AHMEDABAD CITY GUIDE
Manchester Of The East…' is an epithet fit for a place like Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad, in Gujarat, is one of the major industrial cities of India. Many textile industries are located here. Ahmedabad is a noisy city full of vitality, offering everything for a tourist with wanderlust. Interesting museums, rare blends of architecture (a blend of Islamic and Hindu Architectural styles), colorful, narrow bazaars, scenic river locales (the city sprawls across the Sabarmati river), artisans' villages and some great Gujarati food. The city was founded in the early years of the fifteenth century by Sultan Ahmed Shah. In the 17th century, it was one of India’s most important cities, but the city’s fortunes declined over time.
SABARMATHI
ASHRAM
Much
like Mahatma Gandhi, his ashram too is simplicity personified. It is a very
peaceful place with simple rooms exhibiting the great man’s biography,
photographs, quotes and paintings. There is a bookshop that sells books about
Gandhi, handicrafts and handmade paper. The ashram has another significance too
and this is where Gandhi began his famous Dandi Salt March protesting the
British Salt Law. The Ashram is opened daily from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm.
throughout the year.
JAMA MASJID
Jama Masjid was built in 1424 by Sultan Ahmed Shah I. This mosque has a large
marble courtyard with a small, reflecting pool in the center. The mosque has
256 pillars, which support fifteen domes (cupolas). There are intricate Hindu
carvings on the pillars.
SIDI SAIYAD’S MOSQUE
This mosque has elaborately carved domes and ceilings. The lattice work on
the screens and windows are very skillfully done. Situated in Lal Darwaja, this
mosque was built by a slave of Ahmed Shah in 1573.
AHMED SHAH’S MOSQUE
This is one of the oldest mosques in the city, built in 1414. It used to be
a private royal mosque.
RANI SIPRI’S MOSQUE
Situated on Sardar Patel Road, this mosque is also known as Masjid-e-Nagira
(Jewel of a Mosque). It has ornamented minarets and a tomb of Rani Sipri, who
had the mosque built after her son was executed for a minor crime.
BABI’S MOSQUE
This Mosque, southeast of the railway station, is famous for its 25 m
shaking minaret.
SWAMI NARAYANA TEMPLE
Built in 1950, this temple, located in the northern part of the city, is
dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.
HATHI SINGH TEMPLE
Located north of Delhi Gate, this Jain temple was constructed of white
marble in 1848.
VISHALL
To get a real taste of Gujarat, you have to make a visit to Vishall. This
is an artificially built, traditional Gujarati village located 4 km south of
Ahmedabad, in Vasana. You can see potters and weavers at work in their mud and
thatch huts. The real ambience of rural life is captured. You can also check
out the Utensil Museum here with a good collection of pots, utensils and
boxes.
STEP WELLS (VAVS OR BAOLIS)
Your trip to Ahmedabad will be incomplete without a visit to The Dada Hari Vav.
It is a `step well' with a
difference. It has intricately carved walls, pillars and the steps lead down to
different levels and ends in a small well.
KANKARIA LAKE
It is a scenic artificial lake surrounded by a park.