Weekend In Ahmedabad: Hot Thalis & Warm People

It does not happen very often in a big city to find people who are polite. Ahmedabad is one those rare state capitals, which has as much Gujarati warmth as Gujarati sense of trade, finance and business. The thriving city, which is now famous for its smooth roads and excellent infrastructure, has had many rulers  in its history who left their mark. Traces of history, temples and piping hot khichdi are not to be missed.

If you happen to be in Ahmedabad during the weekend, make sure you do not travel much in the afternoon as the dry heat can affect those who are not used to it. But when stepping out, here are some places and stuff Ahmedabad is famous for:

1. Sabarmati Ashram and the river front

The most famous Gujarati is the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi himself. It is not just nostalgia that overwhelms you when you reach the Sabarmati Ashram on the banks of river Sabarmati. There is a small cottage where Gandhi administered as much naturopathic medication to people as much as he talked and ideated on the country's freedom movement. The 390 kilometer Dandi March started from this very point. Visit the museum and library to get more facts on India's history and the man who wrote the modern part of it.

2. Ghaghra cholis and more

Need an extra zing in your wardrobe? Ahmedabad's beautiful ghagra cholis with eye popping mirror work are pieces of art on fabric. The hand-stitched material ranges from salwar kurtas, shirts, dress materials, dupattas, stoles, scarves and many more. You can find them in many areas across the city like Rani No Haziro, the Sindhi Market, near Panchkuva Fire Brigade and Ratanpol. Make sure you bargain hard to get good deals. You can also pick ornate carpets, sofa covers, curtains and other home furnishing.

3. Thalis, thalis and a lot more

If you are eating in Gujrat, you must be eating in a thali. Be not be very disappointed with the fact that alcohol is prohibited in the city. The food and its variety will more than make up for it. Dhokla, khandvi, khichdi with ghee and much more are famous, and are served in thalis. If you want to go for a simple thali, Toran near Ashram road serves hearty food. If you want to mix Rajasthani food into your palate, Rajwadu at Malav Talav serves it right, along with entertainment programs by snake charmers or dancers or even puppet shows, making the evening a wonderful one. If the waiters keep serving you generously even after you are done eating, don't be astonished. It is just an example of Gujarati warmth.

4. Temples and Museums

The city has a wonderful mix of places of worship across religions. There are a host of Jain temples and other Hindu places of worship, mosques, churches, etc. that speak volumes of the beautiful amalgamation of Islamic and Hindu architecture. There is the Bhadrakali Temple near a fort, Rani Sipri's mosque which is an architectural delight, and the Ahmed Shah's mosque which was built by the ruler and founder of the city in 1414 AD. Akshardham Temple and Swaminarayan Temple are very famous tourist spots. While the city museum has relics of Gujarati culture and artefacts, the kite museum charms many visitors with the range and number of kites it displays.  

5. IIM campus

The best business school of the country is also the home for future top executives and country's brightest students. The Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, also boasts of a beautiful campus that attracts future students and visitors.