Things to do in

Gujarat

Sabarmati Ashram, also called Gandhi Ashram, is the historic residence of Mahatma Gandhi on the banks of the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad. The ashram served as Gandhi's base for many years and was the starting point of the famous 1930 Dandi (Salt) March. Today it is a peaceful heritage site and museum preserving Gandhian documents, personal items, photographs, the spinning wheels (charkhas), prayer grounds, and simple living quarters.

Highlights include Gandhi's living quarters (Hriday Kunj), the museum and archive, the prayer ground, the library, and exhibits about the freedom movement and Gandhian philosophy. The site is suited to visitors interested in history, nonviolence, and India’s independence movement. Entry is generally free and the atmosphere is contemplative and educational.

Old City Heritage Walk through the Pols is a guided or self-guided walking tour of Ahmedabad's historic walled city focusing on the unique 'pol' neighborhoods — tightly-knit urban clusters with intricately carved wooden houses, narrow lanes, and living community heritage. The walk explores architecture, living traditions, local crafts, temples, mosques, and the daily markets that make Ahmedabad's old city vibrant.

Sidi Saiyyed Mosque (c. 1572) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is famed for its intricate carved stone lattices (jaalis), especially the iconic 'Tree of Life' window. A compact Indo-Islamic shrine built during the late Sultanate period, it is a must-see for lovers of architecture, history, and photography.

Adalaj Stepwell, locally called Adalaj Vav, is a late 15th‑century stepped water reservoir near Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Built in 1499, the stepwell is an excellent example of Indo‑Islamic architecture fused with traditional Gujarati craftsmanship. The five‑storey structure descends in a series of intricately carved galleries, pillars and sculpted motifs and creates a naturally cool microclimate—popular with visitors for history, architecture and photography.

Calico Museum of Textiles is one of India’s premier textile museums, housing an outstanding collection of Indian handwoven and embroidered textiles spanning several centuries. The museum emphasizes conservation, research and curated displays that showcase techniques such as Patola, Bandhani, Kalamkari, ikat, brocades, and rare court and devotional textiles. Visits are by guided tour only, arranged in advance; the museum provides expert context, making it essential for textile students, designers, historians and cultural tourists.

Manek Chowk transforms after sunset from a bustling daytime jewelry market into one of Ahmedabad's most famous night food bazaars. The open square becomes a lively food hub where local vendors serve a wide variety of Gujarati and pan-Indian street foods in a compact, social setting.

Law Garden Night Market is Ahmedabad's lively evening bazaar located beside Law Garden (Ambawadi). Open after sunset, the market features rows of stalls selling traditional Gujarati and regional handicrafts, textiles, jewellery, footwear, home décor and popular street food. It’s ideal for souvenir hunting, experiencing local culture, and sampling Ahmedabad’s evening food scene.

Akshardham Temple (Gandhinagar) is a modern Hindu temple complex dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Built in pink sandstone and marble, the complex blends devotional architecture, intricately carved pillars and sculptures, landscaped gardens, and cultural exhibits. The evening Sound & Light (musical fountain) show on the temple lake uses lights, music, narration and water choreography to depict spiritual and cultural stories. Together they offer a mix of religious experience, heritage interpretation and family-friendly entertainment.

The Statue of Unity is the world’s tallest statue (182 m) dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Located in Kevadiya (Ektanagar) on the Narmada River in Gujarat, the site combines monumental architecture with a visitor complex: a museum, audio-visual gallery, viewing gallery (observation deck), gardens, valley of flowers, riverfront promenade, jungle safari and light & sound show. The Viewing Gallery, reached by high-speed elevators, sits at approximately 153 m and gives panoramic views of the Sardar Sarovar Dam, the Narmada river, and surrounding hills.

The Valley of Flowers and the Glow Garden are two landscaped attractions inside the Statue of Unity (SOU) complex at Kevadiya (Ektanagar). The Valley of Flowers is a themed botanical display featuring seasonal and perennial flower beds, paved walkways, and vantage points that offer framed views of the Statue of Unity and the surrounding Narmada landscape. The Glow Garden is an evening attraction built around themed LED and fiber‑optic lighting, illuminated sculptures, and interactive light installations that come alive after dusk. Together they make a family‑friendly visit combining daytime horticultural interest and nighttime light spectacle.

Sardar Patel Zoological Park, commonly referred to as the Kevadiya Jungle Safari, is a modern wildlife park located in Ektanagar (Kevadiya), Narmada district, Gujarat. Designed to offer visitors a close-to-nature wildlife experience, the park combines open naturalistic enclosures and guided safari drives to view native and exotic species. It is part of the larger Statue of Unity tourism precinct and focuses on conservation, education and recreation.

Experience a scenic and family-friendly rafting trip on the Narmada River near the Statue of Unity (SoU) in Kevadiya / Ektanagar. The route offers gentle to moderate stretches of flowing water with beautiful views of the surrounding hills, riverbanks, birdlife and the Statue of Unity from the water. Suitable for beginners and small groups, most trips include safety briefing, guide, life jackets and helmets. Seasonal operators run short excursions and sunrise/sunset trips for photographers and nature lovers.

Experience guided jeep safaris into Gir National Park, the last refuge of the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica). Safaris run in small authorized open-top jeeps with trained forest guides and drivers who know the best zones for sightings. Expect diverse wildlife (lions, leopard, deer species, nilgai, four-horned antelope, marsh crocodiles) and varied dry-deciduous forest landscapes. Note: park remains closed during the monsoon (approx mid-June to mid-October) for restoration — check official schedules before planning.

Devalia Safari Park — commonly called the Gir Interpretation Zone — is a small fenced wildlife sanctuary inside the greater Gir ecosystem close to Sasan Gir. Managed by the Gujarat Forest Department, it was developed to provide easy and reliable sightings of the Asiatic lion in a controlled setting, along with an interpretation centre that explains lion ecology and conservation efforts. The park consists of open grasslands, scrub and small water bodies that attract lions, chital, sambar, nilgai and many resident and migratory birds.

Somnath Temple (Somnath Jyotirlinga) is one of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites on India’s west coast, located in Prabhas Patan, Gir Somnath (Gujarat). The visit typically includes darshan of the Jyotirlinga, walking the temple complex, a dip/view at the nearby Triveni Sangam, and the highly atmospheric evening aarti at sunset, often followed by a light-and-sound show. The complex is an active place of worship and important cultural landmark with rich history and coastal views.

Girnar Hill is a sacred and scenic granite hill near Junagadh famed for its long stone steps, ancient temples (notably the Jain temples), and panoramic views over the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Junagadh city. The trek is both a pilgrimage and an adventurous day-hike that combines cultural heritage with natural scenery.

Mahabat Maqbara is an ornate late-19th/early-20th-century mausoleum in Junagadh noted for its striking blend of Gothic, Indo-Islamic, European and Hindu architectural elements — elaborate domes, minarets, carved marble, stained-glass windows and a dramatic spiral staircase. The monument sits within a compact heritage precinct of narrow lanes, colonial-era buildings, old bazaars and small temples, offering a rich, walkable glimpse into Junagadh's layered past and local life.

Dwarkadhish Temple in Dwarka is one of the Char Dhams and an important Krishna pilgrimage site. The activity covers the temple darshan (visit to the sanctum), circumambulation (parikrama) and attending the evening aarti — a colorful, devotional lamp ceremony with bhajans and priests performing the rituals.

Quick summary: Attend the traditional worship and soak in the devotional atmosphere, observe temple rites, and explore the nearby ghats and temples.

Boat ride from Okha to Bet Dwarka followed by a visit to the island's ancient Krishna temples, local shoreline and markets. This half-day to full-day pilgrimage and sightseeing trip crosses the protected waters of the Arabian Sea to reach Bet (Shankhodhar) — the island associated with Lord Krishna's residence. The trip combines spiritual sightseeing, gentle coastal cruising and a short walk around a traditional fishing island. Coordinates supplied are approximate.

Explore the clear Arabian Sea waters around Bet Dwarka — a unique diving and snorkeling experience near the sacred island of Beyt (Bet) Dwarka in Devbhumi Dwarka, Gujarat. The area offers shallow coral patches, seagrass beds and a variety of reef fish suitable for beginners and snorkelers. Trips combine a short boat ride from Dwarka/Okha with guided snorkel sessions and introductory scuba (try-dive) options.