As India joyfully marks its 77th Independence Day on August 15, 2023, my mind can’t help but rewind to last year’s escapade when I embarked on a whirlwind adventure during the #azadikaamritmahotsav with my feisty 90-year-old grandmother. It’s like I inherited my wandering genes directly from her, though I’m barely hitting 5% of her outgoing persona.
Grandma and I had embarked on a nice day trip to celebrate her incredible 90 years on this planet to none other than the ancient town of Vadnagar, Gujarat. The town had transformed itself into a tricolor wonderland to commemorate Azadi ka Amritmahotsav – little did I know that we were about to write the guidebook on senior adventures!
Road-Tripping from Ahmedabad to Vadnagar with Granny
Our mission? A day brimming with outdoor escapades. So off we went, road-tripping from Ahmedabad to Vadnagar, a two-hour, 90-km drive that had us more pumped than a tire on a bumpy road.
Vadnagar, a treasure trove of history, culture, and spirituality, unraveled before us like an ancient scroll, each layer revealing stories from the Mauryan era when pens were quills and tablets were slabs of stone. The town practically radiates art and culture, and boasts itself as the birthplace of numerous Gujarati legends, from poets to musicians to writers and – even our current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
Now, I had never set foot in this bustling town of yesteryears. So, for me, it was like getting a taste of history with a side of bonding with Granny and my, uh, reluctantly dragged-along 70-year-old father. He kind of felt like the misfit or the oddball on what could only be described as a “grandma-grandchild” trip extravaganza.
Unlike me, my Grandma was not interested in any heritage hunt. For her, it was a trip down memory lane. A seasoned traveler, she had frequented Vadnagar many times – the ancestral town of our Nagar Brahmin clan, complete with our very own temple of ‘Ishth Dev’ or community deity – the Hatkeshwar Mahadev Mandir. So that was our inaugural pit stop.
About Temples & Towers of the Town
Hatkeshwar Mahadev Mandir, a 17th-century Shiva temple named Hatkeshwar Mahadev, like the ultimate holy hotspot for Nagar Brahmins. Unfortunately, it was undergoing some facelift (or should I say deity-lift?) at the time, so our pics are more like “ancient temple meets modern scaffold.”
Kirti Toran: Next up, Kirti Toran – towering 12th-century columns channeling the architectural grandeur of the Solanki dynasty. Decked in tricolor flags for Independence Day, these columns looked more festive than a unicorn at a birthday bash.
About Boats Rides & Fan Clubs
Sharmishtha Talav: Now, it wouldn’t be a trip without a dash of adventure, right? We weaved through the old town labyrinth and landed at Sharmishtha Talav, an ancient lake with a small temple in the middle. Granny’s true spirit came alive here. Boat ride, anyone?
Unfortunately, when we reached, there was a slight ‘boat-capacity’ hiccup. The boatman demanded seven adventurers – and while I was content with skipping the water parade, Papa was ready to call it quits. But wait! Granny, the superstar, insisted we wait. And voilà! Four like-minded folks appeared, forming the Granny Fan Club. Selfies and chitchat followed, all thanks to our spirited 90-year-old.
Sporting a lifejacket and using her walking stick like a magic wand, Granny boarded the boat like an seasoned rower. My slightly skeptical dad joined her as I assumed my role as the official videographer. Watching her sail the serene waters was like witnessing the Olympics of Aging – a highlight to remember.
Buddhist Remains: I didn’t know that Vadnagar had a Buddhist connection until I saw the banners pointing to ancient remains. I took a quick ‘break from the seniors’ and ventured to an excavation site from the 2nd-7th century AD. Nothing special here, but it resembled a modern-day construction site excavation. However, I am sure those in archaeology would know of its value more than me or my grandma, whom thankfully I didn’t tag along with, as a living history herself, she doesn’t need more digging around.
About Gardens & Girls in the Town
Tana Riri Garden: Our grand finale – Tana Riri Garden, a tribute to legendary sisters from Vadnagar. Despite my prediction of Granny needing a nap by that time, she sprinted through the garden faster than I could say, “Rest, please!”
Legends say these Vadnagar sisters, Tana and Riri, serenaded Akbar’s favorite singer, Tansen, relieving him from a musical heatwave. Akbar wanted them at his court, but these girls were all about hometown loyalty and chose to end their lives instead of being courtesans. The garden, now their resting place, even hosts an annual classical music festival. After a quick garden tour a swift lunch, and we were on our way back home.
As our Vadnagar escapade wound down, I assumed Granny’s thirst for adventure was quenched – a restful day at home surely awaited. But wait, travel beats tiredness any day, and I overheard Granny plotting another temple jaunt with her niece for the very next day.