Gujarat is one of India's most industrialized states, in western India, covering an area of 196,024 sq km (75,685 sq mi). It has a fertile plain land in the south cut by several rivers, low hills in the west, and broad mudflats in the north that adjoin the Thar (Great Indian) Desert. On the basis of physiology and culture, Gujarat can be divided into several regions like Kutch, Saurashtra and Northeast Gujarat.

Travel places of Saurashtra :

somnath :
Somnath is about 5km from Veraval and had a checkered history. It is believed that the Somnath temple here was originally built by Somraj, the Moon God himself, out of gold, and then rebuilt by Ravana in silver and then by Krishna in Wood, then by Bhimdev in stone. Somnath is also known by several other names -- Deo pattan, Prabhas Pattan or Pattan Somnath, which it acquired during its long and eventful history. Somnath was once the most revered shrine in the country, for it had one of the twelve pre-eminent Jyotirlingas (the glowing Lingas), which held a special significance for the Hindus. Somnath's glory and fame are legendary. It is said that people from the remotest parts of the country came to worship at the shrine; revenues collected from ten thousand villages was spent on the maintenance of the temple. Two thousand Brahmins (priests) served the and a golden chain attached to a huge bell plate announced the commencement of prayers.

Ghazni Mohammed descended on Somnath in 1024 when the temple was so prosperous that it has 300 musicians, 500 dancing girls and 300 barbers to shave the heads of visiting pilgrims. There is a description to this effect by Al Biruni, an Arab traveller. After a two-day battle, Ghazni Mohammed carted off its fabulous wealth and also destroyed the temple, thus setting a precedent of Muslims destroying the temple and Hindus rebuilding it, for it was razed again in 1297, 1394 and finally in 1706 by Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor who was notorious for such acts. Mahmud entered the temple and possessed himself of its fabulous wealth. `Not a hundredth part of the gold and precious stones he obtained from Somnath were to be found in the treasury of any king of Hindustan.' Later historians have related how Mahmud refused the enormous ransom offered by the Brahmans, and preferred the title of `Idol-breaker' (But-shikan) to that of `Idol-seller' (But-farosh). He struck the with his mace and his piety was instantly rewarded by the precious stones that came out of its belly. This is an impossible story. Apart from the fact that it lacks all contemporary confirmation, the Somnath was a solid unsculptured linga, not a statue, and stones could not have come out of its belly. That the was broken is unfortunately true enough, but the offer of the Brahmans, and Mahmud's rejection of the offer, is a fable of later days.

Dwarka :
Dwarka is an important city for Hindu Pilgrimage. This was the kingdom of Lord Krishna. The entire city was revealed by marine excavations. The city of Dwarka, renowned in myth and legend, was once the capital of Lord Krishna's empire. He is believed to have settled there after leaving Mathura, thousands of years ago. The site is undoubtedly ancient but its association with Lord Krishna gives it a sanctity which draws millions of pilgrims. It is one of India's seven oldest towns or sapta puris, where he reigned for decades as leader of a growing clan.

On the eve of the great battle of Kurukshetra, Lord Krishna set out from Dwarka to the site of the battle, to instruct Arjuna, the Pandava, and these instructions form the text of the Bhagavad Gita. Famous for his divine compassion, Krishna was devoted to those whom he loved. When Sudama, the humble friend of his childhood, visited him hesitantly at Dwarka, he was received like a royal prince by Lord Krishna and his queen, the beautiful Rukmini. There are many other legends connected with Dwarka. It is said that when the Lord finally abandoned his body, the city slipped into the sea and its waves closed over it for ever.

Today's Dwarka, like its ancient counterpart, stand poised on the edge of the Kutchh peninsula, facing the Arabian sea. In times gone by, it was a seaport from where goods were borne to the Mediterranean world. The city was also the gateway to western India. It is clear that Dwarka was a populour town with buildings constructed of stone and brick, even before the Christian era. Its archaeological remains point to a level of prosperity unusual at that time. Throughout the centuries, Dwarka has been visited by many persons whose names illuminate the pages of history. Among these were Adi Shankaracharya (c 780 to 820 AD), Ramanuja (12th century A.D), the great mystic Narsinh Mehta, Mira, the devout princess from Chitor, and the great saints Kabir and Nanak

Sasan Gir :
The Gir National Park is spread over an area of 1412 square kms in the Junagarh district of Gujarat in western India. The history of the National Park goes back to the turn of the 20th century. There was a terrible famine that almost wiped out the lion population in the first decade of the century. Deprived of prey, the lion population came down heavily, until protection was offered by the Nawab of Junagarh. Lion hunting was completely banned in 1950s. Lion census was carried out, and appropriate steps taken for their conservation

The park has a core area of 259 square kms. Besides the lions, Sasangir has a healthy population of other carnivores like panthers, wild cat, jackal, and hyena. The herbivores of the forest include sambar, chital, chinkara, nilgai, chowsingha (four horned antelope), and wild boar. Langurs and monkeys are also found and form the prey base for the big cats. Marsh crocodiles are also the inhabitants of Gir National Park, and can be seen near the rivers or at the lake of kamaleshwar dam. There is a crocodile breeding farm at Sasan, the headquarters of the park. Wildlife in Gujarat comprises a fascinating variety of birds, and most of them can be spotted at Sasangir. The bird population of the park includes species like gray drongo, paradise flycatcher, pied woodpecker, crested swift, Indian roller, fish owl, black vulture, falcon, crested serpent eagle, Bonelli's eagle, sand grouse, quails, grey partridges, and white necked stork.

The park offers exciting safaris by jeep. The chief trails are from sasan to Baval chowk, Kankai, Tulsishyam, Chodavadi, and Kamaleshwar dam. Guides will accompany you on these trips and help you see the hidden treasures of Sasangir. Safaris are best conducted at sunrise or sunset, as the animals are most likely to be seen at these times.