There is more to Gujarat than Raas-Garba and temples

Despite having more than 50 heritage cities and several Indus Valley civilisation sites scattered across its coasts and rivers, Gujarat has failed to encash on 'Heritage Tourism', a thriving industry in neighbouring Rajasthan.  

Wanting in basic infrastructure and guidance, not a single one of the more than 100 heritage sites in the state strike a chord with domestic or international tourists.

Heritage conservationists and architects feel that Gujarat is culturally as rich and vibrant as Rajasthan but most of it is constantly decaying due to the absolute lack of initiative and interest from the government as well as the citizens.

"There are 260 Indus Valley sites in Gujarat alone but none are maintained or marketed appropriately," says Umang Hutheesing of Hutheesing Heritage Foundation.

Debashish Nayak, advisor to Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's Heritage Cell was the man who initiated heritage walks and conservation efforts throughout the state. "Forget development," Nayak says, "even postcards and a basic heritage map of the state is not available; these are basic tourism requirements."

Helen Deas, Deputy Head of Mission at British Deputy High Commission felt "Ahmedabad was sitting idle on a goldmine". While in town to attend an infrastructure conclave, when she decided to catch up on some historical sites in Ahmedabad, her hunt was a steep uphill task. "People don't seem to be informed about their own heritage. Beautiful temples and mosques are lying idle with no one to explain their importance," she exclaimed.

Umang and Nayak believe that heritage culture is the identity of the state's people. "One identifies Rajasthan with the palaces of Jaipur, Jodhpur and Ajmer. But Gujarat is singularly identified with Raas-Garba. Is that all there is to the state? What about archaeologically significant sites like Lothal and Dholavira, which are among Gujarat's true heritage," Nayak asks.

For Gujarat Tourism, tourism is associated only with religious festivals like Navratri and extravaganzas like 'Vibrant Gujarat'. "We don't have anything like heritage tourism; we concentrate on event based promotions like Navratri and Poornima celebrations. There are exhibitions and cultural programmes along with the garba events," says Tourism Principal Secretary, R M Patel.