Honeymoon in Gujarat
General Information
Capital : Gandhinagar
Main languages: Gujarati, Hindi, English
Cities : Gandhinagar, Surat, Vadodara (Baroda), Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Ahmedabad
Number of Districts : 19
Number of Villages : 18114
Per Capita Income : 7600 (1993-94)
Total Population : 41309582
Population Density : 211
Literacy Ratio (%) : 61.29
The state of Gujarat, rightly called the Jewel in the West, has something for everyone. You could visit Gujarat for a quiet wildlife getaway in Gir, for a relaxed sun and sand holiday on Gopnath's beaches, a fabulously enriching sightseeing experience at the 863 Jain temple cluster in Palitana or a visit to a dinosaur egg hatchery at Raiyoli. And that is just to mention a few of its innumerable attractions. One of the country's most industrialised and progressive states, its main cities Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Surat combine a colourful blend of old and new. Gujarat's picturesque coastline offers a number of opportunities for watersports, while its varied habitats provide for unique wildlife viewing opportunities in its sanctuaries.
The language that the people in the state of Gujarat speak is called Gujarati. Also, the people are native to this land are called Gujarati. Gujarat is consisted of many different types of people. People from different states migrate to Gujarat to find a better job and in hope of a better future. This makes Gujarat a diverse state. Although, most of the people in Gujarat speak Gujarati, some people speak Marathi, the language from the state of Maharastra; Punjabi, from state of Punjab; and Hindi, the national language of India. Also, there are lot of different dialects in Gujarat. For example, people in North Gujarat speak different Gujarati than people in South Gujarat, or Central Gujarat, or Eastern/Western Gujarat. The cultural diversity has existed in Gujarat since last three to four centuries. People from different countries have migrated to India, specially in Gujarat, in last three to four centuries. This enabled Gujarat to have cultural diversity, as well as a variety of different religions and languages. Traditional festivities are also a major attraction, the most special of these taking place during the nine days of the Navaratras.
The state is also home to the Mahatma's legacy from Porbander, where he was born, to Rajkot, Ahmedabad's Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram to the salt beaches of Dandi. A religious, cultural and historical panorama unfolds in Gujarat, where you can visit some of the most important pilgrimage sites for the Hindus and Jains, or where you could catch a glimpse into its royal past at the many palaces that have now been converted into heritage hotels. A journey through Gujarat provides for a complete experience with something on offer for every kind of tourist.
Shopping
Gujarat is especially known for its Saris. Many of these are intricately designed with in laid Zari work. The Patola Silk from Patan is famous and one of the biggest selling fabrics in some of the larger cities. It is famous for Bandhnis, traditional Gagra-Cholis are known to be excellent craftsmen, and there is a rich arsenal of arts and crafts at the government handicraft centres. Jamnagar is famous for its tie-and-dye fabrics and brightly coloured embroidery work.
Handicrafts
Throughoutthe seventeenth century, Gujarat was probably the most important centre for fine commercial embroidery in the world. In the present day, the world's richest source of folk embroidery is found in the belt comprising Kutch and Saurashtra up through northern Gujarat to western Rajasthan and the Thar Parkar district of Sind in Pakistan. Marriage costumes, wall hangings, quilts, cradle clothes and animal trappings are embroidered, appliqued, decorated with beadwork and embellished with mirrors, sequins, buttons and shells. Each caste passes on unchanged from generation to generation its own distinct designs, colours and range of stitches which, together with the cut of their garments and their own particular tie-and-dye and block-printed designs, form the major visual part of a caste's cultural identity.
Rabari tribal women of Gujarat have traditionally embroidered their dowry consisting of clothing and house hold items. Although these women are married off at a young age, they stay with their parents until the embroidery is finished. This could take years. Each woman embroiders the same traditional design with only slight variations. The tradition of manual embroidery is still prevalent in the developing city of Bhavnagar and its surrounding villages. A lot of encouragement is given to the craftsmen of Bhavnagar by the people of the city as well as the social institutions in the city. There are a lot of shops in the main market which are exclusively dealing in handicrafts.
