Visit Anand: The Home to Not Just Amul (2024)
Anand is probably the most popular location in Gujarat. The city has a place of importance in India’s history. Apart from the visit to Amul, there are several other places in Anand that you must visit. Here is the list of 10 top-rated sight-seeing destinations in Anand, Gujarat.
10 Top-Rated Sight-Seeing Destinations in Anand, Gujarat
1. Dairy Museum
The Amul food and wine tour is a must-have experience in Anand. You get a complete tour of the Amul factory, and this is probably the only place that has a statue of the iconic Amul girl. Apart from the actual Amul factory, you can also visit the Kurien Dairy Museum. Doctor Kurien’s museum is about twenty minutes from the Anand railway station.
2. Amul Chocolate Factory
The name itself is enough to get someone interested in chocolates, and it is a unique tourist location, not just in Gujarat, but probably the world. The Amul Chocolate Factory is a factory that makes chocolate. Tourists spend an entire afternoon learning more about the process that goes behind making their favorite edible – chocolate.
The Amul Chocolate Unit Food Complex is about half an hour from the Anand railway station.
3. Hanumanji Temple (Lambhvel)
The Hanuman temple in Lambhvel is one of the few Swayambhu temples in Gujarat and India. It is a large structure, and the authorities have maintained it well. All around, you will see greenery and shade, so devotees can take a break when they want to. The Hanumanji temple is a Svayambhu idol, which means that the idol is natural and not made by humans.
The Lambhvel Hanumanji temple is unique because of its large entrance arch, which depicts Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, and Hanumana at the arch on the top.
The Lambhvel Hanuman temple is about eight minutes from the Anand railway station.
4. Air Manzil
Though this place is not as grand and unique as the name, it is still a popular tourist location in Anand. The Air Manzil has some gates and mosques that are a must-visit for anyone who’s in Anand. The three gates are the Halol Gate, the Delhi Gate, and the Godhra Gate. The Air Manzil is also home to a Jama Masjid, one of the biggest ones in Gujarat. The Jama Masjid here is a tourist location in itself. It is 30 meters high and has more than a hundred and seventy pillars.
5. Flo Art Gallery
Flo Art Gallery is one of the newer tourist spots in Anand, but is also one of the more popular ones, as there’s something for everyone. At the art gallery, you will find various artifacts and objects that give you an idea of Gujarat’s rich culture and tradition that stems from its handicrafts. The Art Gallery is also a place where you can buy a slice of Gujarat’s history and heritage, in the form of cutlery, furniture, and other such objects. Flo Art Gallery is just five minutes away from the Anand railway station.
6. ISKCON, Anand
If you ever have a chance to visit an ISCKON temple, don’t miss it. Anand offers you this rare chance, as it has an ISKCON temple in Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand. ISCKON temples are a hub of culture and religion, as it has several activities going on all the time. Even if you don’t take part in the activities, just spending time, looking at the devotees is a memorable experience. The activities here are the training of the youth, a free food distribution program, and others. The ISKCON temple is about 10 minutes away from the Anand railway station.
7. Patel Memorial
Sardar Patel and Vithalbhai Patel Memorial is in Anand, Gujarat, and one of the most famous places to visit. You can spend a morning and afternoon here, as it has something for everyone. For those looking for a slice of history, the Memorial offers a complete study of the life and times of Sardar Vallabhai Patel, and therefore, the freedom struggle. The auditorium plays a video that tells all about Sardar Patel and his role in the freedom struggle. For those looking for a respite from the heat, the Patel Memorial is a garden where they can spend some time surrounded by greenery. There are several trees, plants, and flowers here, so people interested in nature will also like spending time here. The Sardar Patel Memorial is about an hour away from the Anand railway station.
8. Khapra Zaveri Palace
The Khapra Zaveri Palace is another famous tourist location in Anand. the Palace has the renowned Kalika Mata Temple and the Lakulish Temple. Khapra Zaveri Palace is about two hours away from the Anand railway station.
9. Kanewal Lake
What’s a trip to India without spending a day at the beach or some time near a lake? In Anand, if you plan to do the latter, head over to the Kanewal Lake. The long stretch of lake and land is clean, hygienic, and well-maintained, allowing people to take long and calming walks along the lake. Kanewal Lake is about an hour away from the Anand railway station.
Image Source Photo by chitvan bhatt
10. Swaminarayan Temple
Swaminarayan Temple in Anand is one of the most popular and well maintained religious locations in Anand and Gujarat. The temple has six different shrines, one to Harikrishna Maharaj, Shri Akshar Purshotam Maharaj, Ghanshyam Maharaj, Shastriji, Yogiji, Swami Maharaj, and Narayan Laxmi.
The Swaminarayan temple in Anand is famous for its intricate design, marvelous sculptures, and ethereal beauty. The temple is about a 10-minute drive from the Anand railway station.
You can easily visit all these places in Anand within a day. If you are looking for accommodation, there are several hotels in Anand. Anand is an important place and a tourist location. The hotels will be a bit expensive. However, some hotels cater to a particular budget, like the Hotel Neelkamal, the Motel Happy Home, hotel Aashiyana, and Hotel Aaram.
Anand is well connected, and you can travel to this place via air, rail, and train. The nearest airport is Vadodara, 42 km away. Anand Junction connects well via rail routes as well. Golden Quadrilateral National Highway connects Anand to other important destinations in India by road. You can complete this journey either via private cabs, buses, or the State Transport buses. State transport buses would be the cheapest option.
