Around the Central Government Complex, stretch 30 sectors
into which the city has been divided. Each sector has its
own shopping and community centre, primary school, health
centre and government and private housing. Apart from this,
there is a generous provision for wide-open green parks,
extensive planting and a large recreational area along the
river giving the city a lush green garden-city atmosphere.
In 1960, when the old Bombay (Mumbai) State was bifurcated
into the present states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, Bombay
(Mumbai) city fell to the share of Maharashtra. It was then
decided to build an entirely new capital for Gujarat.
Prime Attractions
Shamlaji:
This famous Vaishnava Shrine is situated at 126 km from
Ahmedabad .
Akshardham:
It is the most famous temple of "Swaminarayan Sect"
- the richest sect in the world. The splendid temple of
Bhagwan Swaminarayan is built from Rajasthani pink marbles.
The temple, 108 feet high, 240 feet in length and 131 feet
in breadth took six years to complete. It is surrounded
by lush green gardens and admirable fountains.
Excursions
Koba: At a distance of 10 kms from Gandhinagar on the
Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar Highway is the village Koba, which
has shot into eminence because of its Mahavir Jain Aradhana
Kendra, a Jain Temple Institute that carries out research
in philosophy and religion. The temple itself is of high
aesthetic and artictural value set in lush green environs.
Vaijanth Mahadev at Vasan: At a distance of 13 kms from
Gandhinagar is the village of Vasan, which is famous for
its Shiva Temple believed to be 2000 years old. The temple
has seven storeys. The Shiv-Ling is of 'Yoni-ling' type.
There are 24 Shiv-Lingas in the ambulatory path of the temple.
From the site, bricks and silver coins of Maitrak period
were obtained, which supports the antiquity of this temple.
There are some coloured pictures drawn on the ceiling of
the 'sabha-mandap' dome depicting Ras-Lila. These paintings
are 150 years old according to the scholars.
How to Get There
Air:
Indian Airlines connect Gandhinagar with Bangalore, Calcutta,
Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Mumbai. The city is
also connected to Kuwait, Muscat and Sharjah by international
flights of Indian Airlines. Ghandhinagar's airport is 15
kms from city centre. Taxis and buses are available for
city sightseeing.
Rail:
ailway Station is on the western side and trains from Mumbai,
Delhi and other parts of the country are connected with
Ghandhinagar.
Road:
Two state highways skirt the capital, Ahmedabad - Mt. Abu
State Highway and the Mumbai Delhi National Highway
