Highlights of Cultural Tourism In Gujarat

by Nisha Parmar SEO Executive

gujrat festival

Gujarat has for long attracted visitors from distant lands in search of trade, empire or refuge. Together with their trade the migrants and colonizers brought with them their cultural influences and religious beliefs so that Gujarat today has a diversity of places of worship. For Hindus, the Krishna temple of Dwarka, the Jyotirlingam of Somnath, the Shaktipith of Ambaji and the holy lake of Narayan Sarovar are among the most important pilgrimage sites. Buddhism thrived in Gujarat between the 3rd century BC and 8th century AD when many rock-cut caves and stupas were built in the state. Among these Devni Mori at Shamlaji has special importance because a Buddha relic casket was unearthed here. Jainism has thrived in Gujarat from ancient times and Jain temple building was given much patronage by the 12th century Solanki Rajput rulers. The temple covered sacred summits of Shatrunjaya hill and Girnar peak are among the major Jain pilgrimage destinations.

The Parsees, a group of Zoroastrians fleeing their native Iran about a millennium ago, settled in South Gujarat. Their most sacred fire temple is situated in Udvada. Apart from Udvada, Atashbehrams (the highest grade of ritual fire for Zoroastrians) are housed in one fire temple of Naysari and two at Surat. Gujarat also has a number of Sufi shrines like the beautiful dargahs of Shaikh Ahmed and Shah Alam in Ahmedabad, the much visited dargah of Mira Datar at Unava, and the pirs of Kutch.

Christianity grew in Gujarat during the British colonial period. Interestingly, though Jews are a micro-minority in Gujarat there is a synagogue in Ahmedabad where prayer services and feasts are held on Jewish holy days.

gujarat religious places

In addition to the religious places, Gujarat has sites associated with spiritual leaders like Sant Kabir, Jalaram Bapa, Dayanand Sarasvati, Sankracharya, mystic poet Narsi ehta, Aurobindo, etc.

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