Om Namoh Narayanaya
TEERTHAYAATRA TO PANCHA DWARAKA
(2nd to 12th Aug 2023)
Author: Sindhu Satish (Architect & Professor)
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Every inch of my Bhaarat is a Teerthabhumi!
- Swami Vivekananda
DAY 5 - AUG 6th, 2023
Ahmedabad
On reaching Ahmedabad at 6:00 am in the morning we were in for a surprise. We were stationed in front of a different Hotel- "The Metro INN”. After a brief enquiry we were told that couple of rooms in the previous hotel had problems with plug points, Ac and so on. Hence, the change, a welcomed change I suppose. Our tour organizer instructed us to pack a handbag for next two days to carry with us and rest of the luggage into the bus which would be given to us only at PUSHKAR.
It was supposed to be an open day, meaning we could plan it as we wanted. Many were planning to visit Akshar Dham. We decided to rest a little longer than usual, as we all waited in our assigned rooms which was quite clean and nice for our luggage to be delivered from the previous Hotel. We were served with hot breakfast and coffee in the dining hall.
We started our day in Sevakala with our Guru. Ramesh Maama had carried Idol and few essentials needed for Sevakala. We recited few shlokas, and verses from Nalayar Divya Prabandham. We consumed Prasada dry fruits which was offered and proceeded to venture out in the city.
We tried to book 2 cabs for, we were 12 of us. Since one of the cabs arrived late, we were delayed invariably and it was almost noon by the time, we left to Adalaj. We reached by 1.00 pm. some of us upon reaching early had to wait for the rest. An avenue of trees planted to one side of the central paved path had large canopy shading the few benches which were set aligned to the edge of the path. The other side was occupied by hawkers which was mostly the sparsely covered by few trees.
I started enjoying the pleasant weather, as I inhaled the intoxicating aroma spewed by the roasted and backed corn, watching people buzzing in and out of the Adalaj Vav gate. Soon the rest of group came in and we all headed to experience Adalaj ni Vav as we had already purchased entry tickets for all.
We had about an hour to spend here. This extraordinary exquisitely carved flamboyant step well of 15th century served both utilitarian and spiritual purpose for people around. I had been to Rani ki vav a similar step well years before when I had come to Ahmedabad for a conference with my colleagues. I was eager to see this as I had enjoyed the architecture Jewel before. Inert memories of past visit to Rani ki vav was coming alive as I walked around and down into the well absorbing every bit of beautifully carved elements, beams, walls covered in ornamental carvings with mythological and village scenes, Kalp vriksha (a tree of life) carved out of a single slab of stone which particularly caught my attention. I sat to a side of a landing away from the walking path of visitors to capture a small portion of a wall in my sketch. An architect’s favourite investment of time amidst such beautiful manifests. Somehow, there were many people around that time. We then clicked few pictures and decided to have lunch for we were all hungry and depleted with all the energy.
At around 2.00 pm we left to eat Gujarati thali to "Gordhan Thal" about 20 min away from Adalaj VAV. External architecture of the restaurant incorporated many vernacular elements and was quite welcoming. However, we were dazed to see large number of families Crowded waiting just outside. Nevertheless, we managed to book for 11 and settled outside on the Jagali waiting. Hunger slowly but surely consuming us. Post delicious, sumptuous Gujarati meal some headed back to hotel while some of us rented a cab to shop for some Patolas & Lehariyas.
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Sketch by Sindhu Satish
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Pleased with our shopping we were back at hotel for evening coffee. We had some time after that till 7.30 pm dinner. Although tired and deprived of the sleep I decided to sit and finish a sketch of Adalaj ni Vav. Post dinner at 9.30 pm we were ready to depart. Hoping to get some sleep I plugged in earphones to listen to my favourite Bengali short stories when the bus geared up to speed.
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