Ahmedabad: Explore The Textile Hub Of India!

Ahmedabad (or Amdavad) is the marketable hub of Gujarat. But the city also assertions of being a center for educational tourism, a textile, hub, and a sightseer destination. Among the places to visit in Ahmedabad city are fabulous mosques, tranquil temples, and beautiful lakes. This city has a mix of historical allure and an up-to-date lifestyle.

As a mixture of art, culture, and revolution, Ahmedabad has something for everyone. The Old City has engraved monuments, grand gateways, momentous forts, pols, and Havelis as a nostalgia for the past.

Lying on the other side of the ageless Sabarmati River is the modern part. It is characterized by extensive roads and malls, in stark contrast to the jam-packed bazaars of old Ahmedabad. And the Nehru Bridge links both worlds.

Apart from the Sabarmati Riverfront and the lanes of old Ahmedabad, the city has Sabarmati Ashram, Kankaria Lake, and different types of museums. These involve the museum for kites, utensils and also, and vintage cars. With different places to visit in Ahmedabad and nearby, all you require is to pick up the map and begin planning your trip.

Dada Harir Stepwell

The Dada Harir Stepwell is a marvelous example of distinguished architecture and masonry of that period. It is one of the most serene places to visit in Ahmedabad. Here you can relish some peace and noiselessness as you witness the fine craftsmanship and the different inscriptions in Sanskrit and Persian on the walls and columns of the stepwell.

As you look down at the stepwell you can find birds flying about as the whole core of this structure takes you back in time. Another feature that fascinates visitors here is the sudden chilling effects that can be felt the moment you enter. 

Experience the ancient Dada Harir Stepwell in #Ahmedabad. #DadaHarirNiVav is an intricately designed step-well built about 500 years ago under the reign of Mehmud Begda with beautiful carvings in Sanskrit as well as in Arabic script. #architecture #heritage pic.twitter.com/Wkcy8xa4jU

— Gujarat Tourism (@GujaratTourism) May 8, 2019

It carries a beautiful respite from the hot Ahmedabad sun, particularly during the summers. It is best to visit the stepwell during the late mornings when the rays of light fall on the lowest point of the well.

Auto World Vintage Car Museum

The history and the evolutionary journey of automobiles can be observed at this museum. Exact from horse-drawn carriages and railway saloons to remarkable convertibles, some grand vintage cars, and a gorgeous assortment of vintage buggies, the museum is a visual enjoyment for tourists.

The cars exhibited here represent brands such as Rolls-Royce, Buick-Cadillac, Bentley, Daimler, Chryslers, and Mercedes.  

Swaminarayan Temple

Situated in the Kalupur area of Ahmedabad, Shri Swaminarayan Temple is a shrine enthusiastic about Narayan Dev. This impressive temple was constructed in the year 1822 on the instructions of Swaminarayan, who was the initiator of the Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism.

The temple fascinates a million individuals on the day after Diwali for darshan. The personal artifacts of Swami Narayan are also conserved for safekeeping here. The temple is also fairly well known for its morning ‘Aarti’ or prayer service.

But apart from its religious importance, the beautiful temple is also better known for its architectural grandeur. It is built utilizing Burmese teak and painted with bright colors widespread in Gujarati culture. Much of the designs in the interior as well as the exterior, carry you with a glimpse into Gujarati and Rajasthani lifestyle.

And the sculpted gateway is a collective result of Gujarati, Marathi, Rajasthani, and British styling. The garbhagriha of the temple has a picture of Narayan Dev and an idol of Radhakrishna Dev. Other pictures there belong to Dharma Dev, Bhakti Mata, and Harikrishna.

Sabarmati Ashram

Situated on the banks of the Sabarmati River, this is one of the most prevalent tourist places in Ahmedabad. Once a residence of Mahatma Gandhi, now it is one of the superlative Ashrams in Ahmedabad. It has been categorized into different sections.

The most interesting part is the Museum section where the personal belongings of the Mahatma and different of his letters are on display.

The Ashram was one of the foremost centers of the Freedom Struggle in India. Some of the foremost attractions here are the Upasana Mandir, Hriday Kunj, Udyog Mandir, Magan Niwas, and the Ashram Museum.

Jhulta Minar

Situated in Ahmedabad, Jhuta Minar is one of the most fascinating architectural wonders that the world has ever seen. They are still an unknowable mystery. What makes the minarets unique is if one of the minarets is stunned then the other minaret shakes within a few seconds, while the associating passage doesn’t communicate any movements or vibrations.

Different architects and historians have tried to understand the physics and logic behind the distinct movements of the minarets. It is these movements that have led to its name, Jhulta Minar which interprets as a swinging minaret.

Bhadra Fort

Bhadra Fort is an impressive ancient fort situated on the eastern banks of the Sabarmati River.  It was constructed by the founder of the city of Ahmedabad, Sultan Ahmad Shah I in 1411 AD. Over the years different rulers conquered the Fort and in 1817 the British defeated the governing Marathas and took over the Fort.

They turned it into a prison throughout the complete British Rule in India. The Maratha rulers constructed a Bhadra Kali Temple in the Fort which in turn gave the Fort its name.

The Fort lies on a rambling ground of nearly 43 acres and it has a graceful palace, the Bhadra Kali Temple, the Nagina Baug, Teen Darwaza, and Ahmad Shah’s mosque.

The Fort was majorly built utilizing bright red colored stones and the palace within the Fort has ornate arches and elaborate carvings. Today, the Fort is used for different Government offices.

Lothal

About 75 km from Ahmedabad, Lothal proposes the remains of a praiseworthy city of the Indus Valley Civilization that prevailed 4500 years ago. The site discloses the foundation of a well-planned city with paved drains, channels, wells, public baths, and blocks of houses.

Bead accessories, earthen pots, birds and animal motifs, seals, and evaluating instruments were also found here. So, if you are someone who loves excavating history, Lothal can be a fascinating destination for you to discover near Ahmedabad.

Science City

The Science City Complex in Ahmedabad is one of the most motivating lures here. The complex covers an enormous area and houses an IMAX 3D theatre, an amphitheater, a Hall of Science, a Planet Earth Pavillion, an  Energy Park, a Life Science Park, and musical fountains.

Visitors can celebrate performing different experiments, understand the functioning of mobile phones and satellites, application of up-to-date technology in daily life and so much more. There are different hands-on activities and exhibits that aid to understand disaster management.

Jama Masjid

The Jama Masjid situated in Ahmedabad is one of the major mosques in India built during the period of 1424. This marvelous edifice formed a foremost part of the old walled city and was constructed by Emperor Sultan Ahmed Shah, who is the founder of Ahmedabad.

In addition to being an admired shrine, Jama Masjid also houses the tombs of Ahmed Shah I, his son, and his grandson followed by the graves of the queens of the king.

An attractive blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture styles, the expanse of the Jama Masjid is a wonderful sight to behold. It was built with the determination of serving as a private monument to the Sultans and took nearly 13 years to reach completion.

What’s motivating to note is that the mosque was constructed out of stones and rubble released from devastated Hindu and Jain temples.

Sabarmati River Front

The spectacular Sabarmati Riverfront is one of the present developments and is also, among the must-see locations to visit in Ahmedabad in the evening. You can get there any time throughout the day but evenings are great – either for a walk or to sit there, looking at the insight.

The government undertook the project to advance the environmental conditions, endorse tourism, and also ‘save’ the Sabarmati River.

The construction comprises a two-level promenade on both banks. While the bottom level is reserved only for pedestrians and cyclists, the upper-level structures are parks, plazas, and open places for leisure activities, and events.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Memorial

Located in the premises of Moti Shahi Mahal at Shahibaug in Ahmedabad, Sardar Vallabhai Patel National Museum is a museum and a memorial enthusiastic to the 1st Deputy Prime Minister of India – Sardar Vallabhai Patel. The museum has showings in English, Hindi, and Gujarati.

Enclosed by an attractive garden, the museum also has umpteen displays and photographs from the Indian National Movement and precisely from Patel’s life.

The memorial shows over a thousand memoirs and relics that were noteworthy to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and his life. One decorated feature of the museum is the original Indian flag from the 1930s structured by the Congress party of the time.

Rani No Hajiro

Rani No Hajiro is a tomb complex built especially for the wives of the Mughal royalty. This complex is situated near the famous Manek Chowk. The tombs are in a courtyard and the composite is like a peaceable oasis in the middle of a bustling place in the city.

An impressive gateway leads to the insertion which is constructed on a greater platform. The courtyard itself is enclosed by trellised cloisters which are fitted with stone screens with involved carvings.

The streets leading to the complex are a bustling marketplace from where you can shop for some traditional clothes and fittings as well as souvenirs.

Kankaria Lake

Earlier named Hauj-e-Kutub, Kankaria Lake is one of the best tourist places to visit in Ahmedabad. The toy train ride, balloon ride, and different water-based activities make it prevalent among tourists, and also, a local favorite. One of the striking and most attractive features of Kankaria Lake is the garden – Nagina Wadi, built amidst water. You can reach it through the attractive walkway that links it to Kankaria Lake Waterfront.

Apart from visiting the park and pandering in water activities, the toy train ride is a must-try. It takes you nearly to this large lake. Other than the dissimilar types of entertainment activities, the complex also has a zoo neighboring.

Such a numberless of experiences in one place makes Kankaria Lake one of the recommended destinations to visit in Ahmedabad with beloved friends and family alike. It’s nearly 3 km away from the railway station. And if you happen to be around during the last week of December, you can also be a part of the colorful carnival.

Best Time To Visit Ahmedabad

Mostly hot during the whole year, Ahmedabad celebrates three distinct seasons: summer, monsoon, and winter. But it experiences thrilling temperature variations. These frequently cross 40 °C throughout summer and drop as low as 5 °C in winter.

The highest-ever temperature noted in Ahmedabad is 48°C! There’s even a noteworthy difference between the day and night temperatures, with nights being much freezing.

The monsoons bring much-required relief from the summer heat. They endure right up to October when winter takes over. The best time to visit Ahmedabad is perceptibly the winter season. But you can discover Ahmedabad throughout the rest of the year too. The rainy season would be a good period to discover the city sans the crowds and also to celebrate good hotel deals in the bargain.

Though summer is positively not the best time to visit Ahmedabad, you will get the best travel deals throughout this time. It is certainly up to you to decide the best time to visit Ahmedabad.

Summer (March-May): With temperatures averaging between 36 to 45 °C, summer is not the ideal duration to be in Ahmedabad. Individuals rarely venture outdoors, and the complete city celebrates a siesta during hot afternoons. Make sure to stay hydrated and carry plenty of sun shields.

Monsoon (June – October): As Ahmedabad witnesses blessed relief from the heat, it is an enjoyable time to be in the city. But you may not get much exploration done owing to the rains, and high humidity.

Winter (November – February): Winter is the best season in Ahmedabad. The cool, dry weather is great to discover the city all day long. This is also the time of kites and festivals. Look up to stare upon the marvelous kites that dot the sky like different colorful tiles.

How To Reach Ahmedabad? 

By Air: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport links the city to all foremost domestic and international destinations. One of the eventful airports in Gujarat, it is situated nearly 14 km away from the city center. Travelers can book a pre-paid taxi or a cab from the airport to arrive at any part of the city. 

By Road: Ahmedabad is linked by road to foremost Indian cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Surat, Gandhinagar, Shirdi, and Udaipur via Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) and interstate bus services. From Mumbai to Ahmedabad, it takes nearly 9 to 10 hours to cover the road distance of nearly 530 km via NH 8. 

By Rail: Situated in the Kalupur area, at a distance of nearly 6 km from the city center, Ahmedabad railway station, also better known as Kalupur Station, links the city to all foremost cities of India such as Delhi, Goa, Jaipur, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Patna, Bangalore, etc. Travelers can access services of buses, taxis, and rickshaws from the station, in order to arrive at any part of the city. 

Conclusion 

Ahmedabad being the heart of the state of Gujarat is occupied with different attractions and forms the crux of the Gujarati culture in India. The above-cited places are not only a few of the great attractions in Ahmedabad but also deliver deep insight into the history and lifestyle of the Indian state of Gujarat.

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