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Architectural & Archaeological tour of Gujarat
HomeArchitectural & Archaeological tour of Gujarat
For four millennia & even more that it, Gujarat has been a civilization’s hub in India. From 2700 to 1600 BC the ancient Civilizations like Indus Valley or Harappan flourished in Gujarat at the places known as Dholavira and Lothal. The cities of Harappan civilization were quite notable due to its intricate township preparation. Starting from 03rd of century BC to 07th of century BC, Gujarat was a thriving Buddhism centre in India. During 11th & 12th of centuries when Solanki Rajputs ruling the Gujarat they built terrific Jain & Hindu temples – this period was the Golden era of the architecture in Gujarat. During the reign of Solanki Rajputs, the remarkable thing was the formation of the water-preserving arrangements as the artificial lakes, step wells and the stepped tanks. These structures are decorated like unfathomable palaces having actually superb carvings on the walls. One more salient feature of the architecture of Gujarat is the temple complexes belonging to Jainism located on the peaks at Shatrunjaya Mountain close to Palitana & near Junagadh on Mountain Girnar.
At the time of 15th of century, Indo-Saracenic architecture developed by Sultan Ahmed Shah in Gujarat. Sultan Ahmed Shah was the Ahmedabad’s founder and he built many remarkable mosques and mausoleums those have the mixture of Islamic & Hindu architectural. During the 17th-19th of centuries there was very much trade at the ports of Gujarat. The business men of Gujarat at this time specially made significant mansions famous for its delicate carving on the wood.
Day 01 - Ahmedabad-Arrival
On arrival at Ahmedabad airport, you would be received and transferred to the hotel. Later take a guided tour of Vishala Village and Sarkhej mausoleum to view the excellent apparatus museum. Stay overnight at the hotel. Day 02 - Ahmedabad
Today take a tour of the leading specialized textile museum of India ‘Calico Museum’. Calico Museum has the rich collection of textile swatches of Indian origins which are found at famous sites of archaeological in Egypt, Sarees of silk from the throughout India, the silk sarongs of double-ikat prepared at Patan especially for the markets of Indonesia, curtains & chintz completed during the Dutch, Portuguese & British colonial reign at Gujarat, Punjab’s floral embroidery, famous Kashmiri shawls, tie-and-dye work of 18th of century, opulently embroidered tent of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan that palace is located very close, Rajasthan’s royal attires, manuscripts & paintings on the cloths, spiritual description in the paintings of cloths known as Kalamkari & Pichwai. After lunch take a tour of elegantly carved 15th century’s Adalaj step-well. Day 03 - Ahmedabad-Lothal-Palitana (240 KMS)
In the morning take a heritage walk of Ahmedabad city. This heritage walk gives the opportunity to view the Ahmedabad’s old quarters which are lined with the wonderfully carved wooden frontage of the Havelis. Later depart Ahmedabad for Palitana stopping en-route at Lothal to visit the museum out here and the archaeological place giving an opportunity to see the planning of the cities during the Indus Valley Civilization. Finally arrive at Palitana and check in to the hotel. Day 04 - Palitana-Gondal (170 KMS)
In the morning take an excursion to the Shatrunjaya Hill located close to Palitana to visit the enormous compound of approximately 863 Jain temples. Later drive further to historical place Gondal. Arrive at Gondal, check in to the hotel. Post lunch take a sightseeing tour of 1740 AD Naulakha Palace to see the superb collection & carvings. Naulakha Palace is the pride of Gondal. Stay overnight at the heritage hotel in Gondal. Day 05 - Gondal-Junagarh-Gondal
After having leisurely breakfast take a day return excursion of Junagadh to visit the historical Uparkot Fort. Uparkot Fort is a magnificent Gothic palace built by the Nawabs and the colorful 19th century tomb. Later return back to Gondal on the way visiting Buddhist caves at Khambalida. These Buddhist caves of Khambalida are of 04th century. Stay overnight at Gondal. Day 06 - Gondal-Rajkot-Dasada
After breakfast leave Gondal for Dasada visiting en-route Rajkot museum. Arrive at Dasada, check in to the hotel.
Day 07 - Dasada-Modhera-Patan-Balaram (180 KMS)
Today depart Dasada for Balaram visiting 11th of century’s Sun Temple at Modhera on the way. Modhera Sun Temple is one of the most excellent examples of Hindu’s temple architecture at western India. Also stop at Patan to view the beautifully carved step well of 11th century and Sidhapur very popular for its Havelis and princely place Palanpur. Stay overnight at Balaram. Day 08 - Balaram-Taranga-Vadnagar-Ahmedabad (250 KMS)
In the morning check out from Balaram and transfer to Ahmedabad en-route visiting 12th century Jain Temples at Taranga and few ancient buildings at Vadnagar. Finally arrive at Ahmedabad, check in to the hotel. Stay overnight at Ahmedabad. Day 09 - Ahmedabad-Champaner-Jambugodha
Today depart Ahmedabad for Champaner-Pavagadh, this is an archaeological park. Champaner-Pavagadh archaeological park is having splendid Indo-Saracenic architecture works. We will also stop at Baroda or Vadodara to visit its historical palaces. Vadodara or Baroda is a very prominent industrial town in India. Stay overnight at Jambugodha. Here we may arrange the stay in a heritage home.
Day 10 - Jambugodha/ Champaner-Ahmedabad-Departure (60 KMS)
At appropriate time transfer to the Ahmedabad airport to embark the flight back to the onward destination. The tour ends.