The town of the shaking minarets

Situated on the banks of the Sabarmati river, founded by Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1411 A.D., Ahmedabad is the largest city and a leading industrial centre in Gujarat. It is also called 'Manchester of the East' because of its thriving textile industry and a mention of this city is incomplete without mention of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. IIM- A. It is also home to several interesting museums.
The nine-night festival of Navratri is celebrated with the maximum fervor and splendour in Ahmedabad.

VISITING TIME

Best time to visit Ahmedabad is in Winters that is between October to March.

THE PAST

Emperor Jehangir sneered that Ahmedabad was actually Gardabad (The City of Dust). But one must also remember that the 17th century Muslim historian Muhammad Qasim Firishta said that it was on the whole, the handsomest city in Hindoostan. Both statements contain a grain of truth.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Gandhi Ashram

The Gandhi Ashram situated alongside the Sabarmati River, was the nerve center for the Indian Freedom movement. The beautiful ashram complex with its shady trees offers a refuge from the loud streets of the city. There is a museum inside the Ashram complex.

Gandhi Nagar

Gandhinagar, the modern capital of Gujarat, was named after the father of the Nation. Lying on the banks of river Sabarmati it is the second planned city in India after Chandigarh. The famous Swaminarayan temple is also built in Gandhinagar.

Gir Forest & Sanctuary

Gir Forest & Sanctuary Located about 50 kms from Junagadh is the Gir Forest, the only place in the world, outside Africa, where the lion can be seen in its natural habitat. This sight can be enjoyed on a guided jeep tour. One can also see animals like Chital, Nilgai, Sambar, Black Buck, Chinkara, Wild Pig, and Jackal etc

Hatheesing Jain Temple

A rich Jain merchant built this temple outside Delhi Gate in 1850. It is built of pure white marble and profusely decorated with rich carvings, dedicated to Dharamnath, the 15th Jina or Jain apostle.

Hussain-Doshi's Gufa

Hussain-Doshi's Gufa Popularly known as Amdavad ni Gufa it is an underground art gallery housing the collaborative effort of artist M. F. Hussain and the architect B. V. Doshi. This marvel of contemporary architecture was constructed using computer aided design and tribal initiative, adding a new dimension to viewing art.

Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid Located in the centre of the old city, this congregational mosque was built by Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1423. Built in yellow sandstone, it combines the best of Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture, standing on 260 pillars supporting 15 domes at varying elevations.

Jamnagar

Jamnagar, historically called Nawanagar, or the new city, was one of the most important princely states of Saurashtra. It is about 310 kms from Ahmedabad via Rajkot and is often called Chotta Kashi or Benares, for it’s innumerable Hindu and Jain temples. It is known for its tie-&-dye work on fabrics, silken & gold embroidery.

Kandla

Kandla, a major seaport about 380 kms from Ahmedabad has single point mooring facilities with a free trade zone. The monument of Mahatma Gandhi and Nirva Siteshwar Mahadev Temple are places of interest.

Kankaria Lake

Kankaria Lake One of the best places to witness the sunset in Ahmedabad is the artificial lake of Kankaria constructed in 1451. It attracts good bird life and has an island garden, called Nagina wadi.

Lakshmi Villas Palace

Lakshmi Villas Palace The Royal Family's residence is an extravagant building in Indo- Saracenic style.

Lothal

Lothal About 82 kms from Ahmedabad, this ancient city offers an incredible insight into one of the world’s oldest urban cultures and the largest civilisation of it’s time-the Indus valley civilization or Harappan culture.

Mahudi

Mahudi This is a small village near Kalol 78 kms from Ahmedabad famous for Jinalaya of Ghantakarna Mahavir and Kotyark temple. There are thousands of people from different religions offering prayers besides Jain devotees. The temple's prasad-Sukhadi is not to be taken outside the temple.

Modhera

Modhera The Sun Temple (dedicated to the Sun God) is one of the finest examples of Indian temple architecture, built in 1026 A.D. It has spectacular carvings, fine architecture and traditional erotic sculpture.

Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary

About 60 kms. from Ahmedabad, is the delightful bird sanctuary visited by millions of magnificently coloured birds in winter and spring. It harbours over 250 species of wetland birds. Winter migrants from the north including Rosy Pelicans, Flamingoes, White Storks, Brahminy Ducks and Herons visit Nal Sarovar.

Nazarbaug Palace

This palace was built in old classical style, used on ceremonial occasions by the Gaekwads. The royal Family heirlooms are on display.

Palitana

Amongst all the Jain temples, Palitana temples are considered to be the most sacred. Located on Shetrunjaya hills there are 863 temples, exquisitely carved in marble. No one is allowed to sleep overnight including the priest, because the temple city has been built as an abode for the Gods.

Patan

Patan located around 130 kms. from Ahmedabad, is rich in architectural marvels like the 11th century Rani-ki-wav step well and numerous temples, and textiles like the Patola silk sarees and Mushroo weaving, originating from the time of royalty.

Pavagadh

It is a beautiful excursion from Ahmedabad with the historic fortress on a mountain, the holy Hindu and Jain temples on the pinnacle and the medieval Islamic citadel of Champaner in the plains. It also offers fine hilly sceneries, lakes, the picturesque cable car ride and opportunities for trekking and rock climbing.

Pols

Pol (pronounced "pole") is derived from the Sanskrit word pratoli meaning entrance to an enclosed area. It is a housing cluster comprising many families of a particular group, linked by caste, profession, or religion.

Porbander

Porbander the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi situated about 395 kms from Ahmedabad is a picturesque seaport on the Arabian Sea, known as "White City" because of its white stone construction. Gandhiji's Kirti Mandir, Sudama Mandir, Bharat Mandir, Planetarium, and Chowpati are other places of interest.

Pratap Villas Palace

The Pratap Villas built, as the residence of the royal family, is an extravagant and flamboyant building in the Indo - Sarcenic style, housing a collection of old armory and sculptures in bronze, marble & terra cotta.

Rani Rupmati's Mosque

Rani Rupmati's Mosque Named after the Hindu wife of Sultan Mehmed Beghara, this mosque was built between 1430 to 1440 A. D. having three domes supported by pillars with the central dome slightly elevated to allow natural light into the mosque. The tomb of Rani Rupmati is next to it.

Rani Sipri Mosque

Queen of Mahmud Shah Begda built this beautiful mosque in 1514. After the death of Rani Sipri, she was buried in the premises of the mosque.

Sarkhej Roza

The Sarkhej Roza is an elegant architectural creation remarkable for the use of pierced stone trellises and complete absence of arches. The peaceful atmosphere makes it an ideal retreat.

Siddi Bashir Mosque (Shaking Minarets)

The Sarkhej Roza is an elegant architectural creation remarkable for the use of pierced stone trellises and complete absence of arches. The peaceful atmosphere makes it an ideal retreat.

Sidi Sayed Jhali

The most famous mosque in Ahmedabad is Sidi Sayed Mosque, acclaimed for it's splendid Jhali screen, framed, in the ten semi-circular windows. It is a superb example of delicate carving that transforms atone into filigree.

Teen Darwaza

The Teen Darwaja, the triple arched gateway was originally meant to serve as the royal entrance to the Royal Square. It was a trio of massive arches, from where emperor Jehangir and Noor Jehan used to watch the processions from the palace to the Jama Masjid.

CLIMATE

Ahmedabad has a very hot and humid type of climate. The temperatures vary greatly between day and night.
TEMPERATURE
Summer - Max: 42 Min: 23
Winter - Max: 36 Min: 14

HOW TO REACH

AIR : Ahmedabad has an international airport, about 10 kms away from the main city. International and Domestic airlines connect Ahmedabad to Bombay, Delhi and major cities of India.

RAIL : Ahmedabad Terminus is on the Western Railways metre guage line. The Kalupur Railway station connects the city through different trains to all the major cities and towns in India.