White Desert Tour with Statue of Unity | Compass Tourism

Highlights

The Tour Will start in Ahmedabad and will be ending in Ahmedabad. Gujarat is a blend of Temples, Wildlife, and of amazing architecture and a place full of enthusiasm and rich in culture and heritage.
 
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Itinerary

Arrival in Ahmedabad – a World Heritage City. Proceed towards Bhuj (350 kms/7 hours). Visit LLDC Museum in Ajrakhpur on the way to feel the vibrancy of the colourful handicrafts of Kutch District.

LLDC stands for ‘Living and Learning Design Centre’. The LLDC museum hosts glorious heritage of Kutch and it is a tribute to the brilliant artisans of Kutch. The museum has three galleries, studios and a library. Kutch is home to 12 tribes such as Ahir, Rabari, Maghwal, etc., that are indigenous communities of Kutch. The motive of the LLDC museum is to train, educate, support and promote the traditional crafts and communities of Kutch region. The biggest attraction of the museum is the textile and different embroidery styles of the locals, which is revered by the world. Tourists can see the different art and craft artefacts and also learn how they are created here. Also, a few more galleries are slated to be opened here featuring pottery, metal, wood and stone crafts. ‘The Living Embroideries of Kutch’ – the first show by the LLDC museum – had been seen by more than 30,000 people in just first couple of years. There are also craft shops where people can purchase the indigenous craft articles and there is also a café where the tourists can experience the local cuisine. The museum also hosts amazing sculptures and installations such as the metal installation created in the artificial pond. Reach Bhuj – a city which rose from the ashes after the 2001 devastating Earthquake. Visit Swaminarayan Temple in Bhuj and overnight at Bhuj.

Today morning, visit:

 

White Desert: The Great Rann of Kutch is a salt marsh in the Thar Desert in the Kutch District of Gujarat, India. It is about 7500 km (2900 sq miles) in area and is reputed to be one of the largest salt deserts in the world.The Great Rann of Kutch, along with the Little Rann of Kutch and the Banni grasslands on its southern edge, is situated in the district of Kutch and comprises some 30,000 square kilometres (10,000 sq mi) between the Gulf of Kutch and the mouth of the Indus River in southern Pakistan. The marsh can be accessed from the village of Kharaghoda in Surendranagar District. The Great Rann of Kutch together with the Little Rann of Kutch is called Rann of Kutch. In India's summer monsoon, the flat desert of salty clay and mudflats, which average 15 meters above sea level, fills with standing water. In very wet years, the wetland extends from the Gulf of Kutch on the west through to the Gulf of Cambay on the east. Every Year, in the vicinity of the White Desert, Gujarat Tourism celebrates the Rannutsav or the White Desert festival highlighting the white Desert and the colourful handicrafts of the district of Kutch which attracts thousands of people in the desert.

 

Black Hills: Kalo Dungar or Black Hills stands as the highest point (462 m) in Kutch and is famous for its 400-year-old Dattatreya Temple. This is probably the only place from where you can enjoy the panoramic view of the white desert. The sunset from the Black hills is a treat to watch. Every day, at 12 in the noon, the jackals are served with food and then the holy Prasad is given to the people and this sight is recommended for the visitors to see.

Return back to Bhuj and overnight at Bhuj.

Gandhi Ashram: Mahatma Gandhi, after coming back from South Africa had his first religious retreat built in Ahmedabad's Kochrab area in the year 1915 on 25th May. The ashram was later on shifted to one of the banks of the Sabarmati River on an open tract of land. Gandhiji named the retreat as 'Sabarmati Ashram' as it was located on the bank of the Sabarmati River that passes through Ahmedabad. The date of the shifting is recorded as 17th June 1917. He made this transfer because he had taken a resolve to lead life like a poor, rustic Indian who earned his livelihood through farming and farm-related activities. The ashram served as the nerve-centre for the nation's freedom struggle. It was from this ashram that Mahatma Gandhi launched the Satyagraha movement on 12th March in 1930 and journeyed all the way to Dandi Beach by foot covering a distance of more than 300kms that took about 24 days. Gandhi's office was located in 'Hridaya Kunj' which was actually a cottage that was eventually turned into a museum. Sabarmati Ashram is one of the most important monument in Indian Independence History and today it is the first thing for a tourist visiting Gujarat to visit.

 

Swaminarayan Akshardham: One of the two Akshardham of the Bochasanwasi Aksharpurushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), Akshardham in Gandhinagar was the first to be constructed and completed in 1991. Built in Pink Sandstone, this magnificent structure is a sight to behold. Thousands of people visit it every day for its beauty and also the exhibition halls and the first Spiritual Light and Sound Show in the world ‘Sat-chit-anand’. This famous temple was attacked by the terrorists in 2002 where around 30 people lost their lives. The main deity of the temple is Lord Swaminarayan who is considered as an incarnation of Lord Krishna and have a ardent following in the state of Gujarat.

Overnight at Ahmedabad.

Today morning, proceed towards SOU (200 kms/4 Hours). Check into the Tent City and visit:

 

Statue of Unity: The Statue of Unity is the statue of freedom fighter and the first Home Minister of the independent India – Bharat Ratna Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, looking at the majestic Sardar Sarovar Dam. With the 182 metres height, it is the tallest statue in the world. It is 89 metres taller than the Statue of Liberty. The design of the Statue of Unity was created by veteran sculptor Padma Shri Ram Suthar. In the year 2013 – 14, a campaign was launched across India for donating Iron and Soil to be used in the creation of statue. 134.25 metric tonnes of Iron was collected from different states and used in the foundation of the statue. The statue was created in just 46 months of time it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on the 143rd birth anniversary of Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, on 31 October 2018. The statue is a tribute to the ‘Iron Man’ of India, who was responsible for the unification of 562 different princely states and creation of the United India. And it has become one of the major tourist spots in the country now. The statue offers scenic view of the Satpuda and Vindhyachal hills, the Sardar Sarovar Dam and Narmada river from its viewing galleries at the height of 135 Metres. The laser show in the evening is a treat to watch depicting the story of Sardar Patel and the building of the Statue. Enjoy the cultural activities at the Tent City and Overnight at the Statue of Unity.

Laxmi Vilas Palace: One of the biggest residence palaces of the country, the Laxmi Vilas Palace is the official residence of the Princely Gaikwads of Vadodara. Constructed by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad III in 1890 under the supervision of the chief Architect Major Charles Mant, the Laxmi Vilas Palace is 4 times bigger than the Buckingham Palace of England and a sum of GBP 1,80,000 were spent to build this super-imposing structure. The windows of the palace are inlaid with stained Belgium glass, and the walls have complex mosaic ornamentation. Archived within the palace are priceless collections of bronze sculptures, armory items as well as terracotta and marble artworks designed by Fellici. Emerging out of the Durbar, one steps into a quadrangle that has been made in an Italian fashion with water fountains and channels. Landscaping of the palace grounds was done by William Goldring and appears like a green, velvety carpet. The edifice even at the time of its construction in the late 19th century had facilities like elevators and resembles a European manor or country house. The royal descendants of the Gaekwad dynasty still use the premises as their private residence who's Durbar Hall has a floor built out of Venetian mosaic tiles.

 

Sayaji Baug: Sayaji Baug, an immensely sprawling garden located in Vadodara with the Vishwamitra River flowing beside the patch is easily one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. Also called Kamati Baug, it is the biggest garden in the western part of India with a total land area exceeding 113 acres. The prime attractions of the garden are the Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery, Sayaji Baug Zoo and Aquarium, Sardar Patel Planetarium, floral clock, and the toy train. The garden is also home to a rich variety of flora comprising of 98 tree species. There are a total of three gates that allow visitors access to the garden. The first gate is situated in close proximity to the railway station and the new bus terminal is also not very far away either. Countless visitors comprising residents of Vadodara as well as tourists and travelers make a trip to the verdant garden for whose upkeep the Vadodara Municipal Corporation is responsible. Overnight at Vadodara.

Today morning, check out and proceed to Ahmedabad and drop as per schedule.