36 Notable Architectures to Explore in Gujarat

Aaina Mahal Palace is an 18th-century palace that is located next to the Prag Mahal in Darbargadh, Bhuj, Gujarat, India. The palace was built by Rao Lakhpatji of Cutch State around 1750. Lakhpatji's master craftsman Ram Singh Malam designed the palace in the local style and decorated it in the European style with glass, mirrors, and tiles.

This is a famous temple located in the Navsari district. A number of devotees visit this temple every day. this temple is connected to the history of this place and also this temple is situated in a beautiful, calm and quiet place that gives peace all around.

On the way to Girnar Hill, one will see a huge white colour building that houses fourteen edicts of Emperor Ashoka. The edicts are dating back to 250 BC and were re-discovered by James Todd. Edicts exhibited in the building are carved out of large granite stones with inscriptions written on it in ancient languages like Pali and Brahmi. Inscriptions on the stones tell about the philosophy of Ashok-respect for all religions, developing a positive attitude.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is located in the Panchmahal district in Gujarat, India. It is located around the historical city of Champaner. The park's landscape includes archaeological, historic and living cultural heritage monuments such as chalcolithic sites, a hill fortress of an early Hindu capital, and remains of the 16th-century capital of the state of Gujarat. There are palaces, entrance gates and arches, mosques, tombs and temples, residential complexes, and more.

This is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple was established in the 11th century and it represents the Chalukya style of architecture located on the banks of Meshvo river.

This 16th century well has a 1.2m-wide staircase that spirals down along the wall of the well shaft, making it quite unusual in design among stepwells of the region.

Seven rock-cut caves and monolithic lion pillars are present at Kadia Dungar, near Bharuch. The caves suggest that they were viharas. A Brick stupa was also found in the foothills. These caves were in use during 1st and 2nd century AD.

This is also a part of the UNESCO world heritage site The Champaner _Pavagadh archaeological park. This is a beautifully built masjid that is made full of arches and it was a huge building.

Kileshwar is known for its beautiful Mahadev Temple surrounded by mountains, located in Barda Hills, 50 kms from Jamnagar, Gujarat. Jamnagar’s rajvi shri Jaam Sahib has constructed the Kileshwar mahadev temple and this is how the name of this place is given. Accordingly mythology; Pandavas stayed at this place during their isolation period. In Gujarati calendar when Shravan month starts near about 2500 to 5000 people daily visit this lovely place.

Kirti Stambh, a tall pillar constructed near the railway station in 1918 by Nawab Shri Taley Mohammed Khan to commemorate the gallantry of Shri Sher Mohammed Khan. it is a sturdy symbol of the city's glory, and provides a record of Palanpur's evolution, with the list of the rulers of Jhalore and Palanpur being engraved on it. The Kirti Stambh was inaugurated by the great General Sir Gangasinghji, the Maharaja of Bikaner.

One of the most popular landmark of Vadodara, located near the polo ground was built in 1935 to commemorate the 60 years rule of the Maharaja Sayajirao 3rd. The sthambha is made out of pink Songadh stone.

Laxmi Vilas Palace is one of the most majestic structures in India and was the private residence of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. Known to be the largest private dwelling of the size equivalent to four times of the Buckingham Palace, this magnificent palace is a must visit when in Vadodara. Sprawling across an area of about 700 acres, it is still home to the royal family of Vadodara, the Gaekwads. The lush gardens of the palace add to the beauty of the entire experience of being here.

Makarpura Palace was a Gaekwad royal palace in the city of Vadodara, It was built by Maharaja Khende Rao in 1870, designed in the Italian style. It was extended and renovated by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. The palace is now used as a training school called by the Indian Air Force.

Mandvi Gate, often termed as the North gate of the Royal Enclosure, is one of the major landmarks in Vadodara dating back to the Mughal period. Built by Sultan Muzaffar (1511-26 AD), this square-shaped pavilion features three bold arched openings on each of its four sides. Marked by a market place in today’s time, this gate separates the two intermingled streets into four that meet in the centre.

Mani Mandir is a temple situated in the courtyard of Wellington Secretariat. The images of Laxmi Narayan, Mahakali, Ramchandraji, Radha-Krishna and Shiva are enshrined in this temple. Mani Mandir is made out of Jaipur stone with excellent workmanship and exquisitely carved elements- arches, brackets, 'jalis', 'chhatris' and 'shikhara'.

It is situated on the bank of the river Pushpavati. It was built after 1026-27 CE during the reign of Bhima I of the Chalukyas dynasty. No worship is offered now and is a protected monument maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. The temple complex has three components: Gudhamandapa, the shrine hall; Sabhamandapa, the assembly hall and Kunda, the reservoir. The halls have intricately carved exterior and pillars. The reservoir has steps to reach the bottom and numerous small shrines.

Navlakha Temple at Ghumli was built by Jethwa rulers in 11th century dedicated to Sun god, Surya and is oldest sun temple of Gujarat. It has the largest base (Uagati) of the temples in Gujarat, The Archaeological Survey of India, has taken up rehabilitation of temple and develop the place as site of tourist and historical importance.

North of the highest peak of the Pavagadh mountain, the valley of the vast expanse of Mouliatuk is known as the Navlakhi Valley. Here the ancient building, named after the Navlakha Kothar, provides an overview of Mughal architecture. The T-shaped building made up of bricks containing seven parts covered by large dome, situated on the edge of the Navlakhi Valley, is believed to be used as a storehouse for food storage in ancient times.

Built by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in the memory of his wife, Nyaya Mandir in Vadodara is a spectacular monument designed by the Robert Chisholm. Nyaya Mandir comprises a central hall with mosaic tiles and a statue of Chimnabai, wife of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III of the Gaekwad dynasty of the Marathas. This ancient building is now a district session court.

Palitana temples of Jainism are located on Shatrunjaya hill by the city of Palitana in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, India. The city of the same name, known previously as Padliptapur, has been dubbed "City of Temples". Shatrunjaya means a "place of victory against inner enemies" or "which conquers inner enemies".