Vibrant Gujarat

Tripoto
19th Jan 2018
Photo of Vibrant Gujarat by Shaili Gupta

Here begins my trip to Ahmedabad ! After sitting ideally for almost 6 months in home I got the chance to go out. I must say that it was an accidental trip. Due to nowhere, in 2 days I packed my bags to visit such a colorful and vibrant place.

As per, my city doesn't has a direct flight to Ahmedabad, so I had a connecting flight via Mumbai. And when we talk about Mumbai, its a huge rush out there. The domestic airport is really flooded with flights one by one. Certainly, the delay in flights is the most common problem there. After waiting for almost 2 hours, finally we heard the boarding status.

Landing in the destination, the cab took us to our resort. After refreshments we got ready to visit the nearby temple - Rani Sati Mandir, which is run by a trust. It's a beautiful temple made of white marble shining bright in light and the golden statue in limelight of goddess.

Day 1

Rani Sati Mandir

Photo of Rani Sati Mandir, Shahibag, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India by Shaili Gupta

The very next day I had a interview with SAP, so waking up and getting ready by almost 7 a.m in the morning I was hungry. Taking a cab, I had to visit the center, but as per it was not open, I went to have something and what i got was Dhokla and Fafda - Jalebi. That's what people love to eat in Gujurat. I was glad that stepping here I ate the best dhokla's ever. Well somehow I managed to reach the centre and attend my interview. Being back by noon, we went to Akshardham Temple. It was a very beautiful and clean place. The aura there was freshning and purified. As per camera's and phone's are not allowed to carry so couldn't click any pictures.

The next destination was Adalaj's Stepwell. The place is a perfect example of Indian architecture work. Its also called "Adalaj ki Vav" in Gujarati. This one's kind of stepped pond, the king made this for collecting monsoon waters. 5 to 6 stories deep well which has a beautiful architecture inside out. The story behind building the bond is also disheartening.

Adalaj Ki Vav

Photo of Adalaj Stepwell, Adalaj, Gujarat, India by Shaili Gupta

The well

Photo of Adalaj Stepwell, Adalaj, Gujarat, India by Shaili Gupta

The Fine Architecture

Photo of Adalaj Stepwell, Adalaj, Gujarat, India by Shaili Gupta

The temperature was high and even though being winter, the afternoon was scorching. After having our lunch, we headed towards "The Sabarmati Aashram". The residence of Mahatma Gandhi. Its near the river front. The Ashram is well built with the gallery depicting the life story of Mahatma Gandhi, as his life being a whole concept to be studied about.

100 years of Sabarmati Ashram

Photo of Sabarmati Ashram, Ashram Road, Hridaya Kunj, Old Wadaj, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India by Shaili Gupta

Gandhiji's Room

Photo of Sabarmati Ashram, Ashram Road, Hridaya Kunj, Old Wadaj, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India by Shaili Gupta

Hridaya Kunj

Photo of Sabarmati Ashram, Ashram Road, Hridaya Kunj, Old Wadaj, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India by Shaili Gupta

CHARKHA

Photo of Sabarmati Ashram, Ashram Road, Hridaya Kunj, Old Wadaj, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India by Shaili Gupta

The moment we came out of the ashram I purchased a small charkha just to learn how the clothes were prepared. After a very tiring ride we came back to our hotel to rest for a while.

After almost 6:30 p.m we again started our ride. This time "Sabarmati River Front". The area is such a beautiful place to sit around. The parks and gardens all lit up with lights, the greenery in the waterfront, the view of the peaceful river flowing across the city all are add-on's of Ahmedabad.

Sabarmati Riverfront

Photo of Sabarmati Riverfront Walkway West, Hridaya Kunj, Keshav Nagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India by Shaili Gupta

View from the waterfront

Photo of Sabarmati Riverfront Walkway West, Hridaya Kunj, Keshav Nagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India by Shaili Gupta

After having a peaceful walk in Riverfront, we straightway went to the Kankaria Lake, almost the fun zone. It has many public attractions like zoo, toy train, kids city, balloon ride, water rides, food stalls and many more adventures. The colorful lights adds glam to the beautiful lake. Its almost of 2 km shore length. The steps made to sit and enjoy gives access to the water. The garden named Nagina Wadi, placed at the center of the lake is connected via pathway. The beautiful fountains mesmerizes the view. With all this we ended our day.

Kankaria Lake

Photo of Kankaria Lake, Kankaria, Ahmedabad, Gujarat by Shaili Gupta
Day 2

Next morning we had a plan to visit Somnath, for which I had to wake up at 3 in the morning. It takes 6 hours to reach Somnath travelling in a car. So, after all such calculations we have to leave by 4 am anyhow.

The roads to Somnath filled with every kind of crop the farmers could grow with better irrigation systems and really well partitioned land area. After a tiring ride, we reached Somnath at 12 noon. The afternoon prayer was about to begin and we were lucky enough to be present at that moment. Somnath is the dead end of the western India. The Arabian Sea is present right beside the temple. The view from the gates of the temple is overwhelming. The priests worship the lord of the sea.

Somnath Temple

Photo of Somnath, Gujarat, India by Shaili Gupta

Even here we cannot take our camera or mobile phones, so I was anyhow helpless and couldn't click pictures. But the beauty of the sea and the temple is worth watching with our naked eyes. No camera could capture as much as your eyes will.

Rudra Mala

Photo of Vibrant Gujarat by Shaili Gupta

On our way back to Ahmedabad, we decided to visit Gir National Forest. After all nothing can be more fun than this. The forest is shelter for Asiatic Lions. The safari took almost 2 and half hours. To my surprise, the first animal we saw was the Asiatic lions, although they were having a good time while sleeping. I saw the lions and leopards and many more that we already see in every forest. Heading back to Ahmedabad after a tiring safari felt good. The day was sorted.

Entrance to GIR N

Photo of Gir National Park, Gujarat, India by Shaili Gupta

The first animal that we got to see

Photo of Gir National Park, Gujarat, India by Shaili Gupta

The Lion

Photo of Gir National Park, Gujarat, India by Shaili Gupta

Asiatic Lion (sleeping)

Photo of Gir National Park, Gujarat, India by Shaili Gupta
Day 3

As per we reached hotel at almost 3:30 in the morning, we decided to sleep well. Next day, roaming around the market for shopping. The evening was super exciting. The street markets with Ghaghra - Choli all around. Every other person was found selling the traditional attire with beautiful designs. One should definitely visit this Law Garden Night Market.

With all these memories and experiences I had my return tickets back to my city. It was so much fun to visit Gujarat. Even though it was for a short duration but I loved it.