Day 29
Our next destination is Ahmedabad, the largest city in Gujarat. We have relatively short distance to cover, approximately 215 kms and 4 1/2 hours.
We took NH27 and later NH47. Both highways are good except for few patchy sections and unfinished flyovers in some places. As we get nearer to Ahmedabad, we start seeing signs of industrialisation on either side of the road. However herds of cattle on highway is still a common sight!
To optimise our one day stay in the city, we decided to visit Gandhinagar first, located approximately 25 kms north of Ahmedabad. Gandhinagar is the capital of Gujarat and is a planned city. We are pleasantly surprised to see an environmental friendly city. We did a quick tour of the city to see the primary attractions Vidhan Sabha (legislative assembly), Mahatma Gandhi Convention centre, Dandi Kutir and the much acclaimed Gandhinagar Capital (GNC railway station).
After this quick tour we drove to see Adalage stepwells, located close to Gandhinagar is a fine example of Indian architecture work. Stepwells are to collect rainwater during seasonal monsoons.
We drove back to Ahmedabad and had an excellent Gujarati thali meal at Atithi Dining Hall and later checked in at Bloom Suites.
Ahmedabad is a modern city, with good roads and tastefully designed modern buildings.
Quick unpack and a cat nap, full tankers are ready for the highlight of the day - visit to Sabarmati Ashram. Gandhiji spent number of years in this ashram until 1930. Before he set off for the Dandi march he famously declared that he will not return to the ashram before the independence of the country. He never returned to the ashram as he was assassinated few months after independence in 1947.
The ashram is a very simple place with peaceful vibrations and situated on the banks of Sabarmati river running through the centre of the city. The ashram gives one an understanding about Gandhiji, his life and independence movement of India. Full tankers paid their respects to the Mahatma.
We also drove to see India’s premium institutes - IIM Ahmedabad and National Institute of Design.
End of day twenty nine - 9965 kms on our tracker.
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