It’s revered by some and scorned by others, but Ahmedabad in the Gujarat area of India is a strictly no-meat and no-alcohol region.

Whilst most residents adhere closely to these rules, there is always someone happy to stretch the regulations to make a weary traveller happy.

Ahmedabad does not appear to be a swarming tourist town, but, as Time Magazine outlined recently, Ahmedabad is a mecca of cultural tourism and listed it as one of the world’s most incredible places of 2022 and one of the extraordinary destinations to explore.

We were in Anand, an hour away, for a three-day wedding. We used Ahmedabad as a hub for our travels and were impressed by the variety of historical and daily life attractions available.

Gandhi’s Ashram

India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, Ahmedabad, features ancient landmarks and contemporary innovations that make it a centre for cultural tourism. This is highlighted by the tranquil Gandhi Ashram that sits on 36 acres on the banks of the Sabarmati River.

Time added that Ahmedabad’s Gujarat Science City, a “sprawling entertainment centre and theme park”, unveiled three major attractions last year, including a 20-acre nature park to educate the public on local flora.

The Adalaj Stepwell is also a popular attraction, 40 minutes from downtown. Built in the fifteenth century in Indo-Islamic architectural style, it has intricate carvings and descends for five stories. There are also several temples and mosques, one of the most impressive being the Dada Bhagwan temple. For the not-so-historically-minded visitors, a slow walk through the shops and food outlets of the old town is enlightening. Having a haircut on the street presented a challenge, and trying to get the word ‘’trim’’ across to the “barber” didn’t work.

Mani Mansion, a heritage property built in 1923, was our base.

With the owner

This sprawling hotel has been refurbished to meet the modern traveller’s requirements. This heritage haveli is the home of the Dalal family. It was built by the legendary social worker and acclaimed businessman Manibhai Dalal and continues to display the magnificence of its original architecture today.

Currently respected as one of the best hotels in Ahmedabad, guests enjoy staying in a heritage property that welcomed eminent literary personalities, well-known poets and legendary musicians in the past.

Far Horizons Tours – India, a longstanding and highly respected tour company, arranged our tour itinerary, accommodation, meet and greet, transport and guides and everything were perfect.

I can’t reveal who provided the cold popular Indian Kingfisher beer as it would contravene an unwritten law, but it was certainly well received.

Written by John Savage

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