Anand, Gujarat City Guide: Where To Go, Stay, Eat, And shop in India’s best city. [Updated-2025]

Anand, Gujarat City Guide: Where To Go, Stay, Eat, And shop in India’s best city.

Anand, Gujarat

Anand is a major city in Gujarat, best known as the Milk Capital of India. It is the headquarters of Amul (Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation – GCMMF) and plays a crucial role in India’s dairy industry. Anand is also home to prestigious educational institutions and has a growing industrial and agricultural economy.

1. Location & Geography

• Situated in central Gujarat, around 75 km from Ahmedabad and 40 km from Vadodara.
• Lies in the Charotar region, known for its fertile lands and dairy farms.
• Well-connected to major cities like Nadiad, Vallabh Vidyanagar, and Vadodara.

2. Historical & Cultural Significance

• Anand gained prominence due to the White Revolution, led by Dr. Verghese Kurien, the father of India’s dairy industry.
• Rich Gujarati and Charotar culture, with influences from Patidar and other farming communities.
• Vallabh Vidyanagar, a nearby educational town, was established in honor of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

3. Economy & Industries

• Dairy Industry:
  • Headquarters of Amul, India’s largest dairy brand.
  • NDDB (National Dairy Development Board) is also based here.
• Agriculture:
  • Major crops: Tobacco, bananas, cotton, and paddy.
  • Anand is an important tobacco processing hub.
• Industries & Business Growth:
  • Food processing, pharmaceuticals, and chemical industries are growing.
  • Presence of engineering and plastic industries.

4. Education & Institutions

• Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) – India’s top rural management institute.
• Anand Agricultural University (AAU) – A key center for agriculture and dairy research.
• Sardar Patel University (SPU), Vallabh Vidyanagar – One of Gujarat’s oldest and most reputed universities.

5. Tourist & Religious Attractions

• Amul Dairy Plant – A must-visit for those interested in India’s dairy revolution.
• Swaminarayan Temple, Vadtal – A prominent Swaminarayan sect temple.
• Ranchhodrai Temple, Dakor – A famous Krishna temple near Anand.
• Flo Art Gallery – A unique art center for terracotta and handicrafts.

6. Connectivity & Transport

• By Road: Well-connected via NH-48, linking Anand to Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Surat.
• By Rail: Anand Junction is an important railway station on the Mumbai-Delhi and Ahmedabad-Vadodara routes.
• By Air: The nearest airport is Vadodara Airport (42 km away), and Ahmedabad Airport (80 km away) for international flights.