Latest Update : For the upcoming season 2024/25, safari bookings are open for Gir National Park. Always book your safari in advance.
Historic but modern, Gandhinagar is one of the first few planned cities of India and the capital of the most lively Indian state, Gujarat. The seamless blend of modern infrastructure with culture, traditions, and of course, the Gujarati flavours makes the city a perfect mirror reflection of Gujarat's vibrancy. Gandhinagar tourism is the chance to experience the traditional art, dance, and joyful celebrations of Gujarat.
Named in honour of Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhinagar was always intended to portray the life and values of Gandhi. It's one of the cleanest cities in India with incredible greenery, peaceful environment, and human-nature harmony. Museums and various structures of the city depict the life of Mahatma Gandhi. Located along the Sabarmati River, the city of Gandhinagar is part of Indian history from ancient times. Remnants of many historical monuments and forts surround every edge of the city.
Moreover, there is an abundance of tourist attractions in Gandhinagar including archaeological heritages, marvellous temples, museums, beautiful gardens, and exhibition centres. The city is also a commercial centre in Gujarat, attracting visitors all around the year. Thus, Gandhinagar is a perfect host for lovers of nature, history, and Gujarati traditions.
Gandhinagar has a sophisticated history and has a role in India's independence. Earlier in the 13th century, Gandhinagar was part of Shertha town which was ruled by the King Pethasinh of Pethapur. In the 19th century, during colonial rule, the region of Gandhinagar became the part of Bombay Province, one of three large administrative regions of British India. The then Bombay Province region included the present states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and some parts of Pakistan.
In the early 20th century, Gandhinagar became an important region due to its proximity with one of the region's biggest cities, Ahmedabad. Many national movements for Indian independence were planned around this city.
The history of Gandhinagar took a major turn after 13 years of independence in May 1960, when the Bombay Province was bifurcated into two states, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Initially Ahmedabad was chosen as the capital for Gujarat for its development and opportunities, but the need for a new and more organised capital was recommended right from the beginning. The foundation of Gandhinagar city, 20 kilometres from Ahmedabad, was placed in 1965 and was completed in 1970. The same year, the capital of Gujarat was transferred from Ahmedabad to Gandhinagar.
From 1970 to 2011, Gandhinagar's population increased from twenty-four thousand to more than two lakhs. While the spatial growth measured from 56.75 square kilometres initially to 82.30 square kilometres in 2011.
Akshardham Mandir is one of the best pieces of architecture and religious dedication in the whole list of places in Gujarat tourism. The temple was established in 1992 and is devoted to Lord Swaminarayan and was built by the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha. This magnificent temple which is famous for its architectural beauty is one of the biggest temples in Gujarat and receives more than two million people in a year. The focal point is a seven-feet high statue of Lord Swaminarayan carved in such a manner that it gives an appearance of the Lord observing the devotees.
Akshardham means 'eternal place of God' and it is a spiritual and cultural complex that provides a place for worship, learning and harmony. The temple complex has more than 200 murtis and the exhibitions for the visitors explaining the life of Lord Swaminarayan and his principles such as non-violence and unity of the family.
Indroda Nature Park is situated on the bank of Sabarmati River, is known as Indian Jurassic Park. It covers an area of about 400 hectares and is the second largest dinosaur egg hatchery in the world. It is the perfect tourist destination to spend some time if you love to witness wonders of nature. Run by the Gujarat Ecological and Research Foundation (GEER), this park has a Dinosaur and Fossil Park where life-sized statues of dinosaurs, fossilised eggs and skeletal remains can be viewed.
It has different parts such as a zoo, botanical garden, and an amphitheatre and therefore is suitable for educational and recreational purposes. The park is quite informative on prehistoric life and is a favourite for nature lovers, families and school groups especially during the cooler season from October to February.
Dandi Kutir and Mahatma Mandir are two most striking attractions in Gandhinagar, which are built in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Mandir is a cultural and spiritual centre that occupies 34 acres of land and is used for conferences, conventions, and exhibitions with a capacity of more than fifteen thousand people. The complex has air-conditioned halls, theatre style seating, seminar rooms, exhibition centres and conference facilities.
It is intended to depict the cultural and historical background of the state of Gujarat and the building has been designed with Gandhian philosophy in mind. Adjacent to it is the Dandi Kutir museum in the form of a mound of salt to commemorate the famous Salt March by Gandhi in 1930. This museum is the largest of its kind and the biggest reason for most of the tourists visiting Gandhinagar in Gujarat. This 41-metre-high museum takes guests on a virtual tour of Gandhi’s life through the use of 3D mapping, holography, and 360-degree projections. Both Mahatma Mandir and Dandi Kutir are the perfect places for understanding the essence of Gandhi’s work and the principles of non-violent fight for the truth.
Swarnim Park or Central Vista Ground is one of the famous parks in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. This is one of the largest parks in India and is also one of the longest gardens in the country. It is characterised by large expanses of greenery, well-tended lawns, and a calm atmosphere, which makes it suitable for relaxation and strolls. The park has good walking and jogging tracks, a special children’s playground, and a beautiful musical fountain that is illuminated at night.
Swarnim Park also has cultural importance as it is used for different events, shows, concerts and other related activities that give life to the city. Due to its easy approach, hygiene and variety of facilities, Swarnim Park is one of the most attractive tourist places to visit in Gandhinagar where one can find both natural beauty and sports activities.
Sarita Udhyan is a beautiful garden in Sector 9 of Gandhinagar in Gujarat and it is constructed on the bank of Sabarmati River. Located over 30 acres of land, it has well-maintained lawns, trees, and flowers and has a number of facilities for recreation, and therefore is a favourite for picnics among the young and the old. The park has a botanical garden, a deer park, and a butterfly park and thus is popular among nature and wildlife lovers. Some of the things that one can do here are bird watching, walking, a musical fountain, and children’s playground.
Also, the park has a food court and a cinema with recliners for visitors to watch movies. Due to its central location, good accessibility and the fact that it is a quiet place, the park has become a popular attraction for people in the region as well as visitors. The best time to visit is from October to March when the climate is good and the park is colourful.
A beautiful botanical garden built near the riverfront of Gandhinagar. Those who love nature and want to relax in the green space, must visit Puneet Van. Known in Gujarati as ‘Holy Forest’, the garden was developed in 2005 by the State Forest Department and now has over 3,500 trees and plants. The garden is divided into four astrological sections; Nakshatra Van, Rashi Van, Navgraha Van and Panchavati Van and the plants are named after planets, stars and zodiac signs.
Such a design is a great way to incorporate spirituality into the garden, which is a place for rest, education, and restoration. The place has a rich green cover with beautiful flowers, has well laid pathways for jogging or walking and has a very rich mythological background, Puneet Van is a place which offers tranquillity in the midst of the city.
The Sant Sarovar Dam built on the River Sabarmati in 2006 is another popular point of touristic interest for picnicking near Gandhinagar. It is situated near the Sarita Udhyan and provides a peaceful environment for the residents as well as tourists who visit this place from the nearby city of Ahmedabad. The dam is very beautiful and located in a serene environment especially when the monsoon rains are around but the slippery floor and the currents of water can be dangerous.
The site is especially suitable for bird watching and other forms of natural beauty such as flowers. It is also a great lovers’ paradise for watching the sunset. Sant Sarovar Dam is more of a family picnic spot and can be visited on weekdays or early morning to avoid rush. The dam occupies a total area of 120. 82 km², and is considered as one of the best places to visit in Gandhinagar for leisure and to enjoy nature in Gandhinagar.
Adalaj Stepwell near Gandhinagar is one of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture of the 15th century. This five-storey building was constructed in 1499 by Queen Rudabai in memory of her husband Rana Veer Singh of the Vaghela dynasty, and has carved work and an eight-sided construction. The stepwell has three doors that open to a dark chamber below ground level; light and air come in through the top but there is no direct sunlight. The walls have intricate carving of gods and goddesses of Hindu pantheon, scenes from Hindu mythology and motifs of Kalpavriksha and Ami Khumbor.
The Navagraha frieze is said to ward off evil spirits from the well area. Traditionally, the stepwell was used for the purpose of water supply and as a place for worship for the travellers and pilgrims. Nowadays, it is one of the most important historical landmarks which is considered the best place for History enthusiasts to explore in Gandhinagar. Visit here to see the beautiful architecture and to feel the freshness.
Tri Mandir Temple is a unique temple of non-sectarian character at Adalaj near Ahmedabad, which is dedicated to Jain, Shaiva and Vaishnava cults. It is an architectural wonder with pink and white marbles and sandstone; two flights of steps lead to a vast hall where the deities of these three faiths are installed. The temple complex is over 40,000 square feet with beautiful gardens, a central fountain and a large Satsang Hall.
The temple was established by Gnani Purush Dada Bhagwan and the concept behind the temple is to promote religious tolerance among the people. It has a museum and a mini theatre where his teachings are displayed and there is a large number of visitors annually. The layout of the Trimandir is also quite different from the typical temple and has shrines for Krishna, Shiva, Mahavir and other deities and preaches the message of tolerance. The complex also has lodgings, a bookshop, and health services, which makes the place a one-stop spiritual and historical centre.
Reaching Gandhinagar, the capital city of Gujarat and one of the top-planned cities of India, is an easy task. The roads are well-connected and maintained for smooth and quick travel around the city. The best way to reach Gandhinagar is by reaching Ahmedabad and then taking a 25 km ride to Gandhinagar.
The nearest airport from Gandhinagar is the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) in Ahmedabad (25 km). You can take a taxi, cab, or bus to Gandhinagar. It takes about 30-45 minutes by car.
Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) and private operators provide bus services to Gandhinagar from various cities. Gandhinagar is also well connected to Ahmedabad by road. The distance is around 25-30 km, which is a 30-minute ride.
Gandhinagar has its own railway station named Gandhinagar Capital (GNC). However, this railway station connects only to some selective cities in India including Delhi and Mumbai. Alternatively, Ahmedabad Railway Junction (ADI), 26 kilometres from Gandhinagar, has more extensive connectivity throughout the country. You can take a local train, taxi, or bus to reach Gandhinagar from Ahmedabad Railway Station.
The ideal time to visit Gandhinagar is during winter (November to February) when the climate is pleasantly cool, with temperatures ranging from 10 to 21 degrees Celsius. This period ensures a comfortable Gandhinagar city sightseeing experience.
Summer Season : This is the off-season, with dry surroundings, sweltering heat, and average temperatures of 40–45°C. There may be fewer crowds during this time.
Monsoon Season : These months wash Gandhinagar with rainfall making the green city even greener. The average temperature is 25–35°C but humidity may be higher. Fewer crowds at tourist attractions during these months make it more peaceful.
Winter Season : Winter is cold; however, the temperature stays in a much more comfortable range during the daytime, making winter the best time to visit Gandhinagar. You can explore all of the city's attractions without breaking a sweat.
Some FAQ's about Gandhinagar Tourism
Get In TouchAttractions you must visit on a Gandhinagar tour are Akshardham Temple, Adalaj Stepwell, Indroda Nature Park, Dandi Kutir, Sarita Udhyan and Sant Sarovar Dam.
The best time to visit Gandhinagar is between October and February. The weather is pleasant, making it ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
Some not to miss historical sites in Gandhinagar are the Adalaj Ki Vav (Adalaj Stepwell), Trimandir, Mahudi Jain Temple (40 km), and Indroda Nature Park (Fossil Park).
Major festivals to witness in Gandhinagar are the Navratri Festival (September or October), Uttarayan Kite Utsav (January 14th), Gujarati New Year/Diwali - (October or November), Holi (March), and Gujarat Sthapana Divas (1st May).
Gandhinagar has a lot of attractions suitable for family-friendly activities like sightseeing in heritage places, playing outdoors in playgrounds, picnicking at various parks, watching fountain and light shows at Akshardham Temple, outings and leisurely strolls at Sant Sarovar Dam, etc.
The most popular excursion destinations from Gandhinagar include Ahmedabad (27 km), Modhera (80 km), Patan (110 km), Vadodara (130 km), Champaner - Pavagadh (160 km), Rajkot (230 km), Surat (280 km), and Gir National Park (340 km). These destinations are best known for historical attractions, architecture, and wildlife.
Although Gujarat is a "Dry State," Gandhinagar has been exempted from the ban recently and thus is developing the nightlife culture. Nevertheless, the city is mostly known for celebrating festivals while savouring the tangy taste of Gujarati cuisine. Various pubs and social clubs organise night carnivals during festivals which tourists come to enjoy from every corner of the country.
Temples make a major part of tourism in Gandhinagar and the city has some of the most spectacular temples in Gujarat like the Akshardham Temple, Adalaj Trimandir, Mahudi Jain Temple, and Hanumanji Temple.
