Ahmedabad Iconic Landmarks: The Best Tourist Attractions

Ahmedabad’s captivating blend of medieval and contemporary history is punctuated by its many remarkable attractions. Whether it’s the famed textile museum at the north of Delhi gate or the ashram that housed Gandhi himself, Ahmedabad is positively rich with culture and history.

The tourist attractions in Ahmedabad often referred to as the “Textile City” and the “Manchester of the East” are a curious mixture of ancient heritage and vibrant modernity. For this reason, many avail cheap flights to Ahmedabad to see the attractions of Ahmedabad.

Ahmedabad is replete with numerous tourist attractions, ranging from quaint monuments to famous religious sites to romantic lakes to amusement parks. The city has a rare style of architecture, known as the Indo-Sarcenic style architecture, which is a harmonious blending of Hindu and Islamic styles.

Book a flight to Ahmedabad and see why Ahmedabad is steeped in history and how one of the eminent tourist attractions in India, offers a host of tourist sites that present themselves as some of the most frequented tourist attractions in Ahmedabad. The glorious past of the city bearing various political and cultural facets draws huge crowds every year and so why not book a cheap ticket to Ahmedabad and explore Ahmedabad.

Tourists Attractions in Ahmedabad

The Walled City

On your tour to Ahmedabad, you will at once notice that the walled city is one of the must-visits. Leading into the city of Ahmedabad, it allows a glimpse of the affluence of the ancient buildings of the 18th century.

Sabarmati Ashram

Sabarmati Ashram is the biggest tourist attraction in Ahmedabad. The Ashram was founded by Mahatma Gandhi in the year 1915. The Ashram lies on the banks of the Sabarmati River in the most serene ambience. Gandhiji had set out on the famous Dandi March to protest against the imposition of salt tax by the British from Sabarmati Ashram itself. The Ashram has a handicrafts centre, a handmade paper factory and a spinning wheel factory.

The modest house within the Ashram, ‘Hridaya Kunj’, where Mahatma Gandhi lived, is preserved as a national monument. There is also a small museum inside Sabarmati Ashram displaying the belongings of Mahatma Gandhi. The Ashram also houses a library. Many books, journals and articles written by Gandhi Ji are kept in the library. A Sound-and-Light show is also held in the Ashram which depicts the Mahatma’s life and teachings in a most interesting manner.2

Ahmad Shah 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 time in its construction. It is in the southwest of the Bhadra. The front of the mosque is now a garden.

Jama Masjid

This is one of the finest mosques in India with 260 pillars supporting 15 domes at different elevations. There is also a spacious courtyard in marble. The Masjid is located in the centre of the old city and one can perceive the Hindu style of architecture on the walls and the niches of the mosque.

Rani Rupmati Masjid

Rani Rupmati’s mosque gets its name from the Hindu wife of Sultan Mahmud Begado. Built during the 15th century, the mosque architecture is a harmonious fusion of Hindu and Muslim styles. It has three domes supported by pillars with the central domes slightly elevated in order to allow natural light to enter the mosque.

The Rani Sipri Mosque

This small mosque is also known as the Masjid-e-Nagira or Jewel of the Mosque due to its graceful construction, with slender minarets. It is said to have been commissioned in 1514 by the wife of Sultan Mahmud Begara after he executed their son for some minor mistake. She is also buried here.

Sidi Saiyad’s Mosque

Constructed by Sidi Saiyad, a slave of Ahmed Shah, the mosque is noted for its beautiful carved stone windows, depicting the intricate intertwining of the branches of a tree. A superb and peerless example of delicate carving that transforms stone into filigree.

Sidi Bashir’s Mosque and Shaking Minarets

is also known famously as the mosque with shaking minarets (Julta Minar) built with such skill and craftsmanship that they respond to vibrations which are transferred across via a stone bridge, when one minaret is shaken, the others rock in symphony.

Hatheesing Temple

Built outside Delhi Gate in 1850 by a rich Jain merchant, this temple is one of the best Jain Temples in Ahmedabad. Built of pure white marble and profusely decorated with rich carvings. The temple was constructed by Shri Kesarising Huthising in 1848 and is dedicated to Dharmanath, the 15th Jain Tirtankra/apostle. The main temple is surrounded by 52 small shrines.

Calico Museum

Calico is one of the best textile museums anywhere in the world. Constructed in the year 1949, the museum houses some of the finest fabrics spun, woven, printed and painted in different parts of India after independence. Many old weaving machines are also kept for display.

Narayan Temple

This is a Hindu temple enclosed in a large courtyard, Ahmed Shah’s Mosque, 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.

Kankaria Lake

t is worth travelling many miles to see Kankaria Lake, located southeast of the city. This is a circular artificial lake, with an island summer palace constructed in 1451 by Sultan Qutb-ud-Din and adjacently has a huge zoo and children’s park.

Swaminarayan temple

It is the first temple of the Swaminarayan sect built in the year 1822. The temple is carved in Burmese teak and holds on display some of the personal items and sculptures of Lord Swaminarayan. 

Vaishno Devi Temple

Located at S G Highway Ahmedabad is a good replica of the famous Vaishnodevi temple of Jammu and Kashmir. The popular Temple of the Goddess Vaishno Devi attracts a huge crowd of devotees from Ahmedabad and around.

ISKCON Temple

Dedicated to Lord Krishna and his consort Radha, ISKCON is one of the most beautiful temples of Ahmedabad city, with its pretty interior and exterior, attracting a large number of tourists every day. Iskcon temple provides a heavenly experience to tourists with its calm and serene environment. 

Badra Fort and Teen Darwaza

A venue for Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations in Ahmedabad, the Bhadra Fort of Ahmedabad has a temple devoted to the Mother Goddess, Bhadrakal. The foundation of this old fort was laid in 1411 AD and once housed the royal palaces and the beautiful gardens. It is a unique fort in this city that has a triple-domed gateway (Teen Darwaza) that faces the majestic Bhadra Fort.

The royal entrance of this fort serves as the royal square. This immense gateway with stressed stonework is built during the reign of Ahmed Shah. Its finely carved stone and strong fortresses make this tremendously attractive.

Bhadrakali Temple

Located inside Bhadra Fort, Bhadrakali Temple was built during the rule of Aazam Khan. Bhadrakali is worshipped as a goddess of prosperity and wealth in Ahmedabad. One of the most powerful deities in the Hindu pantheon, the goddess is visited by hordes of devout across the country.

Vishalla Utensils Museum

Utensil Museum takes into account more than 2000 traditional Utensils of all sizes & shapes designed in silver, brass, and bronze. And various utensils have work on them done in wood & ivory. This beautiful museum is located at Vasna.

The Roza of Shah Alam

Another tombstone was 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.

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.

The Roza of Sarkhej:

The Roza of Sarkhej, situated in a suburb of Ahmedabad, contains the tomb of Sultan Mahmud Begado. The adjoining tomb of Ahmed Khattu Gang Baksh, who was 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.

Shahi Bagh:

(the royal garden), now housing the State Governor once formed part of an extensive garden. The garden with royal palaces and a wall surrounding them was constructed by the great builder, 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 in Ahmedabad

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 Sultan Mahmud Begado one of the largest mausoleums in India. It is known for its elegant architectural complexes. The important buildings are – the 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 Vav Step Wells

Vav means a step well. Adalaj Vav was built by Queen Rudabai, in 1499 AD. A beautifully chiselled step well, Adalaj Vav is counted amongst the finest architectural structures of Gujarat and amongst the best of ancient Indian architecture. These step wells are exquisitely carved, and run several stories deep. One of the striking features of this ancient architectural marvel was that, in the summers, it kept the place cool and stored water at the same time.

Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary

Located 64 km away from Ahmedabad where numerous species of migratory birds flock and rest in the winter months. Species include rosy pelicans, flamingos, white storks, and a variety of ducks including the Brahmany duck from Tibet, sarus cranes, herons, avocets, curlews etc.

Akshardham Temple

This architectural wonder of the 20th century is the most famous temple of the Swaminarayan sect, one of the richest religious sects in the world. The temple complex sprawls across an area of 23 acres and the main shrine stands 108 feet tall amidst lush green lawns. The shrine houses a marvellously sculpted 7ft. high gold-leafed statue of Lord Swami Narayan. There is also an amusement park, a museum, a picture gallery and a library.

Indroda Park

It covers an area of over 168 hectares across the once-barren ravines of the Sabarmati River. There is a deer park, campsite, botanical garden, a walk-in-aviary, whale skeleton enclosure, snake house, crocodile ponds, tortoise and turtle pits and several other animal enclosures.

Gandhinagar (25 km)

The capital of Gujarat is the second planned modern city in 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.

Ambaji & Kumbharia (178 km)

It is one of the most important pilgrim centres of Gujarat. The famous shrine of Goddess Ambaji, built over Arasur hill is one of the ‘Shakti Peeths’. The famous Kumbharia Jain temples are located nearby. The nearest railhead for Ambaji is Abu Rd. (19 km) in Rajasthan.

Lothal (80 km)

It was an important port town of the Harappan era, dating back to 2nd country BC. A well-planned city was discovered under the mound near Saragwala village in 1954. The mound was called Lothal, which means dead in the local dialect. The presence of a dockyard and terracotta showing an Assyrian and an Egyptian mummy indicates trade links with Mesopotamia (Iraq) and Egypt.

Modhera (102 km)

The sun temple here is one of the finest monuments of Gujarat and the best example of Solanki temple architecture. The ornately carved temple was built in 1026-27 by Bhimadev I and is dedicated to Lord Surya or Sun God. It was destroyed by Mahmud of Ghazni. Adjacent to the temple is a huge ‘sun Kund’ (Rama Kund) surrounded by step terraces with 108 smaller temples.

Patan (125 km)

This Jain and Hindu pilgrim centre was a great centre of art, culture, literature and education under the Solanki. It is dotted with several Jain and Shaivite shrines. The Sahastraling Lake built by King Siddhraj Jaising is surrounded by 1000 shiva temples. Patan is also renowned as a Patola weaving centre.

Taranga Hill (127 km)

The Jain pilgrim centre amidst the hills of Tauranga is known for the temple of Lord Ajitnath, the 22nd Tirthankara. It is also famous for its exceptional scenic surroundings and excellent architecture.

Excursions

Excursions to places like Sarkhej, Adlaj Vav, Lothal, Modhera, Patan, Gandhinagar, Mahudi and Nalsarovar Wildlife Sanctuary can be entertaining and exciting at the same time.

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