Archive for the ‘Ahmedabad Guide’ Category

As all know, festivals are very important part of life. In India, comparatively, more festivals are celebrated throughout the country during different seasons. Ahmedabad being an ancient city offers these festivals in a typical traditional manner.  

Festival of Kites welcome the year on every 14th of January. It is also known as Makar Sankranti or Utarayan. This day is considered as end of winters and arrival of Sun in Northern Hemisphere. People start the day with flying kites of various shapes. During night lamps are attached to kites. Whole sky looks beautifully dotted with different colors during the day and with lights during night.  

Second festival of the year lies in the month of March. It is a festival of colors famously known as Holi. Almost every Indian of any cast and creed enjoy this great festival. People apply color to their loved one. Everyone in a society forgets their problems and assembles at a commonplace to have lots of fun. People mark this event as end of jealousy and hatred and beginning of love and co-operation. 

Somewhere in the middle of the year in the month of August comes Raksha-Bandhan. This is festival of brother and sister. Sister ties a thread/rakhi on the brother’s hand and take his promise to take care of her in every circumstances. This festival deepens love and affection between a brother and sister. 

Ahmedabad waits for the month of October to celebrate Navratri. It is a festival of nine nights devoted to Goddess Shakti. Almost all including children, teenagers, adults and old play Garba, their traditional folk dance. People dance around idol of Goddess with beautiful sticks/Dandiyas in their hands. The night starts with Devi Aarti followed by Garba till midnight. All streets and corners are beautifully decorated with lights. 

Just after completing Navratri, people celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights and brightness. Lakshmi pujan is done in the evening. All family members sit together and pray for well being and prosperity of the family. Lakshmi pujan is followed by eating sweets, respecting elders and firing crackers. People fire diyas in front of their homes. Brightness marks the arrival of happiness and prosperity to the family and society.

Ahmedabad is located in Western India in the state of Gujarat in the east of Sabarmati River. It is mostly a hot place in a year. Summers which lasts from mid March to mid June are real game spoilers. The temperatures climb goes up to 47C. One really needs shelter in such scorching atmosphere. Option other than to stay at a hotel is to go to an amusement park. Tourists can go to Shanku’s Water Park, set up at Mehsana highway, 60 Kms from Ahmedabad. It provides almost all water activities, rides for all age groups. People coming to visit Ahmedabad must enjoy beautifully made delicious thick Mango juice during this season. It will surely tickle the taste bud and is worth to have at least one full glass. 

Mid June to mid September are the months of monsoon followed by winter. Due to heavy rains, it might cause flood like situation. The typical temperature in the city during winter is approximately 5C (night) and 20C (day). Winter is the best season to visit Ahmedabad. It is fun going to open air restaurants or eating at road side joints. 

Ahmedabad is very well connected to international and domestic air ways. The airport is just 15 Kms from city center. Also, it is extensively connected through railway network. There are both air and train travel available at high frequency from Mumbai (500Km from Ahmedabad). Conveyance is readily available in Ahmedabad. A three wheeler auto rickshaw is the best vehicle to move around. Taxis or SUVscan be booked in advance or hired if available. Travel by city buses should be avoided. They take longer time due to traffic jams. Also, as most of the information is printed in local language, it becomes difficult to locate correct bus and route.