a m d a v a d
A city of various rituals! The city is a pure mixture of Heritage + Modernism. The most amazing thing of the city is that it gets divided in between by Sabarmati River. The Eastern bank of Ahmedabad is the Old City. The Western bank of Ahmedabad is the developing city. Both the banks are connected by 9 bridges.
The City is known as a Architectural and Design Hub of India. Some of the Best Architects in the world have worked here, like Louis Kahn, Frank Lloyd Wrigth, Le Corbusier......
The world famous artist M.F.Husain were inspired by this city.
The Old Ahmedabad is a mixture of Islamic and Hindu Culture and Architecture. The Old city is claimed to be surrounded by 12 Gates know as Darwaza. As you enter the old city from the new city the first structure that strikes you is the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque.
One of the most famous Mosque in Ahmedabad. Locally known as "Sidi Saiyyed ni Jali".
The famous "Tree Of Life Jali" or latticework done on the semicircular arch-window has come to symbolize the city and its grandeur.
As you you reach the core of old city you cross the Teen Darwaza and enter Manek Chowk. It is a vegetable market in the morning, a bullion market in the noon and the street food market at night.
Jama Masjid (the Friday Mosque) is the most splendid mosque of Ahmedabad. Its a Inside-Out Space. Walking down through the small crowded market of Manek Chowk you notice this small entrance to the mosque. When you enter you realize its a huge complex with a rectangular courtyard . The center of the courtyard has a water fountain and adjoining it is the Wazu Khana (the basin for ablutions). The walls of the mosque has the holy writings from Quran. There is a big prayer room which has a play of light!
The Old city has a Modern Structure done by Frank Lloyd Wright. It wasn't completely build. Its is known as Calico Dome. Now it acts like shade to street shops.
As you travel to the New Ahmedabad, you will find Modern Structures. The Best Institutes are placed here.
Indian Institute of Management (IIM) is done by Louis Kahn. The building has bold geometric cuts done in red brick. CEPT, the Best Architecture School in India done by B.V.Doshi is also situated in Ahmedabad. A piece of Modern Indian Architecture. National Institute Of Design (NID), the Best Design School of India done by Gautam Sarabhai . The Open Courtyard with the buildings done in expose concrete and red brick give a touch of the fusion of Indian Architecture with Modernism. The Shodhan Villa, Villa Sarabhai, ATMA are all designed by the great master Le Coubusier.
अदलज नी वाव।
Adalaj Ni Vaav, is a stepwell in a village named Adalaj near Ahmedabad. Its near 19kms away from Ahmedabad.
A stepwell 5 stories deep. This place is the perfect example of play of light. A mixture of islamic and hindu architecture having beautifully crafted pillars. The light makes a different atmosphere. The structure is completely done by sand stone. A photography delite.
