Gujarat Gujarat is situated in the western part of India popularly known as The Birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, The Father of Nation. Gujarat ...
Gujarat
Gujarat is situated in the western part of India popularly known as The Birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, The Father of Nation. Gujarat is the fifth largest state of India in area and ninth largest state in term of population. The state shared its border with Rajasthan, Maharastra, Madhya Pradesh, Daman & Diu and Dadar & Nagar Haveli. Gandhinagar is the capital of the state and Ahmedabad is the largest city of Gujarat. The state holds Third largest economy of India with the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of about ₹15.03 trillion. Gujarat has the low unemployment rate and consider as the most industrial development state and the manufacturing hub of India.
Culture of Gujarat
Gujarat is famous for his unique culture as the people still follow their tradition. The people in Gujarat known as Gujaratis. The state has its regional language called Gujarati, the most spoken language of the state. The traditional dress of the state is Odhni, Chaniya Choli, Ghagra Choli for women and Kurta Lungi and turban for the men. Gujarat has a unique and pleasant folk music called Sugam Sangeet, practiced by the Barot, Gadhvi and Charan community. There are many instruments used in the folk music like Ravan Hathlo, turi and ektaro, Manjira and potdrums.
Garba is the famous folk dance form practiced in the state of Gujarat, India. It is a dance form performed in the circular rotation of the statue of goddess Shakti.
Popular Destinations of Gujarat
Gujarat is popular for its famous destinations which attracts the tourists from different part of the world. So lets discuss about the famous destinations of Gujarat.
1. Kutch.
Kutch is one of the most beautiful destination of the state. The vast expanse of white salt desert is the major attraction of kutch. Tourists from different place came every year to witnessed the beauty of the kutch and the Rann festival celebrated every year in the month of December to February. This festival give life to Rann when the huge camps settled with cultural programs, exhibition and adventurous activities like Hot air balloon rides.
There are several places you explore when you visit Kutch:-
- Rann of Kutch.
- Mandvi Beach, Bhuj.
- Dholavira.
- Kutch Museum.
2. Somnath Temple.
Somnath temple is situated in the state of Gujarat. This temple have the place in on of the 12 Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the oldest temple of the country as mentioned in the ancient text like Shreemad Bhagavat Gita, Shivpuran and Rigveda. The beauty of the structure of temple and the surroundings cannot defined in words. The whole place is covered with temples all around and famous for its mythological and religious beliefs. Millions of people came to visit Somnath temple every year. The best time to visit this temple is recorded in between September to March.
There are several places to explore when you visit Somnath temple:-
- Somnath Beach.
- Paanch Pandav Gufa.
- Bhalka Tirth.
- Lakshminarayan Temple.
- Triveni Sangam Temple.
3. Gir National Park.
Gir National Park and wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Talala Gir, Gujarat. It is the only remaining home place of Asiatic Lions. The preservation of these Asiatic Lions were first started by the Nawab of Junagadh when these were about to extinct because of hunting. The official count in 2010 said that there were 411 lions left. Gir is also the place of many other species of about 38 species of mammals, over 300 of birds, 37 of reptiles and about 2000 species of insects. In Gir, you found other important wildlife species like leopard, Chausingha, hyna and Chinkaara. The best time to visit is recorded in between April to. May.
4. Dwarka.
Dwarka is an ancient city located in the state of Gujarat also known as Devbhumi Dwarka. The name Dwarka reffered to 'Dwar' means Door and 'Ka' means Moksha. Known as the Door of Salvation. It is said that dwarka was the part of the kingdom of Lord Krishna. Dwarka holds the pride of being the part of both Char Dham and Sapt Puris, mentioned in Hindu religion. Legends said that the whole city was drowned in the sea and recent evidence reveal that a city did exist here in ancient times.
There are several places to explore when you visit Dwarka:-
- Dwarikadhish Temple.
- Nageshwar Jyotirlinga.
- Dwarka Beach.
- Rukmani Devi Temple.
- Bet Dwarka.
5. Statue of Unity.
Statue of Unity is one of the most famous destinations of India. It is recorded the worlds Tallest statue of about 600 feet tall. The statue is built in the memory of the great freedom fighter and politician Sardar Vallabhabhai Patel who is the first deputy prime minister of India. Every year millions of visitors came to see the world's tallest statue. The statue is 4 time bigger than the statue of liberty. There is a gallery located near the chest of the statue almost the height of 500 feet. This statue is famous at worldwide and become the pride of the Nation.
There are more places left to discuss like Ahemdabad, Surat, Gandhinagar, Dholavira etc. So whenever you visit the state must explore these places also to feel the beauty of the state.
Popular Food of Gujarat
Gujarat is famous for its popular traditional dishes which gives to an unforgettable taste and reminds the beauty and the culture oof the state. So lets discuss about the famous food of Gujarat.
1. Dhokla.
Dhokla is one of the famous dish of Gujarati cuisine known as the king of Gujarati snacks. Mostly every Indian know about this dish. This dish have a unique traditional taste. The main ingredients of this dish are fragmented rice and chickpeas. The Dhokla is made up with mustard seeds, green chilies, cumin seeds and coconut. Dhokla is found in different forms like Rawa dholka, Besan Dhokla and khatta Dhokla. This dish is served with different chutneys and one of the most consuming dish in Gujarat.
2. Thepla.
Thepla is the popular dish of Gujarat found in every corner of the state and one of the most favorite dish of Gujarati people. The taste of the dish is different according to the ingredients. Thepla is made up of wheat flour, gram flour and species. Different variants of Thepla like Methi Thepla, Mooli Thepla and Doodhi Thepla. This dish is served with curd, spices and pickles.
3. Undhiyu.
Undhiyu is the most popular dish originated in the Surat city of Gujarat. This dish is cooked in winter season in every corner of Gujarat. The making process of the dish is very unique. It is made of several vegetables with traditional spices. The vegetables used for cooking this dish are Brinjal, Unripe bananas,
Green beans, peas, potatoes and pumpkin, cooked in the unique inverted clay pots. This dish is served with rice, chapatis, shrikhand and puri.
4. Doodhpak.
Doodhpak is the famous sweet dish of Gujarat cooked in every part of the state at the time Diwali. The dish gives you a sweet flavor and made of rice, milk, sugar, saffron, almonds and other dry fruits. It is served as a desert after the main course. This dish is also popular dish in the country in the name of kheer.
5. Fafda.
Fafda is the most eatable snacks of Gujarat and easily available in every corner of the state. Fafda is a cruncy snacks made up of besan or gram flour. The dough of fafda is made of flour, carom seeds, black pepper and salt. It is served with jalebis and make a deadly combination of sweet and salty.
Popular Festivals of Gujarat
Gujarat is famous for its traditional festivals popular at worldwide. So lets discuss about the famous festivals of Gujarat.
1. International kite festival.
International kite festival or Uttarayan is the most famous and one of the biggest festival held in Ahemdabad at Sardar Patel Stadium of Gujarat. It is celebrated on 14 January every year in the farewell of winter and welcome the summer when the sun is out and the time of harvesting starts. On this day people fly kites in the sky and many competition held. The festival is famous at worldwide so people From all over the world came to enjoy the International kite festival.
2. Rann Utsav.
The Rann Utsav is the most famous festival celebrated in the White Rann of Kutch every year in the month of November to February. This festival is famous at worldwide where people of different countries came every year to enjoy the festival. The whole Rann is decorated eith beautiful tents, lights. Various competition held like kite flying. Many exhibitions held which shoes the traditional artifacts and the food of the state. People wear traditional Gujarati dress and perform Garba is the major attraction of the festival.
3. Navratri.
Navratri is celebrated in every part of India in the month of September or October every year with full of joy and happiness. The nine days fest is held in the honor of goddess Shakti's victory over evil after the battle of 9 days. In Gujarat, this festival is very famous. People wear traditional Gujarati dress and perform Garba and Dandiya. Navratri is celebrated in every part of Gujarat but the major attracted cities who celebrate Navratri at large scales are Vadodara, surat, Rajkot and Bhavnagar.
4. Rath Yatra.
The Rath Yatra is the most famous and awaited festival of the Gujarat. This yatra is held in the Jagannath Temple of Ahemdabad every year in the month of June or July. In this Yatra, the devotees pulls 3 chariots of lord Krishna, elder brother lord Balaraam and their sister Subhadra in the whole city. People of different part of the country came every year to become the part of the Yatra and worshipped their deites. This festival filled everyone's mind with joy and happiness.
These are the factors mentioned above which shows the traditional value of the state and by followed these statements we know how Gujarat is still connected with its cultural values. So if you like and appreciate my work, share this with your friends and family.
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