Gujarat is filled with tons of history that tell the story of how rich and glorious our Indian subcontinent was and is preserving it with care.
It offers diverse historical sites to know and explore along with picturesque landscapes.
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In this article, you will get to know about the following historical places to visit in Gujarat,
Let’s look into each of these sites in detail…
1. Dholavira
Dholavira is located in Bhavhau taluka of the Kutch district. This ancient site dates back to the Indus valley civilization. It was one of the five humungous Harappan sites.
The site was officially excavated in the year 1967 and it added a new insight into the Indus Valley Civilisation.
When the excavation was performed, a beautifully laid out town was seen, along with urban planning, gold, terracotta, silver ornaments, animal bones, pottery, and many more antiquities.
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It was studied that Dholavira was an important trading center between the then-towns of Sindh, Punjab, South Gujarat, and western Asia.
In the present days, if you visit this magnificent site, you will find stone-layered structures, the Citadel, reservoirs, rectangular stepwell, a huge structured memorial, pottery pieces, bangles, rings, beads, terracotta seals, and many other things.
It’s a thrilling site to look at and is fun to travel back to 4500 years ago.
2. Somnath Temple
The Somnath Jyotirlinga temple, situated in Prabhas Patan, Veraval, Gujarat, is considered to be the first of the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of lord Shiva.
This historic temple has its mention in Skandpuran, Shivpuran, Srimad Bhagavat Gita, and the Rig Veda.
It is one of the oldest temples in the country and was constructed according to the tri-anga Sandhara Prasada.
The entrance to the temple was towards the east and the Mukha mandapa and gudhamandapa are linked to the garbhagriha. The architecture of the ruined temple was stunning with intricate works of art.
The temple which we worship today is detailed with Maru-Gujara architecture. The two-story temple has pillared mandapas and 212 relief panels.
All throughout the year millions of devotees pay their visit to this temple to seek blessings.
3. Dwarkadhish Temple
Also known as the Jagat Mandir, the temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, “King of Dwarka” and the “lord of the multiverse”.
Located in the city of Dwarka, it is one of the Char Dhams.
The temple dates back to 200 BCE, the time it was constructed according to the archeological findings. The height of the structure elevates up to 40 ft. and it depicts the Chaulukya style of architecture.
The temple is an important site of pilgrimage as it is correlated with the glorious historic city of Dwarka.
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The temple shows very fascinating characteristics. It faces the west and has a Moksha Dwara (North doorway) leading to salvation and a Swarga Dwara (South doorway) which leads to heaven.
The deity of lord Krishna is in the form of Trivikrama and the flag that you see at the top of the temple has a sun and moon sign, assuring us the fact that the Lord will be with us as long there the earth sees the sun and the moon.
This limestone-structured holy shrine attracts millions of pilgrims from all around the world and is one of the signs of devotion to the almighty.
If you visit around the Time of Krishna Janmashtami you will be able to witness the celebration and mesmerizing decoration of the temple along with the idol.
The whole place gets dressed up on this holy occasion of Krishna janam. The shrine looks celebrated with the river Gomti and the backdrop of the beautiful gigantic Arabic ocean.
4. Nani Daman Fort
It is located along the bank of the Daman Ganga River and also goes by the name “Fort of St. Jeromy”. It was erected in the year 1531 by the then-Portuguese ruler.
Situated in Daman, the complex of the fort has a sumptuous gate along with an effigy of St. Jeromy, the famed priest of the catholic church. The church once used to serve as the former office along with an amazingly paneled altar.
The fort envelops an area of 212,250 sq. kilometers and is protected by high and refined stone walls. It is also the abode of the Catholic church of our Lady of the sea.
From the top of the structure, you will be able to see the fishing vessels and the humongous fish market.
This historic center gives us a lot of information about the happenings of that era and the feeling of the past whilst standing in the middle of the fort along with the surrounding, is kinda thrilling.
5. Mahabat Maqbara
The Maqbara was constructed between the years 1878 and 1892 during which the Nawabs of the Babi dynasty ruled Junagadh.
The then-architects used the Indo-Islamic styles and the European Gothic style and blended them to form this magnificent Maqbara.
The structure has an Onion shaped dome, Marbel tracery work, Marbel columns, French windows, Marbel jalis, silver doorways, and sculptures inside out.
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The minarets on the four corners of the Maqbara are wrapped with winding staircases all around them thereby giving an extraordinary look.
Inside this sculpted architecture, you will find the grave of Mahabat Khan II, after whom the Maqbara was named. It’s a lovely site to explore and appreciate the work of art it delineates.
6. Sarkhej Roza
The mosque is situated in Makarba village 7 kilometers away from Ahmedabad and is sculpted by Indo-Saracenic architecture. The structure was completed in the year 1451.
It was once a renowned Sufi culture center and was the home of Shaikh Ahmad Ganj Baksh, a very significant Sufi saint of that era.
This Mosque-Tomb complex is also called the “Acropolis of Ahmedabad”, as it was compared was the magnificent Acropolis of Athens, by the architect Le Corbusier.
Sarkhej Roza is a stunning place with a tranquil atmosphere, beautiful views, the fragrance of the air, and the feeling of the time when the Sufi culture was alive at this Roza.
These are some of the popular historical places to visit in Gujarat.
Tourism in Gujarat is increasing with the days, with all the historians, devotees and so many other visitors visiting the state and discovering new things and learning with the years passing by.
Plan a trip to all these sites and get into the adventure of looking into the depth of the traditions and culture and so much more offered by the westernmost state of India.
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