Gujarat is the most industrialized state in the Republic of India with industrial output of 19.8% of total output in country defeating Maharashtra (whose output is 19.2%), which contains many of the former Princely states of India. Gujarat borders Pakistan, and the states of Rajasthan to the north-east, Madhya Pradesh to the east, Maharashtra and the Union territories of Diu, Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli to the south. The international border with Pakistan is to the north-west. The Arabian Sea makes up the state's western coast. Its capital, Gandhinagar is a planned city. It is located near Ahmedabad, the former state capital and the current commercial center of Gujarat.
- Navaratri
The festival of nine nights, proceeding the Dussera is a special feature of Gujarat when both males and females congregate in village squares and temple compounds and sing and dance. The festival ends on the Dussera day, when artisans worship their instruments, agriculturists their ploughs, warriors their weapons and students their books.
- Diwali
Asvina is a month which marks the end of the harvesting season. This month ends with Diwali which is a four-day festival. The first day of the festival starts with the Laxmi Puja. The second day is considered as the day of the casting off evils. The third day is the main Diwali day. On this day every home is illuminated and decorated. The fourth and the last day is the New year day for the Gujarati's when people visit temples in colourful costumes and greet each other. The day following the new year day is called the Bhai bij day when brothers are invited by their sisters to partake of sweets with them.
- Kite festival
Kite Festival, another festival in Gujarat is observed on the 14th of January, the day when the sun enters the tropic of cancer. On this day young boys and girls and even the old people, are on their house tops flying kites. This is really a national festival for Gujarat.
- Holi
Like the Diwali, the spring festival of Holi on the full moon day in the month of Phalguna has a universal appeal. While Diwali marks the end of the monsoon and therefore the agricultural season of the Kharif crop, the Holi festival marks the agricultural season of the Rabi crop.
- Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, the city of Ahmed Shah (the medieval ruler of Gujarat), is known for its rich past and its association with Mahatma Gandhi. Ahmedabad city of Gujarat offers the traveler a unique style of architecture, which is a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles (Indo-Saracenic style of architecture). Amongst the must visit places of Ahmedabad are the monuments that date back to the 15th century. Ahmedabad has been known for its industry since medieval times. The textile mills in Ahmedabad - 'Manchester of the East' are worth visiting.
- Gandhinagar
Gandhinagar, situated about 25 kilometers north of Ahmedabad, is the newly built capital of Gujarat. The 'Green Capital' of Gujarat named after Mahatma Gandhi, has been built on a grid pattern. This place in Gujarat is must visit for its abundant foliage.
- Jamnagar
Another place worth visiting in Gujarat is Jamnagar. Jamnagar is situated in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat around 302 km from Ahmedabad. The Lakhota Fort, Kotha Bastion, Willington Crescent, Solarium, Jamsaheb's Palace, and Rozi and Bedi ports are amongst the places to be seen at Jamnagar city of Gujarat.
- Patan
The Patan city of Gujarat was founded in the 9th century. Originally known as Anhilwad Patan, the city of Gujarat is famous for its architectural wonders built during the rule of the Solanki dynasty. The places to be seen here are the Rani Udayamati vav (step well) and the Sahastralinga Lake.
- Vadodara
Another place to visit in Gujarat is Vadodara, its cultural capital. The place is worth visiting for its long tradition of music, fine arts and education.
- Pavagadh
Pavagadh is the favorite hill resort for the people of Vadodara. This tourist place of Gujarat is believed by many to be the chunk of the Himalayas that was to be carried by Hanuman to Lanka.
- Champaner
Lying at the base of the Pavagadh hill in Gujarat is Champaner. Champaner is the ancient capital of Sultan Mahmud Beghara. The place has the must visit Jama Masjid, which is considered to be one of the finest in the entire state of Gujarat.
- Surat
Another important trading center and port of ancient India in Gujarat is Surat. Today, Gujarat's Surat is an important center for textiles, zari (gold and silver thread work) and diamond cutting and polishing.
- Saputara
Saputara, literally meaning 'the Abode of Serpents' is Gujarat's most popular hill resort, situated atop the second highest plateau in the Sahyadri range and in the midst of thick forests.
- Rajkot
A Rajput chief founded the Rajkot city of Gujarat in the 16th century. Gujarat's Rajkot had been the scene of many a clash between the Mughals and the British. Located in the center of the peninsula further northwest of Surat, Rajkot city is mainly known for the handicrafts. While visiting Rajkot tourists check out its famous bead and mirror work, tie and dye (bandhani), silk embroidery and appliqué work.
- Bhavnagar
To the southeast of Rajkot in Gujarat is the city of Bhavnagar. Bhavnagar was originally the capital of a state of the same name and ruled by the Suryavanshi Rajputs from Marwar. The main place to visit in the city of Bhavnagar is the Mahadev Temple.
- Junagadh
To the west of Bhavnagar, situated at the base of the Girnar Hills of Gujarat is Junagadh. The place to be seen in Junagadh is the rock edict of Emperor Ashoka, dating back to 250 BC.
- Girnar
One of the most sacred pilgrimage centers for the Jain community, situated in Junagadh district of Gujarat, are the 16 marble temples atop the 1,118 meter high Mount Girnar.
- Uperkot
One of the biggest tourist attractions in Gujarat about five kilometers from Junagadh is Uperkot. The fort atop the Uperkot hill, originally constructed by the Rajputs, has an ornamented triple gateway. The Buddhist caves and stupa all dating back to 100-700 AD are the other places to visit in Uperkot.
- Porbandar
Further west of Junagadh, situated along the coast of Gujarat is Porbandar. Porbandar in Gujarat is famous for being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi.
- Bhuj
Known popularly as the gateway to Kutch, Bhuj is one the most important towns of Gujarat. An old walled city, the gates of which (in olden times) were locked from dusk to dawn, here amongst the must visit place is the palace, bazaar and lake.
- Somnath
Situated in Junagadh, near the port town of Veraval, Somnath is probably one of the best-known pilgrimage centers of Gujarat.
- Dwarka
Yet another pilgrimage, for which Gujarat is known, is the holy town of Dwarka lying on the northern tip of the Saurashtra peninsula, at the confluence of the Gomti River and the Arabian Sea.
- Palitana
The architectural grandeur of many of the 863 Jain temples at Palitana of Gujarat has few parallels. Located on the 600 meter high Shatrujaya Hill, this cluster of temples, dedicated to various Jain saints and deities, is yet another important place of pilgrimage on the Jain circuit in Gujarat.
Gujarat has 10 domestic airports apart from an international airport at Ahmedabad. There are daily flights to Mumbai, Delhi and other cities from Ahmedabad. Other airports are at Vadodara, Bhavnagar, Bhuj, Surat, Jamnagar, Kandla, Keshod, Porbandar and Rajkot. Most of the domestic airlines operate out of Ahmedabad connecting it to rest of the country.
Gujarat has a good railway network that not only connects the state internally but connects the state to other places in India also.
Gujarat has a better road network than most of the other Indian states and they are in a fairly good condition. The total road length in the state is 73,397 km by the end of 2000, out of which 1,572 km is the share of National Highway, making the state easily accessible. The Gujarat State Transport Corporation and private operators operate regular buses to all the major destinations of the state from most of the larger cities.
