Gujarat Splendour

Arrive at Ahmedabad meet greet and transfer to Hotel.

Ahmedabad, founded in the year 1411 AD is located on the banks of river Sabarmati and has been named after Sultan Ahmed Shah, who was primarily responsible for building it. Today, this city is known as the ‘Manchester of the East’, one of the highly industrialized cities in India and is also India’s Textile City. Though the capital of Gujarat was shifted from Ahmedabad to Gandhinagar, it is still the second largest industrial city in western India. The old city of Ahmedabad is dotted with labyrinthine by lanes called ‘polls’. The exquisite carved wooden mansions and havelis are in no manner less than their stone counterparts in Rajasthan.

Overnight at Ahmedabad.

After breakfast visit Ahmedabad city including:

Heritage Walk in Ahmedabad-
Heritage walk begins from the picturesque Swaminarayan Mandir in Kalupur and ends in the most glorious architectural legacies the Jumma Masjid, covering in between the numerous pols, havelis, ornamental facades, workplaces of artisans and number of magnificent Hindu and Jain temples. (Heritage Walk Time will be around 08:00 am TO 11:00 am)

Gandhi Ashram:
Sabarmati Ashram also known as Gandhi Ashram, Harijan Ashram, or Satyagraha Ashram) is located in the Ahmedabad suburb of Sabarmati adjoining to famous Ashram Road, at the bank of River Sabarmati. The ashram was originally established at the Kocharab Bungalow of Jivanlal Desai on 25 May 1915. The Ashram was then shifted on 17 June 1917 to a piece of open land on the banks of the river Sabarmati. Reasons for this shift included: Gandhi wanted to do some experiments in living (e.g. farming, animal husbandry, cow breeding, khadi and related constructive activities for which he was in search of this kind of barren land.)

Hathisingh Jain Temples:
Constructed in the year 1850 AD, Hathee Singh temple is a very famous Jain temple. It has been named after its founder Seth Hathee Singh, a prosperous Jain merchant. Hathee Singh Jain temple of Ahmedabad was built in the dedication of the 15th Jain Trithanakara named Dharmnath. The temple is known for its fabulous architectural styling and designing that consists of intricate carvings. Read further to know more about Hathising Temple in Ahmedabad

Sidi Sayed Mosque
This elegant mosque is noted for its twin windows of pierced stone, worked in st-de of a tree with palm leaves and curving tendrils. A superb and peerless example of delicate carving that transforms stone into filigree. It was constructed by Sidi Salvad, a slave of Ahmed Shah, and has beautiful carved stone windows depicting the intricate intertwining of the branches of a tree. Wooden models of these windows, a fine example of Indo-Sarcenic architecture are kept in the New York and Kensington museums.

Adalaj Vav
About 19 kms north of Ahmedabad this stepwell is an architectural wonder built by Queen Rudabai and is certainly one of the finest monuments of Gujarat. It is a seven-storied structure in the form of a well with chambers one behind the other. The ‘Vays’ or stepped wells of Gujarat were used as meeting and resting-places during summer since their cool interiors offered unbelievable respite from the scorching sun outside.

In the summer people warmed themselves on the spacious sunny corridors while wide verandahs offered shelter during the rains.Adalaj is a village to the north of Ahmedabad.

Overnight at Ahmedabad.

After breakfast visit Ahmedabad city including:

Calico Museum
The Calico Museum of Textiles at Ahmedabad, India, is the premier textile museum of the country, and one of the most celebrated institutions of its kind in the world for its distinguished and comprehensive collection of textiles and artifacts.

The Calico collection along with those of Sarabhai Foundation’s collection of outstanding Bronzes, Pichhwais, Jain art objects and Indian miniature paintings are housed at the Retreat complex of Sarabhai Foundation in the Shahibag area of the city.

Shreyas Folk Museum
Exhibiting the finest arts and crafts of Gujarat, Shreyas Folk Museum is situated 2.5km west of Sabarmati. Set in suburbs of Ambavadi in Ahmedabad, the museum has a huge display of textiles and clothing in Gujarat. One of the major attractions of the museum is a complete skeleton of an elephant with a height of about 3.19m. Old coins, weapons, toys, costumes, masks, puppets, musical fountains and animal caparisons also lure foreign tourists.
The museum remains open daily from 03:00pm-05:30pm except Mondays and public holidays.

Sarkhej Roza
The Sarkhej Roza is an graceful architectural creation amazing for the use of pierced stone trellises and complete absence of arches. Sarkhej Roza, the tombs of Saint Ahmed Khattu Baksh and that of Emperor Mehmud Shah Beguda and his queen. The diplomatic atmosphere makes it an ideal retreat. Sarkhej (about 10 kms. southwest of Ahmedabad) is noted for its stylish group of buildings, including the Mausoleum of Azam and Mu’assam, who were responsible for Sarkhel’s architecture.

Overnight at Ahmedabad.

After breakfast, drive to Bajana, enroute visit Patan and Modhera.

Patan
Home of the famous patola silk saris, Patan is a beautiful old town with Jain temples and carved wooden houses. Ranikivav (step well) is an excellent example of subterranean architecture of Gujarat. The exisquisitely carved side walls, pillars, beams, series of steps & platforms lead to the elaborately carved water well. Every surface is adorned with finelly chiseled sculptures of maidens & Hindu deities, religious motifs & geometrical patterns. Rani ki Vav represents the finest of the Indian sculptures and architecture.

Modhera.
The Sun temple of Modhera is one of the finest examples of Indian architecture of its period. Built in 1026 A.D. the temple is dedicated to the Sun-God, Surya and stands high on a plinth overlooking a deep stone-steeped tank. Every inch of the edifice, both inside and outside is magnificently carved with Gods and Goddesses, birds, beasts and flowers. Sun Temple of Modhera was built by King Bhimdev I (1026-27) and bears some resemblance to the later, and far better known, Sun Temple of Konark in the state of Orissa, which it predates by some 200 years. Like that temple, it was designed so that the dawn sun shone on the image of Surya, the sun God, at the time of the equinoxes. The main hall and shrine are reached through a pillared porch and the temple exterior is intricately and delicately carved. As with the temple of Somnath, this fine temple was ruined by Mahumad of Ghazni.
After visiting these places drive to Bajana.

Bajana
The Little Rann of Kutch, which covers an area of roughly 5,000 square km, is primarily known as the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary. The sanctuary was established in 1972 as the last natural habitat of the Indian Wild Ass (Equus Hemionus Khur). One of the three surviving species of the Wild Ass in the world-the other two being found in Central Asia and in and around Tibet-the Khur is high on the list of endangered species.

Overnight at Bajana.

After breakfast morning safari of Wild Ass Sanctuary.

After Safari, drive to Bhuj.

Bhuj, the major town of Kutch, is an old walled city- in the past the city gates were locked each night from dusk to dawn. You can lose yourself for hours in the intricate maze-like streets and alleyways of this fascinating town. There are walls within walls, attractive crenellated gateways, old palaces with intricately carved wooden pavilions, and striking, brightly decorated Hindu temples. Bhuj resembles much of India before the tourist invasion, and you’re much more likely to come across that disarming hospitality which was once the hallmark of rural India.

Upon arrival at Bhuj check-in at Hotel.

Overnight stay at Bhuj.

After breakfast, visit Banni Villages ( Lodlya, Khavda, Bhirandiyara, Hodka & Dhorado ) see local tribes and their textiles.

Some of the important embriodery work are known as Rabari embroidery, Ahir embroidery, Bavalia embroidery or’Kutchi Bharat’, Sindhi embroidery, Aari work, Soof embroidery also known as ‘Sodha Bharat’, Mutva embroidery in Banni (Dhorodo village) is famous for Gotam stick or Sindhi Kadai. In Banni area the embroidery work is also done on leather shoes or’Mojdi’, purses bags, belts, wallets etc. Hodko village in Banni is famous for Meghwal embroidery and leather work.

After visiting these, visit White Rann.

Later drive back to Bhuj in Evening.

Overnight stay in Bhuj.

After breakfast drive to Mandvi.

Mandvi : Mandvi is located on the banks of the Rukmavati river, barely one km away from the Arabian Sea at the Gulf of Kutch. The town has a very pleasant climate throughout the year and was a summer retreat of the Kutch Maharaos. The center of attraction of Mandvi is the Vijay Vilas Palace, a royal abode set in the middle of well-laid gardens with water channels and marble fountains. The architect & craftsmen from Jaipur designed and constructed the palace in 1920 AD. The palace has all the elements of Rajput architecture and draws largely on the plan of palaces of Orchha and Datia. The central high dome on the pillars, the Bengal domes on sides, the windows with coloured glass, carved stone jails, domed bastions at the corners, extended porch and other exquisitely stone carved elements, make the palace worth visiting. This is an example of the traditional skill of craftsmen of early 20th century.

The Vijay Vilas Palace has its own private beach, maintained in an eco-friendly manner to preserve its pristine beauty. For these reasons, this palace has been used as the setting in many Hindi films and has now become a popular tourist destination. Mandvi has some very beautiful houses belonging to rich merchants with stone carving & plaster decorations. Their architectural style reflects the fusion of Indian & European styles of architecture. The Swaminarayan temple is also one such example with its brightly painted exterior and elaborate plaster decorations.

Overnight stay at Bhuj.

After breakfast Visit:

Aina Mahal Palace
Aina Mahal Palace is the 18th century creation of the extravagant Rao Lakhpatji (1741-1760). He sent a local craftsman Ramsingh Malam to Europe to perfect his skills in glassmaking and ironfounding. He commissioned Ramsingh Malam to construct Aina Mahal with its hall of mirrors of venetian glass. The hall of Mirror has white marble walls covered with mirrors and gilded ornaments and the floor is a pleasure pool lined with tiles, with a platform above it surrounded by a series of fountains operated by an elaborated system of pumps below a Venetian chandelier.

Kutch Museum
Kutch Museum, formerly known as the Fergusson Museum, is situated in the ancient city of Bhuj, in Kutch District. Founded by Maharac, Khengarji III in 1877, it is the oldest of its kind in Gujarat. The museum, constructed in the Italian Gothic style, is located in the picturesque surroundings on the bank of Harnirsar Lake just opposite to the Nazar Bagh Garden. Kutch Museum has a fabulous collection of Kshatrapa inscriptions, various archaeological objects, weapons, musical instruments and specimens of various crafts of the Kutch region. Kutch Museum is open from 09:00 to 11:00 and 15:00 to 17:30 on all days, except Wednesdays, 2nd and 4th Saturdays and public holidays.

After visiting, drive to Rajkot
Rajkot is a city in Gujarat state, India. It was once the capital of the princely state of Rajkot, and is now the headquarters of Rajkot District. It is located in the middle of the peninsula of Kathiawar, some 70 kilometers from the Gulf of Kachchh. The town is bisected by the Aji River. Its most notable institution is Rajkumar College, which was founded in 1870 for the education of the sons of local chiefs and princes, and was modeled by its founder, Col. R. H. Keatinge, on Eton College. Mahatma Gandhi was educated in Rajkot at the Alfred High School (founded in 1875). Once the capital of the princely state of Saurashtra, Rajkot was founded by Vibhoji, the younger son of Ajoji. It is the town where Mahatma Gandhi spent the early years of his life. The city, also a former British government headquarters, has a number of impressive colonial buildings and educational institutions. It is famous for silver, textiles and a National weaving institute which promotes traditional weaves. The pleasant town is an important industrial area and a religious centre of the Arya Samaj.

On Arrival Check in at Hotel

Overnight stay in Rajkot.

After breakfast visit of Rajkot City including:

Kaba Gandhi no Delo : Gandhiji’s ancestral home which now houses the Gandhi Smriti, a permanent exhibition.
Watson Museum & Library : Located in the pleasant Jubilee Garden, the museum is a good introduction to Saurashtra’s cultural heritage.

After visiting these places drive to Ahmedabad Airport to catch your connecting flight.