INTRODUCTION TO THE CITY
Ahmedabad will be the First Indian City to receive UNESCO’s World Heritage City Status- Tentative Application accepted by UNESCO for the same. It was established in 1411 AD. The new rulers of Gujarat, keen on stablishing their superiority in the material realm, had undertaken a frenzied program of building activities in their new capital of Ahmedabad. Their model was the impressive Hindu architecture of the previous centuries which they wanted to outshine. The result, after one and a half centuries, was the ‘Sultanate Architecture’ of Ahmedabad, considered a high point of world architectural heritage. This architecture along with the Jain, Swaminarayan and Hindu temples of the city is a veritable safari of monumental architecture which attracts lovers of beauty from across the world to the city.
The architecture and the design of the new town of Ahmedabad (Latte. 23* 00, Long. 72* 35’), a walled town situated on the river Sabarmati, was a continuation of the Hindu building traditions by other means. These ‘other means’ were the new stylistic elements brought in by the new rulers. The city lies close to an older Solanki trading center, on the 371 km long river Sabarmati and is 173 feet above the sea level. That it was the seat of a splendorous court is testified by a French traveler, Tavernier, who had visited the town in the eighteenth century describing it as “the headquarters of manufacturing, the greatest city in India, nothing inferior to Venice for rich silks and gold stuffs curiously wrought with birds and flowers.”
Modern textile technology further oiled the Gujarati virtues in ‘reinventing’ Ahmedabad. Its booming business in textiles had given Ahmedabad the status of ‘Manchester of India’ by the First World War. The success of modern textile industry in Ahmedabad is a puzzle for the business historian as the town was considered unsuitable for the industry. Some of these mills survived as late as 1989. The flourishing of textile industry in Ahmedabad may be viewed as the triumph of Gujarati virtues of pragmatism, innovation and creative collaboration. It was for this town that Mahatma Gandhi had felt a predilection after his return from South Africa in 1917, staying on in the town for thirteen years and directing the historically unheard of non-violent movement against colonial power in favor of self-determination for the Indian people.
| Co-ordinates: | 23.03° N 72.58° E |
| Area: | 466 Sq.km. (year 2006) |
| Population: | 55,77,940 (year 2011 Census) |
| Density: | 11,948 /sq.km |
| Literacy Rate: | 89.60 % |
| Average Annual Rainfall: | 782 mm |
| Popularly known as: | Amdavad |
| STD Code: | 079 |
INTRODUCTION-TOURISM
Amdavad is a perfect destination for those who love to visit great tourist attractions, with having number of exciting places to see in and around the city. Some of the features that perfectly describe the Amdavad city are splendid monuments, wonderful museums and gorgeous lakes. There is an abundance of sightseeing places in Amdavad that are truly worth visiting. Adalaj is one of the most excellent step wells or baolis of Gujarat. It serves as a fabulous retreat during the months of scorching heat.
Amdavad enjoys a thriving cultural tradition, being the centre of Gujarati cultural activities and diverse traditions of different ethnic and religious communities.
Popular celebrations and observances include Uttarayan an annual kite-festival on 14 January. The nine nights of Navratri are celebrated with people performing Garba the folk dance of Gujarat at venues across the city. The festival of lights Deepavali is celebrated with the lighting of lamps in every house, the decorating the floors with the rangoli and the bursting of firecrackers.
Other festivals such as Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Gudi Padwa, Eid ul-Fitr and Christmas are celebrated with enthusiasm. The annual Rath Yatra procession on the Ashadhi-sud-bij of Vikram Samvat and the procession of Tajia as the ending of Muslim holy month of Muharram; are integral parts of the city’s culture.
Top Places to Visit in Ahmedabad
Get In ?
By Air – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport (Code- AMD)
Local cab Service – Ola, Uber, Government BRTS bus, Government
By Train – Ahmedabad Railway Station
(Main Junction – Kalupur) (Station Code – ADI)
(Other Junction – Sabarmati) (Station Code – SBI)
(Other Junction – Maninagar) (Station Code – MAN)
Local cab Service – Ola, Uber, Government BRTS bus, Government
By Bus – GSRTC Central Bus Terminus
Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) has buses from all the parts of the Gujarat state entering into the city. The central bus terminus at Geeta Mandir, with other terminals at Subhash Bridge and Naroda; minor stops include Paldi and Sabarmati Tollnaka. It is advisable to pre-book seats due to the likelihood of crowding.
Local cab Service – Ola, Uber, Government BRTS bus, Government AMTS service available
HERITAGE WALK
Experience Amdavad Morning Heritage Walk with Professional Tour Guide.
Morning Heritage Walk
Time: 7:45 A.M. to 10:30 A.M
Starting Point: Swaminarayan Mandir Road, Old City, Kalupur, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380001
Reporting Time: 07:30 A.M
End Point: Manek Chowk, Gandhi Rd, Danapidth, Khadia, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380001
Length : 2 Km (2 Hours 30 Minutes)
Number of Pause Points : 22 Points
