When you stop thinking of Europe or York as your destinations
Travel has taken a back seat during this pandemic period. World thrived on travelling and we never knew, we would ever be facing such a stoppage at any point of life. When it comes to travel, all of we think of holidays and destinations. Oh! Let’s travel to Europe this year, no no let’s fly to York. Mauritius is something I want to visit because the beaches are what I lure for this year! Well, if you fall into this category, this post is definitely for you. Are you aware of the city called Ahmedabad?
There is an age-old saying that goes, “JAB KUTTE PAR SASSA AYA, TAB BADSHAH NE SHEHR BASAYA”. This story laid the foundation of the Ahmedabad city. And is one of the largest city of Gujarat. Now you must be eager to know the saying and the tale behind it. Being an Ahmedabadi, I would take you to the virtual tour of Ahmedabad. I am sure you will fall in love with the place. Once Ahmed Badshah was taking a walk on the banks of the river Sabarmati. Sultan Ahmed, the founder of the city and on whose name the town is named saw a Rabbit chasing a dog. He was quite impressed, and a thought flashed in his mind. He was quite enthralled with the rabbit’s courage and wondered that the place is too powerful as a mere timid Rabbit has the guts to chase a dog. He located the area and named it Ahmedabad. Old Sage Dadhichi lived on the banks of the river Sabarmati where present Ahmedabad is rooted. Traditionally it is called as Amdavad and citizens are known as Amdavadis.
Old City
Ahmedabad has flourished a lot with time and again. With its expansion from a walled city, it has blossomed to the old town and extended parts of the city. The ancient village has excellent sites that are declared as world heritage by UNESCO. There are seven forts and several gates in and around the city. It makes the town culturally vibrant. Heritage tour is organized by the government which includes AMC Heritage Walk, Heritage night walk of Ahmedabad, etc. Timings differ, and you can take the time as per your convenience.
Tour organized by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). Places include
1. Kankaria Lake
2. Sabarmati Riverfront- Most attractive
3. Gandhi Ashram- A must visit
4. Sarkhej Roza
5. Auto World Museum
6. The Kite Museum
7. Bhadrakali Temple in the old city
8. Science city
9. ISKCON Temple
10. Adalaj Vav
11. Akshardham Temple- One of a kind
12. Dada Harir’s Vav and
13. Kalupur Swaminarayan temple and many more
Kankaria Lake
Kankaria lake has its own beauty to celebrate. Round the corner, it attracts thousands of visitors. After the renovation, it appears nothing less than a celebrity-based at the centre of the town. It is a place not to be missed when you visit Ahmedabad. Housing Zoo, play areas, walking zones, children parks, amusement parks, boating, fish museum, etc. It is a place that will steal your heart and make you look back for sure.
Kite Festival
Master Kite flyers from all over the world get together to show their skills at kite flying. Different kinds, types and sizes of kites are demonstrated by the flyers showing their unique creation. Visiting this festival is an eye-soothing experience, and folks wait round the year to satiate their buds of watching kites flying in the festival right from the monster size to the size of a palm. Dates are usually around the kite festival- Makarsankranti, i.e. 14th of January every year. Government has made easy trips to and fro for the citizens who would like to enjoy the international kite-flying festival in Ahmedabad.
Flower Show
This is an amazing flower show with a live display of flower of around 750 species spread on the Sabarmati riverfront. Various unique sculptures and artefacts are made representing the unique culture and heritage of India. Theme differs every year; however, the collection of flowers awes any being. It is held as a part of the Gujarat Summit and thus trying to bring people close to nature and mother earth. People have welcomed the flower show with zeal and enthusiasm. Every year lakhs of people visit the show.
The government makes special arrangements for visitors who would like to visit the flower show. It usually takes place in January and entry tickets which is minimal can be purchased from the location itself.
FOOD
Lastly but not least, it is impossible to separate food from the Gujarat and Gujarati. People usually enjoy by hanging around in the bars and discos in the world around; however, Gujarat being a dry state, people have found a different way out. You will find restaurants and hotels at every nook and corner. Right from the desi kathiawadi style ranging it to any Arabian style food will be available in Ahmedabad. Food is the heart and soul of Gujaratis. Jalebi Fafda is a must which every Gujarati relishes on the weekend.
Try reaching out to this place, and you will come to know the gusto and passion with which people live here. You will find an atmosphere of comfort that you would not have found anywhere else in the world. You are always welcome for more details. If you have any queries regarding the place or would like to know more, you can comment, and I will reply to it.
This post is written as part of #speakeasyblogging challenge by Dipika and Ruchi. #SpeakEasywithRuchiandDips
35 Comments
SWETA
That’s fantastic Surbhi. Glad to know that. Hopefully, you must be well acquainted with the place.
SWETA
Made u nostalgic! Right!
Mayuri Nidigallu
I visited Ahmedabad a while ago and i loved it! for all the reasons you mentioned. Had such an awesome time shopping and eating there! Reading your lovely post has made me want to visit it again!
Aesha Shah
Hye, fellow Amdavadi! felt so happy to read about my city. Currently I am at Ahmedabad and I am so dying to eat fafda jalebi & vati dal khaman alongwith all the roadside delicacies. I missed flocking at Law Garden to have ‘Savitaben’s makai’ this monsoon and also ‘Jasuben pizza’. I crave these so much at Mumbai. No exotic pizza place can replace Jasuben pizza, right? We Gujarati’s love our food, you rightly mentioned you can separate a gujju from food.
Also the heritage walk is a extraordinary initiative by AMC. Visit to textile museum of Calico Mills is also one place I would recommend. And Riverfront just look magnamious at night. Genuinely felt so happy about being a Amdavadi.
SwatiMathur
Hey Shweta.. Ahemdabad is my home post marriage. I was elated when Ahmadabad declared as a world heritage by UNESCO. Thanks for sharing such an amazing post and I am missing it even more.
Nitisha
You made me nostalgic Sweta. I’ve grown up in Ahmedabad as my dad works there. The 22 years I spent there were pure bliss. Although I’m a Rajsthani by culture, but I’m an Amdabadi at heart. There’s no other city like Ahmedabad, and no better people than Amdavadis. Amdavad is simply love♥️
Cindy DSilva
Europe and USA and awesome destinations for a vacation but i still love living in india because we have so many heritage sites here that i love to explore each one of them when i visit the place. I have actually forgotten what all i visited on a short trip in Ahmedabad but i do remember those gorgeous step wells. The underground one which i felt overwhelmed with was the best of all.
Payel
Thank you for this post.. quite an interesting story.. you are Gujrexpert!!
Ruchi Verma
I was lucky to visit Ahemdabad last year but this story of kutte is new to me. Love the food and city a lot!!
Neeta Kadam
I really don’t know Ahmadabad has so many travel points. Thanks for the information buddy. Jaipur, Rajasthan are always in list but never think about Ahmadbad, though having lots of friend from here.
Bhawna Shah
I had visited Ahmedabad only once, but at that time I didn’t explore the city. Your post has described all. My attention is for Kankaria Lake, if I get a chance to revisit the city, I will go there for sure.
Chinmayee Gayatree sahu
Sweta, thanks for sharing this wonderful insight about Ahmedabad. Would have never known it otherwise. very nice post. I would love to be part of the kite festival myself once.
Mayura Amarkant
Loved how you based the post on the age-old saying! I love Ahemdabad and have visited most of the places you have mentioned here. It’s such a fabulous city! Great post!
#SpeakEasyWithRuchiNDips
Aditi Kapur
I’ve heard a lot about Ahmedabad, wish to visit the beautiful city in the near future. The list you’ve shared is something I’m already familiar with 😃 (through magazines and internet). All I want is to travel now:)
Geethica Mehra
Hi Sweta, I visited this beautiful city when I attended a marriage in the family. I have many sweet memories to remember from this calm yet outraging place.
Very well explained the beauty of Ahemdabad.
Archana Srivastava
IIM-Ahmedabad pops the first in my mind whenever I hear the name of this beautiful city. My sis is a professor in Gujrat Vidyapeeth, however, I never get a chance to visit there. Thanks for sharing so insightful details regarding all the major visiting places in one shot.
Hema
oh yes. i have to agree with you .. Kankaria Lake is a beauty . i had chance to visit this lovely lake. Dont even get me started on the kite festival and food.. Loved it .. lovely memories
Mandavi Jaiswal
I have always been fascinated by Ahmedabad and I’m defitely looking at planning a trip sometime in 2021. Your post is really handy and I now know how to plan my day thanks to your list 🙂
Rakhi Parsai
That is such a detailed post on the most beautiful city of Gujarat . I have not had the chance to visit Ahmedabad despite having lived in Gandhinagar for few years. I would really love to visit soon.
Neha Sharma
We visited Gujarat last year in October, stayed in Ahmedabad for a day after coming back from Kutch which was our main destination of that trip. We knew it would not be feasible to explore the city in just 1 day so we just focussed on exploring Gujarati food, we started our day with jalebi fafda in breakfast at a local food joint. It was an amazing day!
Ishieta
I have not visit here yet, however, I agree & do think beyond Europe or york as the only travel destinations.
I know that India has so much to offer in terms of beauty and experience and the culture and people are second to none!
Id love to attend the kite festival – I have never attended one and I can only imagine the visual splendor of it!
Suhasini I.P.
Ahmedabad is on my bucket list. Now not sure,when we will really get to visit that place
SWETA
I understand. Pandemic has made travel not only difficult but hiccuping industry, However, it will get back to its track ones things are back to normal. Ahmedabad is a place worth visiting. Do definitely give it a try.
Milan Singhal
lOved reading this post. Never been to this city, but would love to one day.
SWETA
Thanks Milan. It is a city that has quite a massive heritage and definitely worth a visit. It is not so popular because efforts are not much made to attract tourist, however, it has its own shimmer.
Disha
I liked the historical note behind establishing the city. I have never been to Ahemdabad, but my cousins live there and always praise it for the safety of the city. Thanks for the virtual tour! 🙂
SWETA
It is a must-visit place. When you plan anytime for Ahmedabad go for the tour that basically shows the old city. Totally worth it.
Amritha Srinath
Honestly speaking you reminded me of my childhood when I visited Ahmedabad. Even as I child I remeber visiting the Sab armati Forefront, Gandhi ashram and Akshardham Temple.
However, from Taarak Mehta series, I have virtually seen how beautiful current Ahmedabad is and seriously wish to take a trip one day.
Thanks for the jalebi-fafda enriched post, I feel I was taken on a virtual tour today through your post.
Hansa Kajaria
Indeed true. We get blinded by travelling abroad but let’s not forget our India is a gold mine for travellers. Frm snow to desert to lakes and beaches temples mosques and churches, each a architectural marvel, india has it all.
Sivaranjini. A
Wow, that is truly a virtual trip the beauty of the place is very well described and it was a great read.
Seema Bardeskar
I love Gujarati food but never got a chance to travel there. Ahmedabad seems to have so many beautiful spots to visit. I would love to explore it and try l the authentic food there.
Manisha Garg
I have been to this city and really enjoyed the spirit of the place. I explored few places but so much is remaining to explore.
Nitisha Mathur
This post spelled nostalgia for me, Sweta! I’ve grown up in Ahmedabad and there’s no other warmth a city gives other than ‘Amdavad’. The kite festival & navratri are my absolute favorites. One must visit the city during these two festivals.
Thank you for taking me through the city highlights again. 🙂
Ritu Bindra
Overseas travel will probbaly be on the backburner thanks to Corona. India has a lot of hidden treasures to explore. I haven’t been to Ahmedabad in ages. Will definitely keep your checklist in mind. Thanks for sharing.
Normand
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