Vastrapur Lake - Ahmedabad

A pictorial lake in a lustrous environment is a joyful visa and Vastrapur lake in the western part of Ahmedabad is one of such alluring location. The lake was beautified by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and has since become a popular spot in the city. Encircled by all around greenery vastrapur lake is a must see spectacle in the city. Green lawns in the surrounding happen to be the most popular podium of various cultural events. There is a pathway all around the lake which serves many walkers and joggers in the early mornings and in the evenings.

Water lovers can go for boating since, and the less adventurous can embark on a nice promenade through the nice pathway that rounds the lake. The lake looks so appealing at times when it is fed with the waters from the Narmada river. Let your children loose in the lush environment of the Vastrapur lake and they will have enough to keep themselves engaged in the adjoining children’s park.

ISRO-SAC, Ahmedabad

The Indian Space Research Organisation is the primary body for space research under the control of the Government of India, and one of the leading space research organizations in the world. It was established in its modern form in 1969 as a result of coordinated efforts initiated earlier. Under the guidance of a number of scientists, ISRO has conducted a variety of operations—supported by its launch vehicle fleet—for both Indian and foreign clients. ISRO has several field installations as assets, and cooperates with the international community as a part of several bilateral and multilateral agreements.

Space activities in the country started during early 1960s with the scientific investigation of upper atmosphere and ionosphere over the magnetic equator that passes over Thumba near Thiruvananthapuram using small sounding rockets Realising the immense potential of space technology for national development, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the visionary leader envisioned that this powerful technology could play a meaningful role in national development and solving the problems of common man.

Thus, Indian Space programme born in the church beginning, space activities in the country, concentrated on achieving self reliance and developing capability to build and launch communication satellites for television broadcast, telecommunications and meteorological applications; remote sensing satellites for management of natural resources.

The objective of ISRO is to develop space technology and its application to various national tasks. ISRO has established two major space systems, INSAT for communication, television broadcasting and meteorological services, and Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS) system for resources monitoring and management. ISRO has developed two satellite launch vehicles, PSLV and GSLV, to place INSAT and IRS satellites in the required orbits.

Accordingly, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully operationalised two major satellite systems namely Indian National Satellites (INSAT) for communication services and Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites for management of natural resources; also, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) for launching IRS type of satellites and Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) for launching INSAT type of satellites.

The Space Commission formulates the policies and oversees the implementation of the Indian space programme to promote the development and application of space science and technology for the socio-economic benefit of the country. DOS implements these programmes through, mainly Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL), North Eastern-Space Applications Centre (NE-SAC) and Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL). The Antrix Corporation, established in 1992 as a government owned company, markets the space products and services

Space Applications Centre (SAC) is one of the major centres of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It is a unique centre dealing with a wide variety of disciplines comprising design and development of payloads, societal applications, capacity building and space sciences, thereby creating a synergy of technology, science and applications. The Centre is responsible for the development, realisation and qualification of communication, navigation, earth & planetary observation, meteorological payloads and related data processing and ground systems. 

Several national level application programmes in the area of natural resources, weather and environmental studies, disaster monitoring/mitigation, etc are also carried out. It is playing an important role in harnessing space technology for a wide variety of applications for societal benefits. The organisational structure continues to remain dynamic, responding to the needs of the hour. SAC operates and maintains Ahmedabad Earth Station and the Delhi Earth Stations. 

SAC is a host institution for the training programmes related to Satellite Communication, Satellite Meteorology and global change under the Centre for Space Science & Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP) affiliated to the United Nations (UN).

Space Applications Centre

Jodhpur Tekra, Ambawadi Vistar P.O.

Ahmedabad - 380015

Website: www.sac.gov.in

Chocolate Room of Ahmedabad

In Ahmedabad's The Chocolate Room, you get a lot of chocolaty options. The menu is filled with chocolate shakes, chocolate sundaes and fondues, chocolate pizzas, hot chocolates, chocolate pancakes, chocolate sandwiches, brownies, pastries and cookies. You can indulge yourself in chocolate treats. For those of you, who are not much into chocolate, their menu also includes a variety of paninis, wraps and baguettes. There are coffee and teas as well. 

The Chocolate Room at Ahmedabad is a chocolate lover’s paradise and ideal place where you can sit for hours and hours and enjoy your game. The ambience is comfortable and uncluttered with enough space between tables. The staff is courteous and the service is quite prompt. It's a cool place to hang out with friends. Not a place for calorie conscious people.

Address:

Ahmedabad-Navrangpura

5-6-7, Ground Floor,

University Plaza,

Opp. Maharaja Palace, Near Vijay Cross roads,

Navrangpura

Ahmedabad 380009

Phone No. +91- 79 - 65125005

Ahmedabad-Satellite

Shop no. 6

Camps Corner 2,

Near Prahladnagar Garden,

Satellite

Ahmedabad

Phone No. +91- 79 - 40064508

Ahmedabad-Drive in Road

4th Floor,Himalaya Mall

Drive - In Road

Drive in Road

Ahmedabad

Phone No. 079 - 69437080

Ahmedabad-Maninagar

29,Rajendra Society,

Jawahar Chowk

Maninagar

Ahmedabad

Phone No. 079 - 65451113

Email ID: info@thechocolateroomindia.com

Science City, Ahmedabad

The Gujarat Science City at Ahmedabad, set up by the Government of Gujarat is to highlight its eagerness to promote scientific thought and develop in the field of science and technology. Located on Sola Santej Road, the Gujarat Science City offers extensive educational and entertainment options to the tourists. Set up in the year 1960, this great concern had received laurels both from the general public and the ace educationalists. It's an educational and entertainment zone with its amazing displays, laboratories, activity corners and live demonstration shows have become a major places to go for sightseeing in Ahmedabad.

IMAX 3D Theater:

Main attraction of the Gujarat Science City is the IMAX 3 D Theater. The theatre has screens, which are eight stories high. The IMAX experience is truly fantastic and is a favorite amongst the children. Some of the shows that are worth watching include Mystic India and First City in Space.

Hall Of Space & Hall Of Science:

Hall of Space & Hall of Science at the Science City have been planned as a high-tech exhibition including current techniques with an field of 20,000 sq ft. The Gujarat Govt. of is keen to make such Gujarat Science City as will be become a role model for the growing global.

This is a place that does not have a display “please don’t touch”. This new exhibit hall in the Science City urges the visitors to touch and manipulate the exhibits to their liking.

It has following attractions:
1. Spark Theatre 2. Power Transmission: 3. Gear: 4. Power Bicycle: 5. Angular Velocity: 6. Anti Gravity: 7. Celestial Motion: 8. Loop: 9. Lift your own weight: 10. Sound Exhibits: 11. Doppler’s Effect: 12. Eco Sound: 13. Convarsation Piece: 14. Grand Shuttle: 15. Aerodynamics: 16. Flying of Aero plane: 20. Aquamobil: 21. Feel Fly: 22. Bernaulli’s Ball: 23. Pnuematic Mail: 24. Floating Ball: 25. Lissajous Pendulum: 26. Probability: 27. Mobious Band: 28. Hyperbola: 29. Elliptical Carom Board: 30. Elliptical Wave Tank: 31. Parabola: 32. Mirror Maze: 33. Pendulums: 34. Vision: 35. Sterio Vision: 36. Light Island: 37. Captive shadow/Color Shadow: 38. You and Me: 39. Multiple Reflections: 40. I Fly: 41. Bodyless Head: 42. Mirror/Glass Exhibits: 42. Transformation of Energy

Here you can produce electricity through your own body, make your own magnet, get electricity from the Sun. A giant Energy Ball demonstrates how earth’s gravitational force makes some balls rolling and performing like acrobats to produce sound, light, electricity and kinetic energy in different forms. The Aquamobil is a kinetic water sculpture in which colourful water plays with water wheels, turbines, dancing dolls; makes a giant water lens, sounds musical chimes and gongs, generates electricity, and operates bubblers and fountains to demonstrate basic laws of fluids. A hot air balloon soars up when heated, you can paddle a bicycle to float a ball in air, control a floating ball in air like an aeroplane and operate a pneumatic mail from one point to the other.

Apart from this, you can also take a look at,

Musical Dancing Fountain: The water effects move or dance with music and interpret each tune in synchronization with light and sound.

Energy Education Park : It exhibits energy in its five forms - Earth, Fire, Water, Wind and Space or Air.

LED Screen : The LED screen having dimension of 20' x 12' size and uses 1,84,320 tiny LEDs to play a character or to depict the story lines.

Location - Village Hebatpur, Sola-Santej Road, Sarkhej Gandhinagar Highway, Ahmedabad

Accessibility- Bus Services, Cabs - Easily reachable by road.

Best time - September to February

Visit Timings- 02:00am to 09:00pm. *Timings are subject to vary.

Amusement Park Fee - 5Rs/- for Children(3 to 12 years), 10Rs/- for Adults and Special discounts for school students.

Musical Fountain

Amphitheater

Thrill Ride/Simulator

Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad

The Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad can hold a crowd of almost 50,000 and is one of the bigger grounds in the country. Named after India's first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the stadium was built within a span of nine months on a 50-acre stretch of land donated by the government. It is also called the Motera ground because it is located in that area of the city, and has seen many a record being broken. The ground hosted its first Test match in 1983 when West Indies beat the home side by more than 100 runs. Later in the 1984-85 Australia-India series, Sardar Patel Stadium went on to host its first ODI, one in which Australia beat the Indians.

Sunil Gavaskar became the first-ever cricketer to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket on this ground – a feat he achieved against Pakistan. Kapil Dev also surged past Sir Richard Hadlee's record for the most number of wickets in Test matches here, after earlier having made a nine-wicket haul in his career also at the Motera ground. In 1996, the ground hosted a low-scoring Test match against South Africa, where the tourists faltered while chasing a paltry 170 for a win to end up at 105 all out. Javagal Srinath had scalped six wickets in the innings. However, South Africa had their sweet revenge when they bowled India out for 76 runs in the first session of the Test match in 2008 and then went on to win it by an innings and 90 runs. The Motera was also one of the venues for the 2006 edition of the Champions Trophy, with five of the 15 games being played here.

It has also hosted one game in each of the two World Cups that were played in the country, including the first match of the 1996 World Cup between England and New Zealand.

Sardar Patel National Memorial, Ahmedabad

As the name suggests, Sardar Patel national memorial was established in the memory of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who was a great freedom fighter. Located in the environs of Shahibaugh in Ahmedabad, Sardar Patel national memorial museum is also known as Moti Shah Mahal.

The Moti Shahi Mahal is surrounded by the Sardar Open Garden, where peacocks roam free and monkeys reside in the trees. The Sardar Open Air Theatre shows documentary films in the garden on occasion. Before the palace stands a statue of Sardar Patel. Four pillars mark the four wings, one floor and central hall of the palace.

History:

The Moti Shahi Mahal was constructed by Mughal emperor Shahjahan between 1618 and 1622 at Ahmedabad when he was the suba, or governor, of Gujarat, which was a part of the Mughal Empire. After that the palace was in the control of the British Raj when Ahmedabad was established as a cantonment in the mid-nineteenth century, and used for government purposes. Rabindranath Tagore, the great Bengali poet, writer and philosopher stayed in the palace in 1878, when he was seventeen years old. Following Indian independence, this palace was the Raj Bhavan - official residence of the Governor of Gujarat, from 1960 to 1978. It was endowed by the Government of Gujarat in 1975, upon the centennial birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, to establish a memorial to honour him. The memorial was founded on March 7, 1980.

Patel Memorial:

The Patel memorial is located on the ground floor of Sardar Patel National Memorial, covering the central hall and four adjacent rooms. The central hall is filled with portraits of Sardar Patel, his family, friends and colleagues in the Indian freedom struggle. They are in chronological order and with biographical descriptions of periods of his life, and quotes by his colleagues and admirers. Two of the four adjacent rooms house relics of Sardar Patel's life, his personal possessions as well as displayed accounts and political cartoons from newspapers of the time. One room is devoted to a particular phase of Sardar Patel's work - his comradeship with Mohandas Gandhi in the 1930s, his youth, education and legal career, and his work as India's home minister in integrating princely states into India. In a room to the right of the main entrance into the palace, is where Sardar Patel's personal effects are on display. These include his khadi kurta, jacket and dhoti, his shoes, slippers and European-style clothes from his younger days. Also on display is a flag of India as created by the Indian National Congress in 1930-31.

Sardar Sarovar And Gandhi Room:

A major room and sub-hall on the ground floor is devoted to the controversial Sardar Sarovar Project - a major dam and hydroelectric power plants project launched in Sardar Patel's name in the Narmada river valley, covering the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The room contains pictures, graphics, books, statistics and other information on the project - from its inception, technical details, construction and present functioning.

In a room connected through the Sardar Sarovar hall, the life and work of Mohandas Gandhi are on display. These include portraits, pictures, quotes, busts, statues and books. Gandhi's close partnership and personal friendship with Patel is an important and recurrent theme throughout the memorial.

Tagore Memorial:

On first floor, in the right wing of the palace there is a room where Rabindranath Tagore lived during his time at the palace, and it is dedicated to his memory. It is accessed by a staircase and a pathway into the right column. There are numerous portraits, pictures and information on display, and the main room consists of a large statue of Tagore, including paintings to preserve his memory and contributions.

Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram - Ahmedabad

"This is the right place for our activities to carry on the search for Truth and develop Fearlessness- for on one side, are the iron bolts of the foreigners, and on the other, thunderbolts of Mother Nature".- This is how Gandhiji described the site of Sabarmati Ashram when he first visited the place for assessing if it was suitable for carrying out his work.

Sabarmati Ashram (also known as Gandhi Ashram, Harijan Ashram, or Satyagraha Ashram) is located in the Ahmedabad suburb of Sabarmati adjoining to famous Ashram Road, at the bank of River Sabarmati,4 miles away from the city Town Hall. This was one of the residences of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. This ashram is now a national monument by the Government of India due to its significance in the Indian independence movement in the form of the Dandi March in 1930.

Sabarmati Ashram, formerly known as "Satyagraha Ashram",  situated in Ahmedabad at the Kocharab Bungalow of Jivanlal Desai, a barrister. Later on it was shifted to the banks of Sabarmati river and then it came to be known as 'Sabarmati Ashram'. Gandhi stayed at the Ashram from 1915 to 1933 later on the Ashram was disbanded. The Ashram is a witness to many important historical events.

While at the Ashram, Gandhi formed a tertiary school that mainly focused on manual labour, agriculture, and literacy to advance his efforts for nation's self-sufficiency. It was also from here on the 12 March 1930 that Gandhi marched towards Dandi, 241 miles from the Ashram with 78 companions in protest of the British Salt Law, which taxed Indian salt in an effort to promote sales of British salt in India. This mass awakening filled the British jails with 60 000 freedom fighters. Later the government seized their property, Gandhi, in sympathy with them, responded by asking the Government to forfeit the Ashram. Then Government, however, did not oblige. He had by now already decided on 22 July 1933 to disband the Ashram, which later became asserted place after the detention of many freedom fighters, and then some local citizens decided to preserve it. On 12 March 1930 he vowed that he would not return to the Ashram until India won independence. Although this was won on 15 August 1947, when India was declared a free nation, Gandhi was assassinated in January 1948.

While at Sabarmati, Gandhiji lived in a small cottage which is now known as 'Hridaya (Heart)  Kunj'. It is a place of great historic value, where even today visitors find some of the things which Gandhiji used- a writing desk, a khadi kurta, a yarn spun by him and some of his letters.

Nandini:

It is on the right hand side of 'Hridaya Kunj'. It is an old Ashram guest house, where guests from India and abroad are put up.

Vinoba Kutir: 

Named after Acharya Vinoba Bhave  who stayed here,  and also known as Mira Kutir after Mirabahen, Gandhiji's disciple, daughter of a British Admiral.

Upasana Mandir:

It is an open -air prayer ground, situated between 'Hridaya  Kunj' and 'Magan Kutir' (the hut where Maganlal Gandhi, the ashram manager, used to stay).

Here, Gandhiji used to refer to individual questions after prayers and as the head of the family analysed and gave his solutions.

Gandhi Sangrahalaya:

An important feature of the Ashram is Gandhi Sangrahalaya, a museum inaugurated by Jawaharlal Nehru on May10,1963.

It has five units and a library, two photo-galleries and an auditorium.

The museum houses eight life-sized colour oil- paintings and an exhibition on Gandhiji's life 'My life is My Message' and 'Gandhiji in Ahmedabad'. An archive has also been set up. It stores 34,066 letters by Gandhiji, manuscripts of his 8,633 articles, negatives of 6,367 photographs, 134 reels of microfilms of his writings, 210 films on Gandhiji and the freedom struggle. The library has over 30,000 books, 155 letters of felicitation received by Gandhiji, besides a miscellaneous  memorabilia comprising of coins, postal stamps and the like. The museum measuring 24,000 sq. feet in area has besides 54 blocks of 20'x20' each, a conference hall and an auditorium for watching films and video.

The Sangrahalaya also arranges for publication and sale of Gandhian literature.

The Sangrahalaya remains open for visitors from 8.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. on all days including Sundays and Holidays.

Address:

Gandhi Ashram, 

Ahmedabad-380027,

Gujarat, 

India

Tel: (O) 755 72 77 (R) 755 66 59

Fax: 756 05 69

E-mail: gandhiashram@satyam.net.in

Kankariya Lake - Ahmedabad

Kankaria Lake was built by Sultan Qutab-ud-Din in the year 1451 A.D. It is basically an artificial multisided lake with thirty four sides. With an approximate circumference of 1.4 miles (2.3 km), it represents the regale history of Ahmedabad. Lying on the south eastern side of the Ahmedabad city, the lake also has a fascinating island summer palace. The Mughal Emperor Jahangir along with his wife Empress Noor Jahan uses to visit this lake very often.

Kankaria Lake is one of the most favorite picnic spots of the people of Ahmedabad. Adjacent to the lake, lays a beautiful garden called Nagina Wadi. The pleasing view of the lake, the humming and chirping of birds and the greenery bordering the lake will make you fall in love with this place. You can also avail the boating facility. Kankaria Lake provides a beautiful view of the sunset. There is also a zoo and children's park located nearby the lake. In recent days with the development around the lake people can enjoy a toy train ride around the lake.

Recent Renovation:

The inauguration ceremony for Rs 30 crore Kankaria lakefront was held on December 25, 2008. The central garden and the walkway has recently been revamped.

Upon completion of the renovation the lake was officially inaugurated in a week long event known as "Kankaria Carnival". It is the first of its kind in the history and is organised by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC).

A train named 'Atal Express'(Named after former prime-minister of India Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birthday 25 December 2008) is being imported from London, the train will circle the lake on a 4.5 km track at a speed of 10 km/h. The train will have the capacity to carry 150 passengers, including 36 adults. The train is manufactured by Severn Lamb. Kankaria is the biggest lake in the city of Ahmedabad. It was built by sultan Ahmed Shah.

Present Honourable Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Narendra Modi has begun new development of the area. The road on the periphery of the Lake is being reconstructed as a pedestrian zone, and a toy train named the 'Atal Express' will circle the lake.

The place is enjoyed as a place for yoga, walking, and running, especially in the very early morning. There are also other attractions like a zoo, Nagina Wadi, Balvatika, an aquarium and gardens. Kankaria Zoo has also reords in breeding of rare species in Zoo which make them to feel that they are attached with nature and not cages. Tourists/visitors will remember this place for years together.