Gujarat (Western India) - Rich, Vibrant and Varied

The state of Gujarat is rich with cultural heritage. It is vibrant with a number of festivals. And in terms of wildlife, it is varied. Located in the western India, Gujarat has now become a great holiday destination. A variety of tourist attractions awaits travellers in the state. The Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park is a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site located here. Major crowd pullers in the state of Gujarat include Hindu temples, fairs and festivals, national parks and historical sites.

Popular Fairs and Festivals in Gujarat
There are hundreds of festivals celebrated in Gujarat. These include dance festivals, religious festivals and tribal fairs. The Navratri Festival, popular for dance, continues for nine consecutive nights. The International Kite Festival in Gujarat attracts a good number of visitors from all over. Apart from these, there are a number of temple festivals that provide a window to the religious rituals in the state. Other popular festivals in Gujarat are Bhavnath Mahadev Mela, Chitra Vichitra Mela, Dhrang Fair, Makar Sankranti, Kutch Festival, Vautha Fair etc.

National Parks in Gujarat
Gujarat in western India features 4 national parks and 21 sanctuaries. The major wildlife attractions at these national parks are the Wild Ass and the Asiatic Lion. Gujarat also has the privilege of being the only shelter to the Asiatic Lion. Travellers can enjoy watching these lions at the world famous Gir National Park, located in the south-western part of the state. Other wildlife parks in Gujarat include Kachchh Desert, Nal Sarovar, Ratanmahal, Anjal, Barda, Rampura etc.

Historical Sites in Gujarat
There are a number of ancient sites in the state to invite tourists. Dholavia, with a history dating back to the Indus Valley Civilisation, is an important archaeological site in India. Another important historical site is Lothal, visited for the ancient ruins of the first Indian port. Gola Dhoro has been recently excavated. Its history dates back between 2500 and 2000 BCE.

A visit to Gujarat in western India can really prove to be a rewarding experience. The people of the state are a hospitable race, always eager to welcome you. To top it all is the delectable cuisine that is sure to tickle your taste buds. Explore the rich culture, interact with locals and be a part of the many fairs and festivals. But, do remember to visit the villages in Gujarat and stuff your bags with some of the most beautifully embroidered fabrics and other intricate handicrafts.

Official site of Gujarat Tourism : http://www.gujarattourism.com/

World Heritage Sites in India

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee maintains a list of sites that have outstanding cultural or natural importance to the common heritage of humanity. Any site which has the privilege of being on this list is termed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A World Heritage Site can be a forest, a mountain, a desert, a lake, a monument, a complex or a city. At present, Italy has the largest number (45) of World Heritage Sites to its credit. After the recent inclusion of the Red Fort (Delhi) in the list of World Heritage Sites, India now has a total of 27 such sites. India now equals the number of heritage sites in the United Kingdom (27). World Heritage Sites in India include national parks, bird sanctuary, caves, temples, historical monuments and mountain railways.

Given below is a list of all the 27 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India :

Kaziranga National Park (Assam)
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (Assam)
Mahabodhi Temple Complex, Bodh Gaya (Bihar)
Humayun's Tomb (Delhi)
Qutub Minar (Delhi) Red Fort (Delhi)
Basilica of Bom Jesus and other Churches (Goa)
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park (Gujarat)
Group of Monuments at Hampi (Karnataka)
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (Karnataka)
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh)
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh)
Khajuraho Temples (Madhya Pradesh)
Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra)
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Elephanta Caves, Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Ellora Caves (Maharashtra)
Konark Sun Temple (Orissa) Keoladeo Ghana National Park (Rajasthan)
Great Living Chola Temples (Tamil Nadu)
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu)
Nilgiri Mountain Railway (Tamil Nadu)
Agra Fort, Agra (Uttar Pradesh)
Fatehpur Sikri (Uttar Pradesh)
Taj Mahal, Agra (Uttar Pradesh)
Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Park (Uttaranchal)
Mountain Railways of India, Darjeeling (West Bengal)
Sunderbans National Park (West Bengal)

What do tourists really want?

> wanting to experience a different way of life
> a manifestation of the identity of a people or a group of people
> customs and traditions : examples of how a destination differs from one's own ; a window onto its culture, heritage, history and identity
> the opposite of globalization and its resulting standardization : today, beaches, palm trees and hotels look pretty much the same the world over
> the discovery of places in a country that remain untouched by modernism and still maintain traditional methods and ways of life
> travel with added value and quality of experience

Michele Laliberte
Tourism Intelligence Network of the ESG-UQAM Chair in Tourism
University of Quebec at Montreal

Read the full article by clicking on the link below :

www.tc.gov.yk.ca/pdf/Authenticity-what_do_they_really_want_Feb2006ctc.pdf

Travelling to India

What is it that actually calls people to India? Is it the Taj Mahal in Agra or the Red Fort in Delhi? We travel for various reasons. Some travel because they haven't seen their family and friends for long. For some it is the need of education that compels them to leave their home. Some people travel in search of work. People may cite a few more (or a hundred of them) reasons for coming to India. But the only reason that carries the most validity is because of India's rich culture and heritage, its exuberant festivals, its mythological stories, its pilgrimage centres, its villages and above all its race of people that is all warm and all friendly to welcome travellers.

All across the world, people are eager to cross boundaries and to experience cross country culture. They want to interact with a different people who live in the same world. They wish to sit and talk to these people and like to observe their daily routines. Travellers want to relax and still want to have a richer experience. Travellers are eager to discover a world beyond their own.

The clip-clop of cow hooves, the lively spirit of the chaiwallah, prayer calls from the mosque, temple bells and the wafting smell of chapatis. At almost every turn in India, you will experience new smells, new sights and new sounds. Every day will bring a new opportunity to discover a world beyond your own. And there is a lot more!

The expansive ranges of the Himalayas in the north, the massive Thar Desert in the west and the Backwaters of Kerala in the southern part, all invite you for an experience you'll remember all your life.

So, are you ready to get 'OUT' there and explore?