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AHMEDABAD
INTRODUCTION
Ahmedabad, one of the major industrial centres in India, has often
been called the' Manchester of the East'. The city is the major
entry point to the west coast state of Gujarat, famous for its Asiatic
lions in the Gir forest; the Temple of Somnath; Lothal, the site
of a Harappan or Indus Valley civilisation; Jain temples at Palitana;
and a distinct regional cuisine. The state offers many fairs and
festivals in its numerous temple towns and is a major centre for
hand-crafted textiles in the country. Excursions include the Sun
temple of Modhera, built in the 11th century; Nalsarovar, a 116sq.
km. lake and home for vast flocks of indigenous and migratory birds.
The city is an interesting place to wander around, with narrow bazaar
streets, crowded and colourful, and houses having ornately carved
wooden fronts. The Calico Museum of Textiles has a display of modern
and antique textiles, including rare tapestries, wall hangings,
costumes and old weaving machines. Sabarmati Ashram, about 6 km.
from the city, was Mahatma Gandhi's headquarters during the long
struggle of Indian independence.
Places to visit
Bhadra And Sidi Sayyid's Mosque
The solid fortified citadel, Bhadra, built of deep red stone in
1411 AD as Ahmedabad's first Muslim structure.
Jumma Masjid
A short walk from Teen Darwaja along Gandhi Road leads to the spectacular
Jumma Masjid, or Friday Mosque.
Shaking Minarets
Opposite the large gate of Sarangpur Darwaja, Sidi Bashir's minars
are all that remain of the mosque popularly named after one of Ahmed
Shah's favourite slaves.
Excursions from Ahmedabad
LOTHAL- 70 km (2 hour) drive from Ahmedabad is a full fledged
Harappan settlement dating back to 2nd millennium BC. You can see
the fairly well preserved 4000 year old dockyard here. The elaborately
carved, ornamented, three stories high ADALAJ VAV (step well) with
windows and terraces is 20 km from Ahmedabad. If you drive ahead
from Adalaj Vav towards Gandhinagar you will reach AKSHARDAM TEMPLE.
The grandeur of this temple built in 1993, in pink sandstone is
breathtaking.
MODHERA-The 900 year old Sun Temple at, 104 km away from
Ahmedabad. On the days of the solar equinoxes sun rays bathe the
deity facing the east in the pitch dark inner sanctum. The best
time to visit this temple is in January when the Gujarat Tourism
Corporation organises a classical dance festival at this temple.
140 km from Ahmedabad is PATAN, the town renowned for the 1000 year
old, seven storied Rana ki vav and exquisite Patola Sarees. The
Patolas range from seventy thousand to one lakh rupees because there
are only three families in the world who can produce the double
ikkat patolas !
ACCESS
Air: Domestic and International Airport is 10 km from Ashram
Road area.
Rail: There are two daily express trains to Bhavnagar ,
and two overnight trains to Junagadh and Veraval. Of the three metre-gauge
services to Delhi.
Road: For journeys within Gujarat , it can be less troublesome
to opt for the bus. The ST Bus Stand serves a variety of local destinations
including Gandhinagar , Dholka and Nalsarovar, Mehsana, and Dhrangadhra.
In Rajasthan, there are buses to Mount Abu, Udaipur and Jaipur.
There are also overnight services to Mumbai , Indore and Bhopal,
but none to Delhi.
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State
Express