India · City Guide
Gandhinagar
Gandhinagar is the planned capital of Gujarat, designed in the 1960s and combining wide tree-lined avenues with the spectacular Akshardham Temple, one of the largest and most ornate Hindu temple complexes in India, the Mahatma Mandir conference centre, the Sabarmati riverfront and proximity to Ahmedabad's extraordinary heritage and the famous Rann of Kutch. As a green and well-planned city, Gandhinagar provides a calm base with access to some of Gujarat's most significant cultural attractions.
Elect's take
"Gandhinagar's Akshardham Temple is one of the most extraordinary religious buildings I have visited in India — the intricacy of the stone carving is on a scale that is genuinely difficult to comprehend, and the combination with the city's green planned layout creates a calm counterpoint to Ahmedabad nearby."
Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar is a spectacular pink sandstone and marble complex covered in intricate hand-carved sculptures depicting Hindu mythology, deities and Indian cultural history, with an enormous central monument and beautifully landscaped gardens including musical fountains. The city's planned layout, with extensive tree cover and green sectors, provides a notably calm urban environment compared to most Indian cities. The Mahatma Mandir is a major convention centre with significant Gandhi-related exhibits. Ahmedabad, with its UNESCO listed old city, Sabarmati Ashram and outstanding textile heritage, is approximately 30 minutes away. The Rann of Kutch, famous for its white salt desert and the Rann Utsav festival, is accessible for day trips or longer excursions.
Best time to visit
How to get there
What to expect
Akshardham Temple
A spectacular intricately carved temple complex with musical fountains and gardens.
Planned Green City
A calm, tree-lined planned capital offering a contrast to India's busier cities.
Mahatma Mandir
A major convention centre with significant Gandhi-related exhibits.
Ahmedabad Access
The UNESCO listed old city and Sabarmati Ashram approximately 30 minutes away.
Rann of Kutch
The famous white salt desert and Rann Utsav festival accessible for excursions.
Sabarmati Riverfront
A beautifully developed riverfront promenade shared with Ahmedabad.
