Gujarat is the home to 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (plus 3 in tentative list & 1 in buffer zone). Read on to know more about that!
1. Historic City of Ahmedabad: I've been to Ahmedabad thrice and I could visit there again and again. The city was founded by Sultan Ahmed Shah in 15th C CE. This walled city in the banks of River Sabarmati, is filled amazing architecture of both Hindu & Islamic styles. The most important aspect of the city are its 'pol' neighbourhoods - these are historic, closed communities with 2 main entrances/exits and few secret entrances/exists to protect themselves during war and riots. The best way to experience this historic city is by taking the Heritage Walking Tour through these various pols.
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2. Rani ki Vav, Patan: Visiting Rani ki Vav (Queen's well) is an experience by itself. As you walk towards it, you won't see a thing and it looks so dull and sad. But as you walk closer and closer and see the architectural beauty of this 'well', and 'inverted building' filled with tons of intricate, miniature carvings, all of a sudden, you're just awe-struck!This was built in 11 C CE. Filled with such intricate miniature sculptures of Gods, Apsaras, Celestial beings and geometrical decor, this place is such a marvel. The well is in several levels, and one of the levels is filled with the Dasavathara sculptures of Lord Vishnu. Today it is possible to go down upto a certain point and then its barred to protect the monument. Btw, while you're here in Patan, don't forget to visit the weaving centres of Patola and Mashru fabrics.
3. Pavagadh & Champaner: Pavagadh region is located very close to Baroda/Vadodhara. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, complete with the Champaner Jama Masjid, various stepwells including Helical vav, Pavagadh Jain Temples, hilltop Lakulisa Temple, and more, are all together protected together under UNESCO. The Jama Masjid is vast and is filled with filigree like relief work. Reaching Lakulisa temple and Pavagadh can be done by foot or the easier way by is by the rope-way car! It was the first one I had ever been on, before Koblenz, Germany!
##. Western Ghats: The good-old Western Ghats that begins at the southern tip of the country, extends into Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat. While the whole of this mountain range is described as a UNESCO Ecological hotspot, there are 39 enclaves (like Silent Valley, Eravikulam, Nagarhole etc) within Western ghats that listed as protected regions as well as listed under Man and Biosphere programme of UNESCO while the rest of the mountain range are in buffer zone. Purna Wildlife Sanctuary, the part of this mountain range in Gujarat is under the buffer zone of UNESCO and this sanctuary itself is not listed. This sanctuary is listed under WWF though!
I've seen quite a few websites list Manas Wild Ass sanctuary and Lothal & Dholavira - the Indus Valley Civilization sites as UNESCO Sites. But it isn't so! They are in the Tentative list. Tentative list only means that these sites have been proposed by Indian committee for UNESCO, to the World Committee to consider them to be included. They have not yet made it to the final listing of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nevertheless, they are some amazing places to see. I'm yet to visit Manas but I've been to Lothal & Dholavira. Dholavira is so stunning that I'd never say no to a chance to visit there again. Its been ages since I've seen so many stars in the night sky as I did in Dholavira. The guest houses there are the traditional, circular pol houses of Gujarat and it was an experience that I'd never ever forget. Its in the middle of nowhere! Its just so so fascinating!
To Get there:
The largest airport in Gujarat is ofcourse located in the capital city of Gujarat at Ahmedabad called Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, which is connected with very many domestic flights. Internationally it is connected to a few far-eastern countries including Bangkok, Singapore etc as well as middle-eastern countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE etc with Etihad, Air Arabia etc.
