Gandhinagar

Gandhinagar, the planned capital of Gujarat, offers a calmer, greener contrast to neighbouring Ahmedabad. Broad tree-lined avenues, organised sectors and large public gardens give it a relaxed, residential feel. The city’s most famous landmark is Swaminarayan Akshardham, a grand temple complex with intricate stone carvings, cultural exhibitions and evening sound-and-light shows that attract visitors from across India. Government buildings, the Assembly and Secretariat, and a well-laid civic layout make Gandhinagar interesting for those who enjoy modern city planning. Families can spend time at Children’s Park, Indroda Nature Park – often called India’s Jurassic Park for its dinosaur theme exhibits – and the riverfront areas being developed along the Sabarmati. Gandhinagar is also quietly emerging as an education and conference hub, thanks to institutes and convention centres in and around the city. With Ahmedabad’s airport and railway connectivity just a short drive away, Gandhinagar is easy to include in an itinerary. Many travellers club it with Ahmedabad, Adalaj stepwell and then move onward towards Patan, Modhera or the northern temple belt of Ambaji.