The Daily Vanguard

Ahmedabad: A City Where Tourism, Culture and Commerce Co-exist

Ahmedabad is a unique city. In this city business and commerce, history, and culture co-exist since a long time. The city offers a lot of attractions for the tourists and definitely a different travel experience altogether. Read on.

A city that easily fits on the line of Catch 22, Ahmedabad is a juxtaposition of all things in contrast with each other. On one side you discover the Gujaratis who are famous for their culture, hard work, and business acumen, and on the other hand the city has Mahatma Gandhi with his simple living and other exceptional principles. Commercial city on one hand and the most profound sense of being of self-renunciation on the other — with all such diversities Ahmedabad is the best illustrative of the Indian culture and is likewise the seventh biggest city of India. Ahmedabad is fast developing as a modern city as well. If you ever have checked those Ahmedabad to Delhi flights price, you can easily understand how much of a cosmopolitan city Ahmedabad is turning into. At the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport of this city, you can spot many foreigners, NRIs, as well as travelers from within India. It at times resembles that you at the Mumbai or Delhi airport. The city is prospering and its tourism is growing year after year.

So what’s the story about Ahmedabad, after all?

Ahmedabad is the finance capital of the state of Gujarat. About 32 km north of Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad is to be situated at the banks of the Sabarmati River. Ahmedabad was in the past known as Karnavati, named after its ruler Solanki King Karandev I, yet later when it was attacked by Sultan Ahmed Shah, it was renamed as Ahmedabad. So, that is the history of the city.

A past with significant architecture

Ahmedabad has many architectural marvels. The best amongst all those are the fortifications. Mahmud Begda, the grandson of Sultan Ahmed constructed a mass of 10 km outline comprising of twelve entryways, 189 bastions, more than 6,000 fortifications to strengthen the city from further intrusions. Each of these twelve doors have great carvings and calligraphy on them. Some of these doors additionally have galleries. Amid the Mughal period Ahmedabad was vanquished by Emperor Akbar, yet the mughal who left his engravings on this spot is Shahjahan. He also sponsored the Moti Shahi Mahal in Shahibaug.

Gandhiji’s Influence on the City

When the British ruled, this city became more than significant because of the Indian Independence Movement which was spearheaded by Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi set up two ashrams, namely – the Satyagraha Ashram which is also called the Sabarmati Ashram, it is situated on the banks of the Sabarmati River, and the Kochrab Ashram. Gandhi started the Salt Satyagraha by initiating the Dandi March from the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad.

Under the British, Ahmedabad was known as the Manchester of the East and as Gandhi’s Swadeshi movement gained traction, entrepreneurship inspired the city in common and uncommon ways. The well known Arvind Mills, Calico Mills, etc. appeared around then only and such set-ups made a mark through the times.

So what does Ahmedabad tourism bring for you

A spot loaded with authentic landmarks, furthermore all the cutting edge attractions like posh shopping centers and cineplexes, to religious sites like Hutheesing Jain Temple, Sidi Sayeed Masjid, Mahudi Jain Temple, Swaminarayan Temple, Akshardham, Jama Masjid, to attractions such as City Walls and the doors, Rani no Hajiro, Badshah no Hajiro, Jhulta Minar, Sarkhej Roza, Dada Harir Vav, The Adalaj Step, etc. are some of the spots travelers do not miss visiting. There are various art galleries, ecological spots and forest zones like Indora Natural Park and Kankaria Lake which are a fascination amongst the vacationers.

Things To Do in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad has an energetic social fiber as it is a gathering of different social and religious groups. Prevalent celebrations like Navratri are commended for nine long days. Garba, a local ceremony of worldwide popularity is performed amid Navratri. Diwali, Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Gudi Padwa, Eid ul-Fitr, Muharram and Christmas are different festive celebrations held here with quite an enthusiasm. You can be a part of these festivities and enjoy Ahmedabad at its best.

If you are on a pan India trip, once you have explored the city, take one of those Ahmedabad to Delhi flights and explore the capital city if you haven’t yet and then move on to check out the many hill destinations around Delhi that tourists have always coveted to visit again and again. Have a great time!