Must-see attractions in Gujarat & Diu

The most impressive and elaborate buildings in Diu town's western maze of tiny streets are found in the Panchwati area. Nagar Sheth Haveli, an old…

Adinath Mandir, one of the two largest and most elaborate Jain temples in the old town, is dedicated to the 16th and first tirthankars (great Jain…

Painted bright red, this main town gateway in the huge city wall that hems in the western side of Diu has carvings of lions, angels and a priest, while…

One of two step-wells at Uparkot Fort cut from solid rock, circular, 41m-deep Adi Kadi Vav is named after two slave girls who used to fetch water from it…

In the small village of Kukma, near Bhujodi, several kilometres east of Bhuj, this master craftsman is the only one in the area who specialises in hand…

Women spin cotton upstairs at this large khadi (homespun cloth) workshop, while downstairs embroidered salwar kameez (traditional dress-like tunic and…

One of the graduates of the Somaiya Kala Vidya design school for artisans, weaver Ramji Maheshwari demonstrates his craft on a traditional pit loom…

On the south coast 9km west of Diu town begins the sandy 2.5km sweep of Gomptimata Beach. It's often empty, except at busy weekends, but it gets big waves…

Vankar Vishram Valji is a family operation and one of the leading weavers in Bhujodi; it sells beautiful blankets, shawls (from synthetic fabric to the…

This 52m-deep well, designed to help withstand sieges, is almost 1000 years old. Its magnificent staircase spirals around the well shaft. Look for the…

Run by a delightful family whose work has won national awards, Parmarth specialises in Ahir embroidery. New Dhaneti is 17km east of Bhujodi, on the…

Perched atop a small hillock, this temple is up high enough to provide splendid views over the city and out to the Gulf of Cambay.

Among more than 100 Jain temples around Patan, this is the largest, with all the domes and sacred carvings your eyes can absorb.

Dwarka's most splendid temple is dedicated to Krishna and has a magnificent five-storey spire supported by 60 columns.

Jamnagar's colourful vegetable market dates to the 18th century and resembles a crumbling coliseum.

Created in 1451, this large artificial lake is a nice respite from the hectic streets (though it gets crowded at weekends and in the evening). Attractions…

This 121-sq-km sanctuary, 60km southwest of Ahmedabad, protects Nalsarovar Lake, a flood of island-dotted blue dissolving into the sky and iron-flat…

Who knew that the humble toilet could be so interesting? Part of the Sanitation Institute, the Toilet Garden displays designs for new ecofriendly toilet…

Twelve kilometres west of Sasan Gir village at Devalia, within the Gir National Park precincts, is the Gir Interpretation Zone, better known as simply…

This museum, 3km west of the river in Bhudarpura, displays a fascinating range of Gujarati folk arts – particularly from Kachchh – including woodcarvings,…