Ahmadabad Things to Do

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Gandhiji , the Father of our nation lived in this Ashram on the banks of river Sabarmati in Ahmedabad. You can get a glimpse of one of the greatest men in history in the adjoining ashram museum. You will need atleast three hours to do justice to this amazing place.

One of the finest Jain temples you will ever find.It is situated right in the heart of Ahmedabad City in Gujarat. The rock carvings are so intricate that you will be left speechless. The Jain religion is one of the most ancient religions of the world .Jains worship the twenty-four 'Thirthankars' or apostles.

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11th Century Sun Temple was built by King Bhimdev, and designed so that the early morning sun would shine down on the image of Surya, the Sun God, during the equinoxes. Inside are erotic sculptures. The outside of the temple has intricate carvings.
Set in front of the temple is a huge, sunken rectangular baoli, that contains about 100 shrines.
A three day dance festival is held each January at this complex.

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For anyone interested in architecture, as I am, there are some world famous buildings by Kahn and Le Corbusier in Ahmedabad.

Louis Kahn-

The Indian Institute of Management Building (1962-74) is a perfect blend of traditional Islamic architecture with modern pure geometric shapes.It faces on to a wide grass lined square.The large rounded window shapes are very effective, and draw the eye.

Le Corbusier-

The Millers Association Building (1956) has concrete framework on both sides,is 3 stories high and its geometric design incorporates good use of light and shadow. It blends well with traditional Indian architecture.

Sanskar Kendra Museum(1957) This spiral-shaped structure stands on pillars surrounding a grassy courtyard.It has a ramp which lead upwards towards the second floor. The lines of the building are clean and crisp.

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Having had a lifelong interest in the great man, it was amazing to visit this Ashram & museum. It is set in a peaceful grove on the banks of the river, and has been so well preserved that if Gandhi himself had appeared, I would not have been surpised. We saw his room, with his spinning wheel, bed & sandals...where he ate & where he slept ( he stayed here mainly from 1939 onwards) And this is the place that he set out from on his famous Salt March. The grounds of the ashram are filled with trees & birds , and very peaceful.

The city of Ahmadabad lies in the state of Gujarat. As such it is wll connected to both the political centre, Delhi and the Business centre, Bombay.

This may well have been some of the thinking behind Gandhi's decision to base his 'Ashram' here. As explained during a similar project in South Africa, the world only means community/village but it could stand for the world. The creation of this community was central to him developing his idea on Indian Independence.

It was from here that he set out on the famous 'Salt Marches' in the 1930's that began to bring the campaign for Home rule to a world audience. The events are faithfully re-created in the film 'Gandhi' by Richard Attenborough.

His decision to site his ashram both by a calming river and within earshot of a prison used by the British to lock up dissenters was an inspired choice.

The various displays and exhibitions are well laid out, and many orginal arefacts of the great man remain.

I don't think it is possible to understand the country without a deeper understanding of this character, even if modern India is now has ideals far removed from the Mahatmas thoughts.

As Albert Einstein said "Generations to come will scarce believe that such a man as this, did in flesh and blood, walk on this earth"

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Meeting Amrit-ji was amazing because he was able to tell us what he saw Gandhi-ji do on day to day basis. I've read alot about what Gandhi-ji did, but getting a first hand account of some of the jokes he said and the way hi talked to people in general was cool.

Amrit-ji is now leading a youth group that works with rural villages in Gujarat.

Manav Sadhna a NGO that works with under privledged children works at the Gandhi Ashram and you can meet people that have been inspired by Gandhi-ji at any time of the day.

there are lots of places to see for architects. i would advice going to the school of architecture, CEPT university which is in the university area. you could get directions to various places from there.

must see would include- IIM by Louis Kahn; ATMA/Millowners Association (Ashram Road), Sanskar Kendra Museum (Paldi), Sarabhai House (Shahibaug) and Shodhan house (Ellis bridge) by Le Corbusier. it is difficult to get permission to get into the houses. contact people at CEPT for this. Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya (Gandhi Ashram) by charles correa, Sangath (Drive in), Museum of indology (University), Doshi-hussein ni gufa (university), Gandhi Labour Institute (drive-in) etc. by doshi, Centre for Environmental Education CEE (Near Jodhpur tekra) by Neelkanth chhaya.

there are many more, these are just a few that i can think off hand.