Somnath Trip – 6 : Somnath Temple – Magnificence Redefined

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Dear friends,

Somnath Temple has mesmerized you!

Somnath Temple is the centre of tourist attractions in Somnath. The ancient and auspicious Somnath Temple is the temple of Lord Shiva. Somnath is a compound word made from two words- SOM and NATH. ‘Som’ means Moon and ‘Nath’ means God. Somnath means God of Moon. Here Mahadev (Bhagwan Shiva) was worshipped by Moon, hence the name Somnath Mahadev. It is also referred to as Someshwar Mahadev in history.

Somnath is a ‘Jyotirling’ or ‘Jyotirlinga’ (Jyoti + Linga). The word Jyotirlinga stands for ‘Radiant Shiva’. Jyotirlinga is said to be the manifestation of Shiva in a radiant form. Somnath is one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlinga shrines in India. In fact, Somnath Temple is well-known as the ‘aadi’ Jyotirlinga. ‘Aadi’ refers to the first and foremost. Somnath is the first among twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of our country. Your friend Meet has pointed out that the references to Somnath are found in ancient Indian scriptures. Rigveda, the oldest Veda, has also mentioned ‘Someshwar Dev’.

Somnath Temple has witnessed the vicissitudes of thousands of years. It was originally built by Som Dev (the Moon god) to please and worship Bhagwan Shiva. Somnath Temple was attacked and destroyed several times by outsiders, invaders, a couple of intolerant Muslim rulers. But no one could destroy the spirit of the culture and the pride of this great nation. Every time the Somnath Temple was rebuilt with the power of creation, with enhanced grandeur.

The present day Somnath Temple is the result of the vision and efforts of the Iron Man of India, Sardar Patel, who was the first deputy Prime Minister of India.

As you know, friends, Somnath Temple stands on the western shore of Gujarat (India), proudly proclaiming the spirit of creation of our culture and the indomitable power of India. Arabian Sea touches the feet of the grand structure of Somnath Temple. You can see a huge ‘Dhvaj Pataka’ (Flag) atop a 27-feet high flagpost.

The magnificence of Somnath Temple is unparalleled. Somnath Temple is meticulously designed and built on the basis of Chalukya sculpture style by the Sompuras, the master craftsmen of Gujarat. Somnath Temple is termed as ‘Maha Meru Praasad Mandir’. It is a unique temple of its style built in last 800 years in India.

The imposing structure of Somnath Mandir rises high above to a ‘shikhar’ which is 150 feet high. Atop the ‘shikhar’ of Somnath Mandir is a massive ‘Kalash’ of stone, which weighs a hefty ten tonne! Divinity of the Universe descends on to the ‘Shikhar’ of Somnath Mandir, therefrom, onto the devotees and tourists gathered over that sacrosanct place!

Let us go inside the temple. The Somnath Mandir has an impressive Garbha Gruha, a spacious Sabha Mandap and a Nritya Mandap. You will notice, friends, that the columns are carefully carved and meticulously decorated to the finest details. The dome above is awe strikingly gorgeous. Parts of interiors are covered with glittering silver or gold layers.

You devotedly take blessings of Nandi and train your eyes. The Great God Mahadev is there. In front of you is the Aadi Jyotirlinga, the radiant Somnath Shivaliga. How blessed you are!

Darshan done? Now you come out to the sprawling gardens of Somnath Temple. Walking through the garden, you may move over to the Vallabh Ghat. Vallabh Ghat offers a spectacular view of the Arabian Sea. There is a Telescope Centre. On a nominal charge, you can view a distant temple. Take a couple of steps to reach the South Pole Arrow column. The arrow points towards the South Pole. Somnath Temple is the last piece of land. Will you believe? No land mass exists between Somnath Temple and the South Pole. Water, water! Everywhere water!

Vallabh Ghat of Somnath Temple also serves the purpose of a ‘Sunset Point’. View the sun setting in the evening, or spend time liberally in watching the roaring waves. Or sit on a bench and watch the grand Somnath Mandir silently

Your Somnath trip is incomplete without 'darshan' of 'Aarati' of Somnath Mahadev.

The Somnath Temple raises your heart-throbs at Aarati time. Aarati is the Puja and prayer of God. At Somnath Temple, Aarati Ceremony takes place three times- morning at seven, noon twelve and then at seven evening. 

Don’t be surprised if the vibrations of Aarati may lift you up, into the next orbit of spirituality! 

All best wishes.

GujTourist11.

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Somnath Trip – 5 : Bhalka Tirth Trip in Somnath

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Dear friends,

I am happy to read mail from Vishal. He is actively discussing scope of tourism in Gujarat with his friends.

Nij Dham Prasthan Tirth trip (Trip A) may be taken morning or evening. But trip to Bhalka Tirth (Trip B) should be taken before tide time. It is better to start around 3 30 pm. This will help you have the ‘darshan’ of the sea Shivalinga at Shashi Bhushan Mahadev/ Bhid Bhanjan Ganeshaji Temple. If you are late, the Shivalingas may submerge in the sea waters; you may or may not have the glimpses of the Shivalinga during tides.

Trip to Bhalka Tirth may be initiated from Somnath Temple. Bhalka tirth is located 5 kms from Somnath Temple, on the old Somnath-Veraval Road. But, friends, please note that the new Somnath-Veraval road/bypass is being constructed presently.

On way to Bhalka Tirth from Somnath, you will come across boat-building centre in the creek of the sea. You will notice innumerable boats, with colourful flags. Tourists love doing photo-shoot here. 

Going ahead towards Bhalka, on the left side in a narrow lane, you may first visit Shashi Bhushan Mahadev/ Bhid Bhanjan Ganeshaji Temple. The temple was built in ancient times on the sea shore. Devotees believe that if you pray here, all your wishes are granted. They say Ganeshaji solves all your problems, hence the name Bhid Bhanjan Ganeshaji. Friends! You go behind the temple on the sea shore and you will have the ‘darshan’ of the sea Shivalingas. You may have glimpses of Shivalingas only before tide starts. Tide waters may submerge the Shivalingas.

Shashi Bushan Mahadev has ancient history. Perhaps your friend Preeti might have told you about it. It is said that a hunter named Jara mistakenly shot his arrow from this place and it hit Bhagwan  Shri Krishna who was resting under a tree, one km away at Bhalka.

Shashi Bhushan Mahadev/ Bhid Bhanjan Ganeshaji Temple can be observed, with a binocular, from Vallabh Ghat on the premises of the main Somnath Temple. Vallabh Ghat is in the backyards of Somnath Temple.

Bhalka Tirth dates back to the Mahabharat age. When the war of Mahabharat was over, Bhagwan Shri Krishna was gloomy with all devastation. He left Dwarika (Dwaraka) and came to Somnath. He was resting under a Peepal tree at Bhalka. Jara, a hunter, mistook his leg to be a deer and shot an arrow. The arrow hit Lord Krishna in the sole of his foot. At this place stands the Bhalka Tirth Temple today. It has an extraordinarily charming idol of Bhagwan Shri Krishna. Inside the Bhalka temple, there is the old tree below which is the idol of Yogeshwara Shri Krishna, with enchanting expressions on his face. Jara is seated beside him, bowing and repenting. Shri Krishna is preaching the hunter that all that happened was directed by God’s will. A captivating smile and compassion oozing from the eyes enhance the radiance of Shri Krishna’s face. Spend a couple of minutes with closed eyes and you will experience bliss inexpressible!

Remember- photography inside the Bhalka temple is not allowed. But you step out of the temple and shoot in the premises.

A huge Shiva Statue at Prajapita Brahmakumari centre and an ancient mosque also draw the attention of tourists. You may finish Bhalka Tirth trip (trip B) in about one and a half hour and return to Somnath Temple.

Next time more of Somnath tourist attractions.

Jay Somnath!

GujTourist11.

Somnath Trip – 4 : Nij Dham Prasthan Trip in Somnath

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Dear friends,

As I mentioned in the last mail, the Somnath tourist places can be conveniently visited in two trips. Let us discuss the first trip- Trip A to Nij Dham Prasthan Tirth.

You may start this trip from Somnath Temple. Nij Dham Prasthan Tirth complex is about 2 kms from Somnath Temple.

Nij Dham Prasthan Tirth, also known as Golok Dham or Dehotsarga, is a very holy place and is picturesque. The vast premises of Nij Dham Prasthan Tirth complex contain Bhagawan Shri Krishna Charan Paduka, Gita Mandir, Balaram Dauji Sheshanag Cave and Lakshmi Narayan Temple.

Nij Dham Prasthan is the place where Lord Krishna breathed his last in the human form and left for his heavenly abode. As your friend Neha has rightly narrated, Bhagwan Shri Krishna was shot at mistakenly by a hunter (named Jara) at BhalkaTirth. From Bhalka Tirth, Shri Krishna came to Somnath and ended his Avataar (human incarnation) at Nij Dham Prasthan (Golok Dham or Dehotsarga). Devotees pray here to Bhagwan Shri Krishna and worship His Charan Paaduka (foot prints) in the centre of the premises.

Gita Mandir is a beautiful temple devoted to Lord Krishna and Gita Mataji. There is a charming idol of Shri Krishna with a flute on his lips and a cow beside him. Gita Mandir has  marble pillars on which are inscribed the Shlokas (holy stanzas) of Shrimad Bhagvad Gita, the holy scripture. Bhagvad Gita is an ancient Indian Scripture which is a part of Prasthantrayi (three holy books of Hinduism). Bhagvad Gita contains the sermon Lord Krishna gave to Arjuna on the battlefield at the time of Mahabharat war. There are eighteen chapters in Bhagvad Gita. All these 18 chapters are written on the 18 marble pillars of Gita Mandir.

Next to Gita Mandir is an ancient cave known as Balram Dauji’s Gufa (cave). This is the place where Balram (Bhagvan Shri Krishna’s elder brother) left for his heavenly abode. He left his body as Sheshanag, so the cave is also known as Sheshanag Cave.

Laksmi Narayan (Lakshminarayan) Temple has the idols of Bhagwan Laksminarayan (a form of Lord Vishnu) and Lakshmi Mataji. Bhagvan Vishnu is worshipped as the conservator of the world. His wife, Lakhmi Mataji, is the Goddess of wealth and prosperity.

Mahaprabhuji Bethak is located near Lakshmi Narayan Temple, behind Charan Paduka of Bhagwan Shri Krishna in the Nij Dham Prasthan. Here Vallabhacharya, the proponent of Pushti Marga of Vaishanv Sampradaya, had given discourses while he toured all over India to propagate Vaishnavism in the sixteen century. Accoding to the Vaishnav sect, there are 84 Mahaprabhuji Bethak in India.

Photography/Videography is allowed at Nij Dham Prasthan Tirth complex. The Tirth complex is situated on the banks of the river Hirana. It is a picturesque place in natural surroundings. Be there in the morning before nine or after four in the eve for better photography. You will have plenty of opportunities to shoot at different points with different backgrounds and different angles. One may happily spend two hours at Nij Dham Prasthan Complex.

After visiting Nij Dham Prasthan Tirth, you may visit Triveni Ghat on way back to Somnath Temple. Triveni Ghat is hardly half-a-kilomentre from Somnath Temple. Triveni Ghat is the holy confluence of three rivers – Hirana, Kapila and Gupta Saraswati. The devotees offer prayers for their forefathers here and do rituals for the peace of the deceased relatives. Triveni Ghat offers some good views and could be developed well as a tourist attraction in Somnath. Unfortunately it is much neglected by the authorities. The place is often so dirty that a tourist hardly can spend fifteen minutes!!

Tourists may also visit Parshuram Mandir, Jaleshwar mahadev, Shankaracharya Ashram and some other religious places in this trip.

One may return to Somnath Temple after this trip. Thus, Nij Dham Prasthan Tirth trip (Trip A) can be ended at Somnath Temple from where it was started.

We will continue our Somnath trip, right?

With good wishes,

GujTourist11.

Somnath Trip – 3 : Historical and Religious places in Somnath

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Dear Friends,

Somnath draws large number of tourists. Somnath has been known for its ancient history. Apart from Somnath temple, there are many other historical and religious places in Somnath.

If you wish to visit local places in Somnath, enlist them and prepare a plan for the visit. If you have your own vehicle, it’s fine. Otherwise decide your schedules and hire a vehicle.

Sturdy, rugged three-wheelers (rickshaws) are preferred for local transport. Sharing a vehicle is economical. One or two persons may opt for a shared rickshaw. But a larger group may opt for hiring big rickshaws. Big three-wheeler rickshaws, locally known as ‘CHHAKADA’, are available with capacity of 5 to 8 or more persons. Do you know, friends, ‘Chhakada’ are typical vehicles found in Saurashtra region of Gujarat? Sonali will mail you some images of ‘Chhakada’. Their drivers are expert. They make daily trips to and fro Sasan Gir (Gir Lion Sanctuary). Though little jerky and bumpy, the tourists enjoy these rides!

Your friend, Arpit, has suggested how to visit the local historical and religious tourist places in Somnath.

You can visit local tourist attractions of Somnath in two trips. Both are in different directions.

1.  Trip A: Visit both Nij Dham Prasthan Tirth Complex and Triveni Ghat 
2.  Trip B: Visit Bhalka Tirth

You may initiate the trip A near the Somnath Temple. Nij Dham Prasthan Tirth is some 2 kms away from the Somnath Temple and it is 10 minutes’ drive. Nij Dham Prasthan Tirth is a complex also known as Golok Dham or Dehotsarga. Nij Dham prasthan Tirth complex has a number of religious places located next to one another. Depending on your interest, you may devote 2 to 3 hours for trip A.

Trip B can also be initiated from Somnath Temple. Bhalka Tirth is about 5 kms from the Temple and a vehicle may take 15-20 minutes. You may take 60 to 90 minutes for trip B.

We will discuss these trips in details next time.

All best wishes.

GujTourist11.

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Somnath Trip – 2 : Tourist places in Somnath

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Dear Friends,

Somnath is a glittering tourist spot and a holy place of pilgrimage in Gujarat on the western coast of India. The glorious Somnath temple of Lord Shiva stands in magnificence facing the Arabian Sea.

Somnath is also known as Prabhas Patan somnath, as the Somnath Temple is situated in the town earlier known as Prabhas or Prabhas Patan. Somnath is only 6  kms from Veraval, a small port city on the coastal area of Saurashtra in Gujarat.

Somnath is an ancient place of pilgrimage which has links with two great Hindu deities – Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna.

Somnath is known for its Lord Shiva (Mahadev) temple with a Jyotirlinga. Friends! Some of you might be knowing that a Jyotirlinga is a swaroop (form) of Bhagawan Shiva with divine radiance. There are only 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Bhagawan Shiva in India. Somnath is the place where Lord Krishna breathed his last and left for his heavenly abode. Thus, Bhagawan Krishna spent the last phase of his Avataar at Somnath.

The main places to visit in Somnath are-

• The Somnath Temple.
• NijDham Prasthan Tirth is a complex also known as Golok Dham or Dehotsarga. The vast complex contains Bhagawan Shri Krishna Charan Paduka, Gita Mandir, Balaram Dauji Sheshanag Cave and Lakshmi Narayan Temple.
• Parshuram Mandir- Jalprabhas Kund- Jaleshwar Mahadev.
• Triveni Sangam Ghat (the confluence of three rivers- Hiranya, Kapila and Saraswati).
• BhalkaTirth.
• ShashiBhushan Mahadev temple – Bhid Bhanjan Ganeshaji temple.
• The Somnath Beach.

Somnath Temple proudly stands facing the Arabian Sea. From the temple premises, you can watch the waves of the Arabian Sea dashing against the high boundary walls of the great Somnath temple.

It’s a beautifully constructed, huge temple and one feels very humble in front of it. If you visit it early morning, while the temple is adored by the morning rays and the enchanting soothing breeze, with the vast expanse of the Arabian Sea and the endless bluish sky adding to the glory, the confluence of the man’s vision and the Creator’s charisma would so charm you that you will simply be spell-bound. May be you are a theist or an atheist, you will be lost!

You have to visit Somnath to believe it! You need to visit Gujarat to enjoy Khushboo Gujarat ki!

We will continue our Somnath trip in the next letter . . .

With all good wishes,

GujTourist11.

Somnath Trip – Part 1 (Saurashtra – Gujarat tour)

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Dear friends,

Some of you have requested information on Saurashtra and western region of Gujarat.

The western region of Gujarat is enriched with many interesting tourist places. There are wide range of ancient and religious tourist places as well as beautiful beaches and other tourist spots.

The main tourist attractions in Saurashtra – Kutch region include Shatrunjay Tirth -  Palitana, Chotila, Junagadh – Girnar hills, Gir forest, Sasan Gir Lion Sanctuary, Porbandar, Dwarka, Dhola Vira, Rann of Kutch (Desert of Kutch) and many others.

One, who is a hardy tourist and wants to see everything, may spend a fortnight in this region. If you wish to spend 3 to 5 days of vacation, Saurashtra is a very ideal region. One must remember that ‘five star’ facilities are almost non-existent. But a smart guy may find decent stay and food at affordable rates.

Some tourists cover both Somnath and Dwarka in four days. Fine. You may choose only selective places.

A tourist may choose from a variety of tour plan options. Go towards Junagadh - Somnath region and plan for 5 to 7 days holidays.  Or go to Dwarka side for 2 – 3 days. Or travel to cover Kutch attractions for 2 – 3 days. It all depends upon what you wish to see, and hence where you wish to spend how much  of time. It’s your choice, your preference, your decision.

Somnath can be reached by an overnight journey (about 8 hours) by train from Ahmedabad. Trains from other states also have direct links with Somnath. These trains have AC and Non-AC sleeper coaches. Buses are available from all over the state to reach Somnath.

Somnath is approximately 400 kms – by road- from Ahmedabad. The Ahmedabad – Somnath road route (via Limbdi- Rajkot- Gondal- Virpur - Jetpur- Junagadh) is preferred, thanks to the excellent road conditions (Be aware: Road repairs are going on presently).

The best way to tour Somnath region is to hire your own car or minibus.

Reputed tours and travel operators offer rental four wheelers for hire in Ahmedabad or Rajkot. One can find such tours / travel operators on the NET and cars, minibus and buses can be rented on-line also. We will continue our discussions on Somnath trip . . . .

With best wishes,

GujTourist11

What is Khushboo Gujarat Ki?

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Dear friends,

I am thrilled to read the feedback of  Shveta  and Dhaval. Excellent! Let me write something in response to their mail.

Tourism in Gujarat is growing rapidly. Friends! Government of Gujarat decided to revitalize the Gujarat tourism sector around 2010. Bollywood super star Amitabh Bachchan was chosen as the brand ambassador for Gujarat tourism. With an aggressive promotion over TV and other media, the year 2010 was the turning point in the history of tourism in Gujarat. The promotion paid off very well.

The campaign ‘Khushboo Gujarat Ki’ starring Big B (Amitabh Bachchan) has proved to be a golden goose for Gujarat tourism. What a wonderful campaign it has been! For the first time, Gujarat has been so loud and visible in the tourism arena. I agree with Shveta. She says that Amitabh Bachchan is speaking from his heart. He acts and speaks as if he is an icon of Gujarati hospitality. ‘Khushboo Gujarat Ki’ promotes Gujarat tourism, more than that it disseminates the flavour of the land, the fragrance of Gujarati culture, the very essence of Gujarat.

The short films of the ‘Khushboo Gujarat Ki’ steered by the legendary ad-maker Piyush Pandey have been attracting both national and international tourists in large numbers to Gujarat. While tourism in India is growing in a low single digit, that in Gujarat is growing at above 13 percent.

But this is not enough. Gujarat has a long way to go to scale up its tourism.

You all will agree, friends, that ‘Khushboo Gujarat Ki’ should mean a lot to tourists.

Let us ponder over the issues where we still need to focus. We want the tourists to be drawn mesmerizingly to Gujarat. Tourists from all over India expect Gujarat to be different from other states. Tourists from the USA, UK or European countries expect Gujarat to have above average tourist amenities. Government of Gujarat will need to make herculean efforts to translate tourism into an economy-booster industry.

Do we really know what Gujarat has to offer? Do we project them the way a tourist should know Gujarat? Friends! The modern day tourist does not travel only for sight-seeing, he travels for a purpose.  A tourist often travels to get to know a place, to experience the throbs of a place. But we fail to provide the right information to the tourists in the right ways. Time is right to redefine Gujarat tourism.

Gujarat has rich sites of historical importance (Ahmedabad), cultural importance (Dang-Aahwa , Tarnetar Fair), heritage and archeological importance (Modhera, Lothal, Dhola Vira), religious importance (Somnath, Ambaji, Palitana, Dwarka etc), flora-and-fauna importance (Sasan Gir, Jambughoda, Velavadar etc), tourist pleasure importance (Saputara, Tithal) and many more. This is just a shortlist.

Gujarat tourism can be so colourful!  Gujarat has much more to give to tourists in terms of history, culture, religion, wildlife, architecture, archeology, sight-seeing picnic spots, holidaying places and others.

Awaiting your response,

GujTourist11

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Amazing Facts about Gujarat

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Dear Friends,

How amazingly unique Gujarat is! Read these amazing facts about Gujarat.

• Gujarat state was formed on 1^st May, 1960.
• Gandhinagar, near Ahmedabad, is the capital city of Gujarat. Gandhinagar is adjudged the Greenest Capital city in India.
• Mahatma Gandhi (the Father of the Nation) and Sardar Patel (the Iron Man of India), the great leaders of Indian freedom movement, belonged to Gujarat. Jamshedji Tata, the father of Indian industry, had family roots in Gujarat. The well-known modern industrialist of India, Dhirubhai Ambani, hailed from Gujarat.
• Gujarat lies in the western region of India. Pakistan lies on the west of Gujarat. Thus, Gujarat has a common international border with Pakistan.
• Areawise, Gujarat is the seventh largest state in India. Gujarat is the 10^th among the most populous states in India. Gujarat accounts for 5% of the population of India.
• With an area of nearly 2 lakh square km, Gujarat is double the size of Austria, Hungary or Portugal – the countries of Europe. Gujarat is nearly as big as the state of Nebraska or South Dakota in America (USA).
• With the population of nearly 60 million people, Gujarat is nearly as populated as France or Italy in Europe. The population of Gujarat is about six times that of Georgia, the American president Barack Obama’s home state in the US.
• Gujarat shares common borders with Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra; all these three states are the largest states of India.
• When India won its independence in 1947, Gujarat was a part of the state of Bombay (Brihad Mumbai Rajya). Few may know that Saurashtra was a separate, independent state at that time. In 1960, the Bombay state was bifurcated into two states- Maharashtra and Gujarat. Thus, Gujarat state was formed on 1^st of May 1960 and Saurashtra was merged into Gujarat. Ahmedabad was made the capital of Gujarat. Later on, Gandhinagar, the new capital city was developed some 30 km from Ahmedabad city. Around 1970, .Gandhinagar became fully functional as the capital of Gujarat.
• Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot are the largest cities of Gujarat. Ahmedabad and Surat are among the ten most populated cities in India. Surat and Ahmedabad are among the fastest growing cities in India.
• Gujarat is the only state to have twelve functional, operating airports.
• Four out of five richest Indians have family roots in Gujarat. ( in terms of net worth values, as per a Forbes report 2013)
• Gujarat accounts for nearly one-fourth of India’s total banking business.
• Gujarat ranks high among all the states of India in the fields of petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and textiles.
• Gujarat, the last abode of the Asiatic lions, enjoys the lion’s share in the production of milk, salt and soda ash!
• Gujarat has more than 18000 villages. Almost all of them have electricity supply. More than 95% of them have all-season road connectivity.
• Gujarat is the only state in India which boasts of surplus in generation of electricity. Gujarat is a top ranked state in the use of renewable energy resources.
• Gujarat is known for its political stability and social security. Gujarat has one of the lowest crime rates in India. Labour unrest is not heard of in Gujarat.
• Gujarat is a center of attraction for the commerce and industry.
• Gujarat is paradise for the tourists. Gujarat has plenty of picnic spots, excursion centres and places of tourist attractions with historical, religious or geographical importance. Tourism in Gujarat has tremendous potential. Gujarat tourism can contribute significantly to Indian tourism.
• Sixteen sites in India have been selected as the ‘Biosphere Reserves’ as per the UNESCO programme. Kutch from Gujarat is one of them.
• Gir forest ( Gir Lion National Sanctuary or Sasan Gir National Park) near Junagadh in Gujarat is the abode of Asiatic Lions. Lions are found only in Asia and Africa in the world. Now in India, the Gir forest (Gujarat) is the last and only place where Asiatic lions are found.
• Sabarmati, Narmada, Tapi and Mahi are the main rivers of Gujarat.
• Hinduism and Islam are the major religions. Followers of Christianity, Jainism, Sikhism and Zorostrian are also found in large numbers in Gujarat.

Aren’t these facts about Gujarat amazing?

With best wishes,

GujTourist11.