Gujarat Pilgrimage: Ahmedabad to Dwarka and Somnath Adventure

Morning after breakfast visit Akshardham Temple (Monday Closed) Akshardham is situated in the capital city of Gandhinagar, which lies near Ahmadabad. The magnificent temple is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan. It was constructed on the directions of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS Sanstha. The complex of this temple is the largest in Gujarat. Akshardham temple was inaugurated in the year 1992 and has become a major tourist attraction in India, during the last decade. It has a sprawling 23 acre area and is chiseled out in pink sandstone. Sidi Sayed mosque, built in 1573, is one of the most famous mosques of Ahmadabad. The mosque is entirely arcuated. The mosque has ten screen windows (jails) on the side and rear arches The Swetambara Temple Hatheesing temple was built outside Delhi gate in 1850 by a rich Jain merchant Sheth Hatheesing. This is the best known of Ahmadabad’s many ornate Jain temples. It is dedicated to Dharamnath, the fifteenth Tirthankar whose status stand in the main sanctuary Built by pure marble profusely decorated with rich carving, Gandhi Ashram The beautiful ashram complex of Ahmadabad, with shady trees populated by thousand of parakeets, Beaters, sunbirds, squirrels, offers a refuge from the loud streets of the city and is one of the foremost tourist attraction of Ahmadabad. This ashram was Gandhi’s head quarters during the long struggle for Indian independence. His ashram was founded in 1915 and still makes handicrafts, handmade paper and spinning wheels. This ashram is open from 8.30 AM to 6.30 PM. Later drive to Adalaj, visit step well is an architectural wonder built by Queen Rudabai and is certainly one of the finest monuments of Gujarat. It is a seven-storied structure in the form of a well with chambers one behind the other. The ‘Vav’ or stepped wells of Gujarat were used as meeting and resting-places during summer since their cool interiors offered unbelievable respite from the scorching sun outside. In the summer people warmed themselves on the spacious sunny corridors while wide verandahs offered shelter during the rains. Adalaj is a village to the north of Ahmadabad. O/n stay at Ahmedabad