India Festivals Destinations
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Ahmedabad
Climate :
Ahmedabad has a very hot and humid climate with summer temperatures soaring
up to 45° C. In the winters, temperatures may touch a low of 5° C. But it is
the frequent rains that send the relative humidity levels zooming up through
out the year.
Significance :
An Industrial City, textile being the most prominent sector.
Ahmedabad - Manchester of the East :
Ahmedabad is one of the most prominent cities of western Indian state of
Gujarat. A highly industrialised city, Ahmedabad is also called 'Manchester
of the East' . The city is well known for its textile industries. In spite
of massive industrialisation, Ahmedabad has well preserved most of its
earlier heritage. Ahmedabad is also a centre for the study of Indo-Saracenic
architecture.
History :
Ahmedabad was named after Sultan Ahmed Shah, who built the city in 1411.
Ahmedabad holds an important place in India's struggle for freedom. It was a
major base of freedom fighters during the freedom movement. Gandhiji had
built the Sabarmati Ashram on the outskirts of the city from where he had
guided the freedom movement.
Famous For - the Textile Industry :
Known as the 'Manchester of the East', Ahmedabad is the textile city of
India. The textile from Ahmedabad are in good demand world over.
Connectivity :
» By Air - Ahmedabad figures prominently in the air map of the country.
There are regular flights to Ahmedabad from Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Goa
and Chennai.
» By Rail - Trains are available to Ahmedabad from most major destinations
of India.
» By Road - Ahmedabad is well connected to the rest of Gujarat through the
road network. Inter-state buses also connect Ahmedabad with neighbouring
states.
Additional Highlights of the City :
» Sabarmati Ashram - Sabarmati Ashram is the biggest tourist attraction of
Ahmedabad. The Ashram was founded by Mahatma Gandhi in the year 1915. The
Ashram lies on the banks of Sabarmati river in the most serene ambience.
Gandhiji had set out on the famous Dandi March to protest against the
imposition of salt tax by the British from Sabarmati Ashram itself. The
Ashram has a handicrafts centre, a handmade paper factory and a spinning
wheel factory. There is also a small museum inside Sabarmati Ashram
displaying the belongings of Mahatma Gandhi. The Ashram also houses a
library. Many books, journals and articles written by Gandhiji are kept in
the library. A Sound-and-Light show is also held in the Ashram which depicts
the Mahatma's life and teachings in a most interesting manner.
» Jama Masjid - Built by Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1423, the mosque is one of the
oldest and biggest in India. An example of fine architecture, the mosque has
260 pillars supporting 15 domes at different elevations. There is also a
spacious courtyard in marble.
» Rani Rupmati Masjid - Rani Rupmati's mosque gets its name from the Hindu
wife of Sultan Mahmud Begado. Built during the 15th century, the mosque
architecture is a harmonious fusion of Hindu and Muslim styles. It has three
domes supported by pillars with the central domes slightly elevated in order
to allow natural light to enter the mosque.
» Huthising Temple - Of the many big and small temples dotting the Ahmedabad
landscape, Huthising Jain temple is the most prominent. The temple was
constructed by Shri Kesarising Huthising in 1848 and is dedicated to
Dharmanath, the 15th Jain Tirtankra. The main temple is surrounded by 52
small temples.
» Calico Museum - Calico is one of the best textile museum anywhere in the
world. Constructed in the year 1949, the museum houses some of the finest
fabrics spun, woven, printed and painted in different parts of India after
independence. Many old weaving machines are also kept for display.
Things to Buy in Ahmedabad :
The arts and crafts of Gujrat are among the best buys of Ahmedabad. The
Patola silk sarees of Ahmedabad which take almost a year to complete is
among the priority list of shoppers. The gold embroidery on the sarees is
most exquisitely done. Other items worth buying are mirror worked colorful
gypsy styled ghagras (long skirts), waistcoats and blouses .
Shopping Areas in Ahmedabad :
The best place to buy the art works of Ahmedabad is the Law Garden area . In
the evening, the area transforms into an open market selling all kinds of
handicrafts and other items. The prices initially quoted are always high as
the place is popular for some hard bargaining.
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