City of Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, as indeed the entire state of Gujarat, has a rich and vibrant cultural life.  In addition to a number of beautiful historic monuments that are always worth a visit, a variety of festivals are celebrated the year round, from the kite-flying festival of Uttarayan in January, to the festival of colours, Holi in March–April, to Rakshabandhan in August, to the festival of lights, Diwali and Id-ul-Fitr in October.  Besides these are the various smaller festivals, and the uniquely Gujarati celebration of the nine nights of Navaratri in September, when the city of Ahmedabad comes alive each night with garbas danced all over the city.  In addition, the city frequently hosts handicraft exhibitions and fairs with exhibits and products from all over the country.   

The minimum temperatures in Ahmedabad through the months of January to March range from 11.7°C to 18.8°C, while the maximum temperatures range from 28.4°C to 36°C.  From April to June the minimum temperature is around 23.4°C to 27°C, and the maximum from 39.9°C to 41.8°C.  From July to September, the minimum temperature varies from 24.1°C to 25.7°C, and the maximum from 31.9°C to 33.4°C.  From October to December, minimum temperatures range from 13.0°C to 20.9°C, and the maximum from 29.8°C to 35.8°C (www.worldweather.org).

Ahmedabad is a hub of higher education, especially management studies.  The city has a number of established reputed educational institutions, notably the globally acclaimed Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM–A) established in 1961.  Other world-class educational institutions include the National Institute of Design (NID) established in 1961, the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT), the Nirma Institute of Management (NIM), the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) established in 1983, and the Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology (DA–IICT).

Other institutions of note include Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad Textile Industry Research Association (ATIRA), Darpana Academy of Performing Arts (which houses Ahmedabad’s most famous theatre, Natarani) and the Centre for Environmental Education (CEE).

Ahmedabad is the seventh largest city in India and is the commercial capital of Gujarat. It is a major industrial and financial city contributing 14 per cent of the total stock exchanges in India and 60 per cent of the total productivity of the state.  Ahmedabad has long been famous for its textile industry, and boasts of possibly the largest denim production in the world, producing over 230 million metres each year, and supplied to brands like Levi’s, Lee, Wrangler, GAP and Ralph Lauren.  The city that was once called the Manchester of the East is now often referred to as the Denim Capital of the world.  Other major industries include pharmaceuticals, chemicals and engineering ancillaries.  Some of the biggest industries in and around the city include Arvind Textile Mills, Ashima Industries; Reliance Textiles; Torrent Pharmaceuticals; Core Healthcare; Cadila Pharmaceuticals, Zydus, Synterplast and the Nirma Group.

Ahmedabad has a number of tourist attractions.  Chief among them is the Sabarmati Ashram, the headquarters of Mahatma Gandhi during India’s Independence struggle.  The Calico Museum in Ahmedabad is one of the finest textile museums in the world, with a large collection of rare textiles.  The museum itself has a peaceful evocative setting within a traditional Gujarati mansion surrounded by gardens, pools and fountains.

Another site of interest may be the Jama Masjid, a mosque built in 1423 by Ahmed Shah, and described often as the most beautiful mosque in India.  The mosque of Sidi Saiyed is famed for its delicate stone tracery depicting the banyan tree, a motif that has come to represent the world-famous Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and indeed, the city itself. 

The Dada Hari ni Vav step well is considered a masterpiece in water architecture.  The step well at Adalaj is ornately carved and is well known for its beauty. 

The 15th century architectural complex of Sarkhej Roza, 8 kms from Ahmedabad containing a mosque, the mausoleums of a Sufi saint and members of the royal family, including Sultan Mahmud Begada, the summer palace of the royal family and other features, is famous for its composite Indo-Saracenic style of architecture.

Weekend trips can also easily be arranged to one of India’s holiest temples, the famous shore temple of Somnath near the seaside town of Veraval, the hill stations of Saputara and Mt Abu, as well as to the historic and richly cultured Rajasthani city of Udaipur, known as the city of lakes.  The Little Rann of Kutchh is only 70 kms from MICA.

Other places of interest nearby include the remains of the ancient Harappan civilization at Lothal dating back to the second millennium BCE, some 78 kms from Ahmedabad, the 11th century Modhera temple, 99kms from the city, one of the three largest dinosaur sites in the world at Balasinore 86 kms away, the 11th century Rani-ni-Vav step well 125 kms away in Patan, and the medieval citadel of Champaner, 160 kms from Ahmedabad. 

For those interested in wildlife, the state of Gujarat is home to a number of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, among others, the Gir National Park, the last home of the magnificent Asiatic lion, the Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, the Black Buck National Park and in Kutchh, the Marine National Park, the Wild Ass Sanctuary and the Desert Wildlife Sanctuary.

Location 23.03° N 72.58° E
State Gujarat
District Ahmedabad district
Altitude 55 metres
Area 8,707 km²
Population (2001) 4,970,200
Density 551/ km²
Time zone IST (UTC +5:30)

For more information on Ahmedabad and Gujarat visit www.ahmedabad.com, www.ahmedabadcity.com, www.gujarattourism.com and www.vibrantgujarat.com.

Quote Blurb
Chew Peiying, NTU, Period of association with MICA – Jan ’06 to June ‘06
“Ahmedabad has a very rich culture and interesting traditions. There’s a lot to see, eat and take in. Everything is easily available and the people are really friendly too!”