City Profile
Ahmadabad is a renowned city of Gujarat and best known for its historical importance as a direct association with M.K. Gandhi. It is the largest city in Gujarat state and sixth largest in India. It has ranked third place in the 2010 Forbes list of fastest growing cities in the decade. The city has become a major industrial and economic hub of many manufacturing units. After the creation of Gujarat state, the city has became a major focus of educational institutions of national accreditations. With its rich historical past and vibrant future, it was ranked as the best place to live in India by the Times of India in 2012.
Architectural Glory
The city was rules by many rulers from time to time, but prominent from them was Ahmad Shah, who founded this city on 26 Feb. 1412. Soon, a fort was build with 10 km fort wall running along the fort. There were 12 impressive city gates to the fort. This fort area now consists of the old city and has vibrant bazaars and traditional living. M.K. Gandhi built his ashrams here, from where he carried out his many mission for the freedom of India, prominent were Sabarmati Ashram at the bank of Sabarmati. In the modern outlook of the city, many world renewed architects like Louis Kahn best known for designing the Indian Institute of Management- Ahmadabad, Le Corbusier designed many residential and industrial architecture examples across the city while he worked for the planning of Chandigarh. Prominent among them were Shodhan and Sarabhai Villas, the Sanskar Kendra and the Mill Owner’s Association Building. F.L. Wright too worked here. Hence, this is the only city in India where the famous trinity of architecture world has their projects.
Fairs and festivals
The city has a vibrant population of 5.6 million. Hence, there are series of fairs and festivals that are celebrated with pomp and joy. The festivities of Ahmadabad are famous for its rich cuisine and kite-flying. The Kite flying festival called as Uttarayan is a two day affair observed on 14 and 15 January is world famous. People from across the state, country as well as world gather here and fly kites in open grounds and roof tops. Another important festival is the celebration of nine day long Navratri celeberations was most famous in India. People celebrate with special Garba dance celebrations from evening till mid night. Each house was decorated during these nine days by special floor graffiti called Rangoli in local dialect. Other than these, Dewali, Eid are other major festival celebrated with great enthusiasm and happiness.