Recently Gujarat found mention in an article in Business Standard regarding Gujarat finding favour with foreign tourists. This article can be read here:

http://business-standard.com/economy/storypage.php?tab=r&autono=278244&subLeft=1&leftnm=3

I decided to start this thread to hopefully showcase what Gujarat has to offer when it comes to tourism. Gujarat may initially be seen as an industrial state. However, Gujarat has the longest coastline in India. Apart from the beaches one can find lion and bird sanctuaries, hills, deserts, lakes, palaces, museums etc. Below is a map that shows some of these tourist destinations in Gujarat.

Courtesy www.mapsofindia.com

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/9165/gujarattouristmapdy8.gif

Gujarat may mainly come across as a dry and arid land. However, many of you might be surprised to see the pictures below. These are of the Dang district and more so of the hill station town of Saputara.

Courtesy: www.60kph.com
1. http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/889/60kphcom5vl2.jpg
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5. Gira Falls
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/1290/60kphcom1dx0.jpg
6. Vansda National Park
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/4215/60kphcom4yp6.jpg

Copyright Nimesh Kapadia @ Flickr
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Copyright sleepygoldfish @ Flickr
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Copyright Vinay Cerejo @ Flickr
11.http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/1830/vinaycerejo1ud7.jpg
12.http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/2170/vinaycerejo2db9.jpg
13. Map of Saputara
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/6242/vinaycerejo3zi3.jpg

Copyright Amol Kataria @ Flickr
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Copyright patelkn @ Flickr
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Copyright Vinai @ Flickr
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Copyright Vaibhav Gandhe @ Flickr
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Copyright Ausun @ Flickr
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Nice start, but I think this belongs in the Cityscapes section.

After seeing the forests of Dang in the south east, we now travel to the north west part of Gujarat where the landscape is way different..

The Rann of Kutch is a seasonally marshy region located in the Thar Desert biogeographic province in Gujarat state of northwestern India and the Sind province of Pakistan. The name "Rann" comes from the Hindi word ran meaning "salt marsh". Kutch is the name of the district wherein it is situated. The Rann of Kutch comprises some 10,000 square miles between the Gulf of Kutch and the mouth of the Indus River in southern Pakistan.
(Courtesy wikipedia.org)

Courtesy: www.nasa.gov

1. The salt pans of the Rann can be seen in the north western part of Gujarat (north Kutch)
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/8756/nasagujaratamo2003276lrvs9.jpg

Courtesy: www.60kph.com

2. Dry landscape of the Rann..
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/7164/60kph4littlerannofkutchkc0.jpg

3. Closer view
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/1473/60kph12smootherthantarix3.jpg

4. It is a sea of salt..
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/369/60kph17lt0.jpg

5. http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/1867/60kph3saltdiptastegoodkz7.jpg

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7. http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/7176/60kphgreatrann1lb5.jpg

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Copyright Bhavesh Indyah @ Flickr

13.http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/1010/60kphgreatrann12ir0.jpg

Copyright Badhoo @ Flickr

14.http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/3088/badhoo1ci0.jpg

Copyright DeepXP @ Flickr

15. Dhora Vira
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/1124/deepxp3dhoraviraoi3.jpg

16.http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/176/deepxp5dhoraviraji9.jpg

Copyright free-rider @ Flickr

17.http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/3408/freerider2wp7.jpg

18. Wind Energy being harvested in the Rann..
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/2152/freerider1tc1.jpg

There is a pretty big wild animal and bird sanctuary in the Rann. A great place for safaris..

Copyright gunnar geir petursson @ Flickr

19. Pelicans
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/6411/gunnargeirpetursson1pelzd6.jpg

20. More pelicans..
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/1896/gunnargeirpetursson2pelip8.jpg

Copyright Mr Quipster @ Flicr
21. Wild ass
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/5766/mrquipsterwildassww6.jpg

Courtesy www.rannriders.com

22. More wild ass
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/5264/rannriderswildass3tr4.jpg

23. Black Buck
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/1421/rannridersblackbuckdi2.jpg

24. Blue Bull
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/2022/rannridersbluebullrv5.jpg

25. Pelicans again..
http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/5656/rannriderspelican2rh9.jpg

Copyright Sgrk @ Flickr
26. Sunrise over the Rann
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/9823/sgrk1sunriseks9.jpg

Copyright Uday Dongre @ Flickr

27.http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/4136/udaydongre1eu3.jpg

Nice start, but I think this belongs in the Cityscapes section.

Mods, can any of you move the thread?

Mandvi is a city and a municipality in Kachchh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. Once known as the Paris of Kachchh, where the Maharaos of Kachchh used to spend their summer due to its pleasant climate, Mandvi has a rich traditional history.

Mandvi is 56 km away from Bhuj, on the banks of river Rukmavati, just at the mouth where it meets the Arabian Sea near the Gulf of Kachchh.

(Courtesy www.wikipedia.org)

Mandvi is a beautiful city with many attractions. Not quite developed like Goa, the beaches are usually not overflowing. Below you'll see the beach, windmills and the Vijay Vilas Palace.

Copyright Damien Archbold @ Flickr
1. http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/8504/damienarchbold1ix8.jpg

Copyright Jinisha @ Flickr
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3. http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/3753/jinisha3qs9.jpg

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Copyright Meanest Indian @ Flicrk

5. http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/6320/meaneshindian1fb3.jpg

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Copyright Gunnar Geir Peturrson @ Flickr
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Copyright Lakshmikant Goenka @ Flickr
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9. http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/7080/lakshmikantgoenka2ws9.jpg

Copyright Shasheekant Vaghela @ Flickr
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Copyright Mishko Mishka @ Flickr
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Copyright Lollo Apollo @ Flickr
12.http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/6047/lolloapollo1bj2.jpg

13.http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/4544/lolloapollo2xl9.jpg

Copyright dr UrVish @ Flickr
14.http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/5553/drurvish1eh4.jpg

15.http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/6003/drurvish2vn2.jpg

Copyright Kt Hartless @ Flickr
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Copyright Abhishek Parmar @ Flickr
17.http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/8033/abhishekparmar2rt6.jpg

Vijay Vilas Palace
18.http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/7834/abhishekparmar1vijayvilpk3.jpg

19.http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/1272/abhishekparmar4yk8.jpg

20.http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/3119/abhishekparmar3yu2.jpg

Copyright Thomas1985 @ Flickr
21.http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/2605/thomas19851ga1.jpg

22.http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/5305/thomas19852sf6.jpg

Copyright dashingdipesh @ Flickr

Wind energy being harvested..
23.http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/1125/dashingdipesh1cp1.jpg

he he, been to the beach, been to the palace and seen the windmills, and loved all of them.

You forget to mention the strong boat-building tradition of Mandvi. An example is visible in picture 20.

You forget to mention the strong boat-building tradition of Mandvi. An example is visible in picture 20.

You're right. Ship building is an age old economy in Mandvi. Here are some pictures..

Copyright Akuppa @ Flickr

1.http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/7621/akuppa5ie7.jpg

2.http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/7767/akuppa4ba2.jpg

Copyright Gunnar Geir Peturrson @ Flickr

3.http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/4835/gunnargeirpetursson2dh4.jpg

luving it.....

the dry landscape and salt plane pics are great. shows some of the unique features of this part of the world.

Dwarka is a city and a municipality in Jamnagar district in the state of Gujarat, India. Dwarka is rated as one of the seven most ancient cities in the country. The legendary city of Dvaraka in Hindu mythology was the dwelling place of Krishna. It is believed that, due to damage and destruction by the sea, Dvaraka has submerged six times and modern Dwarka is the 7th city to be built in the area.

courtesy: www.wikipedia.org

Dwarka has some really amazing beaches. As like many tourism spots in Gujarat, Dwarka is not quite as frequented like beaches in the south and hence you can escape the commercialization that you'd come across elsewhere.

Copyright Devesh Amazing Pictures @ Flickr

1. http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/3663/deveshamazingpictures2nf2.jpg

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Copyright ivars1 @ Flickr

7. http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/1069/ivars11en9.jpg

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Copyright p_kanada @ Flickr

9. http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/856/pkanada1ji0.jpg

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Copyright s_smile4ever @ Flickr

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Copyright pardeshi @ Flickr

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23. Dwarkadish temple..
http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/631/pardeshi1cd4.jpg

Copyright Chatts @ Flickr

24. http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/4543/chatts2dwarkadishew5.jpg

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Copyright auyanis @ Flickr

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Here's a video from the TOI:

http://broadband.indiatimes.com/videoshow/2756232.cms

Some more of the Marine Park at Narara Bet

http://www.dailyindia.com/show/209077.php/A-marine-park-in-Gujarat-on-its-way-to-become-hot-tourist-spot

A marine park in Gujarat on its way to become hot tourist spot

Jamnagar (Gujarat), Jan 19: A marine National park at Narara Bet in Gujarat is attracting a large number of tourists, as diverse aquatic species are available here.

Various species like live coral, live shell, algae plants, live oyster, prawns and crabs can easily be seen floating and unwinding in the shallow waters of the park.

"The sea in Gujarat is specifically different from other seas of the country because marine life here can be seen simply walking in low tide. You can experience something like this in very few places in the world. One has to go underwater even in the Great Barrier Reef, where a variety of corals and marine life is found," said B K Shilu, Forest Officer, Narara Range.

Due to its rich marine life and easy accessibility, this park is proving to be an ideal place for school children to understand marine life.

"The marine species like starfish, jellyfish which are mentioned in books, are caught here and shown to children. They learn in a better way here," said Keshubhai Ghetia, a Science teacher who visited the park with his students.

The park is one of the 42 islands in the Arabian Sea which is covered by coral reefs and mangrove swamps which promise to be a paradise for marine life lovers.

This island boasts of diverse flora and fauna including algae, coral, fishes, prawns, turtles, sea snakes, sea birds.

"We saw octopus, which was very slippery and puffer fish. It has very small teeth and it is very long. I am feeling very nice. Even the accommodation facilities are available here," said Kishore Singh Jadeja, a student.


Copyright Asian News International

Why there is no new post in this thread in last two years?

^Why don't you post something?

^^ I wish I could do so, unfortunately I'm away from Gujarat. But hey, at least I can do this, guide people to a great website.

Here is link to Gujarat Tourism's official website: http://www.gujarattourism.com.

This website looks veeeeeery professional and has very crisp details. I'm sure people would find it very useful in terms of source of information.

http://bigb.bigadda.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/s-1.gif

http://bigb.bigadda.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/s-5.gif

Big B at Gandhi Ashram.....

hey...good photos of Brand Ambassador of Tourism Gujarat.........it is the pride for Gujaratis....I urge all young Gujaratis to participate in Gujarat Tourism Thread..........and keep it moving with more inspirational inputs...........

Wow,this photographs are really very nice and I like all of them and Gujarat is such developing place in India and also very pretty state.

Here is the thread that i was looking for.. Good stuff!

zQXNiFC3YE8

PaXxOB8v1Mo

The following website is not the official Gujarat tourism website but is a tourism development society website. Still its quite good and better than the official website.

http://www.visitgujarat.org/

The official website can be found here:

http://www.gujarattourism.com/

The following website is not the official Gujarat tourism website but is a tourism development society website. Still its quite good and better than the official website

Beautiful Dang and Saputara during monsoon
cc deShGujarat.com
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6014/5997519367_973d81b008_z.jpg
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Really awesome place if you compare with others.
I love to roam because you can easily get food and Transportation.

Must watch video:Discovery of ‘anti-gravity’ road stretch in Gujarat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rsCtPJyVcng

Presented above is a video made by Morbi based businessman Ratilalbhai Parmar. This video was made on a highway road near Tulsishyam mandir of Dhari taluka in Amreli district of Saurashtra.

On 1st January, 2012 Ratilalbhai was on way to Tulsishyam, when he halted with his car on the highway and found that his car was moving on the slope against the gravity. Curious he, repeated this, and discovered an anti-gravity road stretch. He tried the same with water and a ring, but every time he found the things working against gravity on particular road stretch. Ratilalbhai later made this video and uploaded on Youtube. His video has been watched for more than 1700 time then after(update on 18 January, two videos on this are watched for over 10,000 times). Ratilalbhai’s discovery has found place in various newspapers.

Gujarat Tourism can erect sign boards on both the ends of particular stretch where anti-gravity effect is found.

Ratilalbhai has suggested that this stretch should be reserved for those wanting to have anti-gravity fun here, and alternate road should be built for regular traffic. He points out that an open land for alternate road is available here.

Shri Ratilalbhai’s discovery can be termed as an uncommon discovery by a common man. He has produced so good a video that once you start watching the video presented above, you would not leave it till the end.

This discovery should not be taken lightly and the stretch should be marked well with interesting sign board. This stretch can be added as a tourist attraction on way to Diu, Tulsishyam, Gir.

nice snaps of gujarath

Gujarat Tourism ad featuring BigB boards Delhi Metro Airport Express

The State of Gujarat today took another lead in being the first in the country to launch its star tourism campaign, ‘Khushboo Gujarat Ki’ featuring megastar Amitabh Bachchan, on a Delhi Metro Train in the national capital in an attempt to showcase diversity of Gujarat tourism in its entirety.

Shri Vipul Mittra, Principal Secretary Tourism, Government of Gujarat and Shri Sanjay Kaul, Commissioner of Tourism & Managing Director, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd (TGCL) jointly flagged off the branded train at the Reliance New Delhi Metro Station today.

The Gujarat Tourism is branding one entire Delhi Metro Train for a period of three months to promote its ‘Khushboo Gujarat Ki’ campaign. The highlights of the campaign are branded in both the outer body and insides of the metro train.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Vipul Mitra said that no other state tourism board has roped in the services of the Delhi Metro so far as what Gujarat Tourism has done. By dedicating an entire Metro Train to its tourism campaign, the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd aims to seek better mileage in the national capital and tourist influx to Gujarat.

“Khushboo Gujarat Ki campaign is two and a half years old and since its launch with Shri Amitabh Bachchan as its brand ambassador, the rate of growth of tourism in Gujarat has doubled as compared to the national growth rate. There has been a 400 percent rise in tourists to Kachchh and this year more than 2 crore travellers are expected to visit the State,” Shri Mittra told media persons.

He pointed out that Gujarat Tourism works on a 3-pronged strategy with the first being promoting Gujarat as a fast emerging most exciting tourism destination. Secondly, by creating common infrastructure like excellent connectivity by roads and trains, security apparatus in place, information centres, sanitation and other facilities to ensure adequate safety and comfort of the tourists. Third and most importantly, to focus on the PPP mode to rope in the private sector to come and invest in Gujarat by setting up commercial ventures like hotels and resorts.

Talking about the USP of Gujarat Tourism, Shri Mitra said, “The USP of Gujarat Tourism is its diversity of tourism products. It is being promoted as a complete family destination, since in Gujarat there is practically everything to cater to the tastes of the tourists, whether it is mega events like Navratri or Rann Utsav, Asiatic Lions at Gir Sanctuary or the pristine beaches, remnants of Indus Valley civilization at Dholavira and the magnificent temples of Somanth and Dwarka. Be it monuments, temples or desert, Gujarat has it all.”

After excelling to new heights in infrastructure, agriculture and other development rated projects, the State Government brought in tourism as an icing on the cake, the senior official said adding Gujarat Tourism is a mode for development and means for diversity and prosperity.

Shri Sanjay Kaul, in his welcome address, said that it is essentially trade which is pushing Gujarat tourism the way it should be with trade associations and media continue to promote Gujarat as a preferred
tourist destination.

The year 2012 has ushered in with international accolades coming for the State of Gujarat which has been ranked as the third best unsung tourist destination of the world by Lonely Planet.

:cheers:

Reliance Delhi Airport Express wrap for Gujarat Tourism

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex7mJL858ho&feature=player_detailpage

Gujarat and Thailand discuss to develop tourism circuit

Gujarat and Thailand today discussed on establishing tourism circuits to expand ties between the two regions. A delegation from Thailand, led by its envoy to India Pisan Manawapat, met Chief Minister Narendra Modi and had a discussion regarding the expanding ties between Gujarat and Thailand for mutually developing tourism and other sectors. Saying that about 60,000 Thai tourists visit the places of Buddhist relics in India every year, Manawapat expressed keenness in starting a Buddhist tourism circuit between Gujarat and Thailand. Accepting the suggestion of the Thai envoy, Modi suggested exploring possibility of starting Vishnu circuit between the two places considering the presence of ancient temples of Lord Vishnu in Thailand. Both of them agreed to develop mutual ties to develop tourism in Gujarat and Thailand. They also agreed to start air services between Ahmedabad and Bangkok. Manawapat expressed that Thai companies' interest in partnering the state in its housing and infrastructure projects, including the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor project.

Rs300-cr shot in the arm for Guj tourism (http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=9050&boxid=21266&ed_date=2012-06-15&ed_code=1310005&ed_page=2)

The need for improving the physical infrastructure in and around popular tourist destinations in the state seems to have finally dawned upon the government. The government has chalked out plans to spend around Rs300 crore for beefing up infrastructure at the tourist hubs.

The inflow of tourists in the state has gone up significantly in the last couple of years. As against 1.70 crore tourists in 2009-10, the state attracted 1.98 crore tourists in 2010-11, which went up further to 2.23 crore in 2011-12.

Officials claim that the state’s growth rate in tourist inflow is double the national average. They attribute the success to the Khushbu Gujarat Ki ad campaign, featuring Amitabh Bachchan.

While there has been a spurt in tourist inflows, the stark inadequacy of existing infrastructure at almost all tourist destinations – be it Dwarka, Somnath, and even Gir - stares at the tourists right in the face. The government now seems to have decided to address this lacuna.

“The Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (TGCL) and state government will spend Rs300 crore for improving infrastructure at tourist hubs. The expenditure has already been approved,” Vipul Mittra, principal secretary, tourism department, said.

Dwarka, Somnath, Ambaji, Dakor, Saputara, Gir, Kutch and Modhera, which account for almost three-fourths of the total tourist inflows in the state, are some of the places that would be covered under the project.

Mittra said that already having achieved success in attracting tourists, the government is now focusing on strengthening physical infrastructure such as better roads, quality power, water supply and other basic amenities at tourist destinations. “We will also come out with policies to attract private investors to set up hotels and resorts at these places,” he further said.

Also in the offing are steps by TGCL to sensitise the local populace to become more welcoming towards tourists. This, officials say, would help in providing a better experience to the guests.

Gujarat allocates Rs 400 crore to promote tourism

Gujarat has allocated Rs 400 crore for tourism promotion in the State during the current fiscal. The amount includes Rs 120 crore as grant which has been approved by the Planning Commission for 2012-13.

According to Mr Sanjay Kaul, Commissioner and Managing Director, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd, the funds would be utilised for developmental activities and to improve infrastructure in several key tourist locations.

“Over the last 3-4 years the State Government has laid stress on the services sector including tourism and IT. We roped in actor Amitabh Bachchan as the brand ambassador to grow the tourism sector. This has yielded results and we have been witnessing steady rise in the number of tourist arrivals in the State,” Mr Kaul told newspersons at a road show organised to promote tourism in Gujarat on Saturday.

Gujarat witnessed 16 per cent growth in tourist arrivals in 2011-12 to 2.23 crore. The Tourism Corporation expects 25 per cent growth in tourist arrivals this year. Tourists from Bengal account for about eight per cent of the total number of tourists into Gujarat.

“Our Buddhist Circuit, which includes places like Junagadh and Siyot (Bhuj) have not been publicised too well till so far. We are now going to South East Asian countries to attract tourists from these countries,” he said.

This apart, Gujarat will also work on developing coastal tourism. “The Planning Commission has approved Rs 1,200 crore to promote coastal tourism in Gujarat. This fund will be utilised to develop 14 coastal districts in the State over the next five years,” he said.

Thanks for sharing such a informative information..^^

Saputara in full bloom

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIA/2012/08/13/7/Img/Pc0071300.jpg

Saputara- Hill station in pictures
Naturall picts
http://imageshack.us/a/img39/1378/stour371.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img94/2615/stour394.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img834/4120/stour391.jpg

Saputara- The only Hill station of Gujarat
http://imageshack.us/a/img843/5678/stour377.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img339/5086/stour376.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img26/1907/stour375.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img39/7400/stour315.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img405/9210/stour068.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img641/1848/stour047.jpg
Gira Fall, Ahwa
http://imageshack.us/a/img717/4265/stour296.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img825/5905/stour084.jpg

Brilliant pics...did you enjoy the trip?

Brilliant pics...did you enjoy the trip?

Yeah; Enjoyed a lot with friends. I have been there many times. But, in monsoon its most preferrable.

Hi

Can you guys suggest the tourist places in and around Dwaraka ?

Both the usual & unsual places ( trails less travelled).

Thanks in advance.

Kannan

Hi

Can you guys suggest the tourist places in and around Dwaraka ?

Both the usual & unsual places ( trails less travelled).

Thanks in advance.

Kannan

Bet Dwarka some 50 kms north to Dwarka. Its an island near Okha full of temples. Theres also Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Rukmani temple and TATA Mithapur factory enroute to Okha.

National Matine Park near Vadinar on Jamnagar-Dwarka Highway. But ask for permission before going there. Also ask for timings because it depends on tide timings. Its good place if weather is supporting. Cool climates are favourable.

Happy journey !! :-)

Visit Narara Island near Jamnagar, reaching to which doesn't depend on tides.

Visit Narara Island near Jamnagar, reaching to which doesn't depend on tides.

Narara depends on tides and permission is also needed