Sarkhej Roza
About 8 kms. from the city, Sarkhej comprises one of the most elegant architectural complexes of Ahmedabad. Grouped around a great stepped tank is the tomb to the saint, Ahmed Khattu Ganj Baksh (1445), the mosque, the tombs of Mehmud Shah Begada and his queen, and the palace and pavilions. The buildings are remarkable for the complete absence of arches and the use of pierced stone trellises throughout.
Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
About 60 kms from Ahmedabad, is the delightful bird sanctuary visited by millions of magnificently coloured birds in winter and spring. It harbours over 250 species of wetland birds. Winter migrants from the north including Rosy Pelicans, Flamingoes, White Storks, Brahminy Ducks and Herons visit Nal Sarovar. Between November and February, this 116 sq km lake, is home to vast flocks of indigenous and migratory birds. Ducks, geese, pelicans and flamingos are best seen early in the morning and in the evening and the sanctuary is best visited as a day excursion by taxi, as buses are infrequent and there is no convenient accommodation. Migrating Bharwad shepherds populates the islands of the lake and on the banks are the Padhars, who are excellent folk dancers, artisans and boatmen. One can hire country boats on the lake for bird viewing, and picnic at shacks the on the islands. If you are making the trip to Nalsarovar you can lunch at the KP farm at Sanand, which has a swimming pool, children's amusement park and other facilities, and enjoy the Goyal waterpark. It tends to get crowded on Sundays. The sanctuary mainly comprises a huge lake and ambient marshes.
Adalaj Wav
About 19 kms north of Ahmedabad this stepwell is an architectural wonder built by Queen Rudabai and is certainly one of the finest monuments of Gujarat. It is a seven-storied structure in the form of a well with chambers one behind the other. The ‘Vavs’ or stepped wells of Gujarat were used as meeting and resting-places during summer since their cool interiors offered unbelievable respite from the scorching sun outside. In the summer people warmed themselves on the spacious sunny corridors while wide verandahs offered shelter during the rains.
The stepwell at Adalaj has been preserved by the archaeological department and developed into as a tourist spot. It provides a cool and secluded retreat during the hot summer months. The construction of a stepwell reflected the artistic sense of its promoter. There are hundreds of stepwells in Gujarat, each being unique in its construction. Most of them are simple. The prime purpose behind them could be to serve the people. These step wells attract lots of tourists every year. The carvings, construction and the architecture amaze many experts, since it was built during those days when sophisticated and meticulous engineering techniques had not developed upto the recent standards.
