Tourist places in and around Ahmedabad
Gandhi Ashram (7 km)
Another tourist attraction of Ahmedabad is the Satyagraha Ashram (or the Gandhi Ashram). The Ashram is a place of see in Ahmedabad as it was the centre for the Indian freedom struggle and was set-up in AD 1920 on the lull western banks of the It was setup by Gandhiji in 1915, on the banks of river sabarmati. This humble ashram became the beacon of freedom struggle. Hriday kunj, the simple cottage of the Mahatama is now a national monument and houses a small museum. A sound and light spectacle based on Mahatma's life is held here in the evenings.Gandhinagar (25 km)
The capital of gujarat is the second planned modern city of India. The state Government complex lies at the centre around which are thirty self-sufficient sectors. a lot of space has been provided for parks and gardens, which makes Gandhinagar, the greenest capital of the world.Sabarmati Ashram
In AD 1930, Gandhi called upon the Indians to defy the Salt Tax imposed by the British. The whole of India rose to the call and from Gandhi Ashram rallied on the Dandi March to the sea with him.Besides the ashram another place to visit in Ahmedabad is 'Hridaya Kunj'-a simple cottage where Gandhi lived. The place is now preserved as a national monument. Amongst the places to be seen in Ahmedabad's Gandhi Ashram are the Gandhi Memorial Centre, a library and a sound-and-light show displaying the Mahatma's life and work.
This is situated 7 km from the centre town, on the west bank of the Sabarmati River. It was from here, in 1930, that the Mahatma began his famous ‘Dandi March' to the sea to protest against the Salt Tax imposed by the British. His ashram was founded in 1915 and still handicrafts, handmade paper and spinning wheels can be seen here. The Gandhi Ashram has a memorial centre, library and a Sound-and-Light (Son et Lumiere) spectacle to offer to its visitors. There's also a bookshop selling books by and about the Mahatma. The small house in the ashram where Mahatma Gandhi lived known as the ‘Hridaya Kunj' is preserved as a national monument.
Jama Masjid
Built by Ahmad Shah in AD 1423, near the Bhadra Fort, the Jama Masjid of Ahmedabad is one of the most striking mosques in India. The Jama Masjid is a place to visit in Ahmedabad owing to its Indo- Saracenic style of architecture and 15 domes resting upon 260 pillars.Located in the centre of the old city, it is one of the biggest and oldest mosques for friday prayers, with 260 pillars supporting 15 domes at different elevations. Originally, the mosque also had minarets, which were ruined in an earthquake.
This fine mosque set in the heart of the old city was built by Sultan Ahmed shah in 1423.
Mosque of Sidi Sayid
Another place to be visited in Ahmedabad for its stone tracery and the motifs of the banyan tree on its windows is the Mosque of Sidi Sayid. The Mosque of Sidi Sayid is near the Lal Darwaza (Red Gateway) and is very close to the river end of the Relief Road in Ahmedabad. Ahmad Shah's slave Sidi Sayid built the mosque in AD 1573.The beautiful mosque built in Indro-saracenic style lies near the Lal Darwaza and is world renowned for its exquisite stone window tracery.
Hathee Singh Jain Temple
Another place to be seen in Ahmedabad is the Hathee Singh Temple, outside the Delhi Gate, in pure white marble. The 52 shrines, each with an image of a Jain Tirthankar in the temple are places to be seen in Ahmedabad. This Jain temple of Ahmedabad was built by Sheth Hathee Singh in 1848 and is dedicated to Dharmanath, the fifteenth Jina or Jain apostleSidi Bashir Mosque
Another tourist attraction of Ahmedabad city is the Sidi Bashir Mosque or the Shaking Minaret or Jhulta Minar outside the Sarangpur Gate. The place is to be seen to know that if one of the minarets is shaken, the other one begins to vibrate on its own without any provocation. The crucial mechanism that causes the vibration is still a mystery, and is enough to attract the curiosity of eager tourists in Ahmedabad. It is a belief that the vibration is a protection against any damage caused by earthquakes.One of the most popular monuments in Ahmedabad it is known as the mosque with shaking minarets or Jhulta minars. Each minaret of the mosque has three storeys, fastened by carved stone balconies. The master craftsmen of the period crafted them in such a way that they respond to vibration communicated to the other via a stone bridge joining both.
One of the most popular monuments in Ahmedabad is the Sidi Bashir's mosque, outside the Sarangpur gate, known as the mosque with shaking minarets or Jhulta minars. Each minaret of the mosque has three storeys, girdles by carved stone balconies, balanced and delicate. The style is a complete innovation. The master craftsmen of the period managed to design them in such a way that they respond to vibration and is communicated to the other via a stone bridge joining both. The massive earthquake of 2001 had an impact on the monument.
Kankaria Lake
Kankaria Lake is another tourist attraction of Ahmedabad. The Kankaria Lake is a circular lake constructed in AD 1451 by Sultan Qutub-ud-din. Amongst the places to be visited in the lake is the island garden at its centre with a summer palace known as Nagina Wadi. Lush green parks, an aquarium, a boat club, a natural historical museum, and a zoo surrounding the park make the lake a place to be seen in Ahmedabad. The 'Bal Vatika' or the children's park makes it a great picnic spot and attracts tourists and localities from Ahmedabad alike.Southeast of the city, this circular artificial lake, with an island summer palace was constructed in 1451 by Sultan Qutub-ud-Din. There's a huge zoo and children's park by the lake, and the Ghatamandal (pavilion) in the centre houses an aquarium.
Southeast of the city, this circular artificial lake, with an island summer palace was constructed in 1451 by Sultan Qutub-ud-Din. There's huge zoo and children's park by the lake, and the Ghatamendal pavilion in the centre house an aquarium.
The beautiful polygonal lake was built by sultan Qutab-ud-Din in 1451. The lake has an island – garden with a summer palace known as Nagina Wadi.
Bhadra Fort and Teen Darwaza
The Bhadra Fort of Ahmedabad is another place to be visited in the city. The place is a venue for Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations in Ahmedabad. This fort of Ahmedabad fort has a temple devoted to the Mother Goddess, Bhadrakali; hence the name Bhadra Fort.The huge and grand Teen Darwaza (Triple Gateway) is another place to be seen in Ahmedabad. Teen Darwaza servedthe purpose of a royal entrance to the Royal Square of the Bhadra Fort.
Built by the city's founder, Ahmed Shah and later named after the goddess Bhadra, an incarnation of Kali, this fort originally had royal palaces and a garden. It now houses government offices. To the east of the fort stands the triple gateway or Teen Darwaja, from which sultans used to watch processions from the palace to the Jama Masjid.
Bhadra Fort was built by city's founder, Ahmed Shah, in 1411 and later named after the Goddess Bhadra, an incarnation of Kal;i. There were royal palaces and a garden inside the fort. It now houses government offices. To the east of the fort, stands the triple gateway or Teen Darwaza, from which the sultans used to watch processions from the palace to the Jama Masjid. The royal entrance is triple arched and richly carved.
The foundation of the fort was laid in 1411. It had royal palaces and gardens and a chamber here was converted into the Bhadra Kali temple by the Marathas.
Calico Museum
One of the must visit places in Ahmedabad is the Calico museum of fabric, yarn and textiles. The place to be seen came into being in 1949 as a result of the painstaking efforts of Ms Gira Sarabhai. The museum is one place in Ahmedabad where designs, prints, and blocks from all over the world attract tourists from India as well as abroad. The Calico Museum of Textiles is located in Sarabhai House, a former haveli (bungalow) in the Shahi Bagh Gardens locality of Ahmedabad city.The other places worth visiting in Ahmedabad are the Rani Rupmati's Mosque, Rani Sipri's Mosque, Raj Babri Mosque, the Kite Museum, Shreyas Museum of Folk Art and Utensil Museum.
There are many places of tourist interesting that near Ahmedabad that are worth visiting. Sarkhej, a spot eight km southwest of the Ahmedabad city, has important historical monuments.
Nineteen km north of the Ahmedabad city is Adlaj Vav, an intricately built step well. This place around Ahmedabad gives a glimpse of one of the greatest works of art and architecture with carvings of leaves, flowers and fishes on pillars.
Lothal lies 85 km southwest of Ahmedabad. This place near Ahmedabad is an ancient dock belonging to the Indus Valley Civilization The town of Modhera is 102 km northwest of the Ahmedabad city. The place is a must visit from Ahmedabad for its ancient sun temple.
Patan a 130 km northwest of Ahmedabad is worth visiting for its 100 Jain temples.
Gandhinagar, state capital of Gujarat, is just 32 km away from Ahmedabad. The place boasts of being the second well-planned city in India after Chandigarh. In The Swaminarayan Temple and Akshardham are the places that must be seen in Gandhinagar.
Then there is a small village Mahudi, near Kalol. The place is 78 km from Ahmedabad. The Jinalaya of Ghantakarna Mahavir and the Kotyark Temple are the places that must be seen at this place.
For the animal and nature lovers visiting Ahmedabad, Nalsarovar Wildlife Sanctuary is a place worth visiting. The place is at a distance of 64 km from Ahmedabad. Many artificial lakes surround it, making it a place to be seen around Ahmedabad.
This unique museum houses a rich and rare collection of antique textiles from 17th century onwards.
Museums
Calico Textile Museum Housed in a traditional Gujarati haveli (house), the museum displays a magnificent collection of rare textiles dating back to the 17th century. There is also an excellent reference library on textiles. Also to be seen is a collection of marble, sandstone and bronze icons and busts. Timings: 10:00 am-12:30 pm and 2:30 pm-5:30 pm; Wednesdays closed. Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum It is one of the best art museums in the city, with a wide collection of Indian miniature paintings, cloth paintings, stone sculptures, terracottas, paintings of Tagore, art of Nepal and Tibet, bronzes, and coins. Timings: 10:30 am-5:30 pm; Mondays closed. Tribal Research Institute Museum haas re-creations of tribal hamlets of Gujrat besides weapons, implements, wall art, terracotta figurines and textiles. Timings: 11:30 - 1930. Sat 1130 - 1430; Sunday closed. The caves of Amdavad-ni-Gufa were an inspirational venture by the architect Doshi and the famous artist M F Hussain to display their work. These can be viewed at the University Campus.Rani Sipri's Mosque
Also known as the Masjid-e-Nagina , or jewel of a mosque, because of its extremely graceful and perfectly finished design. It is yet another beautiful example of Hindu art in a Muslim monument.This small mosque is also known as the Masjid-e-Nagina, or jewel of a mosque, because of its extremely graceful and well executed design. It is another beautiful specimen of the Hindu art in a Muslim monument.
This architectural masterpiece was built in 1514, by Rani sipri, a queen of Mehmud Begarha.
Sidi Saiyad's Mosque
This elegant mosque is known for its twin windows of pierced stone, worked in the style of a tree with palm leaves and curving tendrils.This elegant mosque is noted for its twin windows of pierced stone, worked in style of a tree with palm leaves and curv tendrils. This is a superb and peerless example of delicate carving that transforms stone into filigree. It was constructed by Sidi Saiyad, a slave of Ahmed Shah, and has beautiful carved stone windows depicting intricate intertwining of the branches of a tree. Wooden models of these windows, a fine example of Indo-Sarcenic architecture are kept in the York and Kansington museums, too.
Badshah-no Hajiro
The tomb of Ahmed Shah, situated just outside the Jama Masjid, is square shaped with porticos on each side and pierced stone windows. Women are not allowed into the central chamber. Opposite the Hajiro, across the main road is the Rani-no Hajiro where the queens of subsequent Sultans were buried.Rani Rupmati Masjid
Situated north of the city centre, and named after the Hindu wife of Sultan Mahmud Begado, it epitomizes a harmonious fusion of Hindu and Muslim styles.Rani Rupmati's mosque situated north of the city centre, is named after the Hindy wife of Sultan Mahmud Begado. The mosque was built between 1430 and 1440, and represents a harmonious synthesis of Hindu and Muslim styles. It has three domes suppoeted by pillars with the central domes slightly elevated which allow natural light into the mosque. The mosque lost its minarets in the earthquake of 1818.
Ahmed Shah's Mosque
Dating from 1414, this was one of the earliest mosques in the city and was probably built on the site of a Hindu temple, using parts of that temple in its construction. It is located in the south-west of the Bhadra Fort. The front of the mosque is now a garden.The Roza of Shah Alam
Another tombstone built in memory of the Muslim saint, Shah Alam. The complex of the Roza is said to contain the Footprints of the Prophet, in marble.This exceptional Museum of Textiles is one of the best in the world. It houses the finest fabrics spun, woven, printed and painted in different parts of India during past five centuries. Also to be found on display are old looms.
The Roza of Shah Alam is another monument built in memory of an equally important Muslim saint, Shah Alam. The Roza is supposed to have been built by the brother of the Mughal empress, Nur Jahan, the consort of Jajangir. The complex of the Roza is said to contain the footprints of the prohpet, in marble.
The exquisite tomb and mosque commemorates a Muslim saint shah alam. It was built by Asaf Khan, the brother of Mughal empress Nur Jehan.
Huthising Temple
Ahmedabad also has a number of Hindu and Jain temples. This Jain shrine, is dedicated to Dharmanath, the 15th Jain Tirtankra. The main temple here is surrounded by 52 small temples.Apart from the Muslim monuments, Ahmedabad contains a number of Hindu and Jain temples. The Jain shrine, known as the Huthising Temple, is one of them. This temple was constructed by Shri Kesarising Huthising in 1848 and is dedicated to Dharmanath, the 15th Jain Tirthankara. The main temple is surrounded by 52 small temples.
The ornately carved Jain temple dedicated to Lord Dharmnath, the 15th tirthankar was built in 1848, by Shri Kesarisimha Hatheesing shah. It has 52 small shrines around the spacious around the spacious courtyard.
Narayan Temple
Enclosed in a large courtyard, this temple dates back to 1850. To the south of this Temple are the nine tombs known as the Nau Gaz Pir, or Nine Yard Saints.Akshardham Temple
This ten storey high temple is one of the architectural marvels of the century. Akshardham Temples is made out of 6,000 tonnes of pink sandstones, placed intricately together. The most amazing part of this splendur is that not even a single iron rod was used to construct the temple. It's just the accurate placement of the stones that brought out this bewitching building. The temple is a work of 900 skilled craftsmen who created 93 sculpted pillars, 40 windows carved from both sides, and a feast of forms and filigrees.The Roza of Sarkhej
The Roza of Sarkhej, situated in a suburb of Ahmedabad, contains the tomb of the Sultan Mahmud Begado. The adjoining tomb of Ahmed Khattu GangBaksh, a Muslim saint, who helped Ahmed Shah to build the city of Ahmedabad, has a great central dome and a shrine with finely carved brass lattice work.Tombs of Ahmed Shah
The tomb, Badshah-no Hajiro of Ahmed Shah; the founder of the city, situated just outside the east gate of the Jame Masjid, is square in shape with porticos on each side and has perforated stone windowns. Women are not allowed inti the central chamber. Opposite the Hajiro, across the main road is the Rani-no Hajiro where the queens of subsequent sultans were buried.Shahi Bagh
Shahi Bagh (the royal garden), now housing the State Governer, once formed part of an extensive garten. The garden with royal palaces and a wall surrounding them was constructed by the great builter, Shahjahan. The palace is also associated with the poet, Rabindranath Tagore who as a boy stayed here with his elder brother, before writing his famous story, “The hungry stones” or Kshudhita Pashan.Quick Getaways
Sarkhej Situated 8 km away, it is a cluster of monuments dating back to the days of the Mughals. This site is the tomb of the Sultan Mahmud Begado one of the largest mausoleums in India.It is about 8 km. From the city and is known for the elegant architectural complexes. The important buildings are - tomb of Ahmed Khattu Gajnj Baksh, the mosque, the tombs of Mehmud shah Begada and his queen and the palace and pavilions, built around the tank of sarkhej.
Adalaj Wav
19 km north of Ahmedabad, Adalaj Wav is one of the finest Gujarati step wells with carvings depicting elaborate patterns of flowers and birds.The famous step well (vav) located on the outsjirts of Adalaj village was buiolt in 1499, by Queen Rudabai. The intricately carved step well is built several stories in depth and is a unique specimen of architecture.