Area Attractions GANDHI ASHRAM ............1KM..................W SIDI-SAIYED MOSQUE .......3KMS.................E AKSHARDHAM TEMPLE........28KMS.................W IIM AHMEDABAD.............3KMS................NE NALSAROVAR...............40KMS................SE SCIENCE CITY.............22KMS.................W LAW GARDEN................2KMS................NE KANKARIA LAKE ZOO.......9KMS.................E APOLLO HOSPITAL..........23KMS.................W SAL HOSPITAL..............8KMS.................W GANDHINAGAR..............25KMS.................W VADODARA................125KMS.................S SURAT...................280KMS.................S MOUNT ABU...............230KMS................NW SOMNATH TEMPLE..........560KMS.................E DIU.....................380KMS.................E The sun temple at Modhera in Mehsana districts, in north Gujarat, built during the reign of the Solanki king Bhimdev-I near a village of the same name, represents one of the most magnificent monuments of Gujarat. The stepwell is a masterpiece in water architecture. It is situated 17 kms. north of Ahmedabad. The stepwell at the village of Adalaj is another fine example of this magnificent architectural form. Adalaj Vav is richly carved, every pillar and wall surface covered with leaves and flowers, birds and fishes and friezes of ornamental designs. The Mosque of Sidi Saiyad, near Lal Darwaja has earned worldwide fame for its magnificent stone tracery. The tracery is acclaimed for it's splendid Jali screen, framed, in ten semi-circular windows. Build by Ahmad Shah in 1423 its the principal mosque of the islamic era, situated in the centre of the city near Three Gates (Tran Darwaja). The Mosque was built in indo- Saracenic architectural time and is said to be the most beautiful mosque in the East. Indroda Park is a beautiful piece of woodland for birdwatching and nature walks, and ocassionally you could sight nilgai, wild boar, jackal, porcupine, here and other mammals. It has enclosures with deer, antelope, crocodiles, monitor lizards, birds and tortoise, as also a small serpetroruim. The newly added prehistoric models is worth seeing. The park is 23 kms from Ahmedabad. Hatheesing Jain Temple, an impressive white structure. This Jain temple built of white marble and profusely carved is dedicated to Dharmanath - the 15th Jina or Jain Apostle. Like all Jain temples, this one too is rich in the intricate carvings depicting among other things - musicians. Kankaria Lake, a circular lake constructed in 1451 by Sultan Qutubud-Din is just 3 kms away from the city. In the centre of the lake is an island garden with a summer palace known as Nagina Wadi. The lake is a popular recreation centre surrounded by parks, 'Bal Vatika' - an aquarium, a boat club, a natural history museum a zoo and a water sports resort. Calico Museum of Textile, this textile city was used to be known as Manchester of india. The Calico Museum of Textiles, widely regarded as one of the finest Textile Museum in the world. The museum has five centuries of the finest fabrics spun, woven, printed and painted in different arts of india. It also has a collection of marble, sandstone and bronze icons and busts split in two thematic section - galleries for religious textiles and historical textiles. The museum which was inaugurated by Pandit Nehru in 1948, is now managed by the Sarabhai Foundation. Visiting hours 10:30 am and 2:45 pm. The museum is closed on Wednesday. Photography is not allowed. Akshardham Temple is a unique cultural complex that upholds the universal values of Humanity and symbolized the glory of Indian Culture. One of the many wonders of the world, the imposing 10 story high, intricately carved architectural masterpiece, enshrines Golden Murti(idol)of the Lord Swaminarayan. 6,000 tons of pink sandstone have been pieced together with incredible accuracy. More than 12 million man hours of 900 skilled craftsmen have created this magnificent monument of 93 sculpted pillars, 40 windows carved from both sides, and a feast of forms and filigrees. It is about 28 kms from Ahmedabad. Sabarmati Ashram , which was founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1915 - is arguably the biggest tourist attraction. It lies on the serene stretch of the Sabarmati river and was referred to as the Satyagrah Ashram during the lifetime of the Mahatma. It was from here, in 1930, that the Mahatma began his' Dandi March ' to protest against the Salt Tax imposed by the British. One can see the three wise monkeys and many more of Gandhiji's teaching at the premises. The humble cottage were Gandhiji lived 'Hridya Kunj' - is now a small museum displaying his few possessions. It is preserved as a National Monument. In addition to this there is the Gandhi Memorial Centre, a Library and a Sound-and-Light show that offers an interesting display of the Mahatma's life and teachings. Julta Minara (Shaking Minarets), a quite an unusual structure in the eastern part of the city. Julta Minara of Shaking Minarets is a part of the mosque of Siddi Bashir and can be swayed by applying a little force at the topmost arch. The mosque was obviously built by master craftmen and the crucial mechanism that cause the vibration is still a mystery.