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            AHMEDABAD TRAVEL GUIDE

Ahmedabad  is the sixth largest city of India. It is the commercial hub of the state of
Gujarat, though it is not the capital, which is Gandhinagar, 30 km to the north.
Although it is not very well known as a 'tourist' place, it is certainly worth a visit.
Located on the banks of the River Sabarmati, the city is the administrative centre of
Ahmedabad district, and was the capital of Gujarat from 1960 to 1970; the capital
was shifted to Gandhinagar thereafter. The city is sometimes called Kar?avati, a
name for an older town that existed in the same location; in colloquial Gujarati, it is
commonly called Amdavad.

The city was founded in 1411 to serve as the capital of the Sultanate of Gujarat, by its
namesake, Sultan Ahmed Shah. Under British rule, a military cantonment was
established and the city infrastructure was modernised and expanded. Although
incorporated into the Bombay Presidency during the British rule in India, Ahmedabad
remained the most important city in the Gujarat region. The city established itself as
the home of a booming textile industry, which earned it the nickname "the
Manchester of the East."

Archaeological evidence suggests that the area around Ahmedabad has been
inhabited since the 11th century, when it was known as Ashapalli or Ashaval. At that
time, Karandev I, the Solanki ruler of Anhilwara (modern Patan), waged a successful
war against the Bhil king of Ashaval. Soon after the victory, he established a city
called Karnavati on the banks of the Sabarmati at the site of modern Ahmedabad.
Solanki rule lasted until the 13th century, when Gujarat came under the control of the
Vaghela dynasty of Dholka and Ahmedabad was conquered by the Sultanate of Delhi.


GENERAL INFORMATION

Time zone           IST (UTC+5:30)
Area                     1,300 kmē (502 sq mi)
Elevation             53 m (174 ft)
District(s)            Ahmedabad
Population          3,769,846 (2006)
Density                3,978/kmē (10,303/sq mi)
Metro                    5,360,238 (7th) (2006)

PLACE TO VISIT

Gandhi Aashram - Located near Vadaj, the Sabarmati Aashram was once
house of Mahatma Gandhi. The ashram was founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1915,
and today without doubt it is the biggest tourist attraction in Ahmedabad. It lies on the
tranquil stretch of the Sabarmati river and was referred to as the Satyagraha Ashram
during the lifetime of the Mahatma. It was from here, that the Mahatma began his
famous 'Dandi March' in 1930 to protest against the Salt Tax imposed by the British.

Sidi Sayed Mosque -  Sidi Sayed Mosque is unique for its exquisite screens,
which are praised for their amazing Jhali screen, framed, in the ten semi-circular
windows. The screen carved out of one rock is just exceptional. A visit to this superb
and outstanding example of delicate carving is an absolute must.

Bhadra Fort -  To add special charm to the varied sights of the city there is the
Bhadra Fort, which once housed royal palaces and well-laid gardens. It boasts of the
temple of Bhadrakali and was built in 1411 during the Maratha rule.

Kankaria Lake -  A circular lake built in 1451 by Sultan Qutub-ud-Din. In the
centre of the lake is an island garden with a summer palace known as Nagina Wadi,
It has a very beautiful Musical Fountain show(although the music sucks but the lights
and fountain are worth a trip). The lake is a popular recreation centre surrounded by
parks, 'Bal Vatika' - an aquarium, a boat club, a natural history museum and a zoo.

Hathisingh Jain Temple -  An impressive white structure, the Jain temple
built of white marble and elaborately carved is dedicated to Dharmanath - the 15th
Jina or Jain Apostle. Similar to all Jain temples, this temple to is rich in intricate
carvings displaying among other things - musicians.

Calico Textile Museum -  is one of the finest textile museums in the world in
one of Gujarat's famous carved wooden havelis. The museum displays a
magnificent collection of rare textiles dating back to the 17th century. There is also an
excellent reference library on textiles. Located in the Sarabhai Foundation, in
Shahibagh the Calico Museum of Textiles, widely regarded as one of the finest textile
museums in the world was constructed in 1949 AD. It has the finest collection of not
just textiles and clothes but also furniture, temple artifacts and crafts in the country.

Juma Majid -  It is amongst the most popular tourist sights in the city. Built of
yellow sandstone this mosque stands on 260 pillars which support 15 domes at
varying elevations. The mosque was built by Ahmad Shah in 1423. It is easily
accessible as it stands in the centre of the old city. This imposing structure reflects
the Muslim architecture of that period.

Jhulta Minara -  Quite an unusual structure, Jhulta Minara or swaying minarets
are a part of the mosque of Siddi Bashir and can be moved back and forth by
applying a little force at the topmost arch. One of the minarets was partly demolished
by an Englishman in his endeavors to unravel the mystery of the swaying minarets.
The mosque was built by master craftsmen and the crucial mechanism that leads to
the vibration is still a mystery.

Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary - 65 km from Ahmedabad, spread over 120
sq. kms, the lake - Nal Sarovar - the extensive reed beds and marshes are an ideal
habitat for aquatic plants and animals. The lake attracts a large variety of birds like
plovers, sandpipers, stints, cormorants, grebes and openbill storks among others.
The best season to visit the sanctuary is November to February.

HOW TO REACH

By plane - The airport is just 15 km north-east from the city-centre. The airport is
expanding with permissions for many international air lines being given and
development of new terminals.

There are a few direct international flights to London, New York, San Francisco, and
Chicago as well as Kuala Lumpur, Muscat, Kuwait, Sharjah and Qatar and
Singapore. From October 28th 2007 Emirates will fly 6 times per week between
Dubai and Ahmedabad. Singapore Airlines has daily flights between Singapore and
Ahmedabad.

Ahmedabad is well connected domestically via daily flights from Mumbai, Delhi,
Indore, Chennai, Bangalore, Goa, Kolkata and many other Indian cities and towns.

By train - Ahmedabad is connected with Bombay (aka Mumbai) (500 km) and
New Delhi with trains several times a day. Besides its connected with most other
major Indian cities and all the states through direct or through-fare trains. There are
also many flights to both cities and to Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai and
Kolkata.

By car - ou could drive to Ahmedabad from Mumbai on the new highway that's
been built but it will take you around 10 hours to do the 550 odd Kilometers. It's an
interesting drive and will take you through some very scenic areas, and you will pass
Vapi, Valsad, Surat, Vadodara, Anand, and Nadiad on your way. Driving to Delhi is a
very tiring journey but could be interesting as you can stop at Udaipur, Ajmer and
Jaipur on your way, but you'd want 3 days to make this drive.