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Known
as the 'Manchester of the East', the textile city of Ahmedabad was
always a commercial center. "Dhando" or business is the city's creed
and money makes the city go around. The amazingly industrious
Gujaratis with their inimitable entrepreneurship continue to
transform the city with their Midas touch. Flaunting ostentatiously,
they live life to the brim. Yet, it was here Mahatma Gandhi turned
his life into a lesson for the entire mankind.
Savor the finest examples of Indo Islamic culture of fusion here.
Shop till you drop and gasp in incredulity at the mind-boggling
variety of clothes, crafts and jewellery. Relish the Amdavad cuisine
that has the widest range-but is only vegetarian. Share their taste
for ice creams that seem to get a flavor all its own. And you may
catch a glimpse of what makes Ahmedabad tick.
The domestic as well as the international airport sees domestic
airlines from all the major metros as well as international flights
.Ahmedabad is linked by rail to major cities, tourist centers and
towns of India. State transport buses and private luxury coaches
connect various cities of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh,
Delhi and Rajasthan.
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Places to visit |
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Jumma Masjid
Possibly the
most beautiful mosque in India, it was built by the city's
founder, Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1423 for the Friday
congregation. The yellow sandstone mosque fuses the finest
in Hindu and Muslim architectural styles. The 260 pillars
supporting the 15 domes at varying elevations are
incredible. |
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Shaking
Minarets
The two minarets
of the Siddhi Bashir mosque visibly shake. Based on
intricate principles of physics and sound resonance, these
have been deliberately designed in a way that when one
minaret is shaken the other one shakes too. |
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Siddi Sayed
Mosque
The mosque is
world famous for its stupendous stone window tracery – the
delicate carving transforms stone into gossamer like
filigree. |
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Sabarmati
Ashram
The abode of the
great gentle apostle of non violence, it is permeated by
Mahatma Gandhi’s familiar simplicity. His first Satyagraha
Ashram was also the nerve centre of India's freedom
movement. Hridaya Kunj, the cottage where he lived is
preserved perfectly. The adjoining Gandhi Ashram contains
memorial centre, library and a sound and light on life of a
man whose every living moment is an inspiration.
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The Pols
The Pols, the
original dwelling units of the Amedabadis, are marked by
intricately carved facades that abut the streets. Each pol
is a page of history, hiding in each brick complex twists in
history, a breath of harmony and a splendid architecture.
Mhurat Pol, Mandvi-ni-Pol, and Lakha Patel-ni-Pol still
shine through. |
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Teen Darwaja
Built by Sultan
Ahmed Shah, the triple-arched gateway is an munificent
monument of perfect proportions and highly ornate
buttresses. It was meant to be the royal entrance to the
Maidan Shahi or the Royal Square. |
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Kankaria Lake
Strangely
reminiscent of Rajputana lake palaces, it is a mile wide
polygonal lake. Constructed in 1451 by Sultan Qutb-ud-Din,
it has an island-garden with a summer palace known as Nagina
Wadi in the centre. It now serves as a popular recreational
centre. |
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Hatheesing
Jain Temple
The best known
of Ahmedabad's many ornate Jain temples, it is built of pure
white marble and profusely decorated with rich carvings.
Constructed by a rich Jain merchant outside Delhi Gate in
1850, the medieval looking temple is dedicated to Dharamnath,
the 15th Jina or Jain apostle. |
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Bhadra Fort
Established in
1411, the old fort once had the royal palaces and gardens
within. The Marathas converted one of its chambers into the
Bhadra Kali temple. |
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Unique Shopping
Ahmedabad is a shopper’s
paradise especially for those favoring ethnic wear. Fabrics painted
by traditional methods, Vegetable dye, tie and dye work, gold &
silver thread work (zari), fine silk embroideries, patola and
tanchoi are the major attractions. Shop for exclusive saris,
bedspreads, bandanas and other handicrafts here. Ahmedabad is the
renowned for Zari embriodery. Among the famous handicrafts market
here, C.G. Market is most prominent and also very popular for its
patola saris. Khadi Gramodyog Emporiums, Hastkala, Kapasi
Handicrafts Emporium, Saurashtra Emporium and Bandhej are some of
the places where one can look for the cotton wear, handicrafts and
other souvenirs.
Eating out
As a food paradise, the
city spreads out the widest range of cuisines. Savour anything you
have mind - from the traditional to the exotic. Don't forget to
relish the simple but excellent fare offered at the several "idli"
shops, and the numerous bakeries. For a gorging on delectable fares,
there are several restaurants serving anything from continental to
Chinese cuisine.
Pubs are at every corner.
Do’s and Don’t’s
- Respect the local
culture.
- Most importantly, respect the religious sanctity of holy places.
Remove your shoes outside before entering a religious monument or
building. Cover your head inside any religious or holy place.
- Do not damage or deface the heritage buildings. Such an act is
punishable by law. Beware of Porters at airport. Take care of your
luggage.
- Auto rickshaws drivers can charge 4-5times the normal fare. Always
hire metered rickshaws.
- Always eat something cooked. Eating raw or tinned food will make
you fall ill.
- Bargaining is most important while shopping. You can expect 10-20%
discount at a well established shop. You can get about 30% discount
if buying in bulk.
- Do not travel alone in the night for it's better safe than sorry.
- Do not travel in city buses with lots of cash. Pickpockets are
common in city buses. |
