Arrival in Ahmedabad – a World Heritage City. Check into the hotel and after freshen up, visit:
Gandhi Ashram:
Mahatma Gandhi, after coming back from South Africa had his first religious retreat built in Ahmedabad's Kochrab area in the
year 1915 on 25th May. The ashram was later on shifted to one of the banks of the Sabarmati River on an open tract of land.
Gandhiji named the retreat as 'Sabarmati Ashram' as it was located on the bank of the Sabarmati River that passes through
Ahmedabad. The date of the shifting is recorded as 17th June 1917. He made this transfer because he had taken a resolve to
lead life like a poor, rustic Indian who earned his livelihood through farming and farm-related activities. The ashram served as
the nerve-centre for the nation's freedom struggle. It was from this ashram that Mahatma Gandhi launched the Satyagraha
movement on 12th March in 1930 and journeyed all the way to Dandi Beach by foot covering a distance of more than
300kms that took about 24 days. Gandhi's office was located in 'Hridaya Kunj' which was actually a cottagethat was
eventually turned into a museum. Sabarmati Ashram is one of the most important monument in Indian Independence
History and today it is the first thing for a tourist visiting Gujarat to visit.
Adalaj Stepwell:
Adalaj Stepwell near Ahmedabad is one of the most beautiful Step-well in India with a perfect mixture of the Hindu and the
Islamic architecture. Originally, it was being constructed by Rana Veer Singh but was completed by Sultan Mahmud Begada of
Ahmedabad as he had killed the former to expand his kingdom. The stepwell was completed as the Queen of Veer Singh
demanded its completion from Mahmud Begada who had proposed to marry her after his husband’s demise. This resulted in
the fusion of Indo-Islamic architecture in the stepwell. This 5 storey stepwell is constructed in such a way that sunlight cannot
penetrate directly inside the stepwell which results in difference of 5 degrees Celsius in temperature from the normal
temperature. The intricate carving on the columns and the windows of the stepwell is a treat to watch for any architectural
lover.
Swaminarayan Akshardham:
One of the two Akshardham of the Bochasanwasi Aksharpurushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), Akshardham in
Gandhinagar was the first to be constructed and completed in 1991. Built in Pink Sandstone, this magnificent structure is a
sight to behold. Thousands of people visit it every day for its beauty and also the exhibition halls and the first Spiritual Light
and Sound Show in the world ‘Sat-chit-anand’. This famous temple was attacked by the terrorists in 2002 where around 30
people lost their lives. The main deity of the temple is Lord Swaminarayan who is considered as an incarnation of Lord
Krishna and have a ardent following in the state of Gujarat.
Overnight at Ahmedabad.
Day 2: Ahmedabad – SOU – Ahmedabad
Today morning, proceed towards SOU (200 kms/4 Hours). Visit:
Statue of Unity:
The Statue of Unity is the statue of freedom fighter and the first Home Minister of the independent India – Bharat Ratna Shri Sardar
Vallabhbhai Patel, looking at the majestic Sardar Sarovar Dam. With the 182 metres height, it is the tallest statue in the world. It is
89 metres taller than the Statue of Liberty. The design of the Statue of Unity was created by veteran sculptor Padma Shri Ram
Suthar. In the year 2013 – 14, a campaign was launched across India for donating Iron and Soil to be used in the creation of statue.
134.25 metric tonnes of Iron was collected from different states and used in the foundation of the statue. The statue was created in
just 46 months of time it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on the 143rd birth anniversary of Shri Sardar
Vallabhbhai Patel, on 31 October 2018. The statue is a tribute to the ‘Iron Man’ of India, who was responsible for the unification of
562 different princely states and creation of the United India. And it has become one of the major tourist spots in the country now.
The statue offers scenic view of the Satpuda and Vindhyachal hills, the Sardar Sarovar Dam and Narmada river, from its viewing galleries at the height of 135 Metres. The laser show in the evening
is a treat to watch depicting the story of Sardar Patel and the building of the Statue.
Return back to Ahmedabad and overnight at Ahmedabad.
Day 3: Drop
Today morning, check out and visit:
Heritage Walk:
Ahmedabad was declared as the First World Heritage City in India in 2017 and one of the most attractive thing is the Heritage
Walk of Ahmedabad. Heritage Walk was started in 1997 to make aware about the hidden treasures in the old city of
Ahmedabad. Heritage walk starts from Hindu Swaminarayan Temple in Kalupur area of Ahmedabad and ends at the Jama
Mosque of Ahmedabad with hundreds of Pols and Jain Temples on the way. Therefore, the walk is also called the ‘Mandir se
Masjid Tak’ walk. This 1.5 kms walk takes around 2 and a half hours to complete with passing through many Cul-de-sacs and
intricate wooden carved Havelis. The real essence of the first World Heritage city of India lies in its Pols and a guided heritage
walk would be the perfect way to understand this amazing city.
Hutheesingh Jain Temple:
One of the most beautiful Jain temples in Gujarat, Hutheesingh Jain Temple in Ahmedabad was constructed in 1848 by Sheth
Hutheesingh and his wife Harkunvarba Shethani. It was constructed at an estimated cost of 1 Million Indian Rupees with
Premchand Salat being the chief architect. The Temple has been dedicated to worship Dharamnath who was the 15th
Tirthankar as per the Jain Religion. This artistic temple is filled with intricate carvings in each and every corner with perfect
attention to details. The entrance of the temple is the most striking feature of the temple with its unbelievable piece of
carving on the whole gate. The main temple that lies on the eastern end of the temple comprising of stunningly three carved
spires that are been encircled with 52 mini shrines to other renowned Tirthankars of Jainism. The temple has infused modern
and traditional elements for creating a divine background.
Drop as per schedule.
