Gujarat is a land of great contrasts, stretching from the seasonal salt deserts of the Kachchh (Kutch) district in the northwest, across the generally arid and semiarid scrublands of the Kathiawar Peninsula, to the wet, fertile, coastal plains of the southeastern part of the state, north of Mumbai. The Rann of Kutch—including both the Great Rann and its eastern appendage, the Little Rann—are best described as vast salt marshes, together covering about 9,000 square miles (23,300 square km). The coastline of Gujarat is 992 miles (1,596 km) long, and no part of the state is more than 100 miles (160 km) from the sea. The capital is Gandhinagar, which is also the largest city and the most-important textile centres in India. Gujarat does have its own share of history and it was in Ahmadabad, that Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi built his Sabarmati Ashram as a headquarters, for his campaigns against British rule of India.
Forests cover only a small portion of Gujarat, reflecting human activity as well as meagre rainfall. Deciduous forests are concentrated in the wetter southern and eastern hills and they produce valuable timber. The west coast of the peninsula is known for its algae, and the east coast produces papyrus, or paper plant. The Gir National Park, in the southwestern region of the Kathiawar Peninsula, contains rare Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica), and endangered Indian wild asses (Equus hemionus khur) all of which are protected in a sanctuary near the Little Rann. The Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, near Ahmedabad, attracts many species of birds migrating from the Siberian plains and elsewhere in winter. Saras cranes, Brahmini ducks, bustards, pelicans, cormorants, ibises, storks, herons, and egrets are among the most-notable species. The Rann of Kachchh is India’s only nesting ground of the greater flamingo. There is also excellent offshore and inland fishing in Gujarat. Catches include pomfret, salmon, hilsa (a type of shad), jewfish (scianid fish), prawn, Bombay duck (a food fish), and tuna.
Much of the culture of Gujarat reflects the mythology surrounding the Hindu deity Krishna (an incarnation of the god Vishnu). The older rasnritya and raslila dance traditions honouring Krishna find their contemporary manifestation in the popular dance called garba. The dance is performed primarily at the Navrati festival (September–October), which honours the divine feminine; dancers move in a circle, singing and keeping time by clapping their hands. Also commonly performed at Navratri is bhavai, a type of popular, rural, comic drama that depicts various aspects of rural life. All of the roles in bhavai—both male and female—are played by men.
Winter (November through February) temperatures in Gujarat usually reach a high in the mid-80s F (about 28 °C), while lows drop into the mid-50s F (about 12 °C). Summers (March through May) are quite hot, however, with temperatures typically rising well above 100 °F (38 °C) during the day and dropping only into the 90s F (low 30s C) at night.
Come explore the colourful Gujarat with Leading Edge and explore the hidden treasures.