About Ahmedabad
Sultan Ahmad Shah built a beautiful city on the banks of river Sabarmati in
1411 and named it Ahmedabad. Today one of the principal cities of
Gujarat, Ahmedabad is known for its
religious and cultural diversity as also for its number of industries, often
being sobriquet as the Manchester of the East. The city has a rich history
with a number of dynasties taking over control through the years and thus
creating favourable conditions for the flourishment of a number of tribes
and castes including the Aryans, Persians, Arabs and Africans.
At first glance, the city looks like a labyrinth of crowded streets, high
rise buildings, industrial units, mosques and temples but a closer insight
reveals umpteen enchanting features such as fine architectural structures,
shimmering lakes and museums. In all, Ahmedabad offers its visitors a place
packed with pleasant surprises.
Climate & Best time to Visit
The city can get extremely hot and humid during the summer months
(mid-March to mid-June) with peak summers witnessing temperatures shooting
up to 45 degrees Celsius. Dark clouds start to gather by the beginning of
July and Ahmedabad is lashed by heavy rainfalls that may continue up till
the end of September. Winter months from November to February is the time
when the climate remains pleasant and most ideal for a visit, though the
city can also be visited during the
Tourist Attractions in Ahmedabad
Sabarmati Ashram
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Sabarmati Ashram was set
up in 1915 by Mahatma Gandhi on the banks of river Sabarmati. The ashram has
been set up amidst a picturesque ambiance with greenery all around. The
structure has now been converted into a museum divided into five different
parts, each housing a collection of rare manuscripts such as letters and
articles. The museum is open everyday between 8:30 AM and 6:30 PM.
Kankaria Lake
The man made lake and the recreation centre around it are one of the most
popular hangout and picnic spots in Ahmedabad. Once a favored retreat for
Mughal Emperor Jehangir and his wife Nur Jahan, the site was constructed in
1415 and consists of 34 sides with each measuring 60 mts in length.
Jama Masjid
Ahmedabad
is known for its architectural marvels that are a unique blend of the Hindu
and Muslim forms of architecture. The Jama Masjid is one such structure
built by Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1423. The huge mosque consisting of 260
pillars and 15 domes is considered to be one of the most beautiful
structures in this part of the world.
Hussain - Doshi Gufa
Situated in the campus of the Centre for Environment Planning and
Technology in Gujarat University, the cave is named after artist M F Hussain
and architect B V Doshi. The structure was constructed using modern
technology and houses a collection of works by the two great men.
Get Aways
Gandhinagar
Gandhinagar is situated just 35 km from Ahmedabad and can be accessed via a
short ride in a local bus. The most famous monument at the place is the
Akshardham Temple which is spread in an area of 45 acres and is adorned with
beautifully carved stone structures of Hindu Gods and learned men. The
temple is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan.
Sarkhej
Situated 8 km from the main city, Sarkhej is like a museum, housing a bunch
of ancient architectural structures dating back to the Mughal period. Home
to the Muslim spiritual leader Ahmad Khattu Gang Baksh, Sarkhej also houses
the largest mausoleum in the country, that of Sultan Mahmud Begado.
Nal Sarover Bird Sanctuary
Just 64 km from Ahmedabad, the banks of the Nal Sarover lake provide a
natural habitat to numerous species of birds and a few animal species. The
birds include both residents and migratory birds which come here from all
parts of the globe. Some of the commonly spotted birds include flamingoes,
saras cranes, species of ducks, herons etc.
Things to Do
Shopping
Shopping in Ahmedabad is also a great way of interacting with the locals
and understanding their culture. Once you get started it will be hard to
return without having your bags full. The must buys on a shoppers list are
cotton clothes, handicrafts items and hand made wooden curios. The major
shopping areas in Ahmedabad include C.G. Road, Law Garden, Ashram Road and
Relief Road. The Government run shops include the Khadi Gram Udyog
Emporiums, Kapasi Handicrafts Emporium, Saurashtra Emporium and Hastkala.
Stay At
Ahmedabad
being a major tourist destination is replete with all types of accommodation
that include budget and luxury hotels. Some of the best hotels in Ahmedabad
include Hotel Cama Park Plaza, Hotel Comfort Inn Sunset, Hotel Fortune and
Hotel President (all Budget), Hotel Taj Residency, Hotel Inder Residency,
Hotel Le Meridien, Hotel Pride and Hotel Chicago (Luxury).
Getting There & Around
By Air : The Sardar Vallabbhai International Airport at
Ahmedabad is located just 10 km from the city. Major airline operators like
Air India, Indian Airlines, Alliance Air, Jet Airways and Sahara Air connect
the city with other Indian destinations such as Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata,
Chennai, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Goa as also with a number of
international destinations including Sharjah, Kuwait, Muscat, Singapore and
Kuala Lumpur.
By Rail : Ahmedabad is connected with all the major
Indian cities through regular trains. Daily trains between Delhi and
Ahmedabad include the Ashram Exp and HW ADI Mail while those from Mumbai are
Ahmedabad Pass. Suryanagari Exp., Gujarat Mail, Bhavnagar Exp., Ranakpur
Exp. and Saurashtra Mail. More information on train schedule and timings can
be obtained from the official site of Indian Railways at
http://www.indianrail.gov.in/.
By Road : Ahmedabad is connected to all the neighbouring
cities through well built and well maintained state and national highways.
The newly built highway between Ahmedabad and Mumbai has reduced the
distance much and the journey can now be completed in around 10 hours.
Local Travel : Taxis, auto rickshaws and local buses are
the prominent means of moving around inside the city. Motorcycles and cars
(chauffer and self driven) can also be hired from various locations in
Ahmedabad.
Distance from Major Cities
- Surat : 210 Km
- Rajkot : 214 Km
- Vadodara : 105 Km
- Udaipur : 252 Km
- Mumbai : 545 Km
- Delhi : 915 Km
