Colorful Gujarat

Arrive Mumbai and connect to your onward flight to Ahmedabad (1 hour). On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.

Ahmedabad, founded in the year 1411 AD, is located on the banks of the Sabarmati River and has been named after Sultan Ahmed Shah, who was primarily responsible for building it. Today, this city is known as the “Manchester of the East,” one of the highly industrialized cities in India and is also India’s textile city. Though the capital of Gujarat was shifted from Ahmedabad to Gandhinagar, it is still the second largest industrial city in western India. The old city of Ahmedabad is dotted with labyrinthine by lanes called “polls.” The exquisite carved wooden mansions and havelis are in no manner less than their stone counterparts in Rajasthan.

Rest of the day is at leisure.

After breakfast, take a tour of the Calico Museum, which exhibits antique and modern textiles, including rare tapestries (closed on Wednesday and public holidays and entry subject to permission). The Calico Museum of Textiles at Ahmedabad is the premier textile museum of the country, and one of the most celebrated institutions of its kind in the world for its distinguished and comprehensive collection of textiles and artifacts. The Calico collection, along with those of Sarabhai Foundation’s collection of outstanding bronzes, Pichhwais, Jain art objects and Indian miniature paintings are housed at the Retreat complex of Sarabhai Foundation in the Shahibag area of the city. Both the Calico Museum and the Sarabhai Foundation have major collections and an extensive program of publications.

In the afternoon you will be taken on a city tour of Ahmedabad that will cover Gandhi Ashram, Sarkhej Roza, theKite Museum and the Shreyas Folk Art Museum.

Gandhi Ashram is on a quiet peaceful stretch of the Sabarmati River. Mahatma Gandhi set up a simple retreat in 1915. This was his Satyagrah Ashram and for many years and was the nerve center of India’s freedom movement. Sarkhej Roza is about 8 kilometers away from the city. It comprises one of the most elegant architectural complexes of Ahmedabad. Grouped around a great stepped tank is the tomb of the saint, Ahmed Khattu Ganj Baksh, the mosque, the tombs of Muhammad Shah Begada and his queen, the palace and pavilions.

Spend this morning with the workers of painted cloth, Mata–Ni–Pachedi, the Kalamkari painters of Gujarat. The temple hangings from Gujarat are locally known as the Mata-ni-Pachedi. The historical evidence of this craft goes back almost two hundred years. Some rural and nomadic people of Gujarat make these hangings for their rituals. The term Mata-ni-Pachedi came from the Gujarati words, Mata,’ goddess’ ni, ‘belongs to’, Pachedi,’ which literally means behind in Gujarati. In Gujarat, the narrative hangings of the epics of Mata or Devi or Shakti were executed by the nomadic community of Waghari and were used by the people of this community. The unique feature of these temple hangings was that instead of being hung behind an icon, four to five pieces of these hangings were used to form a shrine for the goddess.

In the afternoon visit the Jamma Masjid, and the Tomb of Sultan Ahmed Shah near Gandhi Market with its crowded shops full of textiles and spices, and the stepwell, Dada Hari. This will be followed by a visit to Visahala, the Utensils museum.

Late evening, we will take you on a guided night walk of the historic city of Ahmedabad, taking you through some of the most ancient parts of the city. You will walk on the narrow lanes, past old havelis and monuments, to arrive at the crowded food court at Manek Chowk. There is a small room above the gateway leading to Raja no Haziro. Here you will witness a tradition that dates back to 600 years of drummers signaling the close of city gates (between 10 to 11 PM)

Depart very early to drive into the hinterland of rural Gujarat, visiting en route Rani ki Vav, Patan’s surviving double ikat weaving family, Modera’s temple ruins and Siddhapur’s amazing merchants’ streets. (approx. 2.5 hours plus stops).

Rani ki Vav was built during 11th and 12th centuries. It is the most magnificent and spectacular stepwell and the best example of such architecture for water wells.

Patan is the home of Patan Patola the ancient art of double ikat weaving. We shall try and meet the Master weavers from the Salvi Family, who are still carrying forward this magnificent art of double ikat weaving.

India has a rich and ancient heritage in fine textiles. (Double Ikat) Patola from the area of Patan is in the North Gujarat. Before World War II, Indonesia was a major buyer of patolas. Historically, the art of double Ikat Patola weaving dates back centuries. Paintings in the Ajanta caves resemble the tie-dye technique of patola. Legend indicates that sometime in the 12th century AD, King Kumarpal of the Solanki dynasty invited 700 families of patola weavers from Jalna (South Maharashtra) to settle down in Patan in North Gujarat. The Salvi family is one of them who has continued this traditional art and has preserved it even today. This is their heritage art from four generations. Essentially the design in a patola is based on traditional motifs called “Bhat.” Flowers, animals, birds and human figures form the basic designs.

Modhera is the Sun Temple. It is one of the finest examples of Indian temple architecture of its period. Built in 1026 AD, the temple is dedicated to the Sun God, Surya, and stands high on a plinth overlooking a deep stone-stepped tank. Every inch of the edifice, both inside and outside, is magnificently carved with gods and goddesses, birds, beasts and flowers. The inner sanctum that housed the presiding deity faces east and was so designed that at the solar equinox the first rays of the rising sun lit up the images of Surya. This temple bears some resemblance to the later and far better known Sun Temple of Konark that predates it by some 200 years.

Continue to Dasada.

Dasada is a perfect base for exploring the Rann of Kutch, the last refuge in India for the Asiatic Wild Ass, an elegant member of the horse family. In winter it is also home to migratory birds such as flamingos, Macqueen’s Bustard, pelicans and cranes.

On arrival you will be checked into Rann Riders.

Surrounded by wetlands, Rann Riders is an eco-friendly resort imaginatively designed using local materials to recreate the appearance of a village. Accommodations are in cottages, resembling the kooba houses of the Bajania community of Dasada and the bhunga houses of the Rabaris of Kutch, decorated with mirrors, mud-plaster work and embroideries.

Morning and evening wildlife and bird watching safari in the Little Rann of Kutch Wild Ass Sanctuary in search of endangered desert wildlife like the wild ass. Witness the sunset at a lake that attracts flamingos, pelicans, cranes and other attractive birds in large numbers.

Dasada and its nearby villages are inhabited by a number of interesting communities including pastoral tribes such as the Mirs, Rabaris, Bharwads, Jats and Kolis. In the evening, move around the village in a jeep and enjoy the culture of tribals like Bharwad and Rabari.

After breakfast, drive to Bhuj (7-8 hours), enroute visiting Bhujodi and Dhamadka to see block printings and shawl weaving. On arrival visit the District Collectors Office who will issue your permit for the surrounding villages (closed on weekends and public holidays).

Legendary heroism and romance lend enchantment to Kachchh, the land of great antiquity forming the northwestern part of Gujarat. The most important place in the area is the walled town of Bhuj, picturesquely placed between two streams. Kachchh is famous the world over for its sturdy horses and cows as also for wide variety of its handicrafts. Bandhini (tie-and-dyes) and hand-printed saris, embroidery and needle work, exquisite gold and silver ornaments known as Kutchi work, gilding and enameling are some of its traditional crafts. Nutcrackers, scissors and penknives are metal ware specialties of Kutch.

Today you will explore the Banni villages and visit villages like Nirona famous for Rogan Painting, village Dhordo for Muthwa embroidery and village Sumraser to visit the organization called Kala Raksha run by an American, Judy Freater. You will also visit Bhrindeyera village to see Meghwal embroidery.

Today, you will visit the house of Ali Mohamaed Isha who is a tie and die artisan and see his work.

In the afternoon visit Aina Mahal (Old Palace): This is a beautiful museum, built in the 18th century as the palace of Maharao Lakhpatji. It has a Hall of Mirrors with white marble walls covered with mirrors and gilded ornaments; the floor is lined with tiles with a platform above it surrounded by a series of fountains. The room also has a chandelier of Venetian glass. It is located in the old part of the city, in a small, fortified courtyard and houses some very rare idols.

Later, visit the local bazaar.

In the morning drive to Gondol (approx. 5 hours).

Gondal is a princely town of considerable importance and affluence. On arrival visit the 1748 AD Naulakha Palacewhich houses the erstwhile ruling family’s private collection of beadwork, textiles, brassware, hand-painted toys and silver crafts. Also visit the center promoting weaving at Gondal, and other historic buildings. In Gondal you will stay at Orchard Palace that is decorated with textiles from the former Maharanis’ collections.

Drive to the famous Gir National Park (approx. 2 hours) enroute visiting the historic town of Junagarh. At Junagarh, visit the Uparkot Fort, Buddhist Cave sites and 18th & 19th century royal mausoleum complex.

Later, continue to Gir.

Gir is the only home in India for the Asiatic Lion of which there are nearly 300 in the park. The Gir National Park lies in the Gujarat peninsula in southwestern India. The terrain is rugged with low hills and the vegetation is mixed deciduous, with stands of Teak, Acacia, Jamun, Tendu and Dhak trees, interspersed with large patches of grasslands. The trees on the hills are sparse and stunted.

On arrival you will be checked into the Lion Safari Camp.

The Lion Safari Camp is located in a private mango orchard overlooking the Hiran River. This eco-friendly camp has 21 ac luxury tents each with large well – furnished bedrooms and attached en-suite bathrooms. All the tents are beautifully furnished with natural materials and open out to an extended deck. This is an ideal place to sit and relax amongst nature.

In the morning and afternoon explore the famous Gir National Park.

Gir is the only place in the world outside Africa, where the Lion can be seen in its natural habitat. The last remaining Bastion of the Asiatic Lion, Gir is also home to one of the largest leopard populations in any park in India, making it an excellent place to see big cats of a different kind.

The Lion sanctuary project was initiated in 1972 to create a balance between the endangered lions and the indigenous Maldhari tribe. With over 800 guards patrolling the entire park, Gir has become one of the best-protected sanctuaries in India. No wonder that from 20 Lions at the turn of the century there are now over 300 lions at Gir. This makes your chances of sighting a lion very high.

Apart from spotting a colorful array of birds, Gir is also a great place to interact with local tribes. The main tribe is a nomadic pastoral community called Maldhari, who live in scattered settlements called ‘nesses’. Gir is also home to a Negroid community known as Siddis, who are African in origin but speak Gujarati. The park is open from mid October and a Lion Safari by jeep showcases the diverse habitat of Gir.

The forest is also rich in bird life and an estimated of 300 species are found inhabiting Gir National Park over the years. Many wildlife experts say that if Gir has not been a Lion sanctuary, it could have easily passed off as a protected area for the incredible diversity of birds that it harbors. The avifauna in here occupies the forest floors, small plants and shrubs and even the canopy of the trees.

In the morning drive to the beautiful Portuguese beach town of Diu (approximately 2 hours), enroute visit Somnath temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

In the afternoon visit Diu Fort, St.Paul Church and Diu Museum that has a collection of wooden carving, idols, shadow clocks & so many other items.

In the morning drive to Bhavnagar (approximately 5 hours). On arrival, you will be checked into the Palace hotel.

The Nilambagh Palace in Bhavnagar was built in 1859 as a country house for the Maharaja of Bhavnagar and later became the royal residence. Set in spacious grounds which include a swimming pool and outdoor restaurant, there are 28 rooms many containing original features.

Afternoon, proceed for sightseeing tour of Bhavnagar beginning with the Gandhi Smriti Museum, a memorial with photographs and other articles associated with Gandhiji. Gangajaha in the midst of what was formerly a tank stands the temple of Gangadcvi with a chhatri or partition. Made of white marble, designed by Sir John Griffits it was built by Maharaja Takhtsinghji in memory of Maharani Majirajba in 1893 A.D. Proceed to Takhteshwar Temple in the middle of city, with a panoramic city view. The temple and whole compound is made of shining white marble. See theLock Gate, the first of its kind in Gujarat. The seawater here is impounded by the lock gates to keep ships afloat during low tide (can only be seen with special permission).

Drive to Ahmedabad airport (approximately 7 hours) in time to board the flight for Mumbai. En route visit Lothal, a perfect place to get an insight of the Indus Valley civilization. The most dominating site at Lothal is the massive dockyard perhaps the greatest work of maritime architecture in India. Lothal was also famous for its arterial streets, microbes of gold, ivory and coppersmiths’ workshops, potteries and underground sanitary drainage.

Arrive Ahmedabad and connect to your onward flight to Mumbai (1 hour). You will be met and transferred to the hotel.

In the morning, take an excursion to Elephanta Island, which is an hour away from Mumbai by motor launch. The cave temples here were excavated between the 5th and 8th centuries AD and are famous for their magnificently sculpted panels.

The best known is the one that depicts the Maheshmurti, a three – headed image of Lord Shiva, which signifies the creator, preserver and destroyer of this universe as per Hindu mythology. The Portuguese named this island after a large stone elephant that was found near the landing. The elephant now stands at the Victoria and Albert Museum on the mainland.

In the afternoon visit the Prince of Wales Museum, drive past Marine Drive, Mumbai’s most popular seaside promenade, and see the Kamla Nehru Park and Hanging Gardens on the slopes of the Malabar hills, offering a nice view of the marine lines and the Chowpatty beach. Visit Mani Bhawan Jain temple where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay, and the Dhobi Ghat, the outdoor laundry. Also, drive past the Flora Fountain, the colorful Crawford Market andVictoria Terminus train station.

A room is reserved until time for the late evening transfer to the International airport to board the flight for your onward destination.