
The capital of Gujarat, Gandhinagar is a planned city. Situated on the banks of the Sabaramati River, this city is designed by two Indian architects: H. K. Mewada and Prakash M. Apte. In the beginning, the designing contract was supposed to be given to famous American architect Louis Kahn. Later, it was decided to be built by Indian architects.
In 1960, Ahmedabad was chosen as the temporary capital of Gujarat. Then a proposal to build a new capital city was passed and Gandhinagar is the result of that proposal. Before Gandhinagar, Chandigarh, another planned city, was designed by Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, also known as Le Corbusier, a French Swiss born architect. Mewada and Apte worked in the Chandigarh project. They took lots of elements from Chandigarh plan. In 1965, the construction of Gandhinagar started.
Named after the famous Indian leader, Mahatma Gandhi, the entire city is built over 205 square kilometers area, on the west bank of the Sabaramati River. The city consists of thirty sections. The city area is divided into avenues and streets. Gandhinagar is about 81 meters from water level.
Gandhinagar has a good number of schools and colleges which are affiliated with the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board. Due to land shortage in Ahmedabad and the new policy of the Gujarat government, many educational institutions are established in this city: The National Institute of Fashion Technology, The National Institute of Design, The Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology (set up in the city in 2001 by Reliance Industries, India's largest private sector company), The Gujarat National Law University (2003), The Institute for Plasma Research are situated in Gandhinagar.
Since Gandhinagar is a planned city, it has a very good transportation and communication infrastructure. The airport is situated in Ahmedabad; the railway stations are situated in Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad; by road, the city is well connected with the rest of the country.
Gandhinagar has been growing into another major Indian business hub. The city limit has been expanded to incorporate various industries such as the electronic industries, and various private organizations like hotels, corporate offices and so on.
Gandhinagar may be a modern city but it did not lost its Indian traditions. The city looks very beautiful for the green trees and parks. It has many interesting sites for the tourists:
- Akshardham temple: This temple is built by many volunteers in memory of Lord Swaminarayan. The temple contains many beautiful artworks and designs.
- Capital complex: Situated at the center of the town this area contains beautifully designed buildings.
- Children’s park: A children’s attraction with various facilities.
- Sarita Udyan: The word “Udyan” means garden. Situated by the side of the river this garden is an ideal picnic spot and a great get away place for peoples of all ages.
- Deer Park: Another park situated near Sarita Udyan.
- Adalaj: A village situated near Gandhinagar, famous for its step well.
- Other major sites include: DA-IICT, Infocity, Swaminarayan Dham,Rajshree cinema, City Pulse, R World, Punit van, Children garden, GH-5 circle.








Hello Rahzib. Judging from the photo it seems like a nice place.
It's been a long time. I've been busy lately so I haven't got the time to read blogs, but post one or two articles only in a week.
Posted by: nepspeed82 | October 25, 2006 2:00 PM | Permalink to Comment