The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Meet the lions or have a glimpse of ancient history

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Monday, Jul 21, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Meet the lions or have a glimpse of ancient history

Staff Reporter

— a PTI file Photo

Fearless: A lioness with her two cubs in the forest of Gir.

BANGALORE: Gujarat, the land where the Mahatma was born, is beckoning tourists from far and wide. A late starter in tourism, the State is making efforts to woo travellers to its tourist sites – from the only abode of the rare Asiatic lions in Gir to some of the oldest Harappan sites.

India International Travel Mart (IITM) held recently in Bangalore acquainted visitors with some of the interesting destinations in Gujarat too. Apart from Dwarka, Sabarmathi Ashram in Ahmedabad, some of the renowned temples such as the Sun Temple at Modhera and Somnath Temple attract tourist. The unique step-wells and fort at Champaner, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are the other attractions. The State also provides exciting times for those chronicling fairs and festivals. An astonishing 12,365 fairs and festivals are celebrated in Gujarat throughout the year that includes mega events such as Navaratri and Uttarayan to small tribal gatherings such as Chitra-Vichitra fair. There are around 450 Indus valley civilisation sites in Gujarat, including the famed Dholavira and Lothal. “We improved infrastructure by providing drinking water, toilets and others before marketing the destinations. Today, tourist inflow, both domestic and foreign, has shown a tremendous growth,” the Managing Director Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd. (TCGL), P.D. Vaghela, told The Hindu.

While several destinations in Gujarat are being marketed, Mr. Vaghela said: “The Rann of Kutch, the seasonal marshy region, is emerging as a stand alone destination for tourism.”

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