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| History |
Gandhinagar is the capital of Gujarat State, India. It is one out of the three planned cities of India. In 1960 when the old Bombay State was partitioned into Maharashtra and Gujarat, the city of Bombay went to Maharashtra. It was then decided to construct a new capital for Gujarat. Thus was the genesis of Gandhinagar, the second planned city in India after Chandigarh. Gandhinagar occupies an area 57 sq. kms. It presents a spacious, well designed look of an architecturally integrated city. It has 30 sectors with each sector having its own shopping, health, housing colonies and community centre. Extensive planting of trees and large recreational areas along the river gives the city a fresh, green garden city atmosphere. The famous temple of Swaminarayan is also built in Gandhinagar.
Gandhiji was born and brought up in Gujarat. There are many institutions named and associated with the Mahatma. His statues have been erected all over the town. A whole town has been named 'Gandhidham' near Kandala. The Ellisbridge area of Ahmedabad has also been named 'Gandhigram' and the new capital of state is also given the name 'Gandhinagar'.
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| PLACES TO SEE |
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Akshardham
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It is the famous temple of "Swaminarayan Sect" which is the richest sect in the world. It is a unique cultural complex built in Gandhinagar in memory of Lord Swaminrayan. Inspired by H. D. Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Akshardham is a miracle worked by the service and devotion of thousands of volunteers. It is an intricately carved, majestic monuments of 6000 tons of pink sand stone awash with spiritual stillness. The entire monument was built without the use of steel. Besides a 7 feet gold leafed idol of Lord Swaminarayan and his holy relics, there are three exhibitions on Indian Culture with light and Sound shows, a multimedia show and an animatronic show. Games, rides and food refreshments are other attractions of Akshardham. |
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| Capital Complex |
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In the heart of the capital, in Sector 10, is the well-laid-out complex of buildings housing the legislature and government offices. Vithalbhai Patel Bhavan, a magnificent domed building, stands majestically on a high podium in the centre of a circular lake and houses the Vidhan Sabha and the legislature offices. Flanking it, and linked by hanging corridors, are two modern multi-storeyed buildings. Sardar Bhavan, which is to house the various departments of the State Secretariat, and Narmada Bhavan, where the offices of all the heads of departments are situated. The Secretariat along with the offices of the heads of various departments are now located in a complex of three-storeyed buildings constructed to house the district offices, in sector 9. |
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| Children's Park |
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A major attraction for children and holiday, makers of the Children's Park in Sector 28 has a mini train and a lake with boating facilities. |
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| Sarita Udyan |
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In sector 9 and along the river front is the lovely Sarita Udyan, an ideal spot for picnickers. The entire area is being developed to provide full recreational facilities. Deer Park - Adjacent to Sarita Udyan, at Indroda village, on the outskirts of the capital city, is the sprawling deer park - a big draw for both children and adults. |
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| Craftsmen's Village |
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Located near Gandhinagar, on the Sabarmati river back, is Pethapur village, only 7kms from the capital. Once famous for its colourful `Bandhani' saris, the village also used to export wooden printing blocks to Singapore. The wooden blocks, with exquisite patterns carved on them, are used for the hand-printing of cloth. They are still in demand in the major hand, printing centres of India like Ahmedabad, Bombay, Jetpur and Rajkot. The Pethapur craftsmen are mainly Gujjar Suthars. Architectural Marvel - Adalaj Stepwell, 15 kms from the capital on the National Highway, is famous for its unique architecture with a huge artistic edifice and a flight of steps that enables one to reach the water, whatever be its level. The Adalaj stepwell is considered to be the best of all stepwells in Gujarat. |
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| The exhibitions |
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Three permanent exhibition halls have been set up to educate the visitor on spiritual matters and on the BAPS movement. These are:
Hall 1: Sahajanand. The life of Lord Swaminarayan is portrayed through imaginative settings and shows. The exhibition includes 'travel in time' through a video show; a fiber-optics cosmos; a miniature recreation of Chhapiya village; a 'Journey through India'; and three 'sound-n-light' shows.
Hall 2: Sat-Chit-Anand. A spectacular 14-screen multimedia presentation, "Integrovision", presents an exposition of Vedic philosophy and of man's search for the eternal truth, through breath-taking imagery. Apart from the 14-screen multimedia presentation, the exhibition includes a 'Tunnel of Mirrors,' a glass mosaic and dancing musical fountains.
Hall 3: Nityanand. Walk-through dioramas and fiberglass figures display the message of the Upanishads, Ramayana and Mahabharata. The exhibition includes an audio-animatronics show; a recreation of the Hastinapur palace from the Mahabharata; a recreation of an idyllic Gurukula nestled in the lap of nature; evotional compositions of saint-poets; and an exposiiton on 'Harmony of world religions'. |
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| HOW TO REACH GANDHINAGAR |
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By Air
Nearest airport is Ahmedabad. |
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By Road
State transport buses connects various centres of Gujarat. It is situated 32 Kms north-east of Ahmedabad.
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By Train
Nearest railway station are Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad.
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