Rajpipla, a destination off the beaten track in southern Gujarat, stretches peacefully along the Narmada, one of India’s most revered rivers. This former capital of a prosperous Gohil princely kingdom, long a secret, now reveals a few palaces of old-world charm, whose promise of new splendor attracts attention.
Just one month ago, I was staying with the people of the Satpuda Mountains (Maharashtra) for the Holi celebrations and the enchantment has still not faded! The Adivasis, the indigenous people of India, have a different way of celebrating Holi: here, there is no flood of coloured powders, the celebration is expressed through ecstatic dances …
Kotay, just an hour north of Bhuj (Gujarat), boasts the remains of a temple dedicated to Surya, the Hindu sun god, dating back to the 9th century CE. Also known as Ra Lakha, the shrine, although polished by the hot winds of the desert plains of Kutch, still retains its beautiful features.
In the north of the district of Kutch (Gujarat), on the edge of the great white desert, is the village of Khavda which gave its name to a very specific ceramic, whose origins date back to the thousand-year-old civilization of the Indus Valley. While the art of pottery from this region has survived since the …
Tera is one of the oldest villages of Gujarat, located in the Abdasa region of Kutch. Although the town only has a few inhabitants now, it was nevertheless, in the 18th century, one of the major strongholds of the Jadeja lords. Its fort, with its powerful ramparts, bears witness to its former splendor. But Tera …
Seeing this alignment of horsemen, one would be tempted to draw a parallel with the valiant warriors of the Momaji temples of Rajasthan. But that’s another story here, the one told to me by Krutarth Sinh Jadeja, while I was staying in his elegant century-old mansion in Devpar. What is the part of legend and …
For some reason, some guides skip the Chhatardis of Bhuj. And, if we are poorly informed by the locals, we could miss these remarkable cenotaphs built in memory of the Maharaos Jadeja of the Kutch district, Gujarat.
Located in Rapar Taluka, east of Kutch district (Gujarat) and an hour and a half from the archaeological site of Dholavira, Vrajvani is a much revered temple, especially by the Ahir community. This shrine is absolutely unique in India in that it houses 140 life-size statues of women.
Recently declared a “cultural heritage” of Madhya Pradesh, Bhagoria is a festival that not only celebrates the arrival of spring and the end of harvest, but also love! It is indeed known for its “vivaah mela”, its marriage fair. Bhagoria falls during the Hindu month of Phalgun (February/March), seven days before the Holi festival and …
Uttarayan, the time of year when the sun starts its northward journey, is celebrated in Gujarat state with a kite festival that’s totally poetic. All day long thousands of multi-coloured kites drift endlessly across the sky, and when night falls the sky is lit by a myriad paper lanterns…
Than Jagir, set at the foot of the volcanic hills of Dhinodhar (Kutch, Gujarat), is one of those places in India that leaves an indelible mysterious and magical impression on you. This hundred-year-old Hindu monastery is home to the order of Kanphatas, the intriguing “split-eared” tantric yogis.
Bordered by Pakistan and Rajasthan, Kutch is an ancient land that takes its name from its turtle-like geographical features (Kachchh in Gujarati). This region has developed its artistic richness by integrating the knowledge and traditions of the myriad of communities that have settled there since Antiquity: Rabari, Jats, Ahir, Meghwal, Sodhas, to name a few. …
Palitana is an incredible temple complex perched on Shatrunjaya Hill that seems to touch the sky. The 3500 steps that lead to them take you on an inner journey while giving you time to enjoy the beauty of the landscape.
Ahmedabad (“Ahmed’s City”), boasts a rich heritage from its past as a merchant city. The old town and its many pols or districts with their finely carved mansions (havelis) bear witness to its former wealth. Adding to the city’s aura are its memories of Mahatma Gandhi, who lived here when striving for India’s independence.
Vadodara, also known as Badora, is Gujarat’s third-largest town, a fast-growing industrial town but also a cultural capital. Although tourists come mainly for the magnificent Champaner-Pavagadh archaeology park nearby there are a number of sights worth stopping in town for.
The Rann of Kutch is one of the world’s largest salt deserts, a bright, white vastness interrupted only by touches of colour of visitors. As with all deserts, there is nothing in particular to see, just the beauty of infinity to admire… A sight absolutely not to be missed in Gujarat.
Traces of the 1956 and 2001 earthquakes are still evident but they cannot spoil the charm of Bhuj. This small town, once the capital of the Kutch region, is a great place to stop on the way to the famous ‘white desert’.
Modhera is a land of legend. It is said that after Lord Rama had vanquished the demon Ravana in Sri Lanka, he and his spouse Sita stopped here on their way home ; so it is not surprising that the Solanki sovereigns should have chosen this holy ground to build a magnificent and wholly unique …
If you pass by Udaipur, Rajasthan, you may like to make a short detour to Poshina, you will not regret it! The winding road that leads you to this authentic village of Gujarat crosses the Aravallis mountains, particularly enchanting after the monsoon, when the lush nature offers a colour palette of intense and fresh greens. What a …
Mandvi is a charming coastal town about sixty kilometers from Bhuj, the capital of the Kutch region in Gujarat. This is usually the last stop on the journey to Kutch. Travellers come here to have a relaxing break on its white sand beach before heading back to Ahmedabad. Mandvi was in the 18th century a …
