About Ahmedabad

Gujarat is a veritable tourists’ paradise. A 1666-km long coastline and a legacy of 4500 years of civilisation have endowed the state with enchanting beaches, shore temples, mosques, coastal forts, ancient citadels, palaces and princely cities. The presence of a diversity of natural habitats also makes it one of the most popular bird watching regions in all of Asia and home to many rare species of wildlife. A combination of colourful tribal hamlets, holy places of various religious communities, picturesque cities, exquisite handicrafts, fine museums and plenty of architectural showpieces ensures that a visitor will never leave Gujarat disenchanted.

Location & Attractions


Akshardham
This massive temple, built in dedication to the Swaminarayan sect, lies just outside Ahmedabad city, on the route to Gandhinagar. The temple has an amusement park adjacent to it, making Akshardham a favourite picnic spot for adults and children alike.

Adalaj Step Wells
These wells are amongst the best examples of ancient Indian architecture. These step wells are exquisitely carved, and run several storeys deep. Apart from storing water through he hot summers, these ancient architectural marvels also kept the area around them cool!
Calico Museum
This museum is today widely regarded as one of the finest textiles museums in the world. The museum started in Calico Textile Mill in 1948 and consists of two different sections.

Hatheesingh Jain Temples
This temple, built in 1850 outside Delhi Gate, is the Ahmedabad's most popular Jain Temple. Built with pure white marble and decorated with ornate carvings, this temple is dedicated to Dharamnath, the 15th Jina or Jain apostle.

Gandhi Ashram
The Sabarmati Ashram is situated on the banks of the Sabarmati River and is a must-see for anyone who wishes to understand Mahatma Gandhi better. The ashram is home to the cottage from where Gandhi fought for Indian Independence. It also houses a small but sensitively created museum, which displays his simple possessions and highlights many other interesting facts about Gandhiji. Every evening, a sound-and-light show here portrays the role of the 'Father of the Nation' in the Independence struggle.

Teen Darwaja
This triple-arched gateway was once upon a time the main entrance to the Bhadra fort. These huge arches look very grand and are adjacent to a market selling local ethnic ware at throwaway prices. From silver jewellery to handloom cloth made in Gujarat, you can find it all at this market.

Kankaria Lake and Zoo
A circular lake, almost a mile in circumference, is a popular recreation centre and is surrounded by parks. A 'Bal Vatika', children's garden, an aquarium, a boat club, a natural history museum and a zoo, have also emerged around it making it a favourite of children and adults alike.

Amdavad nu Gufa
The world renowned painter M F Hussain and the famous architect Balakrishna Doshi, jointly created the Hussain Doshi Gufa, the first underground art gallery. It attempts to give a new and different dimension to viewing art. According to Hussain, the Gufa “is a work of art in the form of installation”. The inside is “like a large dynamic space inducing constant movement”.

Shaking Minarets
These famous structures were constructed near the Sidi Bashir mosque. The amazing feature of these minarets, along with some others in Ahmedabad, is that when one minaret is shaken, the other vibrates too.

Jumma Masjid
Built in 1423 by Ahmed Shah, this mosque combines the best of Hindu and Muslim architectural influences. It is a magnificent monument that stands on 260 pillars, which support 15 domes.

Bhadra Fort
The foundation of this old fort was laid in 1411 A.D. Bhadra Fort once housed royal palaces and beautiful gardens. Today, the fort is the venue for Independence and Republic Day celebrations. The fort complex also includes a temple dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali.

Sidi Saiyed Mosque
This structure was built by Ahmed Shah's slave - Sidi Saiyed. It is celebrated the world over for its exquisite stone window tracery - a superb and peerless example of delicate carving that transforms stone filigree.

Rani Sipri's Mosque
Built in 1440, this three domed structure stands on twelve pillars each. The interior is richly ornamented with carvings and finely perforated stone screens.

Festivals

Navratri
The annual Navratri Utsav, or the festival of nine nights sees the cities burst forth in an explosion of light, colour, dancing and music during the month of September or October. In Gujarat, this is the  time for the joyous Garba and Dandiya dances and everyone pours out at night to participate in lively folk dances. One cans see the finest ethnic wear on display as the girls and boys dress in vibrant Chaniya Cholis and Bharwad style costumes, embellished with mirrors and silver jewellery. This is a time for wanton celebration, that ceases only at the end of the nine-night long festival.

Uttaryan Kite Festival
A three day kite festival is held in Ahmedabad and travels around Gujarat during the colourful festival of Uttaryan held in January. Kites from many regions and from other nations are displayed at 'Patang nagar' a special 'city of kites' set up especially for the occasion. The city takes on a colourful hue and the variety of kites available is incredible. Visitors have the opportunity to see gifted craftsmen at work, demonstrating their age-old kite making skills. The kite museum is also worth a visit as it houses an enormous collection of kites ranging from the ordinary kite to the most elaborate and massive kites from all over the world.