About City
Ahmedabad
"Manchester of the East"
A rapidly growing metropolis, an industrial hub, an educational hotspot, and a city with a magnificent past – Ahmedabad is one of the most important cities in Gujarat. Located on the banks of the Sabarmati River, Ahmedabad is the former capital of Gujarat, and its delicious food, colourful culture is making it a fast-growing tourist destination. The historic city of Ahmedabad or the old part of the city was declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Home to a plethora of remarkable temples like Swaminarayan Temple, intriguing museums and classy markets, with a little bit of colonial history attached to it, Ahmedabad is an excellent example of how a city can still retain every bit of its old-world charm while still rapidly progressing on the path of globalisation.
Ahmedabad is famous for its textiles and its tie-dye bandhani handloom technique, which makes it a great place to shop. From bandhani sarees, dupattas to traditionally embroidered dress materials, and other local handicrafts.
Sabarmati Ashram, situated directly beside the Sabarmati river, is a quaint and peaceful ashram built by Mahatma Gandhi after he returned from South Africa. To this date, Gandhiji’s living quarters are preserved here and is now used as a museum where visitors can learn all about his life and his teachings. The infamous Dandi Salt March, which was a crucial point in India’s independence struggle, originated from this ashram.
Places To Visit In Ahmedabad
1. Sabarmati Riverfront
Sabarmati Riverfront is a waterfront developed on the banks of river Sabarmati in Ahmedabad. Started with an objective for sustainable development and environmental improvement, the pace has now become a major tourist attraction owing to its lush green promenades, beautiful parks and plazas and an all-around soothing ambience.
2. Dada Hari Wav
Built by a woman of Sultan Begara's harem in 1499 AD, these step-wells were made as a retreat during hot summers. Waiting to be filled with rain water, no matter what the weather is, it is always cooler within the Step-wells.
3. Swaminarayan Temple
Located in the Kalupur area of Ahmedabad, Shri Swaminarayan Temple was built on the instructions of Swaminarayan, the founder of this sect of Hinduism. Green and yellow sculptures of various Hindu gods and goddesses, with their bodies fitted in opulent dresses and ornaments cover the structure of this nineteenth-century temple.
4. Sabarmati Ashram
Once the residence of Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba, this undoubtedly is the biggest tourist attraction situated in the suburb of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Located on the tranquil and serene stretch of Sabarmati River it was also referred to as the 'Satyagraha Ashram' as Gandhi began the famous 'Dandi March' from here. The museum is one of the most interesting sections of the ashram as it has on display some of Gandhi's personal letters and photographs.
5. Adalaj Step Well
Adalaj Stepwell is a magnificent structure built brilliantly to curb water crisis in and around Adalaj Village. The stepwell is located at a distance of 3 to 4 kilometres to the south-west of Gandhinagar, the capital city of Gujarat. The Adalaj Stepwell was built in 1498 and is one of the many step wells built in India to provide access to groundwater. The entire architecture is an excellent illustration of the intelligence of the engineers and architects India had even at that time. Walk in, and you will witness a sudden yet soothing drop in temperature. Breathe in the tranquillity, absorb the beauty of the intricate carvings, make a silent wish and rest for a while before you proceed with your plan for the day.
6. Kankaria Lake
One of the biggest lakes in Ahmadabad, this is a total magnet for tourists and locals alike due to its complete entertainment facilities - toy train, kids' city, balloon ride, water park, food stalls. Also famous for its Kankaria Carnival which is full of week-long fun and festivities held in the last week of December, it is an entertainment, fun and cultural hub. The lake and surroundings have been recently revamped and all its subparts (zoo, balvatika,etc.) are enhanced.
7. Hathisingh Jain Temple
Dedicated to the 15th Tirthankara of Jains, Dharmanath, this two-storied white marble structure provides a delightful experience and the tiled courtyard is another unique aspect of the temple.
8. Modhera Sun Temple
The Sun Temple in Modhera is a Hindu tempe built by the Chalukya dynasty. Built on the banks of river Pushpavati, the temple is dedicated to the solar deity Surya. It is now a historical site and no worshipped is performed at the temple. It is currently maintained by Archaeological Survey of India.
9. Rani ki Vav
Rani Ki Vav or 'Queen's Stepwell' is a distinctive form of water storage system located in the small town of Gujarat called Patan, on the banks of River Saraswati. The 900-year-old structure listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is displayed prominently in the new ₹100 currency note issued by the Reserve Bank of India.
10. Statue of Unity
Statue of Unity is a memorial to The Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The Bronze statue stands 182 metres tall and is the 'Tallest statue in the World'. The statue of Unity is located in Gujrat, by the banks of River Narmada on the River Island of Sadhu Bet overlooking the Narmada Dam (Sardar Sarovar Dam) from 3.2 km away.
11. Bhadra Fort & Teen Darwaza
The Bhadra Fort and its neighboring environment is the most scenic part of Ahmedabad. Located in the middle of lush greenery the huge 44 acre Fort got its name from the Bhadrakali Temple that it houses.
12. Jama Masjid
The Jama Masjid situated in Ahmedabad is one of the largest mosques in India built in the period of 1424 and was built by Emperor Sultan Ahmed Shah. To the west of the mosque built are the tombs of Ahmed Shah I, his son and his grandson followed by the graves of the queens of the king.
13. World Vintage Car Museum
A connoisseur of vintage cars converted his private collection of vintage cars into a museum. The collection comprises of the best of the world - Rolls Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, Cadillac, Austin and many more.
14. Sidi Saiyyed Mosque
Built by Sidi Saeed or Sidi Saiyyed in 1573, as the name suggests, the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, is one of the most famous mosques of Ahmedabad. The mosque is said to be built in the last year of the existence of the Sultanate of Gujarat. The intricately carved lattice stone window, in front of the mosque is known as the Sidi Saiyyed Jali, the unofficial symbol of city of Ahmedabad.
15. Sardar Vallabhai Patel National Museum
Situated in the premises of Moti Shahi Mahal at Shahibaug in Ahmedabad, Sardar Vallabhai Patel National Museum is a museum and a memorial dedicated to the 1st Deputy Prime Minister of India - Sardar Vallabhai Patel. The museum has exhibitions in English, Hindi and Gujarati.
16. Jhulta Minar
Located in Ahmedabad, Jhuta Minar is one of the most intriguing architectural wonders that the world has ever seen. They are still an unsolvable mystery. What makes the minarets unique is if one of the minarets is shaken then the other minaret shakes within a few seconds, while the connecting passage doesn't transmit any movements or vibrations. Many architects and historians have tried to understand the physics and logic behind the unrelated movements of the minarets. It is these movements that have led to its name, Jhulta Minar which translates to swinging minaret.
17. Vaishnodevi Temple
Located on Sarkhej-Gandhinagar highway Road, Vaishnodevi Temple in Ahmedabad is a true replica of the famous temple in Jammu-Kashmir.
18. Kamala Nehru Zoo
Popularly known as Kankaria Zoo, Kamala Nehru Zoo is located at Kankaria, Ahmedabad. By the majestic banks of the tranquil Kankaria Lake, this zoo has been the abode of different animals, reptiles, birds and mammals belonging to different species.
19. ISKCON Temple
Located close to the Gujarat Samachar Press, The ISKCON Temple in Ahmadabad is the best place to experience spirituality and mental bliss. Also referred to as the 'Hare Krishna Temple', the temple with its calm and peaceful atmosphere offers the perfect spot for meditation.
20. Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum
The Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum (also known as L. D. Museum) is museum of Indian Sculptures, Bronzes, Manuscripts Paintings, Drawings, Miniature Paintings, Wood works, Bead works and coins. (br) The Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum of the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Bharatiya Sanskriti Vidyamandir is located in the premises of the L.D. Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad. It is situated on a sprawling campus in the western part of the city in an area dotted with educational and research institutes, and in the vicinity of Gujarat University. It is about 7 kilometers from the Railway Station and 12 kilometers from the Airport, therefore, it is easily accessible from any part of the Ahmedabad city.
21. Dada Bhagwan temple
Dada Bhagwan Temple (also known as Adalaj Trimandir) is a trimandir situated in the village of Adalaj on the Ahmedabad-Kalol highway, 20 kms from Ahmedabad. Built by Dada Bhagwan Foundation, the trimandir brings forth a unique religious concept where statues of all religious deities are placed on a common platform.
22. Gujarat Science City
Located on the Science City Road in Ahmedabad, Gujarat Science City is a remarkable initiative taken up by the Government of Gujarat to spread general awareness and a scientific temperament especially among the youth of the country. Spread over 107 hectares of land, the centre also holds frequent talk shows and workshops for students and science enthusiasts.
23. Shree Camp Hanuman Mandir
Situated in Shahibaug in Ahmedabad, Shree Camp Hanuman Mandir is one of the largest Hanuman temples in India. Believed to have been established by Pandit Gajanan Prasad at least a 100 years ago, the temple is still managed by the descendents of the Pandit family. Tuesdays and Saturdays are the most auspicious days of the week for the devotees.
24. Parimal Garden
Located on the Parimal Cross Road in Ambavadi, Parimal Garden is a beautiful well-maintained garden in the heart of Ahmedabad. Replete with swings and dotted with stone benches, the park is popular among both adults and kids alike. Mostly used for morning and evening walks, the garden also has routine laughing clubs for the elderly.
25. Lothal
If you are a history buff and ever so curious to peek into the lives of the older generations, you really need to visit Lothal because this is a place that ties the past and present together. Located at a distance of around 85 kms from the city of Ahmedabad, on the banks of the ancient mythical river Saraswati (which has now dried up), Lothal is a popular Indus Valley Site and a 4500 years old city discovered in 1954. Even though the place is not as thriving as it once used to be, the magic of the ruins are enough to tell you the colourful tales about the lives of the people who were inhabitants of this place. This place is full of surprises and holds a great deal of historical significance. Lothal was not only amongst one of the early successful civilization but was also a hub of industrialisation adjoining different nations. Due to its fascinating excavations and dramatic discovery, Lothal is popular among geologists, historians and archaeologists.
26. Sarkhej Roza
Situated in the village of Makarba, 7 kms from Ahmedabad, Sarkhej Roza is a mosque and tomb complex. Bosting of absolutely striking early Islamic architectural finesse with spacious corridors and pillared domes, and surrounded by a mesmerising water tank, the tomb houses the grave of Ahmad Khattu Ganj Baksh (the former resident of the place).
27. Nehru Bridge
Nehru Bridge is a massive bridge built over the river Sabarmati in Ahmedabad connecting the Real Old City (Kot Vistar) with West Ahmedabad. Open to public use in 1962, the bridge is dedicated to Indiaês first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The bridge is considered one of the most scenic places in the city.
28. Vastrapur Lake
Situated in Western Ahmedabad, Vastrapur Lake is an ancient lake which was renovated and prettified in 2002. A huge statue of Narsinh Mehta (a famous poet-saint of Gujarat), was installed here and the lake was named after him as the Bhakt Kavi Narasinh Mehta Sarovar. It boasts of an open-air theatre which is used for organising several cultural events of the city.
29. Kite Museum
Housed in the premises of Sanskar Kendra in Paldi, Ahmedabad, Kite Museum was conceptualised and created by Bhanubhai Shah. Designed by the renowned architect Le Corbusier in 1954, the museum is an elaborate display of about 125 uniquely carved kites including mirror embroidered kites, block print kites and Japanese kites such as Rokuku.
30. Gotila Garden-Talav
Gotila Garden-Talav is a vibrant green garden situated in Sindhubhavan Road, Thaltej in Ahmedabad. Blessed with vibrant flowers, beautiful water sprinklers, quaint benches and shady trees, the garden is a haven for city dwellers as well as birds. People also come here to look at the numerous birds that flock the place at early morning or late evening.
Shopping in Ahmedabad
1. City Shopping
Even though pretty much everything is available in this city, Ahmedabad is especially famous for its textile industry. Hence, all kinds of fabrics are available here.
2. Manek Chawk
Manek Chowk is a notable city square in Old Ahmedabad which is a vegetable market in the morning, a bullion market in the noon and the street food market at night. It is most famous, however, for its food stalls that start to emerge around 8 in the evening, with various local street snacks and goodies.
3. Law Garden Night Market
One of the most famous gardens of Ahmedabad the Law Garden becomes a favorite place for shopaholics with vendors and shopkeepers bustling on the scene.
4. Calico Textile Museum
One of the foremost textile museums and a celebrated institute in Indian textiles around the world, Calico Textile Museum is famous for its remarkable collection of fabrics.
5. Lal Darwaza
With lots of hawkers selling various items from clothes to electronics items, Lal Darwaza is crowded yet one of the most famous markets of Ahmedabad.
6. Alpha One Mall
One of the largest multiplexes in Ahmedabad, Alpha One mall houses three anchor stores, a food-court and a movie hall.
7. Banascraft
One of the most famous boutiques of Ahmedabad, Banascraft offers a great variety of handmade items.
8. Kapasi Handicraft Emporium
While Handicrafts from Gujarat are exported to far off places all across the world, you can buy it all from Kapasi Handicraft Emporium
9. R3 The Mall
One of the most popular shopping malls and leisure destinations in the city, this mall houses about 200 shops, numerous food courts and a 4-screen multiplexes.
10. Radhe Shopping Mall
Enjoy shopping at Radhe Shopping Mall for a great experience and a variety of brands to choose from.
How to Reach Ahmedabad
The state of Gujarat, in general, is well-connected to nearby as well as faraway states in India. Hence, it is quite convenient to reach Ahmedabad. The city can be reached via flight, bus, train and even self-drive or taxi.
The Ahmedabad Airport, officially known as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport caters to both domestic and international travel. Roadways are well-maintained as well. Bus options are plenty as the Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service, or the AMTS is an interstate-bus network that has excellent connectivity with all the prominent states in the country.
The Ahmedabad Railway Station also known as the Kalupur Railway Station is efficiently connected with transit lines running across almost every major city in India. There are a bunch of expresses and superfast trains as well. Driving is also another option to reach Ahmedabad. A long drive to the city can be covered from starting points such as Mumbai, Udaipur and Indore.
Best time to visit Ahmedabad
October to March is the best time to visit Ahmedabad as the weather becomes mild and pleasant to road around the city. March to May is the time when summer sets in, the daily temperature peaks above a maximum level of 30 degrees, which is quite pleasant for sightseeing. This season is also a good time to explore the city, and there is also quite an inflow of events and activities such as the International Kite Festival in January. June to October is the monsoon season when the accomodation and travel costs reduce drastically, however, this season often brings in heavy torrential rains, thus flooding the river Sabarmati.
Food of Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, being the glittering and unique city that it is, is brimming with options for food. You will find all kind of places to eat here, from branded chain outlets to 5-star hotels to the colourful street food joints. Do try out the Gujarati cuisine which is mainly vegetarian. When in Ahmedabad, you must try the Gujarati Thali, which typically consists of Roti, Dal or Kadhi, Rice and Vegetable Curries. You can also try out the famous Khichdi with Chaas (Buttermilk).
Gujarat is most famous for its mouthwatering snacks. Few of the most famous snack items are Chakri, Dhokla, Khakra, Fafda, Sev, Khandvi and Khaman. The Gujarati snacks are countrywide famous. Make sure to buy these at a local sweetmeat shop. One can also try the unauthentic, street-side Pizzas, Pao bhaji and the spicy Paani-Puri
The best part about street food in Ahmedabad is that they are not that unhygienic and tastes great while suiting your pocket. One must also try the traditional Gujarati sweets, while here, such as Basundi, Puran Poli, Shrikhand, Ghevar, Malpua and much more. The birthplace of Gandhi - Gujarat, is a dry state, so one cannot find any alcohol here.
Ahmedabad Tour Packages
About Ahmedabad Tourism: Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat, is a vital city in India, both because of its historical significance and industrialism. The metropolis welcomes you with its rich culture, popular tourist sites, delicious food and museums, all of which make for an incredible trip. Spend a fun couple of days exploring this wonderful city with wide range of Ahmedabad travel packages.
A heritage site that you must surely visit when you travel to Ahmedabad is the Sabarmati Ashram, the former residence of Mahatma Gandhi. Now a museum displaying some of his belongings, it is from here that he began the infamous Dandi March. Here you would also find the Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue, which stands tall at 182 m.
The city is also known for its impressive stepwells, such as the Dada Harir Vav. Built during the Mehmud Begda era, this octagonal stepwell was meant to provide some respite during the summer months. Adalaj Stepwell (dating back to the late 15th century) and Rani ki Vav (over 900 years old) are also other popular stepwells that you can visit here.
If you wish to learn more about the city’s heritage and culture, there are many museums that you can tour, including the Calico Textile Museum, Sardar Vallabhai Patel National Museum and Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum. Moreover, you can spend some relaxing time by the Sabarmati Waterfront, which has green parks and promenades or by the serene Kankaria Lake.
Ahmedabad is a city that is quite famous for its numerous religious establishments. The Modhera Sun Temple, Jama Masjid, Hutheesing Jain Temple and Sidi Saiyyed Mosque should be on your itinerary. Next, you must head over to the 15th century Bhadra Fort; known for its stunning carvings, it is set amidst lush greenery. Finally, the Jhulta Minar is another of the city’s architectural wonders that you should see.
Don’t forget to shop for cloth since Ahmedabad is renowned for its textile industry. What’s more, you drive about 85km away to explore Lothal, one of the sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation. The best time to plan your trip to Ahmedabad is from October to March, when the weather is pleasant for sightseeing. About two days are sufficient to tour the city. There are many hotels offering accommodation.
