founded in 1723 by Bhansinghji Gohil, on the site of small village Vadva, near the creek. Before that Sihor was the capital of Suryavanshi Gohil rulers of Bhavnagar, who were originally belonging to Marwar. Sejakji Gohil first came to Saurashtra in about 1260. Since Bhavnagar was founded the Bhavnager state was ruled in succession by the Gohil dynasty.

Bhavnagar is an all weather, well developed intermediate port. The harbour development scheme was exceuted by the Bhavenagar Darbar in 1933 A.D. for the promotion of its maritime trade. Lock-gate has been constructed at concrete jetty to ensure floatation of ship even with the reeding tides at the cost of over Rs. 90,00,000 in the year 1961.

Place of interest :

1. Darbargadh (Old palace) : It is situated in the heart of the city. It is a tall imposing structure of two storeys, occupying a fairly large area. At present most of the interior portion of the building is occupied by the State Bank of Saurashtra and other Govt. offices.
2. The Town Hall : It is an imposing structure, constructed in the year 1932. Formally known as Darbar Hall, all the state function and sessions of the Dhara Sabha were held here.
3. Gandhi Smriti, Barton Library and Museum : Gandhi Smriti constructed in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi, has a fine library and a wide collection of photographs, depicting the life of the Father of the Nation - Gandhiji. Barton library was one of the oldest in the region with a small museum contains an interesting collection of rare coins, specimens of arts and industries, arms and armours used by the former rulers of Bhavnagar State.
4. Takhteshwar Temple : Situated on a hillock near the old Takhteshwar Railway Station, the temple is build in 1893 A.D. It is a strecture of pure marble. The temple commands a pictureque landscape.
5. The Central Salt Research Institute : Situated near the collage campus, the main function of this institute is to work out methods for improving the quality of salt and to increase salt production and conducts research on the economy of the bye-products.
6. Gangajalia : Situated near Gogha gate, in the midst of what was formely a tank, stands the temple of Gangadevi with a Chhatri or pavillion. It was built of white marbles in the year 1893 A. D. The temple was designed by Sir John Griffiths, the principal of Sir J. J. School of Arts, Bombay.
7. Religious Places : Jagnath temple (Shiva temple), Nagnath Mahadev, Jagdish Temple, Bhid Bhanjan Mahadev, Dhareshwar temple, Parsi Fire Temple, Jain Derasars and Christian Churches.
8. Mosques : Nagina Masjid near the Khar Gate, Jumma Masjid at the Amba Chowk and Selarsha Dargah near the Peile Garden.
9. Gaurishankar lake, Khodiar Lake and Sihor Lake constitute the main sources of water supply to the city.

Air : Airport is 5 kms form downtown.

Bus: Regular buses to Palitana, Mahuwa, Talaja, Una, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, etc,.

Bhuj was chosen as his Capital by Rao Khengarji in 1548 AD. The city wall was 10.5 meter high, with five gates and towers.

1. Rao Pragmalji's place : This imposing building, with white marble walls and China Tiles flooring was constructed about 1865. On its second floor is Aina Mahal (hall of mirrors) where the walls are covered with mirrors separated by gilded ornaments with shades of venetion glass. A sancinating foundation, beautiful ivory inlaid doors, Indian and European Paintings on the walls in the corridors and a 45 meter high clock tower are other attractions in the palace, also known as Darbargadh. A part of this palace now houses Government and other offices.
2. Rao Chatri : A polygonal monument of red sandstone built by Rao Lakha in 1770. It has an artistically carved roof, supported by many pillars. The ashes of Rao Lakha are preserved in an apartment covered by central dome. There is an image of Rao Lakha on horseback and memorial stones of his fifteen wives. Cenotaphs of other rulers are also found here.
3. The Kutch Museum : The Kutch Museum, formely known as the Fergusson Museum was founded by Maharao Khengarji III in 1877. It is the oldest museum of Gujarat, constructed in Italian style. The museum has picturesque surroundings with Hamirsar tank in front and Nazarbag behind. The museum has the largest collection of Kshatrap inscriptions and a fine collection of Kutchi silver, golden and enameling work, woodwork, coins, old utensils, archaeological objects, traditional textiles, arms and accoutrements and section on the communities piculiar to the district.
4. Temples : Swaminarayan temple, Hatkeshvar temple, temple of Ashapuri Mata and Jain temples known as Jain Dutt Suriswarji Temple & Sambhavnath temple.
5. An annual fair is held on the Bhujia hill fort on Nag Panchmi Day. (Sravan Sud 5, in August).

Air : Airport is 5 km form downtown. Bhuj is directly connected by Air with Bombay only.

Bus : Regular buses to Anjar, Narayan Sarovar, Gandhidham, Kandla, Bhadreshwar, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jamnagar etc..

Chorwad beach is 45 kms form Veraval, 75 kms from Junagadh and 110 kms form Porbandar. The sea at Chorwad is not ideal for bathing but the main attraction was the palace of Nawab of Junagadh at the beach which was converted into hotel by Gujarat Tourism. Moving right of the hotel, you can find small sandy beach. Chorwad town is 4 km from the beach. Walk in the town and bazar is interesting. Dress of the ladies are eye catching. They wear lion cloth as a skirt, backlees blouse and a piece of printed tie-dye cloth on head to cover their open back.

Air : Nearest Airport is Keshod (32 kms)

Rail : Nearest Railway Station is Chorwad Road (8 kms)

Bus : Regular buses to Veraval, Junagadh, Keshod, Porbander etc.,

Small town of Delvada is 6 kms. from Una, the taluka headquarters. Island fortress of Diu is about 7 kms South of this town. The town is surrounded by a city wall having three gates.

The Jumma Masjid built during the days of Mahammed Taghlaw (13^th Century) with rocking towers at Delwada. It is an engineering feat, the like of which is found only in the shaking towers of Ahmedabad. 80 ft. high towers are so constructed that when one of the tower is shaken by applying a little force at the top most arch, the motion is communicated to the other without any tremor being experienced in the intervening roof which is about 60 ft. wide

Air : Nearest Airport is at Keshod (150 km)

Bus : Regular buses to Una and Diu. Three wheeler taxies are also available.

Rail : Railway Station is 0.5 km from the town.

Dwarka is situated on the right side of the Gomti Creek. It became capital of Lord Shri Krishna after he move here from Mathura with his Yadav Clan, about 3400 years ago. It is considered to be one of the holy place of "Char Dham / four principal holy places in India" for Hindu pilgrimers.

Place of Interest :

1. Dwarkadish Temple or Jagat Mandir : It is situated on the bank of river Gomti. The temple consists of a shrine, a spacious audience hall, the roof of which is supported by 60 columns of Granite and sandstone and a conical spire or shikhar, about 170 feet high. The temple has seven floors. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna also known as Ranchhodraiji. There is a shrine of Shakti Mata on the fourth floor, while the fifth story reaches upto 100 feet, has the Ladwa Mandir. The temple is externally carved but internally it is plain and simple.
2. Sharda Pith : It is one of the four Maths in the four corners of India, established in the 8^th century by Adya (Adi) Shankarachrya to carry out religious activities. It contains an Arts Colleage and a Sanskrit academy which carries out research and prepare scholars for the degree of P.hd. in Sanskrit and Indology.
3. Other temples are the Rukmani Temple (4 kms), Ran-mukteshwar Mahadev. Mahalaxmi temple, Damodarji temple, Goverdhannathji temple and the shrines of Mirabai and Narsinh Mehta.
4. 32 kms. from Dwarka and 5 kms. from Okha, Bat Dwarka is another place of pilgrimage for Vaishnava. Bat Dwarka is famous for its Dwarkadhish temple and Pat-rani temple.

Ferry services are available from Okha to Bet Dwarka and the journey takes about 30 minutes.

Air : Nearest Airports are at Porbander (115 kms), Jamnagar (145 kms).

Bus : Regular buses to Okha, Porbander, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Ahmedabad etc.

Rail : Railway station of Okha is very near.