Culture and cuisine


There are four groups of people who came to inhabit this land at different points of time and now form the majority here[35]. Jats came from a place in Iran called Half (to be known latter as Jat) and they were herders by occupation. Around five hundred years ago they came to Kutch and Sind in search of new grazing pastures and settled there. Those who joined agriculture called themselves Garasia Jats and those who continued their ancestral occupation were known as Dhanetah Jats, and those who chose to study the Koran became Fakirani Jats.

The Harijan is the name given by Mahatma Gandhi to the Meghwals, who originally came from Marwar in Rajasthan. They are the masters of weaving cotton and wool as also embroidery and appliqué work. The Ahirs came with Lord Krishna from Gokul in Uttar Pradesh.

Most of the communities of Ahirs began with selling ghee and milk and are now spread all over the state.

Crafts in Gujarat are a way of life, a process that transforms even the most mundane object of daily use into a thing of beauty. The skill of the Gujarati craftsperson-be it a weaver or a metalworker, a woman who embroiders for herself or a potter who creates pieces of art out of clay-is bound to leave one spellbound.

Wood carving is another important craft in Gujarat, evident in the many elaborately carved temples, havelis (mansions) and palaces as well as objects of daily and ritual use. Utensils are another area where the craftspersons of Gujarat have excelled.

Gujarat is also famous for its terracotta work, especially votive terra-cotta figurines which one can find by the hundreds at small shrines built in forests, along roads, outside villages, on lonely hill-tops and under large trees, especially in south Gujarat.

Jewelry is yet another fascinating craft in Gujarat. Each tribe or clan has different types of ornaments and each of them has retained the uniqueness of these ornaments.

Performing Arts and Culture form an important means of expression of the Indian ethos. Different states practice different dance forms, classical music and have their own share of folklore. Programs are organized to showcase these performing arts and artists, who have kept these age old art forms alive, through their practice of it. The Performing arts in Gujarat are some of the most colorful and the performers in question are great exponents of their specialized arts. The different regions of Gujarat come alive, especially during Navratri, which is considered to be one of their prominent festivals. Many forms of dances are performed during this time, which are steeped in the fragrance of legends and romance – Raas is one of them.

Raas is a very energetic dance, where color and gaiety play important parts. It is performed with a lot of gusto and the body language, eye contact, expressions and rhythm plays a major part here. Two circles formed by men and women revolve in clockwise and anti clockwise movements, while clanging their dandias with their respectve partners. They have to move according to the rhythm of the music and as well as clang their dandias.

Raas is one of the most popular dances of Gujarat which brings together family and friends during the festival of Navratri. It also brings together the young boys and girls, who plan for this special event throughout the year. No wonder that so many romances materialize during Navratri!

Though Raas in Gujarat, India is a traditional dance form, youngsters show no dearth of interest towards it. Navratri sees them in their traditional outfits, all geared up to reach the venue. The folk dances of Gujarat, Garba, Raas , and Dandiya have been successful in breaking the confinements of locality and the festival of Navratri brings together the whole of India. Special dancing competitions and lavish feasts are organized during the holy festival of Navratri. Couple passes are available in all major outlets and huge investments made on these functions.
Cuisine

Gujarati food is a vegetarian gourmand's dream come true[35]. It is a vegetarian wonder with complete nutrition derived from leafy vegetables prepared in innumerable variations and subtly flavored with spices. Simple, practical, down-to-earth and wholesome, Gujarati food truly reflects the heart of the state. Gujarati food is primarily vegetarian, the main reason for which is the Jain and Buddhist influences. However, the goodness of millet, yogurt, buttermilk, coconut, groundnut, sesame seeds and jaggery makes sure that this non-meat food is not lacking in proteins.

Gandhinagar is the capital of the state of gujarat is located on the West Central point of the Industrial Corridor between the capital, Delhi and the financial capital, Mumbai.



History

In the 13th century, King Pethasinh of Pethapur, ruled over Shertha town. After the death of Pethasinh, the Sultanate of Patan used this land as battle ground. Sultan Ahmed Shah decided to move his capital from Patan to a new city, and built Ahmedabad. In 1960, Bombay state was split in two different states, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Ahmedabad became capital of Gujarat, and a new capital city was to be built on land which was once part of Pethapur state.


The city's infrastructure was planned by Louis Kahn, along with two Indian subplanners, H.K. Mewada and Prakash Apte. Its streets are numbered, and have cross streets named for Gujarati alphabets like "k" , "kh" , "g" , "gh" , "ch" , "chh" , "j" . All streets cross every kilometre, and at every crossing traffic circles decrease the speed of traffic.

The city has developed in four distinct phases:

* Phase 1: After the city's infrastructure was completed in 1970, and until 1980, it was known as 'Gandhian City,' since it was based on Gandhiji's concepts and principles.
* Phase 2: Between 1980 and 1990, a time of low pollution, it was known as 'Unpolluted City'.
* Phase 3: After 1990, many trees were planted, and the city became known as the 'Green City.'
* Phase 4: In 2002, Gujarat's Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, proposed a new, triple focus for the city: it should be green, it should utilize solar energy, and it should be cosmopolitan.

Get there and around

Air

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport located in Ahmedabad provides connectivity with domestic flights to the Metropolitan and other major cities of India. It also provides a few International flights.



Rail

Ahmedabad Railway Station in Ahmedabad is the nearest rail junction which provides connectivity with major cities and towns of India. Capital Railway Station is Recently Developed by Capital project Devision & Gandhinagar Road & Building Department. Somnath - Jabalpur Express for Bhopal Junction, Jabalpur, Ratlam, Ujjain, Saugor, Jaipur-Bandra Garib Rath , Haridwar mail for Delhi and Haridwar and Shanti Express for Indore Junction BG. The Indian Railways transports are Available for Moving in Northern India & Eastern India From Kalol Railway Station.
[edit] Metrolink express for Gandhinagar-Ahmedabad

The Governing Body of Gujarat planned for rapid transit in the city by proposing the MetroLink Express Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad (MEGA) also known as the Ahmedabad Metro. The contract for the four corridors of the system were awarded to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) which also manages the Delhi Metro.[18][19]. Delhi Metro carried out a pre-feasibility survey in 2004-05. In 2003, when the project was conceived, its cost was worked out at Rs 4,500 crore.
Gandhinagar Metro


The DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd) has already done its techno-feasibility study and submitted its report. Gujarat government has recently re-approached Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for a modified detailed project report (DRP) for a metro rail project in Ahmedabad.[20]


Road

Gandhinagar is connected to Surat, Mumbai, and Navi Mumbai through National Highway 8A. It is connected to Ahmedabad through the National Highway 8C.
[edit] Local transport
city bus service (GH 3 bus stop in the background).

Gandhinagar got its own city bus service in August 2009. The city bus service is operated by VTCOS. [21] In the first phase of city based transportation service, a total of eleven buses running on compressed natural gas have been allotted. CNG auto-rickshaws and VTCOS CT-buses are available, maintained by Gandhinagar Notified Area (GNA). Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) buses provide transport in and outside the state.
[edit] Bus Rapid Transit System

Ahmedabad BRTS is the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) for the city of Ahmedabad. It is a highly ambitious rapid transport system developed by Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB), recognizing that Bus transport forms the most critical segment of the public transport system in the Gandhinagar city. GIDB has thereby entrusted the system design task to CEPT University. A part of first corridor connecting Pirana to R.T.O. was opened to public on October 14 2009 by Chief Minister Narendra Modi.[22]

Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad have a combined population of 45 lakhs (4.5 million).[23], which is likely to be 11 million by the year 2035. This would lead to agglomeration of surrounding settlements like kalol and other smaller villages, which ultimately increases the area of the city, which may become 1,000 km2 in the year 2035. Moreover, about 1/3 of total as well as student population reside within walking distance from the proposed BRTS network. Thus, there is a growing need for greater accessibility to basic amenities and opportunities for mobility in the city. In such a state of rapid urbanization, it is very essential to have an efficient and rapid transit system, which will sustain and accelerate the growth of the city. In order to cater this future demand, the city and State Government has initiated a Plan for Integrated Public Transit System, in which BRTS is one of the components. This will facilitate the major mobility need of the people. In future, this system will get integrated with Gandhinagar Metro by the addition of two lines running through east to west and north to south.