ahmedabad 1

8/8/2019 ahmedabad 1

1/8

Attraction of Ahmadabad

Gandhi Ashram :

For many years Ahmedabad was the center of

Mahatma Gandhis non-violent struggle for Indias independence. The energy of that

movement can still be felt at the Satyagraha Ashram that he established on the banks of the

Sabarmati in 1917, after the previous Kochrab Ashram had to be abandoned because of abreakout of plague. He chose a location that was, at the time, far out of the city so that he could

try farming and other such experiments. He learnt the art of spinning and weaving, and soon the

ashram began to buzz with khadi, not just as a way of producing clothes, but also as a way of

thought. The activity waned when he moved to Sevagram Ashram near Wardha, Maharashtra,after the Namak Satyagraha, leaving the Ashram in the hands of the Harijan Sevak Sangh.

You can get a sense of his life, the history of the movement and those who worked alongside

him, at the Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya, a small museum that includes excellent pictorial andwritten documentation, a library of Gandhian literature and paintings, and an immense archive of

letters written by Gandhiji, every single one on the back of used paper. The grounds include the

Hridaykunj, Gandhijis sparse living quarters, Vinoba-Mira Kutir, where Vinoba and Miraeach stayed on separate visits, a prarthana bhumi, a guest house and a building used as a training

center for cottage industries, all preserved as part of the museum. The grounds are open from

sunrise to sunset, but the best time to visit these grounds is early morning, as the sun rises over

the river, and people are in a meditative spirit.

Tucked away on one side is also Manav Sadhna, a non-profit Gandhian organization dedicated to

seva. Many of the people who work or volunteer in the group live in the ashram, which actually

covers a lot more than just the preserved memorial grounds. Across the road is a wholeresidential neighborhood of families, many of which have elders who worked alongside

Gandhiji, and have the history of the movement built into their houses, inevitably reaching the

younger generations. Near the memorial grounds in the rest of the Ashram is the Environmental
http://www.ahmedabad.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Sabarmati-Ashram-Ashram-grounds-1.jpg


2/8

Sanitation Institute, an organization that addresses waste-related diseases and ecologically

minded sanitation, Kalam Kush, where beautiful hand-made paper is made, as well as spinning

wheels and other equipment, three khadi stores, and most recently, a khadi weaving workshop tore-educate people about the concept, resuscitating the activity after decades of lull following

Gandhijis move to the Sevagram Ashram. After the move, it may have seemed that the ashram

was no longer functioning, but generations later, the people who populate Manav Sadhna, orwork in the ashram bookstore, or the fact that the new khadi workshop is run by the grandson of

the couple who taught Gandhiji and his cohorts to make khadi, are all testament to the living

legacy left behind.

Dada Harir Vav (Stepwell) :

In the quiet neighborhood of Asarwa village,

northeast of the walled, tucked away between a sleepy residential area and the coal yards ofAhmedabad on a little side street, you will find Dada Harir Vav. At ground level you may not see

much, but as you step up to the top of the stairs, you suddenly see a deep cascade of stairs and

columns plunging down several stories, with shafts of light falling on beautiful carvings and

birds and bats flitting in and out of the shadowy corners.

Built around 500 years ago by Sultan Bai Harir, this stepwell is like others around Gujarat, with

elaborate craftsmanship and construction built underground to provide access to a permanent

source of water. For many years stepwells like this one provided most of the water for the cityduring the long dry seasons. On the walls as you descend, you will find carvings of all type,

including some in Sanskrit as well as in Arabic script.

The well is best visited in the late morning when light penetrates down the shaft. To reach the

site, it is best to find an autorickshaw driver who knows the place to take you there. Buses comenearby, but then it can be quite roundabout to find it on foot.

Sarkhej Roza :
http://www.ahmedabad.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Dada-Hari-Wav-1.jpg


3/8

About 8 kms. from the city, Sarkhej comprises one of

the most elegant architectural complexes of Ahmedabad. Grouped around a great stepped tank is

the tomb to the saint, Ahmed Khattu Ganj Baksh (1445), the mosque, the tombs of MehmudShah Begada and his queen, and the palace and pavilions. The buildings are remarkable for the

complete absence of arches and the use of pierced stone trellises throughout.

Akshardham :

Akshardham is majestic, intricately carved stone structure which stands amid sprawling gardens

set in a 23-acre plot at Gandhinagar (Gandhinagar district). It is built in 6000 tonnes of pinksandstone and not a bit of steel has been used. The temple is 108 ft in height, 240 ft in length and

131 ft in width. A point worth noting is that this modern monument to Hinduism was built as per

the injunctions of Vastu Shastra.The monument enshrining the seven foot high, gold-leafedMurti (idol) of Lord Swaminarayan is the focal point of the complex.

The monument stands on 7 sculpted pillars, 210 single-piece stone beams, 57 window grills, M

domes, eight ornate zarokhas, etc. The sanctum sanctorum contains the 1.2 tonne gold-platedidol of Lord Swaminarayan, the founder of the sect that bears his name, shown in a sittingposture with his right hand raised in abhay mudra. He is flanked by Swami Gunatitanand on his

right and Swami Gopalanand Swami on his left. Both of them were his disciples. Swami

Gunatitanand is called Swaminarayans Akshardham, the eternal abode. According to the

Swaminarayan philosophy whenever Lord Swaminarayan incarnates on this planet he bringswith him his Akshardham.
http://www.ahmedabad.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Sarkhej-Roza.jpg


4/8

Gunatitanand Swami is also called Aksharbrahma and ranks second in the hierarchy of the

Bochasanvasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha which built the Akshardham monument. Inspiring

episodes and incidents from the glorious history of Sanatan Dharma are presented in sound andlight form for the benefit of the visitors. The show takes the visitors through various facets of

Hinduism. The wisdom of the Vedas, the epics, the Puranas is depicted on a crowded canvas by

the exhibition. The visitor comes face to face with personages who have made this land what itis.

It is a perfect mix of modernity and ancient values. Apart from Lord Rama going in search of his

kidnapped wife, the visitor can see Shravan- the dutiful son, the Pandavas losing the game of

dice in the Hastinapur palace, etc. Besides the visitors can also see Sabaris long wait for LordRama and Draupadis humiliation in the Kauravasabha.

The Hall of Harmony projects world religions side by side. The monument is ringed by

aparikrama containing 365 stone pillars. The temple also houses the Akshardham Center for

Applied Research in Social Harmony (AARSH) which is a futuristic research center with a rich

library, study stations and archives. Access to the library is confined to enlisted scholars.

So far millions of people have visited the monument since its inception on November 2,1992.

They have been able to savour the story of Hinduism and to imbibe the message of universal

peace and brotherhood.

Kankaria Lake :

A polygonal lake almost a mile in circumference,

it was constructed in 1451 by Sultan Qutb-ud-Din. In the centre of the lake is an island-garden

with a summer palace known as Nagina Wadi. The lake is now a popular recreational centre and

is surrounded by parks, Bal Vatika, childrens gardens, a boat club, natural history museum anda zoo.

Rani no Hajiro :
http://www.ahmedabad.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Kankaria-Lake.jpg


5/8

On the street leading to the Queens (Rani no) tomb (hajiro), where the female members of

the royal family were buried, is now a colorful market for ladies goods, crowded

with womens clothing and other items. It lies to the east of Manek Chowk.

Sidi Sayeed Masjid :

Off the eastern end of Nehru bridge stands the

Sidi Sayeed mosque. Built in 1573, it is the last of the major mosques to be built in Ahmedabad

under the Mughal rule. Surrounded by busy intersections, it presents a stark contrast to speedingbuses and giant advertisements.

The carved jaalis in the windows of the western wall are known worldwide and have become a

symbol of the city of Ahmedabad. Depicting a tree with intertwining branches, the carvings looklike fine lace filigree work, but are hewn from solid stone. Though much smaller than the Jama

Masjid, and lacking the enclosed courtyard, the craftsmanship of this mosque places it on a level

nearly unequaled in the world.

Hutheesing Jain Temple :

This remarkably elegant temple created out ofwhite marble has been sacred to many Jain families, generation after generation. It was built in

1848 A.D. at an estimated cost of 10 lakh rupees by a rich merchant Sheth Hutheesing as a
http://www.ahmedabad.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Hathee-Singh-Temple.jpghttp://www.ahmedabad.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Sidi-Saiyad-ni-jali.jpg


6/8

dedication to the 15th Jain tirthankar, Shri Dharmanatha. Traditional artisans working in stone

belonged to the Sonpura & Salat communities. The Salat community constructed masterpieces of

architecture ranging from forts, palaces to temples. The work of the Hutheesing Jain temple isattributed to Premchand Salat. One scholar has remarked, Each part goes on increasing in

dignity as we approach the sanctuary. Whether looked at from its courts or from the outside, it

possesses variety without confusion and an appropriateness of every part to the purpose forwhich it was intended.

Located outside the Delhi Gate, the temple is spread over a sprawling courtyard, a mandapa

surmounted by a large ridged dome, which is supported by 12 ornate pillars. The small

garbhagruh (main shrine) on the east end reaches up into three stunningly carved spires andencircled by 52 small shrines dedicated to the various Tirthankars. There are large protuding

porches with magnificently decorated columns and figural brackets on three outer sides. Also a

recently built 78 ft Mahavir stambha (tower) fashioned after the renowned tower at Chittor inRajasthan, flanks the outer courtyard by the front entrance. Some of the motifs used in the design

reminds one of the Sultanate minarets of the Mughal period.

Science City :

Located off the Sarkhej Gandhinagar Highway,

Science City is an ambitious initiative of the government of Gujarat to trigger an inquiry of

science in the mind of a common citizen with the aid of entertainment and experiential

knowledge. Covering an area of more than 107 hectares, the idea is to create imaginativeexhibits, virtual reality activity corners, and live demonstrations in an easily understandable

manner.

Currently the 3D Imax theater, musical dancing fountain, energy park and simulation ridesinterest visitors. It is hoped that as this place develops, the investment helps to create awarenessand sensitivity to better care for our ecology and people through the appropriate use of science

and technology. The park is open from 12-9pm. For more information see Science City or call

079-65220111

Indroda Nature Park :
http://www.ahmedabad.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Science-City.jpg


7/8

Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park is a precious treasure spread over an area of about 400 hectares

on either bank of Sabarmati river in Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat. It is considered to be the

second largest hatchery of dinosaur eggs in the world. Regarded as Indias Jurrasic Park, it is runby the Gujarat Ecological Education and Research Foundation (GEER), and is the only dinosaur

museum in the country. The park consists of a zoo, massive skeletons of sea mammals like the

blue whale, as well as a vast botanical garden, amphitheatre, interpretation center and campingfacilities. It also has a Wilderness Park which is home to innumerable species of birds, reptiles,

hundreds of nilgais, langurs and peafowls in its vast forest. Visit Indroda Nature Park or call

02712-21385, (Park)-20560.

CEPT Campus :

School of Architecture was founded by B. V. Doshi in 1962 under The Centre forEnvironmental Planning and Technology (CEPT). With the motto of gnanam

vignanamsahitam, meaning knowledge with science and spirituality, today CEPT has grown

into an autonomous university offering 3 under-graduate and 14 post-graduate programmes.

School of Interior Design was founded by Ms. Krishna Shastri, a student of B.V. Doshi in 1991.At CEPT, efforts are made to instigate and improvise the sensitive and aesthetic dimensions of

the students. Faculty and students together bring about a healthy and inspiring environmentwhich results into volatile creativity . Students here, are exposed to a wide range of related

studies starting from photography to music to crafts to religion to environment and culture, and

are also encouraged to improvise and innovate in all the fields. The fully equipped workshopenables them to experiment and make things on their own. Student exchange programs give

them insights on global perspectives.

Hussain Doshis Gufa :

If you are looking for a quiet refuge in the midstof this bustling city, which is surrounded by trees, art and fantasy, than a visit to this

underground cave gallery will do you good. Also popularly known as Amdavad ni Gufa on

Kasturbhai Lalbhai campus. It is a creative union of two of Indias most imaginative minds, thecelebrated architect B. V. Doshi and painter M F Hussain.
http://www.ahmedabad.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Hussain-Doshi-Gufa.jpg


8/8

It is a lively whimsical fusion of modern art and natural design with undulating interconnected

domes inlaid with mosaic tiles. Sit here to watch the sunset or enjoy a cup of coffee in its Zen

Cafe. This space also houses an art gallery by the same name and becomes a nourishing hub ofcreative exchange.

Documents

ahmedabad 1