Explore the Milk Capital of India - Anand

Whenever we think of butter, there is just one name Amul Butter. Amul is such a big brand, we are well-aware of it. But have you ever thought of visiting the place and experiencing the whole process of how it is prepared? Anand is the region from where it comes and it is a perfect place for a weekend trip. Here is the short description of how to reach and what to see at Anand.

The Anand district of Gujarat is a famous place all over India. The place gained popularity because of Amul dairy and its milk revolution. This small district is known as the 'Milk Capital of India'. Amul ( Anand Milk Union Limited) is recognised world over. In 1947, Gujarat Co-operative Milk Federation Ltd. started this revolution and now it is owned by 3 million milk producers in Gujarat. The district also houses Anand Agricultural University and Dairy Development Board Of India. Anand, which means bliss, is truly a source of happiness for many farmers and families of milk producers. Anand and few nearby villages are also involved in the huge production of Tobacco leaf, thus, it is also known as 'the Golden Leaf'. Being the Milk Capital of India, Anand district is blessed with natural beauty too. Slowly and steadily the place is growing as a tourist spot. It is a perfect weekend getaway destination for any traveller. This is the place you should visit to know how actually the whole process of milk production and distribution goes on. There are enough hotels in Anand which will take care of your lodging and fooding.

Anand district is around 100 km away from Gandhinagar. The city is well-connected with the other parts of the state. Vadodara (39 kms) and Ahmedabad ( 83kms) are the two airports where you can land. Both the airports are well-linked with other metro cities via regular flights. On the Western Railway, the place lies between Ahmedabad and Vadodara and Anand Railway station is connected by railways from various part of India including Thiruvananthapuram, Bhubaneshwar, Bhopal, etc. After reaching the airport or railway junction, autorickshaws, interstate buses, taxis and cabs are available to take you to any location. There are few National Express Highways that pass through the city. So, it is not a problem to reach the city.

This place with a strong history of Milk revolution is an apt place for educational excursion. The Anand Agricultural University and the Vallabh Vidhyanagar invite students from all over the India. Besides the main factory area, there are few major spots to visit at Anand. Amul Chocolate Factory is a must-visit for any chocoholic and especially kids. Here you can witness the chocolate making process. Amul Dairy Museum well exhibits the evolution of Amul from a small farm into a renowned brand worldwide through sketches and photographs. You should not miss the movie on the growth of Amul cooperative. Swaminarayan Mandir, one of the major attractions of the place, is a six storey temple and it is home to many idols. A very peaceful place to visit here. Dakor which is a nearby place from Anand houses the famous Ranchhodrai Temple which lies near the banks of Gomati. Beautifully decorated with wooden carving with gold and silver plating, it is another must-visit place.

The best time to visit the place is from October- December and February-March when the weather is cool and pleasant and you can easily enjoy the factory hopping and nearby sightseeing. You can choose from the budget hotels in Anand for a comfortable stay. So, hurry up, plan your winter vacation and explore the Milk capital.

Sandeep is an experienced travel consultant, who enjoys travelling and loves to write about the destinations he has been to and shares his experience. He also writes about travel tips, world's best holiday destinations, best hotels in a destination,