Dholavira in gujarat

Dholavira, 250 km from Bhuj is an excavated Harappan site that was discovered in 1967 AD, Dholavira is an ancient town of Gujarat, lying on the North West corner of the Khadir Island and stands surrounded by water in the monsoon.
Believed to be more than 5000 years old, spread over an area of 100 Hectares, these excavation sites are one of the five largest Harappan sites in Indo-Pak sub continent. The site is worth a visit by tourists for its exquisite planning, monumental structures, aesthetic architecture and amazing water management system.
Travellers will love the numerous artifacts explored at Dholavira site including terracotta pottery, beads, gold and copper ornaments, seals, fish hooks, animal figurines, tools, urns, and some imported vessels that indicate trade links with lands as far away as Mesopotamia.

Another important traveller attraction of Dholavira are the stone inscriptions with Indus valley script that are world's oldest signboards. There is also large open stadium with complex structure and seating arrangements. Dholavira has one of the world's earliest water conservation system ever excavated. The system is very interesting with expert construction of rainwater harvesting system.
Dholavira Travel Tips - There are daily buses from Bhuj to Dholavira. Tourists may also rent a vehicle. There is also an on-site guest house in Dholavira.

Kutchh information

Kutch district (also spelled as Kachchh) (Sindhi: ڪڇ) is a district of Gujarat state in western India. Covering an area of 45,652 km²,[1] it is the largest district of India.

Kutch literally means something which intermittently becomes wet and dry; a large part of this district is known as Rann of Kutch which is shallow wetland which submerges in water during the rainy season and becomes dry during other seasons. The same word is also used in the languages of Sanskrit origin for a tortoise. The Rann is famous for its marshy salt flats which become snow white after the shallow water dries up each season before the monsoon rains.

The district is also famous for ecologically important Banni grasslands with their seasonal marshy wetlands which form the outer belt of the Rann of Kutch.

Kutch District is surrounded by the Gulf of Kutch and the Arabian Sea in south and west, while northern and eastern parts are surrounded by the Great and Small Rann (seasonal wetlands) of Kutch. When there were not many dams built on its rivers, the Rann of Kutch remained wetlands for a large part of the year. Even today, the region remains wet for a significant part of year. The district had a population of 1,583,500 of which 30% were urban as of 2001

Gujarat Science citiy

Science City,Ahmedabad is the bold initiative of the Government of
Gujarat to bring in science and innovation in the land of Gandhi.
Science City is a must visit on the list while planning a holiday to
Gujarat. Spread across the sprawling lush green campus, Science City
offers the visitor a glimpse into the world of technology and
development. It also houses various entertainment zones within the
campus to learn while having fun. It has varied displays,
laboratories, activity corners and live demonstrations that allow you
to enhance your knowledge in an innovative way.
Science City also has a splendid 3D Max Theatre where one can feel and
experience the effect of 3D movies. The theatre has screens that are
as high as 8 storeys giving all its spectators an amazing and
thrilling 3D experience. Please do not miss the shows like Mystic
India and First City in Space when you are visiting the 3D Max
Theatre. The Hall of Science is where you can check out Aquamobil, the
hot air balloon or generate electricity by paddling on a bicycle.
Science City also has a Musical Fountain which is a major crowd
puller. Children can experience the real fun of roller coaster ride,
flying in space and flying an aircraft by taking a seat on a 30 Seater
Stimulator.
Apart from all this, visitors can also visit the 9000 sq.mt. Energy
Education Park and upgrade their knowledge about renewable form of
energy. Children can also learn about beautiful butterflies, a variety
of species of cactus and other plants in the Life Science Park.
So visit Science City, Ahmedabad and embark on an exciting journey of
science and technology. You are surely going to have a fun-filled and
educative expedition.

Gir national park

            

GIR Lions Sanctuary In Gir you touch the history of India before humanity itself. Before monuments, temples, mosques and palaces. Or rather, a history as humanity was emerging, when humans coexisted with lions, before the former had overrun the continent (and the world) and pushed the latter to the brink of extinction. Many come to Gir because, outside of Africa, it is the only place with wild lions. But to truly experience Gir and the lions, you must explore their natural habitat, with everything from tiny wild birds, not easily seen, but heard singing in the forest canopy, to crocodiles floating in the marsh waters. Driving around, you are uncommonly aware you are in someone else's territory. You stay in your vehicle because you are in the home of lions, leopards, hyenas, crocodiles; you remember that humans do not rule theworld, and however "advanced" we think we are, most of us would not survive very long on our own in a place like Gir. That is not to say that all humans are out of place. The local Maldhari community has lived here for generations and coexists magnifcently with the wilderness. They sustain themselves by grazing their livestock and harvesting what they need from the forest. The sizeable portion of theirherds lost to lions and other predators is considered prasad, offered in exchange for living in another's homeland. How many of us are aware, let alone as concientious as the Maldharis about the impact of our lifestyle on other species? How can we be, if we so distance ourselves from the habitats that are ravaged to feed our material appetites? When you visit Gir, try to see the Maldharis not with nostalgia fora picturesque past, but as crucial teachers for a better present and future. You don't have to be a shepherd living with wild lions to learn from their way of life. Ask yourself why we have reached the point where National Parks like Gir are neccessary; what happened to these lions who usedto inhabit everywhere from Greece to Bangladesh.
                                       

Junagadh

                             We have many historical cities inGujarat and other states of India, but Junagadh is unique among them, as it comprises of historical monuments starting from the very ancient age (500 BC) till the most recent history of partition of India in 1947 AD. This city, as the name suggests, isa city of old fort. It has a very old history and, as a result, thereare many historical monuments worth visiting in this city, Junagadh. In olden times, the citywas known by various names like “Raivatachal”, “Raivatnagar”, “Revant”, “Manipur”, “Chandraketapur”, “Puratanpur”,“Pratappur”, “Narendrapur”, “Girinagar”, “Karan Kunj”, “Jirna Durg”, “Mustafabad” and finally the present name “Junagadh” was given by the British Government in 1820AD. The city has acquired an important place in tourist mapof Gujarat. Everyday thousands ofvisitors / tourists visit city for religious, entertainment and educational excursions. Two main festivals celebrated here are“Parikrama” (Held in October-November during the period of five days concluding on the full-moon day of Kartik Month) and “Maha Shivratri” (Held in February-March on the No-Moon-day of Magha Month) every year. The importance of these festivals is not only up to local level but has also spread over national and international level. NagaBawa’s or Naked Sages (thatare generally seen only during Kumbh Mela’s) come to take part in these festivals from all over India. Every year on an average more than one Million people visit Junagadh during these two festivals only. The city’s history includes various rulers and dynasties as under: Maurya Dynasty ruled over Junagadh in 319 BC Kaling Dynasty ruled over Junagadh in 185 BC Greek ruled over Junagadh in 70 – 73BC Shaka ruled over Junagadh 100 –275AD Kshatrapa ruled over Junagadh 276 – 455 AD Gupta ruled over Junagadh 456 – 770 AD The Chinese Traveller Hu-en-Tsang had visited Junagadh in 640 AD Chudasama / Chavada ruled over Junagadh 875 – 1472 AD Muslim Rulers Mohammed Begada, Khalil Khan, Muzaffar, Sikandar, Bahadursha and Ibadatkhan ruled 1472 – 1572 AD Mughals ruled over Junagadh 1573 – 1748 AD Nawabs of Babi Dynasty (Yousufzai Pathan) ruled over 1749 – 1948 AD The last Babi Nawab named Mahabatkhanji III, decided to joinPakistan on getting independence from British Rule in 1947. But the majority of population being Hindu, the people resorted to revolt againsthis decision and finally they, led by Mr. Shamaldas Gandhiin an Army called “Aarzi Hukumat” (Temporary Government), attacked and captured the palace and fort by hoisting Indian Flag. The Nawab had to run away to Pakistan in order tosave his life. Since then the city is a part of Gujarat State of Independent India.The Aarzi Hukumat (How Junagadh becamepart of India) During the period spanning the independence and partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, the 565 princely states thatexisted under British rule were given a choice of acceding to either India or Pakistan. Althoughthe states were theoretically free to choose, Mountbatten stated that"geographic compulsions" meantthat most of them must choose India. In effect, Mountbatten took the position that only states that shared a common border with Pakistan could choose to accede to it. On September 15, 1947, Nawab Mohammad Mahabat Khanji III ofJunagadh, a princely state locatedon the south-western end of Gujarat and having no common border with Pakistan, chose to accede to Pakistan ignoring Mountbatten's views, arguing that Junagadh adjoined Pakistan by sea. The rulers of two states that were subject to the suzerainty of Junagadh — Mangrol and Babariawad — reacted by declaring their independence from Junagadh and acceding to India. In response, the nawab of Junagadh militarily occupied the two states. Rulers of the other neighbouring states reacted angrily, sending troops to the Junagadh frontier, and appealed to the Government of India for assistance. A group of Junagadhipeople, led by Samaldas Gandhi, formed a government-in-exile, the Aarzi Hukumat ("temporary government"). India believed thatif Junagadh was permitted to accede to Pakistan, communal tension already simmering in Gujarat would worsen, and refused to accept the Nawab's choice of accession. The government pointed out that the state was 80% Hindu, and called for a plebiscite to decide the questionof accession. India cut off supplies of fuel and coal to Junagadh, severed air and postallinks, sent troops to the frontier,and occupied the principaliites of Mangrol and Babariawad thathadacceded to India. Pakistan agreed to discuss a plebiscite, subject to the withdrawal of Indian troops, a condition India rejected. On 26 October, the Nawab and his family fled to Pakistan followingclashes with Indian troops. Before leaving, theNawab had emptied the state treasury of itscash and securities. On 7 November, Junagadh's court, facing collapse, invited the Government of India to takeover the State's administration.