Top 5 things you must do in Ahmedabad, India
Ahmedabad is the seventh largest city in India and is the commercial capital of Gujarat, a western state of India. Ahmedabad has been inhabited since the 11th century and is a thriving commercial and Industrial hub. The city has been known for its cotton textiles industry since many years and has also been dubbed as the Manchester of the East. The olden part of the city is also referred to as the Walled City owing to the act that the area was fortified by a wall having a circumference of 6 miles and 12 gates in the year 1487. The Walled city or the historic city of Ahmedabad has been declared India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City in July this year. Ahmedabad is a city where the historical juxtaposes with the contemporary, where art and architecture take on a futuristic avatar, a city that has so much to see and experience.
Here your you must do attractions and sites visiting Ahmedabad
Visit Sabarmati Ashram, Mahatma Gandhi’s Home for 12 years
A visit to the city of Ahmedabad must start with a visit to the Sabarmati Ashram that played a vital role in the history of India’s struggle for independence. The place was also the home of one of the century’s greatest and enigmatic leaders, Mahatma Gandhi. There is a museum that documents the life of Mahatma Gandhi as well as India’s freedom struggle through priceless photographs, paintings, and other visuals. The museum also has many original as well as replicas of the personal effects of Mahatma Gandhi. In addition to the museum one can also visit the living quarters of the Mahatma, where history was made as he entertained many World leaders here. The atmosphere of this place has a strange tranquillity and seems like an oasis of peace in the turbulent world.
Get lost in the history of Textiles at the Calico Museum
The history of textiles in India dates back to the early centuries and in fact a block printed fabric whose origin can be traced back to the state of Gujarat has been found in an Egyptian tomb. During the 17th and 18th century there was a large export of cotton textiles to the western countries and Ahmedabad was the centre of the manufacture of this fabric. The Calico museum which is situated in a heritage building which itself is a treat to the eyes, showcases the history of textiles in India, probably a unique museum in its own right. The galleries of the Museum provide a fascinating insight into the techniques of weaving and dyeing, block printing, embroidery, textiles from the Mughal period and many other interesting aspects of textiles and their history.
Be Awed by the Exquisite Lattice Work at Sidi Sayed Jali
In the bustling city of Ahmedabad, right in the midst of a busy traffic junction is situated an ancient mosque that was built in 1573. This old mosque is home to some of the most exquisite and intricately carved lattice work windows. Intricate branches of trees, leaves, and flowers come alive in stone and the beauty of the structure needs to be seen to be believed.
Enter a Quirky World of Art at Amdavad Ni Gufa
A contemporary structure which seamlessly integrates the elements of art and architecture sprung up in the city of Ahmedabad in the year 1995. The building whose design is inspired by nature, ancient history and culture is a unique gallery that showcases the painting skills of the famous Indian painter M.F. Hussain. The gallery is built in the form of a cave and is below the ground level. A secret door with a partially hidden staircase leads to the galleries which have no straight walls and are designed in the form of natural caves and also have columns that are inspired from tree trunks. The walls of the gallery were used by M.F. Hussain as his canvas and he has painted the walls with brilliant colours. The motifs represent human and animal figures and also include his famous horse figures. The gallery also functions as a venue for art exhibitions.
Descend into the Depths of a Different Time at Adalaj Step well
If you happen to be in Ahmedabad, do not let go the chance of visiting a small village called Adalaj which is situated on the outskirts of the city. In this city is situated a step well that was built by the local kind in the year 1498. The step well which is built 5 storeys deep is embellished by halls and pillars with intricate carvings. The step well not only served as a water source at its bottom,but was a place of refuge for travellers from the sun, a place where they could rest for sometime in cool comfort before resuming their journey.
These are some of the experiences that are sure to leave you with wonderful memories of Ahmedabad and whet your appetite for more in this historic city of Ahmedabad.
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You’ve covered my homeland pretty well, though there are numerous places to visit in and around ahemdabad.
Over all you’ve done a nice job!
Thank you, glad you enjoyed the top 5 things you must do in Ahmedabad
Informative post.As we all Know that India is a historical place to travel. Ahmedabad is beautiful city to visit.I would defenatly plan my vacation to Ahmedabad this summer.Thanks for sharing and thanks for the vacation idea.Keep sharing.
Sounds like lots of great things to do in Ahmedabad! The Lattice Work at Sidi Sayed Jali is really beautiful, and the Adalaj Step well looks super neat as well. I would like to check out the Calico Museum too for both the building and what’s inside. Sounds like so great history to learn about!
Ahmedabad does surprise for a historic location in India with some beautiful cultural treasures to this Unesco city.
Love this top five concept! It’s so easy to prioritize my travels more with such a concise guide. I love the idea of freeform gallery walls at Amdavada ni Gufa and I am in awe of Mahatma Gandhi and would love to see where he lived out his most prominent years. It must be so special to encounter the unearthly tranquility you speak of at Sabarmati Ashram.
This is an impressive location even though Ahmedabad doesn’t get the attention it deserves from all these historic and current places of interest
Ahmedabad has quite a few unique attractions… it is a historical city and has enough for heritage lovers. I visited the Adalaj stepwell almost a decade ago, when I was not even a regular traveller…
Another item I can add is the Indus Civilization ruins at Lothal, which is not far from the city…
Thanks for sharing some of the other wonderful places to visit in Ahmedabad
I’ve never been to India – yet! – but Ahmedabad looks like a fascinating place to visit. I’d love to spend time at the Calico Museum. I’m intrigued by different culture’s textiles and fabrics.
I’ve been to India before but didn’t have the chance to visit Ahmedabad! That’s amazing you can visit where Ghandi lived for 12 years – I would feel in awe just being in the presence of the house.
Ahmedabad does sound fascinating and visiting Ghandi’s residence would be a fantastic experience.
The Adalaj Step well looks both scary and incredible at the same time. Too many horror movies, I guess! But the halls and pillars with intricate carvins are SO beautiful!
It does look cool and creepy at the same time, Ahmedabad is interesting don’t you think?
Ahmedabad looks like somewhere I must visit next time I visit India. I had not known it is the country’s 7th largest nor that it has the World Heritage City status. Would definitely like to pay visit to Gandhi’s home. I am very interested in textiles, so that museum would also appeal to me. And I’m loving the look of Amdavad ni Gufa, which looks fascinating! Then the opposite, in the historical Adalaj Step Well.
Ahmedabad does have a good combination of attractions and other historic/cultural treasures worth visiting.
I am planning to go to India in 2018 so this is helpful! The architecture is so memorable and beautiful and it is so cool Ghandi lived there for 10 years! So historical yet with modern touches
It is cool that Ahmedabad is a good mixture of old and new combined
Given India’s amazing cultural heritage – it’s amazing that Ahmedabad is their first Unesco heritage city. The ancient Adalaj Step well sounds fascinating…and such a historic creation. There really is plenty to do in Ahmedabad isn’t there
As a heritage city Ahmedabad can be proud of their Unesco status
Had never heard of this city so thank you for introducing us to it! It was wonderful to learn some history about it and what to do. We think Adalaj looks like a must-see there. How incredible to go 5 stories down! Beautiful architecture. Hope to go someday!
Being a bit of an ‘archilover,’ I would love to see these sites! Thank you for more reasons to finally get to India.
Ahmedabad looks like an interesting city (with a long history). I’d like to visit the Adalaj Step well.
We had never heard of Ahmedabad, but you certainly made it look very desirable for a destination. I’m not sure I would want to venture into a five story well, but the design is amazing to see. Thanks for sharing.