During my first trip to India in over 10 years, I went to multiple family functions and to visit my family that lives there. I stayed in India for one month and I was still able to see many places, try new foods and have fun. In this article, the areas shown are only part of the Gujarat and Rajasthan states which are considered to be located in the northwest coast of India. To experience Indian culture and history, travel is necessary. Here are some of the best places to visit in India, while in the Gujarat and Rajasthan region.

5. Tirupati Rushivan Adventure Park, Gujarat

Tirupati Rushivan Adventure Park located in the village of Derol is not only filled with roller coasters and yummy food, but it also has many activities like boating, ziplining, a waterpark, replicas of famous architecture around the world and many more. The replicas consist of the world’s seven wonders: Easter Island, the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, Merlion, the Taj Mahal, Ashok Stambh and the Laughing Buddha. The park is not just a tourist attraction, but many of the locals and school children go there to also have fun.

The park is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the cost to park is 10-30 rupees or less than 40 cents, depending on the vehicle that you are driving. To enter the attraction, tickets cost 150 rupees for each person, and 300 rupees to enter the water park. 

4. Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Ahmedabad is the largest city in the state of Gujarat. When it comes to Ahmedabad, there’s an endless list of places tourists should visit. The city has the largest and oldest temples, and a variety of cuisines. Whether it’s from restaurants or street food, it’s one of the better places to go to if tourists want to shop for cultural dresses. 

Visiting the Shri Swaminarayan Temple is highly recommended, which was built in 1822 and is dedicated to Narayan Dev. Narayan Dev was one of the first human avatar (a soul released in a bodily form on earth; an incarnate divine teacher) that is found in many Hindu and Sikh scriptures. Even if visitors do not believe in the religious practices and beliefs, it’s still a must place to go if you are interested in Indian history or culture. The temple is decorated with ostentatious ornaments and fabrics. There are also relics that are protected inside of the temple, and they provide Aarti or a prayer service that attracts millions of people. Visiting this temple is one of the ways to see the beautiful architectural structures that India provides. 

3. Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Jodhpur is also known as the Blue City of India. It’s called the “Blue City” because it’s closely situated near the Thar Desert. To minimize the heat and temperature, many residents painted their houses with the blue color for a cooling effect. But there is some old folklore that explains the reason for the blue is because the color is associated with the Brahmins, India’s priest caste, and the houses of the old city belong to the families of the caste. 

A place to visit in Jodhpur is the Mehrangarh Fort, which lies on a rocky hill that surrounds the plain. It is one of the largest forts in Rajasthan, and its museum preserves priceless artifacts of India’s courtly life. The Fort was built over 500 years ago and the building has varied building styles from the different periods since it was built. Inside its archives, the Mehrangarh Museum, there are collections of paintings, textiles, decorative arts, arms and armours. There are some safety regulations, but tourists can take pictures of the relics they come across. Jodhpur is the place to go to see the different architectural structures of India, to learn the history of India and hear folklore. 

2. Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

In the northwest region of India, the city of Jaisalmer can be found. Jaisalmer is located in the heart of the Thar Desert, or also known as the Great Indian Desert. The best way to get to Jaisalmer is either via train or car, and the best time to go there is during the winter months in India because the heat in the summer of India will be scorching hot for tourists. Tourists have the opportunity to stay six days in Jaisalmer if they get the package deal. The deal consists of desert camping which is where foreigners will be staying in large camps and they will be provided entertainment every night and Indian cuisines every day. The entertainment consists of folk dances that include a fire dance and puppet show. During the six days, you are also able to go parasailing, camel riding, ATV riding and jeep safari. Jaisalmer is definitely the place to go if you want to have some adventures and make memories while in India.

1. Statue of Unity, Kevadia, Gujarat

The Statue of Unity is the world’s tallest statue with a height of 182 meters. The statue is a tribute to independence activist Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who united India. Vallabhbhai was India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and he united 562 princely states of India. The statue started construction in 2013 and ended in 2018. The monument is open for all visitors, and visitors can go on the elevator that will bring them to the chest of the former prime minister. To go up the elevator, visitors must either have advanced reservations or can bring an American passport for VIP access. 

I recommend these places if you want to indulge in the culture and beauty of India. As someone who had not been back to India in over 10 years, this trip really helped me immerse myself back into my culture.