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| Lothal |
Nestled in the heart of Gujarat, Ahmedabad acts as a perfect getaway destination for discerning travellers.
Approximately 250 km from Bhuj, Dholavira is larger compared to Lothal, the two most remarkable exacavations of the Indus Valley Civilisation or Harappan culture, dating back to 4,500 years ago. Dholavira, known locally as Kotada (which means large fort), sprawls over 100 hectares of semi-arid land at the north-west corner of the island of Khadir, one of the islands in the Great Rann of Kutch that remain above the flood-plains in months when the rest of the desert is submerged by the monsoon. The excavation also tells the story of the seven stages of the civilisation, from development to maturity to decay.
For the leisure seeking travellers, Saputara the only hill station in Gujarat is known for paragliding, trekking, tribal culture, etc. Saputara is 409 km from Ahmedabad. Nestled in the Sahyadri range, at an altitude of about 1,000 mtrs, the Dangi enclave derives its name from the Snake god revered by the tribals and translates as ‘the abode of serpents’, Saputara.
The Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary which is located 65 km to the south-east of Junagadh and 60 km to south west of Amreli, is home to the famous Asiatic lions.
Anand is 101 km from the state capital, Gandhinagar and lies between Vadodara and Ahmedabad. Famous because of the dairy co-operative movement of India under the brand name of AMUL (Anand Milk Union), Anand was the centre of the White Revolution. About 43 km north-east of Anand is the Ranchordorai Dokor Temple.
One of the most revered pilgrimage centres of ancient India, Ambaji provides a perfect blend of natural beauty and spiritualism. Ambaji is situated at a distance of 50 km from Kadiyadra near the Gujarat and Rajasthan border, 45 km from Mount Abu and 65 km from Palanpur. Ambaji attracts thousands of pilgrims throughout the world specially during Bhadarvi Poornima and also Diwali. An important architectural landmark of Mandvi is the Vijay Vilas Palace built by Rao Vijayrajji in 1929 and used as the summer house of the British High Commission of Bhuj. Mandvi, known for the production of its famous Bandhani is approximately 446 km from Ahmedabad.
