Ahmedabad is a friendly, cosmopolitan, dynamic, industrial metropolis. It is the centre of a very foodie state. You have to try out the street food and the Gujarati Thali which is a vegetarian meal with lots of options, and plenty of sweets. It is a also a good place to shop for glittering wares from Kutch and Saurashtra.
Ahmedabad is a hot place and summer starts in March and ends in June, winter is the best time to visit.
Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram is the major tourist attraction in Ahmedabad. It lies on a tranquil stretch of the Sabarmati river and it is from here that Gandhi began his “Dandi Marchâ€. Sidi Sayed Mosque and Bhadra fort are other attractions worth visiting. For the spiritual minded , Vaishnodevi temple (a replica of the famous one) and Amar Dham are worth a visit.
Adalaj Step-Well located about 18km from Ahmedabad is an architectural sensation with involvedly carved niches and lovely carvings.}}
Compared to the neighbouring state of Rajasthan, Gujarat attracts less foreign tourists. That in itself can be an advantage, people are more friendly.
During the 15th century, the state of Gujarat was ruled by the Muzaffarid dynasty. One day, sultan Ahmed Shah, was standing on the banks of river Sabarmati when he noticed a hare chasing a dog. Perplexed by this incident, he approached a spiritual leader for explanation. The learned man explained that it was because of the uniqueness of this land that cultivated such rare qualities in its inhabitants. The sultan was so impressed that he founded the city as the capital of Gujarat and named it after himself as the city of Ahmedabad.
In the year 1573, the city of Ahmed Shah was taken over by Mughal emperor, Akbar. His grandson, Shahjahan spent a major part of his life in the Ahmedabad city. Under the rule of Mughals, Ahmedabad became the leading centre of textiles.
Nearly two centuries later, in 1753 the, Marathas came to power. However, internal conflicts were rife and that led to the frontage of the British rule in 1818. During the freedom struggle of India and post independence, the city served as the home of many prominent nationalist leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel. Situated on the banks of river Sabarmati, Ahmedabad was the former capital of Gujarat.
Ahmedabad is well-connected by air, both domestically as well as international destinations via Mumbai. Ahmedabad is also connected to several major cities and tier two cities. You also have an option to driver to Ahmedabad from Mumbai on the NH-8, although the distance is a quiet a bit (550kms).
Visit the Gandhi Ashram:
Formerly known as 'Satyagraha Ashram' , and later renamed 'Harijan Ashram' , it was established in the year 1915. Anyone can come and visit the Gandhi ashram located alongside the Sabarmati River.It was from here, that the Mahatma began his famous 'Dandi March' in 1930 to protest against the Salt Tax imposed by the British. One can see the three wise monkeys and many more of Gandhiji's teachings at the ashram premises. It houses the Hriday Kunj, the house where Gandhi and Kasturba stayed from 1918 to 1930. A charkha' used by Gandhi to weave khadi and the writing table he used for writing letters are also few of the priceless items kept here. Nandini, an old ashram guest-house; Vinobha Kutir, the house of Acharya Vinoba Bhave, the Upasana Mandir, an open -air prayer ground and the Gandhi Sangrahalaya, a museum. Eight life-sized colour oil- paintings and an exhibition on Gandhiji's lifeare the highlight of the museum.It also houses photocopies of about 34,000 letters written by Gandhi and about 8000 photographs and 165 films. The Sangrahalaya also arranges for publication and sale of Gandhian literature.
Visit Adalaj ni vav:
Located, 18 km north of Ahmedabad, Adalaj makes one of the most interesting excursions from the city which has the Adalaj ni vav -a five-storeyed 'vav' or stepwell. The octogonal stepwell is built in the Indo-Islamic architectural style. The sandstone structure built on intricately carved large number of pillars. Each floor is spacious enough to provide for people to congregate.
Visit the Sidi Sayeed mosque:
The mosque was built in the last year of the Sultanate of Gujrat. A fine example of Indo-saracenic archictecture, the mosque was commissioned by Sidi Sayed, a slave of Sultan Ahmed Shah. Built in 1573, it is world famous for its ten finely carved, semi-circular, jaali (latticed screen) windows.
Not only does travel give us a new system of reckoning, it also brings to the fore unknown aspects of our own self. Our consciousness being broadened and enriched, we shall judge ourselves more correctly.