AHEMDABAD

AHEMDABAD

For many years, Ahmedabad, the capital city of Gujarat, was the centre of Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent struggle for Indian independence

SABARMATI ASHRAM 

 For many years, Ahmedabad, the capital city of Gujarat, was the centre of Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent struggle for Indian independence. The energy of that movement can still be felt in the satyagraha Ashram or Harijan Ashram that Gandhiji established on the banks of the Sabarmati in 1917.  Sabarmati Ashram or Gandhi Ashram is located four miles from the townhall.

  An Ashram is a Hindu religious retreat. This Ashram was one of the residences of ‘Father Of The Nation’, ‘Mohandas Karam Chand Gandhi’, generally called Mahatma Gandhi, who lived there for about twelve years, with his wife Kasturba.  This Ashram was witness to many historical events that shook  up the British Empire. It was from jis base in this Ashram that Gandhiji led the Dandi March, also called Salt Satyagraha on March12,1930. In recognition of the deep influence that this March had on the Indian independence movement, the Inddian Government has established the Ashram as a national monument.

This Ashram houses the five units namely the office, library, two photo galleries and an auditorium. It has the largest number of manuscripts of Gandhiji’s letters an articles.

 In a tribute to Gandhiji, Pandit jawahar Lal Nehru had said “Wherever he trod became hallowed land, Wherever he sat became temples.” This statement of Nehruji is true indeed for the non-violent Ganddhiji. It is a famous saying that “ De dim hame azadi, bina khadag bina dhaal;   sabarmati ke Sant , tune kar diya kamala,” It means that this great soul gave us freedom without using any weapons or any violence. Its really our good fortune that we can get a sense of his life, the history of the movement and those who worked alongside him, at the Gandi Smarak sangrahalaya. It is a museum and an institution whose aim is to preserve and propagate the legacy of Mahatma, the Great Soul. Sabarmati ashram is  a source of inspiration for the present generation, and will serve as such for the generations to come. Gandhiji’s ideas will really serve as a beacon light for all the coming generations.

   This  museum contains excellentpictorial and written documentation, a and an immense archive of letters written by him on the back of used papers. The grounds include the Hryakunj (Gandhiji’s sparse living quarters), Vinoba –Mira kutir( where Vinoba Bhave and Mira each stayed on separate visits), Upasana Mandir(prarthana bhoomi), a guest house and a building used as a training center for cottage industries, all are preserved as part of the museum. These grounds are open from sunrise to sunset on all days of the year, but the best time is early morning as the sun rises over the river and people and in a meditative spirit. This Ashram receives about 7lakh visitors a year whose needs have to be catered for. Its opening time is from 8.00am to 7.00pm. The original charkha(the spinning wheel) used by him to make khadi clothsand its various copies are preserved here, his writing table he used for writing letters and also a few priceless items are kept there and cared for. His real spectacles are kept intact there. The room where he used to have meetings with the freedom fighters an their seats etc. are so preserved as if they all would just come and sit and start a meeting here.

  With prior appointment from the Secretary, Gandhi Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust,, the Gandhi Smarak sangrahalaya, Gandhi Ashram  Ahmedabad 380027, a walking tour can be organized. This 90min. guide tour starts with  a slide show and ends at the library.

SCIENCE CITY AHMEDABAD

Gujarat Science City is located on the Sarkhej Gandhinagar Highway in village Hebatpur. It is so large that it covers more than 107 hectares of land. This project is actually an ambitious initiative of Gujarat Govt. to attract more and more students towards the education of science. It is a really honorable step of the Govt. that triggers an enquiry of science even in the minds of laymen, with the aid of entertainment and experimental knowledge. It comprises of many imaginative exhibits, virtual reality activity corners an live demonstrations in an easily understandable manner.

     Recently, the newly constructed 3Dmax theatre, musical dancing fountain, Energy Park an simulation rides interest its visitors. By the use of these equipments and techniques, the visitor is made to feel as if he is in pace and seeing how the universe was actually made an how the planets were formed, how the celestial bodies move, sometimes he is seen live launching of a rocket etc. etc.. All this really creates an awareness and sensitivity to better understand science and care for our ecology an people learn how they can preserve their resources by the proper use of science and technology.

      The centre provides housing facility for students preparing for science exams. This science park is open from 12- 9.00 p.m.

HOW TO GET THERE

  By Road - Gujarat has one of the better developed road networks in India. Ahmedabad is well connected with all major cityies an towns by road. Regular bus services are available by Gujarat state Transport buses and private operators to all the major destinations of the state.

BY RAIL -  The main Railway station is locate in Kalupur area. This station is connected to all major cities of India.   

 

BY AIR -   Sardar Vallabh bhai Patel airport at ahmedabad is an international airport  with direct flights to USA, UK, Singapore, Dubai and other international hubs. Numerous domestic flights are also available here.

Hotels In Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad has many good hotels.

Few of them are :

Ginger Hotel  Ahmedabad, Comfort Inn Sunset, The Grand Bhagwati, Sarovar Portico  Ahmedabad, Park Plaza  Ahmedabad, Tulip Inn Ahmedabad, Lemon Tree Hotel Ahmedabad, Hotel Volga, Fortune Landmark, Cambay Grand, Country Inn and Suites By Carlson, Always Hotel Riverview 

Eating points in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad has many restaurants and eating places. There is a good variety of food available at the restaurants here.Few  of them are :

Rajwadu, The House of MG, Mirch Masala,Havmor, Vishalla Restaurant, Patang - The Revolving Restaurant