|
|
Gandhinagar is the capital of Gujarat State, India.
It is one out of the three planned cities of India. In 1960 when the old
Bombay State was partitioned into Maharashtra and Gujarat, the city of
Bombay went to Maharashtra. It was then decided to construct a new capital
for Gujarat. Thus was the genesis of Gandhinagar, the second planned city in
India after Chandigarh. Gandhinagar occupies an area 57 sq. kms. It presents
a spacious, well designed look of an architecturally integrated city. It has
30 sectors with each sector having its own shopping, health, housing
colonies and community centre. Extensive planting of trees and large
recreational areas along the river gives the city a fresh, green garden city
atmosphere. The famous temple of Swaminarayan is also built in Gandhinagar.
Gandhiji was born and brought up in Gujarat. There are many institutions
named and associated with the Mahatma. His statues have been erected all
over the town. A whole town has been named 'Gandhidham' near Kandala. The
Ellisbridge area of Ahmedabad has also been named 'Gandhigram' and the new
capital of state is also given the name 'Gandhinagar'.
LOCATION - Gandhinagar are Located on the banks of the River
Sabarmati, the city is the administrative centre of Gandhinagar District. it
is just 32 kms away from Ahmedabad.
| |
| |
HOW
TO REACH
By Air - Nearest airport is Ahmedabad.
By Rail - Nearest railway station are Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad.
By Road - State transport buses connects various centres of Gujarat. It is
situated 32 Kms north-east of Ahmedabad.
WHEN TO GO
Best time to visit Gandhinagar is October to March.
|
WHAT TO SEE |
|
|
Akshardham - It is the famous temple of "Swaminarayan
Sect" which is the richest sect in the world. It is a unique cultural
complex built in Gandhinagar in memory of Lord Swaminrayan. Inspired by
H. D. Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Akshardham is a miracle worked by the
service and devotion of thousands of volunteers. It is an intricately
carved, majestic monuments of 6000 tons of pink sand stone awash with
spiritual stillness. The entire monument was built without the use of
steel. Besides a 7 feet gold leafed idol of Lord Swaminarayan and his
holy relics, there are three exhibitions on Indian Culture with light
and Sound shows, a multimedia show and an animatronic show. Games, rides
and food refreshments are other attractions of Akshardham.
|
|
|
Capital Complex - In the heart of the capital, in
Sector 10, is the well-laid-out complex of buildings housing the
legislature and government offices. Vithalbhai Patel Bhavan, a
magnificent domed building, stands majestically on a high podium in the
centre of a circular lake and houses the Vidhan Sabha and the
legislature offices. Flanking it, and linked by hanging corridors, are
two modern multi-storeyed buildings. Sardar Bhavan, which is to house
the various departments of the State Secretariat, and Narmada Bhavan,
where the offices of all the heads of departments are situated. The
Secretariat along with the offices of the heads of various departments
are now located in a complex of three-storeyed buildings constructed to
house the district offices, in sector 9.
|
|
|
Children's Park - A major attraction for children
and holiday, makers of the Children's Park in Sector 28 has a mini train
and a lake with boating facilities.
|
|
Sarita Udyan - In sector 9 and along the river
front is the lovely Sarita Udyan, an ideal spot for picnickers. The
entire area is being developed to provide full recreational facilities.
Deer Park - Adjacent to Sarita Udyan, at Indroda village, on the
outskirts of the capital city, is the sprawling deer park - a big draw
for both children and adults.
|
|
Craftsmen's Village - Located near Gandhinagar, on
the Sabarmati river back, is Pethapur village, only 7kms from the
capital. Once famous for its colourful `Bandhani' saris, the village
also used to export wooden printing blocks to Singapore. The wooden
blocks, with exquisite patterns carved on them, are used for the
hand-printing of cloth. They are still in demand in the major hand,
printing centres of India like Ahmedabad, Bombay, Jetpur and Rajkot. The
Pethapur craftsmen are mainly Gujjar Suthars. Architectural Marvel -
Adalaj Stepwell, 15 kms from the capital on the National Highway, is
famous for its unique architecture with a huge artistic edifice and a
flight of steps that enables one to reach the water, whatever be its
level. The Adalaj stepwell is considered to be the best of all stepwells
in Gujarat.
|
|
The exhibitions - Three permanent exhibition halls
have been set up to educate the visitor on spiritual matters and on the
BAPS movement. These are:
Hall 1: Sahajanand. The life of Lord Swaminarayan is portrayed through
imaginative settings and shows. The exhibition includes 'travel in time'
through a video show; a fiber-optics cosmos; a miniature recreation of
Chhapiya village; a 'Journey through India'; and three 'sound-n-light'
shows.
Hall 2: Sat-Chit-Anand. A spectacular 14-screen multimedia presentation,
"Integrovision", presents an exposition of Vedic philosophy and of man's
search for the eternal truth, through breath-taking imagery. Apart from
the 14-screen multimedia presentation, the exhibition includes a 'Tunnel
of Mirrors,' a glass mosaic and dancing musical fountains.
Hall 3: Nityanand. Walk-through dioramas and fiberglass figures display
the message of the Upanishads, Ramayana and Mahabharata. The exhibition
includes an audio-animatronics show; a recreation of the Hastinapur
palace from the Mahabharata; a recreation of an idyllic Gurukula nestled
in the lap of nature; evotional compositions of saint-poets; and an
exposiiton on 'Harmony of world religions'. |
WHERE TO EAT
Gujarati thalis are very famous and you can get it anywhere.
TOP
|
|
