1GUJARAT- The Pride of India

Introduction of Gujarat
Culture, foods, celebrations, industries, religion places, heritage places

1. GUJARAT The Pride of India

2. Wel -Come to Glory of Gujarat

3. Somnath

4. History The history of Gujarat encompasses the Indus Valley civilization. The Dravidian tribes were the original inhabitants of the region. The ancient history of Gujarat was enriched by their commercial activities. The history of Gujarat saw an Aryan invasion followed by a brief period of Greek rule. There were a succession of Hindu kingdoms including the era of the Guptas and culminating in the reign of the Solankis . The 9th century history of Gujarat saw the emergence of the Muslims in the political arena of the state. The Mughals established and consolidated their rule from Delhi The rule of the Mughals lasted for two centuries before it was ended by the Marathas in the 18th century.

5. History Mahagujarat Movement: After the Independence, in 1948, a Mahagujarat conference took place to integrate the entire Gujarati speaking population under one administrative body and on May 1, 1960, the Bombay State split into the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. The term ‘ Mahagujarat ’ encompassed the whole Gujarati speaking area including Gujarat, Saurashtra and Kutchh . For the first time after the Sultanate, Gujarat was once again autonomous.

6. Fact File Area : 196077 sq. km.   Population : 60383628 (AS PER 2011)   Capital : Gandhinagar   Language : Gujarati Currency : Indian Rupee Climate : Wet in the southern districts and Desertic in the north-west region Winter : November to February (12 - 29 Celsius) Summer : March to May (29 - 41 Celsius) Monsoon : June to October (27 - 35 Celsius) Major Cities : Ahmedabad , Vadodara , Surat , Rajkot, Bhuj , Junagadh , Jamnagar Ports :Kandla , Mandvi , Mundra , Sikka , Okha , Porbandar , Veraval , Bhavnagar, Salaya , Pipavav , Mahuva , Jafrabad , Hazira

7. People of Gujarat The people of Gujarat are commonly referred as Gujaratis and the main language spoken by them is Gujarati. About 89% of the population of Gujarat are Hindu. Muslims account for 9% and Jains 1% of the population. Gujarat still has a number of tribes like Jats , Harijans , Ahirs , Rabaris , etc. Where the Jats are believed to be herdsmen of Sindh , Ahirs are said to be the descendants of Lord Krishna. Whatever their origin, these tribes are an inseparable part of Gujarat. In concise terms, the people of Gujarat are lively and vivacious, who live in perfect harmony, while respecting each other's religious sentiments and feelings.

8. People of Gujarat

9. Gujarati Music & Dance Gujarat is quite famous and well known for its dynamic traditions of classical and folk music. They are the heart and soul of Gujarat. The traditional culture of Gujaratis with their traditional music and dance form of Garba , Garbi , Raas and other are well known and finds attraction to tourists. A special variety of music which can be classified as temple-music was indeed produced by the Vaishnava cult in Gujarat. Among the folk Music, Duha , Sorathaa , Chaand , Belaads , etc are traditionally performed especially in Saurashtra , Gujarat. 

10. Gujarati Music & Dance Gujarat is the Land of Festivals. The celebrations of festivals and fairs are accompanied with Music and Dance that breathe the soul fresh with vigor and joy. Blessed with rich Performing Arts, Dance and dance forms in Gujarat are popular throughout the world. A legendary unique Folk Dance form also has variations with Dandia or stick Raas . There are different styles of executing  dandiya steps like Dodhiyu , simple five,simple seven, popatiyu , Trikoniya (hand movement which forms an imagery triangle), Lehree , three claps, butterfly, hudo , two claps and many more.

11. Gujarati Music & Dance

12. Gujarat- Basket of Handicrafts Gujarat is blessed with rich and vibrant tradition of Handicrafts. It is widely differing in its proportions of its patterns to the element of wonderful exquisite Artifacts in various forms. It stands unique with diverse arts and crafts – a mixed combination with aesthetic appeal. Needlework Pottery Tie and dye – Bandhani Woodwork Bead work Textile culture Patola Zari Temple culture Jewellery Furnishings

13. Gujarat- Basket of Handicrafts

14. Gujarat- Basket of Handicrafts Patola : One of the finest handwoven sarees from Gujarat. The famous Patola of Patan is known for its colorful geometrical pattern, which are strikingly beautiful. The unique tie and weave method of Patola results in identical patterns on both the sides of the fabric

15. Gujarat- Basket of Handicrafts Woodwork: The lacquered furniture of Sankheda near Vadodara , another important handicraft industry has become synonymous with Southern Gujarat. The furniture and woodcrafts of Surat , Kutchh and Saurashtra are also popular. Minakari furniture from Rajkot, is as attractive as Sankheda furniture.

16. Fairs- The Identity of Gujarat The Tarnetar fair - The fair is held for three days every year during the Hindu calendar dates of Bhadarva Suds - 4th, 5th and 6th (during the Gregorian calendar months Aug.-Sept). The Tarnetar fair is held 8 km from the town of Thangadh , in Surendranagar District.

17. Fairs- The Identity of Gujarat The Bhavnath Fair- The fair during Mahashivaratri is held for five days commencing from the Hindu calendar date of Magh Vad 11, during the Gregorian months of February-March. The Bhavnath Fair is held at the Bhavnath Mahadev Temple near Junagadh .

18. Fairs- The Identity of Gujarat The Vautha Fair - This fair is held during Kartika Purnima , the full moon night of the month of Kartik in the Hindu calendar at Dholka near Ahmedabad , corresponding roughly to the month of November. It lasts for five days.

19. Festivals – It Bleeds in Veins Festivals in Gujarat have popular celebrations and observations that include major religious, business and entertaining festivals apart from fairs and heritage tours.  Navratri : Gujarat’s Navratri Festival, is “a circle of ecstasy” that throbs non-stop for nine nights with millions of fantastically costumed devotees swaying in a fusion of dance and devotion.

20. Festivals – It Bleeds in Veins Kite Festival: Gujarat is vibrant with the Kite Festival ( Makar Sankranti ) which is celebrated with colors of joy, colors of life. The Kite Festival signify Gujarat’s ‘Cultural Strength’ and like the kites, Gujarat soars high to touch the skies to be the ‘best in the world.’

21. Festivals – It Bleeds in Veins Rannostav – The Desert Festival: Rann Utsav is an awesome festival of Kutch, Gujarat, India. It is a Carnival of Music, Dance, nature beauty of White Rann and much more then that when visit under the full Moon. Kutch Rann Utsav is the shimmering landscape that gives the enchanting moments of this Fest, which feels like as Heaven On Earth during Festival Time.

22. Culture & Life Style Gujarat is a flourishing state with cultural diversity. It is vibrant with its true colors of rich heritage and cultural traditions. Dating back to history with the Harappan civilization, the state becomes a confluence of many religions – Hinduism, Islam, Jainism and Buddhism. The Gujarati culture blends in arts, beliefs, customs, traditions, institutions, inventions, language, technology and values.

23. Culture & Life Style Costumes : Generally, men wear trousers and shirts or t-shirts and younger women wear normal western outfits like skirts, dresses, jeans, etc. Older women usually wear saris or salwar kamiz . In rural parts, people are found to wear dhotis and kurtas or bandis . Even traditional outfits like chania choli by women and kedia dress is worn by men in rural areas or during cultural festivals.

24. Culture & Life Style Gujarati Food – Sweet Gujarati !!! : A traditional ‘Gujarati Thali ’ consisting of dal (lentils), roti , rice and vegetables apart from salads, farsan and sweet dish followed by chaas , forms the morning meal. Evening food consist of ‘ bhakri-shak ’ or khichdi kadhi . 

25. Gujarat- Tourism Gujarat is high on Holy Tourism due to its inception of all-embracing religious faith ranging from caste to caste. The major religions followed are Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. Muslim Religion, Christianity, Parsi , Sindhi and other many more religions are followed with faith all across Gujarat. Since ancient times, Gujarat is noted for its temples. The temple of Somnath dedicated to Shiva is the first among the 12 Jyotirlings in India. Hill-top shrines like Ambaji , Palitana , Girnar and Pavagadh are similarly prominent in legend and historical - should be are historical. Palitana is a hilltop place of pilgrimage for Jains .

26. Gujarat- Tourism Somnath Temple: The Someshwar Mahadev temple stands tall among the temples of India. Daksha cursed him to wane as he was infatuated with Rohini and was neglecting the other 26 wives, all 26 of whom were the daughters of Prajapati . It is said that Brahma advised him to build the temple in honour of Shiva.   

27. Gujarat- Tourism Dwarkadhish Temple Dwarka , in ancient Anarta ( Saurashtra ) was the capital of Lord Krishna's terrestrial kingdom. He shifted to Kusasthali which was the old name of the region to escape the harassing raids of Kansa's father-in-law Jarasandha on Mathura after Krishna had killed Kansa.

28. Gujarat- Tourism Ambaji : Ambaji is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths of India. The Temple of Ambaji is recognized as one of the original Shakti Pithas (religious texts) where, according to the ancient Scriptures, the heart of the goddess Ambaji fell to earth when her body was dismembered.

29. Gujarat- Tourism Heritage Place - Champaner : 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. A pilgrimage spot, called the Shakti Peeth , the Pavagadh hill leads to the hill top temple of the Goddess Kali.

30. Gujarat- Tourism Modera Sun Temple: Constructed in 1026-27 A.D. during the reign of King Bhimdev I of Patan , the temple is dedicated to Surya or the Sun God.  Modhera's sun temple is positioned in such a manner that at the equinoxes the rising sun strikes the images in the sanctuary.

31. Gujarat- Tourism Step Wells in Gujarat: Stepwells  are wells in which the water is reached by steps. They are most commonly found in western India especially Gujarat where over 120 such wells are reported. Adalaj Stepwell Dada hari ni Vav Rani ki Vav

32. Gujarat- Tourism Palitana Jain Temples Dakor Temple Girnar Akshardham

33. Gujarat- Tourism Historical Places: Hriday Kunj  : The place where Mahatma Gandhi resided. 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.

34. Gujarat- Wild Life Gujarat is the dream of an explorer who quest for nature and wild life. Gujarat possesses varied Landforms with the dry deciduous forests, majestic grasslands, marine ecosystems, wetlands and rich moist deciduous forests. These habitats are home to rare wild life inhabitants The Land of the Legends is symbolically known for its wildlife icon of Lions that are found in the Gir reserve and happen to be a major attraction for tourists in Gujarat.

35. Gujarat- Wild Life Gir National Park : The Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is a forest and wildlife sanctuary near Talala Gir in Gujarat .

36. Gujarat- Wild Life Black buck National Park, Velavader : Blackbuck National Park at Velavadar is situated in the Bhavnagar District of Gujarat state. Vansda National Park , also known as Bansda National Park, is a protected area which represents the thick woodlands of the Dangs and southern Gujarat,

37. Gujarat- Wild Life Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary , consisting primarily of a 120.82-square-kilometre lake and ambient marshes, is situated about 64 km to the west of Ahmedabad near Sanand Village Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Great Rann of Kutch.

38. Gujarat- Marine Life Marine National Park in the Gulf of Kutch is situated on the southern shore of the Gulf of Kachchh in the  Devbhumi Dwarka District of Gujarat state. It is Countrys first Marine National Park, since 1982.

39. Gujarat- Sea Ports Strategically located with 1600 kms coastline, the longest among the maritime states of India, Gujarat is the nearest maritime outlet to Middle East, Africa and Europe with highest number of commercial cargo ports.

40. Agriculture Leading as Second in ‘Green Revolution’ – Gujarat has achieved Agricultural Growth table at 9.6% and have carved a niche in the field of Agricultural Development in India.

41. Aqua Culture Gujarat is endowed with The longest coastline and offers a huge scope for exploitation of marine wealth. It is commonly said that after Green and White Revolution in India, it is time for Blue Revolution to exploit the huge potential in fisheries sector.

42. Sports There are many independent sports associations with National and Regional affiliate in Gujarat. They conduct a variety of tournaments, as well as coaching activity in the state.

43. Land of the Legends Gujarat, the Land of the Legends go down in History to leave behind impressions with footprints on the sands of time. Since many years, the land is Inspired by great Legends. Father of the Nation who made India Free Iron man ‘Architect of India’ Visionary Physicist ‘Father of Indian  Space Program’ Jamshedji Tata Father of the Indian Industry Dhirubhai Ambani The Leader with a vision Gandhiji Sardar Patel Dr. Vikram Sarabhai

44. Gujaratis in Bollywood

45. Getting to Gujarat Location: Gujarat is located on the western coast of the Indian Peninsula. It borders Pakistan and Rajasthan to the north-east, Madhya Pradesh to the east, Maharashtra and the Union territories of Diu, Daman, Dadra, and Nagar Haveli to the south. Gujarat has its exuberant means of transportation which ranges from: Airways National Highways Railways Waterway

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