Best time to visit : October to March (Not harsh weather)
Ahmedabad (originally known as Karnavati) is a city in the state of Gujarat in West India. It is located on the banks of the river Sabarmati and is the fifth largest city in the nation. Ahmedabad is an important trading centre for the country and is the financial hub of Gujarat. The language spoken here is mainly ‘Gujarati’, though most of the people here understand Hindi and also English. Ahmedabad is locally known as ‘Amdavad’. The city has been nicknamed ‘The Manchester of the East’ because of the abundant development of textile mills in the area. But above all, the city of Ahmedabad is famous because Mahatma Gandhi ‘The father of the Nation’ chose it as his abode.
Facts
The city largely accommodates people of three prominent religions – Hindu, Muslim and Jain. Infact, Ahmedabad is also somewhat of a ‘modern hub’ for the Jains in the country. The city has expanded and is still growing on both the sides of the river (Sabarmati). The river divides the city in two parts – the old city and the new city. The old city is famous for the historical monuments and the crowded market places, whereas the new city is famous for its malls, modern buildings and various business centres. Ahmedabad has an enviable industrial belt which boasts of some of the most famous international brands in the world. To enjoy the real culture of Gujarat, it is best to visit it during the Navratri Festival (end of September/early October) or Makar Sakranti (14TH January).
C G Road and S G Road and Manek Chowk are the best for some exciting food experience. For authentic Gujarati cuisine, one can visit ‘The House of Mangaldas’, ‘’Sasuji’ Gordhan Thaal’ or ‘Rajwadu’. If you are interested in some non-vegetarian delights, ‘Barbeque Nation’ is the place for you to be. Apart from this, Ahmedabad has some amazing street food too. Dhokla, Kheechu, Handwo, Khandvi, Khaman, Dabeli, Patra are the famous picks amongst Gujarati Snacks.
Gujarat is famous for its handicraft and you can find the evidence of this in Ahmedabad. A lot of Khadi shops sell genuine Khaddar articles – you can find these shops near Gandhi Ashram. Other famous shops for traditional Gujarati attire and fabrics are Bandhej and Gurjari. Law Garden and road side market is worth exploring markets for souvenirs and gifts for loved ones.
Nearby Places:
- Adalaj-ni-Vav: Vav in Gujarati means step-well. Adalaj-ni-vav is an ancient step-well built during the reign of the Vaghela dynasty. It is 18 km. away from Ahmedabad and you can hire a taxi to reach there.
- Thol Bird Sanctuary: Thol Lake is around 30 km. away from the city. This place attracts lot of exotic birds. The best time to visit Thol is at the crack of dawn. Serene water of the lake looks beautiful with the rising sun rays reflecting on its surface.
- Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary: Nal Sarovar is a beautiful lake spread over a large area and houses an extensive variety of aquatic plants. During winters Nal sarovar is a haven for migratory birds. It is 65 km. away from Ahmedabad and you will need to hire a taxi to reach here.