Patan tourism and travel guide

Patan does not have an airport. So if you are traveling via flight, you will have to land at the nearest airport, Ahmedabad. And to reach Patan, you can catch a cab, and it will take you almost two hours to reach. There is no direct connectivity by train for people traveling from far-off places. The closest train station is Mehsana, which is about 50 km from the city. Once you get down, you can book a can or catch a direct bus. If you're planning on a road trip, Patan is almost 110kms away from Ahmedabad. Traveling in Patan is hassle-free as auto-rickshaws are available, or you can even book a taxi. 

Patan has about 100 Jain temples. The most famous one is the Mahavir Swami Derasar in Dhandherwad. The carved wooden dome is exceptional. Some of the famous Hindu temples are Bramha Kund, Kalika Mata, and Harihareshwar Mahadev. The Rani Ki Vav festival is celebrated during the winters with high grandeur. During this festival, Patan is decorated beautifully, and in the evenings, “diyas” are lit all over the place. The Hemachandracharya Gyan Mandir is well-known for its rare ancient manuscripts in Sanskrit and Prakrit. 

Located in northern Gujarat, Patan is bounded by Banaskantha district in the north and northeast, the Mehsana district in the east and southeast, and the Surendranagar district in the south. Areas like Harij and Sami, bordering Kutch, are quite deserted as there is no settled population between there and the border of Pakistan. The best time to visit this not-so-crowded Gujarati city is during the winters because the weather is very pleasant and cool. Patan tends to get humid during the monsoons, and in the summer, you will have to face the scorching heat. 

Patola silk is an essential part of the attire and represents Gujarati culture. Women wear the colorful Chaniya Choli, especially during Navratri Mahotsav. The festivals celebrated in Patan are mainly Navratri and Diwali. Dandiya Ras and Garba are performed during these festivals. Patan has a diverse community that consists of Hindus, Muslims, Jains, and even Buddhists. People in Patan speak Hindi and Gujarati. The cuisine of Gujarat is vegetarian. The Gujarati thali consists of roti, rice, dal, and vegetable preparation. A sweet dish like Aam Shrikant is served as dessert. Traditional and authentic delicacies include Dhokla, Thepla, Dal Dhokli, Fafda, Handvo, and Khandvi. For dinner, locals usually eat khichdi.