Handicraft Items in Ahmedabad

Handicraft 

Other than its textiles, Ahmedabad is well known for its handicrafts. Handicrafts are an integral part of the city's cultural life. Available in various forms, every object in Ahmedabad is equivalent to a work of art. Handicrafts Items in Ahmedabad is famous all over the country for the detail and designs. With a Textile background and a rich folklore, Handicrafts Items in Ahmedabad are not only the identity of the city but for the various tribes and villages of Gujarat too. Starting right from the heavily embroidered fabric works, to pottery, dhurries, carpets, rugs, blankets, bags, coats, woolen garments, wood works, showpieces, list is endless. There is a ready market for the handicrafts items in Ahmedabad. Known as the Handicrafts Bazaar the place is a storehouse of the popular handicrafts to be found in Ahmedabad. Not only are the pride of the locals, the Handicrafts Items in Ahmedabad also a source of sustenance for the people involved in the making of this rare pieces of art. However if you are concerned about where to buy the handicrafts items from, then the C.G Market in Ahmedabad is good for the patola silks and pottery. For antiques, showpieces with wood carvings and furniture's of all sizes and shapes the Teen Darwaja in Ahmedabad is worth a visit.

Handicrafts Items of Ahmedabad like the rugs, carpets, dhurries are made personally at the family looms. As such they are not only authentic but can be identified as a master piece made out of lovely patterns and colors. The villages of Bhuj and Saurashtra specialize in making these items. Handloom is a thriving industry in Ahmedabad and the soft quilts are the best products of this weaving industry. Coming from the villages located on the Ahmedabad Bhavnagar Highway, the Ahmedabad quilts have now become a common household item. The wall hangings featuring Rogan printing are perfect gift items to take back home. The rogan prints are also used in embroidering the tablecloths, skits, saris and curtains. Other Handicrafts Items of Ahmedabad worth buying are antique jewellery, mirror studded jewellery boxes, ashtrays, rosewood and ivory engraved knives, sticks, nut crackers.

Some of the well known shops offering you the best price in the handicrafts items are Hastkala, Kapasi, Banascraft, Gurjari and Bandhej. Prices can be a bit high but then you can always strike up a bargain which is an inherent aspect of Shopping in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad-Adalaj Vav

Adalaj Vav

About 19 kms north of Ahmedabad this step-well 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.Adalaj is a village to the north of Ahmedabad.

The 'Vav' (step-well) at Adalaj derives its name from the lady patron, Ruda, wife of the Vaghela chief, Virsinh. There is an inscription in Sanskrit, which gives the entire history with exact dates. Step-well perhaps is a unique feature of Gujarat, which speaks of the history, culture, and architecture. It was also considered to be a religious obligation. Kings, rulers, umraos and the rich people of Gujarat spent huge money for constructing these. These step wells used to be frequented by travelers and caravans as stopovers along their trade routes. A unique characteristic of step wells was that they not only conserved water but were also cool chambers where one could rest during hot summer months. In times of drought and scarcity these wells were of great use to common man.

The 'Vav', laid out in the north-south direction, the step-well with the well in the north and the entrance in the south, has a total length of 75.3 meters. It is the only major monument of its kind, having three entrance stairs leading to the stepped corridor. The step-well has five stores and three gates to enter in. It is full of artistic sculptures. The platform rests on 16 pillars, eight on the corners, and two in front of each main side. Four built-in shrines, with doors, windows and balconies, mark the four corners of the platform. The stepped corridor begins from this square platform. The corridor is entirely surrounded by a one-meter high parapet wall with a rounded topping. It descends with four pavilion towers for five storeys. The walls of the 'Vav' are veritable showcases of sculptures and ornamentation.

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 step-well reflected the artistic sense of its promoter. There are hundreds of step-wells 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.

topicon