Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad was named after the Sultan Ahmed Shah, who built the city in 1411. Also called the "Manchester of the East', today, it is one of the most highly industrialized cities of India. Historically, Ahmedabad was a major base camp during the Indian freedom struggle. Mahatma Gandhi built the Sabarmati Ashram on the outskirts of the city, from where he guided India to freedom. Today Ahmedabad, more than any other Indian city represents non-violence and peace.

Ahmedabad is also the textile city of India. Though the city has developed more as a business and commercial centre, it also holds attraction as a centre for the study of Indo-Saracenic architecture, a style that fuses elements of Hindu and Islamic architecture. The old city of Ahmedabad is dotted with labyrinth of bylanes called polls. The exquisitely carved wooden mansions are beautiful examples of the craftsmanship of the time. Although it is no longer the capital of Gujarat, Ahmedabad remains the second largest industrial city in western India.

Population: Approx 3.8 million

Climate: Ahmedabad's climate is hot and humid. The temperature during summer months soars to 45 degrees and in winter dips as low as 5 degrees. It rains frequently, making the atmosphere humid and sultry.

Best times to visit: Between the months of October and March.

Places of Interest

Kankaria Lake
This man-made lake was developed by Qutub-Ud-Din in 1451. Today it is a popular recreational spot for the residents of Ahmedabad. The lake is surrounded by beautiful gardens and also houses an aquarium on its banks. Located in the middle of the lake is a beautiful island palace that was visited frequently by Nur Jahan and Jehangir during the Mughal period.

Teen Darwaza
These arched gateways were built by Sultan Ahmed Shah. They formed the royal entrance to the Maidan Shah or Royal Square. From here the Sultans watched the processions from the palace to the Jama Masjid.

Hatheesing Jain Temple
Embellished with intricate carvings and built in white marble, the Hatheesing Jain temple is one of the most ornate Jain temples in Ahmedabad. It was built in the nineteenth century by a rich Jain merchant and is dedicated to Dharmnath, the 15th Jain Apostle.

The Dwarkadhish Temple
Dwarkadhish is a five-storied temple - one of the most important moksh dhams. With its Shikhar rising as high as 170 feet, this architectural marvel stands on 60 pillars that are adorned with rich splendid carvings.

Somnath Temple
Somnath is a legendary temple that stands tall among the most significant temples of India. The pinnacle rides to a height of 155 feet and the kalash atop the shikhar wrighs 10 tonnes.

Sarkhej Roza
The Sarkhej Roza is one of the most elegant and unique architectural complexes in the city. These buildings do not have arches and there has been a remarkable use of pierced stone trellises.

Shaking Minarets
Near the Ahmedabad railway station is the mosque of Sidi Bashir. People come to this mosque to see the pair of shaking minarets. The amazing thing about the minarets is that if one is shaken the other also rocks in sympathy. It is said that the minarets were built in this way to avoid damage during the earthquakes. The British partially dismantled the pillars in an attempt to understand how they were built. However, they were unable to find out, nor could they replace dismantled parts.

Sidi Saiyad Mosque
One of the most famous mosques of Ahmedabad, Sidi Saiyad Mosque was constructed in 1571. The mosque has ten semicircular windows, each carrying a splendid filigree screen. The intricate carvings on the windows represent the intertwining of the branches of a tree.

Dada Hari Vav (Stepped Well)
This well was built in 1501 to provide a cool resting place and water to the travellers. The stepped well is among the finest examples of Gujarati architecture. Even on the hottest days, the well remains cool.

Jama Masjid
Built in 1423, the Jama Masjid is one of the most beautiful mosques in western India, providing a fine example of exquisite workmanship.

Rani Sipri Mosque
Another beautiful mosque is the Rani Sipri mosque, built by the Queen of Mahmud Shah Begda in 1514. After her death she was buried in the premises of the mosque itself.

Gandhi Ashram
This ashram, founded in 1915, was the starting point of Mahatma Gandhi's Dandi Yatra in protest of the British salt laws. It was an important base for India's freedom movement.

The Calico Museum
This museum of textiles displays antique and modern textiles. It is housed in a carved wooden haveli and exhibits rare tapestries, wall hangings and costumes. Some of the old weaving machines are also kept here. The museum's collection dates back to the 17th century and it also has an excellent reference library on textiles.

NC Mehta Museum
The NC Mehta Museum houses a spectacular collection of miniatures from various Indian painting schools.

The Shreyas Folk Museum
This museum displays some of the finest examples of the traditional arts & crafts of Gujarat. A must-see for those interested in folk art.

Excursion

Adalaj
Adalaj Vav is situated 18 km north of Ahmedabad in Gandhinagar district. Built in 1499 A.D by Queen Rudabai, this step well is a fine example of magnificent architectural form that is intricately carved & several stories in depth.

Modhera Sun Temple
Constructed in 1026-27 A.D. during the reign of King Bhimdev I of Patan, the temple is dedicated to Surya or the Sun God. Although it bears a dilapidated look, it is still a magnificent specimen of superb artistry of Gujarat's architects of the bygone days. Modhera's sun temple is positioned in such a manner that at the equinoxes the rising sun strikes the images in the sanctuary.

It also incorporates an amusement park, a museum, a cafeteria, picture gallery and library.

The canvas on the walls and pillars depict the incidents from the Ramayan and the Mahabharat, and forms of gods and goddesses and the way of life of the people of that time. An interesting iconograph is one with three heads, three arms and three legs.

The temple was ruined by Mahmud of Gazni.

Adjoining the Sun Temple is the huge 'Sun Kund' (Rama Kund) surrounded by step-terraces with numerous smaller temples numbering about 108.

How to get there

By Road:
State Road Transport Corporations (SRTC) of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan provide regular bus services to Ahmedabad from all major centres in the area.

By Air:
Ahmedabad, is connected with most major cities i.e., Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata by frequent Indian Airlines and Jet Airways Flights. Now an International Airport as well, with a few direct flights.

By Rail:
Ahmedabad is a major junction on the Delhi / Mumbai route and is connected by various super fast trains.