The most convenient entry point into Gujarat is through the metropolis of
Ahmedabad. The city contains some very fine museums, the Calico Museum of
Textiles being considered among the world’s finest. Ahmedabad’s
walled city is a living testimony to its heritage of crafts as women walk by
in dazzling embroidered garments and flashing ethnic silver jewellery.
Traditional Ahmedabad combines mosques of inspired workmanship, wooden Jain
temples, unique stone stepwells and houses with ornately carved wooden
balconies and window screens.
Modern
Ahmedabad, just across the River Sabarmati spanned by four bridges, is a
showpiece of contemporary architecture with designs by Le Corbusier, Louis
Kahn and the best known Indian architects. Ahmedabad is a convenient base
for a number of excursions, Modhera being the best known. 106 km away, this
is one of the very few sun temples in the country.
Palitana, 215
km away, is a hilltop place of pilgrimage for Jains. 863 temples of all
sizes crowd the hilll which has to be approached on foot. Stone and marble
spires with their rich detail of carving make for Palitana’s very
special appeal. Portuguese rule in India included the territories of Goa,
Daman and Diu, the last two lying within the state of Gujarat.
Gujarat’s loveliest beach – and the state is well endowed with
them – is Ahmedpur Mandvi whose chief attraction is the ethnic beach
resort. Cottages modelled on rural Gujarati architecture look out onto a
secluded beach, one of the state’s chief centres for water sports.
Modern
Ahmedabad, just across the River Sabarmati spanned by four bridges, is a
showpiece of contemporary architecture with designs by Le Corbusier, Louis
Kahn and the best known Indian architects. Ahmedabad is a convenient base
for a number of excursions, Modhera being the best known. 106 km away, this
is one of the very few sun temples in the country.