Travel Guide

Historical Places

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.

Modhera Sun Temple

The Sun Temple, Modhera, at Modhera in Gujarat, is a temple dedicated to the Hindu Sun-God, Surya. Situated at a distance of 102 kms from Ahmedabad on the bank of the river Pushpavati, the Modhera sun temple was constructed in the year 1026 AD. It was established by the King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty in the dedication of Lord Surya. It is one of the finest architectures of the eleventh century. One of the best features of the temple consists of the carved torana arches. Read further to know more about the Sun temple at Modhera in Gujara. In the present times, prayers are not offered in this temple. This temple is now under the supervision of Archaeological Survey of India.

From the point of view of structural designing, the sun temple at Modhera is truly the one of its kinds. The Modhera sun temple encompasses three main chambers, namely Surya Kund, Sabha Mandap and Guda Mandap. Surya Kund is basically a beautifully carved stepped tank that was named after Sun God. Sabha mandap is the hall, where people gather for discussions on religious topics. Guda Mandap is the sanctum sanctorum, also known as the main temple.