Home / India / Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad Travel Guide

AHMEDABAD - The city of Ahmed Shah (Medieval ruler of Gujarat), it is widely known for its rich past and its association with the Mahatma (Great Soul), also known as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. The city offers the traveler a unique style of architecture, which is a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles (Indo-Saracenic style of architecture). The monuments of Ahmedabad mainly date back to the 15th century. Ahmedabad has been known for its industry since medieval times. Presently it is famous for its textile mills and is often referred to as the 'Manchester of the East'.

Must Visit Tourist Places in Ahmedabad

image
Adlai Stepwell

The Adalaj Wav Step Well is located 18 kilometers north of Ahmedabad in the Gandhinagar district. It was built during the reign of Queen Rudabai, a Muslim ruler. Though now dry, the well once provided water to weary travelers and pilgrims along the roads outside of Ahmedabad. The four-level well is dug directly into the water table, exposing freshwater that rose and fell according to the seasons and the amount of rainfall. Its deep interior provided cool relief from the harsh Indian sun.

image
Calico Museum of Textile

Situated in the impressive ambiance of Sarabhai House, the Calico Museum of Textiles brings forth the cultural aura of fabrics. Its wide compilations of fabrics help the visitor in walking with history since the museum depicts different centuries through the medium of textile. You can see the elaborate design, delicate artwork, and brilliantly hand-woven stuff from all over India in the various galleries of the Museum. Apart from the unique compilations of clothing, the museum houses other articles of timeless merit like centuries-old frescoes, handwoven fabrics, designs, colors, and paint. IMP: Need prior permission to visit the museum and it requires passport details.

image
Hathi Singh Jain Temple

Built-in the year 1850 AD, the Hathee Singh Temple is dedicated to the 15th Theerthankara of Jains, Dharmnath. This temple is named after Sri Hathee Singh, a rich Jain merchant of yesteryears, who had undertaken the great task of such an amazing construction. Famed for its brilliant structural designs, this two-storied white marble structure provides a delightful experience to the beholder. Elaborate porches on three sides are a specialty of this temple. A lovely dome on the front porch gives a peculiar appeal to this architectural splendor. The other two porches display prolifically carved patterns.

image
Jumma Masjid

Prettily placed in the heart of the old city, Juma Masjid displays a perfect balancing of Hindu and Muslim style of architectural designs. This shrine is built in the year 1423, during the reign of Sultan Ahmed Shah. Built-in by yellow sandstone, the masjid takes the attention of the beholder with its sheer beauty. The most fascinating structure inside the shrine is its western chamber, which contains 260 pillars with fine carvings. These pillars are the supporting stems of 15 domes that situate at various levels.

image
Sabarmati Ashram

A name synonymous with the historic freedom struggle of India, Sabarmati Ashram on the banks of Sabarmati River is a familiar term to each household in India. As the residence of Gandhiji, this Ashram had played a key role; he had sowed the seeds of nonviolence from this Ashram. The light and sound show in the ashram gives a clear and in-depth knowledge about Gandhiji's life. Its museum wing displays some of the original letters written by Gandhiji and the photo archive depicts important moments and achievements in Gandhiji's life. Visiting the museum is just like going through the historic era of India's freedom struggle.

image
Shaking Minarets

The suffix of a wonderful construction would not suffice in describing the greatness of this architectural grandeur. Situated adjacent to the railway line, Jhulta Minarets remains a mystery to the most elite technocrats of the modern era. These towers move back and forth if one imparts a slight push on the topmost arch of the towers. Hence it got the name Jhulta Minarets, which means swaying towers. One can only see and no-one is permitted to go up the towers.

image
Siddi Sayed Mosque

The most predominant shrine of the Muslim community, Sidi Sayed Mosque, proffers all the glittering facets of a classy structure. It is renowned for the acclaimed fabulous Jhali screen, locates in the ten semi-circular windows. Among these windows the two that are placed on the western walls are very impressive with magnificent carvings and designs. The mosque depicts the usual yellow color, which is quite common about the shrine of that area, but elaborate floral and architectural works made it so different from that of the others. A perfect example of the Indo-Saracenic style, this mosque shows how a simple stone can be changed into filigree.