An Overview :
Located on the bank of the river Sabarmati, the city of Ahmadabad was
founded by Sultan Ahmad Shah in 1411 AD. The city offers its tourists a
variety of historic monuments, mosques, temples, museums which are fine
example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. Ahmadabad is also home to the
Sabarmati Ashram, the place where the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi
started his fight against British oppression with a unique way of
non-violence. Presently, it is the capital and a leading industrial centre
of Gujarat mainly for its textile mills and is often called the 'Manchester
of the East'.
Climate of Ahmedabad :
The city has a hot and moist climate with hot summer and cold winter. The
summer months from April to June are extremely hot, when the the temperature
can rises up to 46 degrees C. But, the winter from November to February are
cool and pleasant. The monsoon is roughly mid-June and mid- September when
the city experiences a good amount of rainfall. The best time to visit
Ahmedabad is during October to March.
Tourist Attractions of Ahmedabad :
» Sabaramati Ashram - 
Near
the river Sabarmati, Mahatma Gandhi first set up a small retreat which later
became the nerve centre for India's freedom struggle. It was the starting
point for the March 1930 Dandi March, which was to protest the British
administration's unjust Salt Tax laws. Today, this Gandhi Ashram has a
memorial centre containing large painted panels, a library and photo gallery
depicting Gandhi's life in pictures. The ashram preserves Gandhis original
room with all his possessions.
» Jumma Masjid - Located on the Mahatma Gandhi
Road, it is a beautiful mosque designed by the city's founder Ahmad Shah in
1423 and is a perfect example of Indo-Islamic architecture. It has a
spacious courtyard, a tank and stands on 250 pillars surmounted by 15 domes.
» Siddi Sayed Mosque - This mosque was built by
Ahmad Shah's slave Siddi Sayed, which is famous for its delicate stone
carvings.
» Shaking Minarets or Jhulta Minar - These are two
uniquely designed minarets. These 75 feet twin minarets are a challenge to
modern architecture. It has 68 steps of the narrow staircase to climb at its
top. When one minaret was shaken, the vibration was transmitted to the other
by the stone bridge connecting the towers 40 feet below. The builder of this
architectural phenomenon was Malik Shahnang Sahib but today climbing on
these tower is no longer permitted.
Getting to Ahmedabad :
» By Air - There are frequent flights from Delhi,
Mumbai, Chennai and some other cities of India. Airlines serving Ahmedabad
are Indian Airlines from Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai ; Jet Air from Delhi
and Mumbai ; Modiluft from Bangalore and Calcutta. Air India connects
Ahmedabad to London and New York twice weekly.
»
By Rail - Ahmadabad is well connected by trains with Delhi, Mumbai,
Vadodara and Udaipur. Shatabdi Express, Gujarat Express, Saurashtra Express
and Sarvodaya Express are some good trains from the city. The luxury train
Royal Orient also covers the city in its week long tour.
» By Bus - The Gujarat State Road Transport
Corporation buses connect Ahmedabad with other major cities and towns of
Gujarat and neighboring states.
» By Local Transport - City buses, taxis, auto
rickshaws are available for travelling within the state.
