Last Updated At: 31-Jan-2025
Heritage sites are unarguably the most important physical components giving a unique identity to a destination. The strategic locations, the lived-in architecture, and their amazing elements speak volumes about the destinations’ eventful past, rich heritage, cultural legacy, and architectural brilliance. Gujarat is home to some of the most stunning heritage sites. These heritage sites in Gujarat foster a sense of community and home while serving as a reminder of the state's historical legacy. Besides unique landmarks, Gujarat is home to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Vibrant Gujarat is known for its amazing culture and wealth of heritage. Let us look at the top heritage sites in Gujarat that successfully create unique and exciting experiences for discerning travellers.
Gujarat is peppered with magnificent heritage sites that are symbols of its rich cultural, historical, and architectural past. Soak in the beauty of these marvels that reveals interesting stories about their past. Know more about these sites and what makes them unique.
This heritage site is located on the side of River Saraswati in Patan. Rani Udayamati, the daughter of King Khengara in the Saurashtra region, built this step-well in the 11th century. As per historians, the step-well was a life saviour for the people of the region as the region is known to face severe water issues during the hot, dry season. The step-well was covered in silt when excavated in the 1940s by the Archaeological Survey of India. It got its world heritage site title in 2014. It is seven-storeyed deep, built to represent an inverted temple. The walls, roofs, and columns all across the site bear archaeological displays of intense and intricate artwork.
Besides showcasing the highest regard for water as a lifeline for mankind, the architectural richness of the site embodies about 500 major sculptured works and thousands of minor sculptures. All of these have mythological or religious significance. Another noteworthy feature of the step-well is that it indicates the engineering faculties of those times, with water conservation at the core of its design.
Also Read - 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites In India
One of the most significant spiritual sites and famous monuments of Gujarat, Dwarkadish Temple, is also known for its architectural splendour. Dedicated to Lord Krishna, this temple is called Jagat Mandir. This temple is the epitome of structural brilliance. This five-storeyed temple is supported by intricately-carved 60 columns and is approximately 2200 years old. The temple attracts a lot of devotees, especially during Janmashtami.
Also Read. Famous Temples in Gujarat
Built by Rao Vijayraj Ji in 1929, this opulent palace is located close to the famous Mandvi Beach. It is an erstwhile summer palace of the royal family of Kachchh rulers. It is one of the most prominent and worth-visiting monuments in Gujarat. This palace also showcases the eclectic blend of Mughal, Rajput, and Victorian architectural styles. Sprawled in a vast expanse of 450 acres, the palace is beautifully surrounded by manicured gardens and a private beach. A part of the palace has been converted into a luxury heritage property where you can stay and live a life like royalty!
This is one of the world heritage sites in Gujarat that was inscribed by UNESCO in 2004. It is located in the Panchmahal district, on the outskirts of Champaner, an 8th-century historical city founded by Raja Vanraj Chavda from the Chavda Dynasty.
The entire site echoes the rich ethos of ancient India, with forts and bastions covering it from the Pavagadh hills to Champaner city. The entire landscape bears vivid testimony of a cultural past, from the hill fortress, chalcolithic sites, palaces, temples, tombs, mosques, arched structures, entrance gates, step-wells, tanks, residences, agricultural sites to remnants of a city that was once the capital of Gujarat. All the structures date between the 8th and 14th centuries.
One of the places still frequented by visitors is the Kalika Mata Temple, built at the height of 2,600 ft on Pavagadh Hill. Besides, a blend of Hindu and Muslim architectural essence highlights how the site has survived through different eras. The Jama Masjid built on the foothills of the Pavagadh Hills is now abandoned.
The Sun Temple is an architectural masterpiece, one of the most sought-after historical and spiritual places to visit in Gujarat. It is a prominent Hindu Temple dedicated to the Sun God. Located by the banks of the serene River Pushpavati, the temple was built during the Chalukya Dynasty in 1026 AD. Today, this temple has primarily become a place of tourism interest, and no prayers are offered. The Archeological Survey of India maintains the site. Beautifully constructed in Maru-Gurjara architectural style, the Sun Temple is one of the Seven Wonders of India.
The city of Ahmedabad was inscribed as one of Gujarat's heritage sites in 2017. With a rich historical and cultural past, the old city is home to ‘Pols’ or the residential clusters typical of the medieval era. These ‘Pols’ existed as gated communities with the entrance gate open from the morning till sunset and fortified during the night. Several Pols together made the ‘Purs.’ These Purs exist today and are examples of peaceful co-existence between people of different faiths and ethnicities like Hindus, Muslims, and Jains. Other than these, Gandhiji’s Sabarmati Ashram is another great attraction. The Havelis of Ahmedabad also hold a significant place in the city’s history and are one of the key reasons behind the heritage city inscription.
Also Read - Famous Historical Monuments Of India
A spiritually prominent and architecturally renowned building, Sidi Saiyyed Mosque is known for its intricately carved windows, lovely jaali work, and more. The mosque was up in 1573 by Sidi Saiyyed, a slave of Sultan Ahmed Shah. Well-chiselled marble work adds grace and elegance to the building.
Located in Bhuj, Prag Mahal is an architecturally brilliant site in Gujarat. With its Corinthian pillars and Gothic architectural style, this building, constructed in the 19th Century, is one of the major historical monuments in Gujarat. This palace was the centre of political happenings when the Britishers tried to spread their influence in the region. The building is also home to the second-tallest clock tower, from where majestic views of the city can be enjoyed. Explore artefacts on display in the museum inside the palace premises and catch a glimpse of the eventful history witnessed during those times. This palace also featured prominent films like Lagaan, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, and more.
Dating back to the 14th or 15th Century, Champaner Jain Temple is a spectacular spiritual site in Gujarat. It is one of the most prominent Jain pilgrimage sites in Gujurat. The temple showcases stunning stone carvings of Tirthankaras. The temple has undergone a lot of restoration work with the time and is still one of the most-visited places in Gujarat.
One of the latest sites to be named a world heritage site in Gujarat, Dholavira got the official UNESCO inscription in 2021. Lying in the Kutch district of Gujarat, this site is one of the biggest sites excavated by ASI from the time of the Indus Valley Civilization. It lies directly on the Tropic of Cancer. It lies between Mansar and Manhar, two seasonal waterbodies.
Archaeologists believe this site was a permanent resident of the Harappan Civilization from 3500 BCE to 1800 BCE. Studies prove that it was an occupied place even before the Harappan period. This site was officially discovered in 1967-68 by JP Joshi of the ASI. Since then, there have been about 14 excavations done at the site, helping archaeologists discover the lives of the people during those times. A 5000-year-old step-well has also been excavated.
Almost 2300 years old, the Uperkot Fort is one of the famous Gujarat sites. Its remarkable features are the structure with 20 metres high walls and 300 feet deep moat. The moat is full of crocodiles. The site premises has caves and a magnificent stepwell worth checking out. This historic site is worth visiting for discerning travellers.
Also, Read - Most Popular Stepwells In India
A striking gateway in Ahmedabad, Teen Darwaja is located east of Bhadra Fort. This impressive historical monument has witnessed several events in the bygone era. It is a 600-year-old structure known for its three remarkable arches and opulent buttresses. These three gates were an entryway to the majestic Bhadra Fort. Close to the fort and Teen Darwaza, there is a bustling market. The charm of this historical site is still the same.
Also, Read - Hidden Forts Of India That Are Worth Witnessing
Plan a trip to Gujarat with Adotrip and soak in the beauty of historical monuments that rank top in the list of most visited places in the vibrant state. Enjoy exciting flight deals, customised tour packages, faster and hassle-free hotel bookings, bus and train ticket bookings, sightseeing, and more. With us, nothing is far!
Ques 1. How many heritage sites are there in Gujarat?
Ans 1. Gujarat has four UNESCO World heritage sites.
Ques 2. What is the famous heritage site of Gujarat?
Ans 2. The most famous heritage site in Gujarat is Dholavira which dates back more than 4,500 years ago.
Ques 3. Which are the Gujarat world heritage sites?
Ans 3. These are the city of Ahmedabad, Rani Ki Vav in Patan, Champaner, and the latest addition to the list, Dholavira.
Ques 4. Which is the most beautiful heritage city in Gujarat?
Ans 4. Ahmedabad is Gujarat’s most beautiful heritage city. It is also India’s first UNESCO heritage city.
Ques 5. Which is the first cultural heritage site of India?
Ans 5. India's first cultural heritage sites were the Ajanta & Ellora Caves, the Taj Mahal, and the Agra Fort.
Ques 6. Which is the main monument of Gujarat?
Ans 6. The main monument of Gujarat is Rani ki Vav, a magnificent stepwell that attracts many visitors.
Ques 7. Which are the famous historical monuments in Gujarat?
Ans 7. The main historical monuments in Gujarat are-
--- Published By Arpita Mathur
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