A Traveler's Guide to Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad is the seventh largest city by population in India. It is located in the western Indian state of Gujarat. Ahmedabad was an important city during the British occupation of India, and it has grown since India gained its independence.

In 1818 the British East India Trading Company assumed control of Ahmedabad and made it a military/trading outpost for the British occupational army. The Indian independence movement had special roots in Ahmedabad, because Mahatma Gandhi visited the city and spent considerable time there. Following India's independence, Ahmedabad became the capital of Gujarat and grew to become one of India's leading centers of technology, science, and higher education.

The weather in Ahmedabad is very hot. In the summer months temperatures can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter temperatures rarely dip below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and as with most Indian cities, Ahmedabad receives extreme amounts of rain during the monsoon season.

Ahmedabad has been awarded with the "Green City Commendation Award" because of the large number of parks that are maintained within the city. There are over 70 parks, and a few of them are several acres in size. The most popular parks in the city are Law Garden, Bal Vatika, and Victoria Garden.

Ahmedabad has a very lively and vibrant cultural tradition. There are many festivals and celebrations held in the city each year. Uttarayan is one of the most popular cultural celebrations in the city. Navratri is a cultural dance celebration that lasts for nine nights. Ahmedabad also has a distinct culinary tradition, which include the popular dishes of Shaak, rice, papads, curry, dal, and roti.

The most popular sport in the city is cricket. Sardar Patel Stadium is one of the largest cricket stadiums in the country and was the home of the 1996 Cricket World Cup. Ahmedabad's local team, the Gujarat cricket team, calls the stadium home.

The city is serviced by Sardar Vallabhbhai International Airport which is located a few miles away from the center of town. It is one of the top ten busiest airports in India. BRTS is the city's bus rapid transit system that makes transportation in and around the city easy and efficient.