Ahmedabad City Guide

Location:
Northern India, 960 km from Delhi, West Central Uttar Pradesh.
General Overview :-
Ahmedabad is Gujarat's largest city and the headquarters of Ahmedabad district. It has a dry climate. Its highest recorded temperature is 48°C and lowest is 5°C.Ahmedabad 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-flying day 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, Eid ul-Fitr and Christmas are celebrated with enthusiasm.

The annual Rath Yatra procession on the Ashadh-sud-bij date of the Hindu calendar and the procession of Tajia during the Muslim holy month of Muharram are integral parts of the city's culture.The people of Ahmedabad enjoy rich culinary traditions. The most popular form of meal - a typical Gujarati thali (meal) - consists of rotli, dal, rice and Shaak (cooked vegetables, sometimes with curry), with accompaniments of pickles and roasted papads. Popular beverages include buttermilk and tea; sweet dishes include laddoos and mango. There are many restaurants, which serve a wide array of Indian and international cuisines. Most of the food outlets serve only vegetarian food, as a strong tradition of vegetarianism is maintained by the city's Jain and Hindu communities. The first all-vegetarian Pizza Hut in the world opened in Ahmedabad.

Places Of Interest:-
Sidi Sayed Mosque, Lal Darwaja
The mosque of Sidi Sayed is one of the most prominent mosques in the Ahmedabad city. Constructed in the year 1573, the mosque was established by Sidi Sayed, a slave of Sultan Ahmed Shah. This monument has gained a worldwide recognition, due to its splendor. This skillfully carved mosque is truly the one of its kinds in the whole world. The Jali screen windows represent the Indo-Saracenic styling, which is admired by people all over the world. Consisting of delicately carved windows, the mosque is known for its stone tracery. The construction work of the Sidi Sayed mosque was taken up in the last year of the Sultanate rule in Gujarat.

Sabarmati Ashram - Gandhi Ashram, Shubhas Bridge
On a quiet stretch of the Sabarmati river is the Gandhi Ashram set up in 1917.During the lifetime of Mahatma Gandhi it was known as Satyagraha Ashram and was the center of India's freedom movement. It was from here, in 1930, that the Mahatma began his famous "Dandi March" to the sea to protest against the Salt Tax imposed by the British. 'Hridaya Kunj', the simple cottage where he lived, is preserved as a National Monument. A Gandhi Memorial Center, a Library and a Sound-and-Light spectacle offer an interesting display of the Mahatma's life and work.

Jhulta Minara, KaluPur
Known as Shaking Minaret or Jhulta Minar. When one minaretsis shaken the other one begins to vibrateThe mosque was obviously built by master craftsmen and the crucial mechanism that causes the vibration is still a mystery.

Jumma Masjid, Old Ahmedabad
Jumma Masjid of Ahmedabad is one of the most beautiful mosques in India.It was built in the year 1423 by the founder of the city, Sultan Ahmed Shah, and is located in the old city. Built in yellow sandstone, this monument is capable of outshining any other monument of Ahmedabad. Jama Masjid is a fine example of Indo Saracenic architecture, with the special touch of the Sultan himself. It presents an extraordinary blend of Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture.

Bhadra Fort, Bhadra
The Fort of Bhadra named after the famous temple of Bhadrakali laid its foundation in 1411and it once enclosed the royal palaces and gardens. The wall, which fortified the city, has mere than ten entrance gates. Each Gate is unique in its self and has a little history behind it like the Gate facing Delhi is named Delhi Gate.

Adalaj Vav, Adalaj
Adalaj is a small village, situated at a distance of 18 km to the northof Ahmedabad. Vav means a step well.Adalaj Vav was built by Queen Rudabai, in 1499 AD. A beautifully chiseled step well, Adalaj Vav is counted amongst the finest architectural structures of Gujarat.The unique feature of Adalaj Vav is that apart from conserving water for drinking purposes, it also serves as a cooling chamber in the hot summer months. The steps of the well were used by the travelers and caravans passing from the area, on the due course of their trade routes.

Other attraction either in the close proximity or at a little distance, include the Rani Roopmati Mosque,Kankaria Lake and Teen Darwaja.

Bazaars
Bazar in AhmedabadIn ahmedabad, shopping can be pursued at the Teen Darwaja Bazaar, Dhal Garwad or on the C.G. Market. Marvel, Footwork, Brassware, Carpets, Jari and Embroidery works are famous . The City is also famous for mouth watering Gujrati food feast to your full as the most prominent are: dal, rice bath, roti, dhokala, theplas, kadhi and kadhi. Drikhand and Dhokala as well as food items such as the meats cooked in the Mughal (Mughlai Chicken etc.) or Indian Style ( tandoori Chickens etc ) and the salted items are famed to be the best in the city.

Things to Do
Rooftop Restaurants
Rooftop restaurants with a splendid view of the Ahmedabad which has been the flavour of most of the tourists, visiting this city. Not only due to the beauty, the ambience in Itself can excite newer feelings in the Mind, especially during the beginning of the evenings.

Ahmedabad Cantt Railway Station:
Taste the local items - Have a taste of the Mughlai and GujratiQueryspecial dishes, that are mouth watering. The Mughlai and Tandoori chickens are really worth a mouthful, here. But be sure to select a good restaurant.

How to reach:-
Air
The Ahmedabad Airport has direct Daily flights from Delhi. Besides, there are many other flights from important cities such as Jaipur, Agra etc.

Rail
The Ahmedabad Junction lies in the Delhi Mumbai route and hence is a well admired railway station. Many express and special trains connect the station.

Roads
Good Roads exists from Delhi. Mathura, Khajuraho, Jaipur etc. Buses, Auto Rickshaws and Taxis are readily available from Delhi and other nearby states. {However, keeping a check on the fares is absolutely necessary.

Hotels
Good Hotels for a stay include Pride Hotel, Nalanda Hotel, Cama Hotel, Fortune Hotel Landmark, Hotel Ambassador, Hotel Damjis and Hotel Siddhartha Palace etc.