PEHLI BAARISH!!! The feeling of that first shower

Once upon a time in the far far land of Ahmedabad, it was a scorching summer afternoon. The roads were barren - people hid from the sun, it was so bright you would have to squint to look around. Then the wind began to blow and sky turned dark and cloudy the trees swayed the people smiled and then it began to thunder. The clouds were advancing and leaves rustled; slowly drop by drop it started to rain. Cold soft droplets fell on the ground. The delicious smell of mud rose.

With millions of songs written on rains and  it making all of us happy what is it that makes Ahmedabad rains special?  In this land of summers, rains are the most awaited season of the year, not only does it put an end to the summer it also brings immense happiness and joy around. With the first shower the atmosphere cools down, not only do the plants and trees look fresh, but also greenery starts to spread.  Even the road side is filled with beautiful wild grass and little saplings. The koel begins to sings and there is a constant soft cool breeze. With rains come  a new beginning to life, an end to the sweaty hot tedious days.

What is it that Amdavadis do in these rains? We fun loving people take this  an opportunity to turn this into a celebration as well. Starting with the food with very first rains come out the pots and pans and begin the first batches of “Bhajiyas” the yummy the smell of it filling all the streets. Also the “Dal-Vadas”, each shop selling them has a queue outside it.  The beloved accompaniment with any of these is the cardamom infused “Chai”. These things are close to our heart the mere first shower is enough to start the celebration. To sit chit chat with our friends or just play in the rain. Yes!! It is a common sight to see small kids dancing and singing in the rains or playing with paper boats. With that you will also see us change our clothes and shoes accordingly, with colourful rubber slippers and umbrellas everywhere.  It is the people and the place that makes the rains in Ahmedabad special.

The place I call home!

Some people call it the land of Gandhi. To some it is just the land of Guajarati’s! To a lot of people it is just a “dry state”.

 We, call it home!!

So what is it that makes Ahmedabad! No AMDAVAD, special?

This dry state is really a dry state, no alcohol isn’t the only thing that makes us dry!

Amdavad is the land of summers!

With summers for over 60% of the year we indeed are a dry state!

But to beat the heat! Amdavadis invented the mummified drivers! Commonly seen everywhere on the road! The creative head cover is a proud invention of Amdavad!

Coming to the night life of Amdavad!! We do it a little differently, making midnight food trips to Manekchowk or after dinner, a dessert trip with your friends for gola is a typical summer evening!! When the city is filled with scintillating lights and music is everywhere…us Amdavadis spend a good 9 days in a year dancing the night away during Navratri. With Navratri being one of our favourite festivals we have just as crazy Uttrayan where you’ll see  everybody turn child-like with the screaming, the running around, the kite flying and spending  two full days in absolute merriment. When the day turns to night and the sky fills with hundreds of colourful lanterns and fireworks!!

Amdavadis love their food…with Pani-puri stands at every 50 feet on the roads….street food provides you with amazing mouth watering options. Coming to the famous Gujarati thali the food is a perfect blend of sweet and soothing flavours….Just like rainy days call for Dal-vadas…Dusshera calls calls for Fafda Jalebi…….Though the names like Dhokla Undhiya Khandvi and Khaman seem  scary  they are simply wonderful dishes…..With substitutes for burger we have super spicy Vada-pav and Dabelis!!

So what makes this city special? Is it that though we have high end malls, amazing BRTS network and the textile industry!! We still maintain our beautiful old city “pols” we still find a little time to just sit on a “Bakda” and talk to your friends or play  Gulli cricket. Or is the fact that the people here are the friendliest and that strangers will go out of way to help you out!! Or is it that a girl can roam around at 2 in the night and not be worried.  Amdavad is that place where celebration is just the way of life, where even the smallest of things are celebrated with great enthusiasm. Yes we have tiny peculiarities and customs that make us what we are!! But it is us people and what we do that makes us and our city this special!!!