Akshardham (Gandhinagar)

Akshardham Gandhinagar is one of the largest temples in the Indian state of Gujarat. The temple complex combines devotions, art, architecture, education, exhibitions and research at one place which is spread in an area of 23 acres.

Akshardham Gandhinagar is a predecessor to the Akshardham at Delhi, built by the same religious organisation, Bochasanwasi Akshar-Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) led by Pramukh Swami Maharaj. It was inaugurated on November 2, 1992, during the centenary celebrations of Yogiji Maharaj. The complex is very popular among tourists visiting Gujarat.

Akshardham
Akshardham, Gadhinagar
Location
Country:	India
State:	Gujarat
District:	Gandhinagar
Location:	Gandhinagar
Temple Details
Primary Deity:	Swaminarayan
History
Creator:	Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha
Website:	http://www.akshardham.com/gujarat/

Kankaria Lake is one of the biggest lakes in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. A lakefront was developed around it which has many public attractions like zoo, toy train, kids city, tethered balloon ride, water rides and water park, food stalls and entertainment facilities. Kankaria Carnival is a week long festival being held here in last week of December. Many cultural, art and social activities are organised during carnival. It is located in the southern part of the city, in Maninagar area.

Attractions

Kankaria Zoo

     Kamla Nehru Zoological Park was established by Rueben David in 1951 CE spread over 21 acres. It was rated      the best zoo in Asia in 1974.They are 450 mammals, 2,000 birds, 140 reptiles in a 31 acre zoo. It is a               treasure of wild animals like tigers, lions, python, anaconda, snakes, elephant, albinos (white), like the rhesus      monkey and peacock, spotted deer, white blackbuck, chinkara, elephants, emu, jungle babbler, bush-quail          and common palm civet. Kankaria Zoo has also records in breeding of rare species in Zoo like pythons,              crocodiles, bearcats and wild asses. Reuben David was awarded Padma Shri in 1974 for it.

Dutch Tombs

The Dutch and Armenian tombs are on One Tree Hill embankment which shows strong trade presence of Dutch East India Company in city during 17th and 18th century.

Stone Mural Park

India's biggest Stone Mural Park named Gurjar Gaurav Gatha on the side walls of the circular lake in which sculptors are depicting, in pink sand stone, the history and rise of Gujarat is under construction. It has murals covering 3150 sq feet depicting the history of Ahmedabad right now but when completed, it will measure 6000 feet in length and will be world's largest mural (30000 sq.metre).

Adalaj Stepwell is a unique Hindu 'water building' in the village of Adalaj, close to Ahmedabad town in Gandhinagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The stepwell was built in 1499 by Muslim king Mohammed Begda for Queen Rani Roopba, wife of Veer Singh, the Vaghela chieftain. The step well or 'Vav', as it is called in Gujarati, is intricately carved and is five stories in depth. Such step wells were once integral to the semi arid regions of Gujarat as they provided basic water needs for drinking, washing and bathing. These wells were also venues for colorful festivals and sacred rituals.

Structure

Built in sand stone in Indo-Islamic architectural style, the Adlaj

stepwell is five stories deep.It is octagonal (8-sided polygon) in plan at the top, built on intricately carved large number of pillars. Each floor is spacious enough to provide for people to congregate. The Islamic architectural style could be attributed to the Muslim king Begda who built it. 

The walls are carved with women performing daily chores such as churning of buttermilk, adorning themselves, scenes of performance of dancers and musicians, and the King overlooking all these activities.

The temperature inside the well is said to be about five degrees lower than the outside hot summer temperatures. This encouraged the women who came to fetch water to spend more time in the cool climes here. They stayed to worship the gods and goddesses and gossip.

Gopnath Beach

Gopnath is just 80 kms from Bhavnagar. It was the summer home of Maharaja Krishna Kumar Singhji of Bhavnagar. The breathtakingly beautiful sea coast with it's spectacular limestone cliffs and great views, sea breezes and colourful birdlife, must have made an excellent break from the city during the summer months. The Gopnath beach has firm sands for walking and shallow shore waters for wading. But the high tidal difference of the coast, makes the water murky and not very inviting for a long swim. Gopnath is the base for some spectacular sightseeing

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Majestic Laxmi Vilas Palace(Built By Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III), Baroda

                                                                                                      

Architectural style	Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture, Maratha
Town or city	Vadodara
Country	India
Completed	1890
Client	Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III

The term Maharaja Palace actually refers to a series of palaces in Vadodara,Gujarat, India, constructed since the Gaekwad a prominent Marathafamily started ruling the Baroda State. The first one was a building known as the Sarkar Wada. This building, not really a palace, was given up for theNazarbaug Palace built in old classical style.

After this the Lakshmi Vilas Palace, an extravagant building of the Indo-Saracenic school, was built by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in 1890 at a cost of GBP180,000. Major Charles Mant was the architect.

It is reputed to have been the largest private dwelling built till date and four times the size of Buckingham Palace. At the time of construction it boasted the most modern amenities such as elevators and the interior is reminiscent of a large European country house. It remains the residence of the Royal Family, who continue to be held in high esteem by the residents of Baroda.