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Trip Planning 3 min read

Gujarat Diwali rush: Gir safari permits sold out till 23 November, Ekta Nagar packed; Devalia entry Rs 190

Over 1.5 lakh visitors hit Ekta Nagar in three days and every Gir jungle safari permit is booked until 23 November 2026. Current prices, the Devalia fallback for lion sightings, and how to plan if you still want to go.

11 Nov 2026
Last verified: 12 Nov 2026
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Indian family watching lions from a safari jeep in a dry forest in Gujarat
At a glance
Gir safari
Full till 23 Nov 2026
Permit cost
Rs 3,500 (180/day, sold out)
Fallback
Devalia Safari Park, Rs 190
Ekta Nagar
1.5 lakh visitors in 3 days
Gir stays
Rs 1,500-30,000, mostly full
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Planning a Gujarat trip around the Diwali break? Book nothing at the last minute. Ekta Nagar, home of the Statue of Unity, drew more than 1.5 lakh visitors in the first three days of the holiday and its hotels and Tent City are full. All 180 online permits issued daily for the Gir jungle safari are sold out, with forest officials saying bookings are full until 23 November. There is still a way to see lions: the Devalia Safari Park near Gir is admitting visitors at Rs 190 a person during the holidays.

How crowded it is

Divya Bhaskar reported on 11 November that Ekta Nagar saw over 1.5 lakh tourists in the first three days of the Diwali mini-break, with hotels, Tent City and row houses running full and special ST buses added for the rush. Newer attractions inaugurated this year, including the 600-passenger Ekta Cruise and the Rainforest project, are adding to the draw. Officials expect 50,000 to 60,000 visitors a day through the holiday window.

At Sasan Gir, tourist numbers have crossed 50,000 and all online safari permits, 180 a day across three slots, are booked out. According to TV9 Gujarati, a forest department official said safari bookings are full until 23 November. Most star-category resorts, hotels and farmhouses in Gir are also full until at least 15 November. Dwarka, meanwhile, saw heavy devotee crowds for Bhai Dooj darshan at the Dwarkadhish temple and holy dips at Gomati Ghat.

What it costs right now

A Gir jungle safari permit costs Rs 3,500. For travellers who cannot get one, Devalia Safari Park, the fenced interpretation zone, is charging Rs 190 a person during the Diwali holidays and is the practical fallback for lion sightings. Around Gir, farmhouse packages with meals start at about Rs 1,500 a person, hotels run Rs 3,000 to Rs 7,000 a room, and good resorts are charging Rs 7,000 to Rs 30,000 during the mini-break.

If you still want to go

For Gir, do not travel without a confirmed safari permit; check the online booking system daily for cancellations if your dates are before 23 November, or plan Devalia instead. For Ekta Nagar, book stay and Statue of Unity viewing gallery tickets online in advance, since the gallery is running houseful. If your dates are flexible, the week after the holiday rush will be far easier for both.

We track crowd and booking news that changes family travel plans and update this page as the holiday rush eases. Last verified: 12 November 2026 against Divya Bhaskar and TV9 Gujarati reports dated 11 November 2026.

Devalia safari parkEkta Nagar Diwali rushGir safari booking fullStatue of Unity crowd
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Cheshta Agarwal
Founder · Travel Creator · Lawyer

A Miranda House graduate and lawyer who traded courtrooms for slow travel. Cheshta travels with the batches we host ourselves, with a soft spot for travelling alongside elders.

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Questions on this article

asked by readers, answered by us

Is Gir jungle safari available during Diwali 2026?

No new permits are available right now. Forest officials say all Gir safari slots are sold out until 23 November 2026. Only about 180 permits are issued per day and they are gone. If you already hold a confirmed permit, your safari is on; otherwise plan for dates after 23 November or use Devalia Safari Park.

How much does Devalia Safari Park cost?

Entry to Devalia Safari Park (the fenced interpretation zone near Gir) is Rs 190 per person. It is the practical fallback while main Gir jungle safari permits, priced around Rs 3,500, are fully booked until 23 November 2026.

How crowded is Ekta Nagar and Dwarka this Diwali?

Very. Ekta Nagar drew more than 1.5 lakh visitors in just three days of the Diwali break, and Dwarka is seeing heavy crowds through Bhai Dooj. Expect full hotels, queues at the Statue of Unity and packed temples; go only with confirmed bookings.

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