3 days in Central and North Gujarat

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Along with Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Mehsana and Patan a little north to Ahmedabad form an extraordinary travel circuit. To help travelers planning to visit this part of India, I put together a plan for 3 days. 

Best time to visit: December to February.

Day-1: Bird sanctuary | Ahmedabad
Reach Ahmedabad in the evening of day-0. Have authentic Gujarati dinner at Pakwan restaurant or Gordhan Thal or Rajwado or Sasumaa (you can explore the next day as well).

Nal sarovar bird sanctuary:

It's a good way to start the trip with a visit to the nearby (60 kms) Nalsarovar bird sanctuary. The best time to visit a bird sanctuary is early in the morning, before sunrise. More than 200 species of birds- both local and migratory birds flock at the Nalsarovar lake and marshy land surrounding it during winter- spring season.   

Sabarmati/ Gandhi Ashram: Late in the afternoon, start again; your next stop will be Sabarmati/ Gandhi Ashram. Gandhiji established this ashram in 1917 to carryout his Satyagraha activities for the freedom movement. 

Sarkhej Roza: It's a mosque and tomb complex , situated in the outskirts of the city. 

Manek chowk: You can visit the bustling street food market of Ahmedabad at Manek Chowk in the evening which remains crowded till very late into the night.

Day-2: Old city | Gandhinagar | 
Old city of Ahmedabad has been anointed as a World Heritage City by UNESCO; so, it's of special importance, and should be explored properly. 

Adalaj stepwell:


This is one of the finest step wells in western India, a tradition carried from the Indus valley civilization. A large number of wells have been excavated in the Mahenjodaro archeological sites. Explore the architectural magnificence of the well constructed in 1498 in memory of Rana Veer Singh of the Vaghela dynasty by his queen Rudadevi. 

Gandhinagar and Akshardham temple:

A major attraction in Gandhinagar is the Swaminarayan temple. Visit the temple just before sunset, and stay to experience an impressive light-and-sound show at the temple after sunset. The temple doesn't allow cameras inside. That's the end of day-2.

Day-3: Modhera sun temple | Rani ki Vav | Ambaji
After some Gujarati snacks for breakfast, begin your journey towards the sun temple at Modhera in Mehsana district, about 100 kms from Ahmedabad (2 hrs drive). 

Modhera sun temple:

The sun temple built in 1026-27 or thereabout by Bhima I of the Chaulukya dynasty on the bank of Pushpavati river, is just the second of its kind in India, devoted to the Sun God (the other one being the Sun temple at Konark). The temple was built in the Maru-Gurjara architectural style (Chaulukya style). 

Rani Ki Vav:
Built in the 11th century by Queen Udayamati in memory of her husband King Bhima I of the Chaulukya dynasty, Rani Ki Vav is a masterpiece in architecture. It would easily hold the trophy for the best stepwell in India. The sheer size, intricate sculptures and magnificent structure are absolutely awe-inspiring! There are more than 1500 sculptures depicting religious, mythological stories and other themes like portraying everyday life of people.       
Post restoration, it has risen up to its glory with UNESCO according it the status of a World Heritage Site in 2014.

Ambaji temple:
If you complete Rani Ki Vav by 5 PM or so, on the way back to Ahmedabad, visit the Ambaji temple (80 kms) in the evening. Counted among the 51 Shakti Peeths in India, it has a lot of religious importance for Hindus, especially devotees of Shakti (Durga). The impressive temple is lit in various colours and looks really beautiful at night.
 
Other places of interest in the region:
- Polo forest and old temples 
- Mahudi
- Salt pans of Patan
- Shamlaji temple



Location: Gujarat, India

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