The state of Gujarat (sometimes referred to as the "Jewel of Western India”) was founded on 1 May 1960.
The Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2016 is Vijaybhai R. Rupani who succeeded Anandiben Patel
The Deputy Chief Minister in 2016 of this state is Nitinbhai Patel
The Governor in 2016 is Om Prakash Kohli
Gujarat Day is observed on 1st May of every year.
Gujarat High Court (Ahmedabad) is the High Court of the state of Gujarat.
The Chief Justice of the state is Justice R. Subhash Reddy
Mountain Range: Girnar, also known as Girinagar (Highest peak in Gujarat) and Aravali Range.
The Great Rann of Kutch is a seasonal salt marsh located in the Thar Desert in the Kutch District of Gujarat, India
Gujarat has a rich cultural heritage and folk dances of Gujarat are Garba Dance, Dandiya Dance, Padhar Dance, Bhavai Dance
The state has a total of 33 districts and shares an International border with Pakistan
Important Rivers and Dams
Sardar Sarovar on Narmada river; Dantiwada Dam on Banas river, Utkai Dam on Tapi river, Dharoi Dam on Sabarmati, Dhilidhaja Dam on Bhogavo river
Some of the important Lakes in Gujarat
Kankaria Lake, Ahmedabad; Chandola Lake, Ahmedabad; Hamisar Lake, Bhuj town; Narayan Sarovar, Kutchdistrict; Ten Talav, Dabhoi, Vadodara.
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The list of Airports in Gujarat in India
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad; Vadodara Airport, Vadodara; Kandla Airport, Kandla; Bhavnagar Airport, Bhavnagar; Porbandar Airport, Porbandar; Rajkot Airport, Rajkot; Surat Airport, Surat.
The state boasts of many important Thermal, Nuclear and Hydroelectric power plants like
Charanka Solar Power Plant in Charanka village in the Patan district;
Bitta Solar Power Plant in the Kutch district. Was India's largest photovoltaic power plant;
Kakrapar Atomic Power in Vyara;
Kadana Hydroelectric Power Station in Mahisagar district;
Sardar Sarovar Canal Head Hydroelectric Power Station in Navagam;
Ukai Hydroelectric Power Station in Ukai, Surat District. Also known as Vallabh Sagar.
The state is replete with rich flora and fauna and has many National parks, Wildlife sanctuaries and Bird Sanctuaries. Some of the noteworthy ones are,
Gir Wildlife Sanctuary & National Park, Junagadh;
Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar, Bhavnagar;
Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch;
Vansda National Park, Navsari;
Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Kutch
Wild Ass Sanctuary, Kutch;
Junagarh National Park, Junagarh;
Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Narmada;
Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Ahmedabad.
Gujarat also has many famous stadiums
IPCL Sports Complex Ground, Vadodara; Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Ground, Rajkot; Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium (Gujarat's first solar powered stadium); Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad, CB Patel International Cricket Stadium, Surat for cricket.
Cities in Gujarat have some interesting nicknames or special titles based on the way they appear or the kind of trade prevalent.
Ahmedabad – Is known as Boston of India or even Manchester of India
Surat – Diamond City of India or City of Bridges or Textile city of India
Some of the important festivals celebrated in this state
Navratri festival is celebrated all over the state in autumn season, International Kite Festival is also celebrated throughout the state;
Modhera Dance Festival is celebrated in the Sun Temple in Modhera;
Kutch Mahotsav is an annual celebration in the Rann of Kutch;
Bhavnath Mahadev Fair in Junagadh;
Saptak Music Festival in Ahmedabad;
Janmashtami at Dwaraka;
Bhadra Purnima Fair at Ambaji.
The state of Gujarat has many Hindu places of worship, called temples.
Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar
Girnar Temple in Junagadh District
Ambaji Temple in Banaskantha District
Palitana Temple in Bhavnagar District
Dakor Temple in Kaira District
Somnath Temple
Dwarkadheesh Temple in Junagadh District
Sun Temple in Modhera
Pavagadh Temple in Champaner
Forts and Palaces
Lakhota Fort, Jamnagar;
Pavagadh Fort in Panchmahal District near Baroda;
Uparkot Fort in Junagadh;
Dabhoi Fort at Narmada Dam;
Bhujia Hill Fort in Bhuj;
Ilva Durga (ancient fort) in Idar;
Dhoraji Fort in Porbandar;
Okha Port in Dwarka;
Zinzuwada Fort in Rann of Kutch;
Vijay Vilas Palace at Palitana, across Mandvi Beach, Bhavnagar;
Navlakha Palace, Riverside Palace, Orchard Palace at Gondal;
Dolat Nivas Palace at Idar;
Art Deco Palace at Morbi;
Digvir Nivas Palace at Vansda, Surat;
Laxmi Vilas Palace, Nazarbagh Palace, Makarpara Palace, Pratap Villa Palace at Baroda;
Raj Mahal, Hawa Mahal at Vadhwan near Ahmedabad;
Ranjit Vilas Palace at Vankaner near Rajkot.
