City Info
Ahmedabad - How to get there:
By Airways:
Ahmedabad has a domestic as well as an international airport. There are various domestic airlines connecting Ahmedabad with Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Calcutta, Bangalore as well as international flights to various overseas destinations.
By Railways:
Ahmedabad is linked by rail to Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Udaipur, Calcutta, Chennai, and other major cities and towns of India and several other tourist centres.
By Roadways:
State transport buses and private luxury coaches connect various cities of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan. It is 555 kms. from Mumbai, 1076 kms. from Delhi via Udaipur and Jaipur.
History
Ahmedabad was founded by Sultan Ahmed Shah on the banks of River Sabarmati in 1411 A.D.
Sultan Ahmed Shah graced his kingdom with splendid monuments, mosques, pavilions and mausoleums, marking the beginning of the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. Modern day Ahmedabad, the capital of the State of Gujarat is the largest city and a leading industrial centre in Gujarat. It is also the sixth largest in India. But Ahmedabad has a lot more to offer visitors.
It is from the austere habitat of Sabarmati at Ahmedabad, that the `Father of the Nation` - Mahatma Gandhi took on the mighty British Empire, and gave human race one of its most remarkable ways to fight oppression - non-violence.
Tourist Attractions
Kankaria Lake
A polygonal lake almost a mile in circumference, it was constructed in 1451 by Sultan Qutb-ud-Din. In the centre of the lake is an island-garden with a summer palace known as Nagina Wadi. The lake is now a popular recreational centre and is surrounded by parks, `Bal Vatika`, children`s gardens, a boat club, natural history museum and a zoo.
Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
It is situated 65 kms. Southwest of Ahmedabad and it is the delightful bird sanctuary of Nalsarovar nestling around the Nal Lake, extending over 11,500 hectares. Established in 1969 A.D., it is known to harbour over 250 species of wetland birds. Nalsarovar sees winter migrants from the north that includes Rosy Pelicans, Flamingoes, White Storks, Brahminy Ducks and Herons. Boating is an added attraction.
The Jumma Masjid
Described by some as the most beautiful mosque in India, the congregational mosque was built by the city`s founder, Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1423. Built in yellow sandstone, it combines the best of Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture. It stands on 260 pillars supporting 15 domes at varying elevations. The mosque is located in the centre of the old city.
Siddi Sayed Mosque
One part of the wall in the old citadel of the mosque built by Ahmed Shah`s slave, Sidi Sayed, is celebrated all over the world for its exquisite stone window tracery - a superb example of delicate carving that transforms stone into filigree.
Sarkhej Roza
About 8 kms. from the city, Sarkhej comprises one of the most elegant architectural complexes of Ahmedabad. Grouped around a great stepped tank is the tomb to the saint, Ahmed Khattu Ganj Baksh (1445), the mosque, the tombs of Mehmud Shah Begada and his queen, and the palace and pavilions. The buildings are remarkable for the complete absence of arches and the use of pierced stone trellises throughout.
Hatheesing Jain Temple
Built outside Delhi Gate in 1850 by a rich Jain merchant, the Hatheesing Temple is the best known of Ahmedabad`s many ornate Jain temples. Built of pure white marble and profusely decorated with rich carvings, the Hatheesing Temple is dedicated to Dharamnath, the 15th Jina or Jain apostle. Within the city there are many other Jain temples.
Shaking Minarets
The shaking minarets are two minarets located at the Siddhi Bashir mosque. They are uniquely designed in a way that when one minaret is shaken the other one shakes too.
Sabarmati Ashram
On a quiet stretch of the river Sabarmati, 7 kms north of the city, Mahatma Gandhi set up a simple retreat in 1915. This was his first Satyagraha Ashram and for many it was the nerve centre of India`s freedom movement. Hides Kunj, the cottage where he lived is preserved as it was in the Mahatma`s lifetime. The Gandhi Ashram has a memorial centre, library and a sound and light spectacle to offer its visitors.
The Pols
The Pols, integral parts of old Ahmedabad are residential units dating back to 1714 with intricately carved facades, which line the streets. It nurtures within its folds, pages of history, a breath of harmony and a showcase of exquisite architecture. Notable in the present day Pols are Mhurat Pol, Mandvi-ni-Pol, and Lakha Patel-ni-Pol.
Teen Darwaja
The triple-arched gateway was built by Sultan Ahmed Shah to serve as the royal entrance to the Maidan Shahi or the Royal Square.
Calico Textile Museum
Ahmedabad owes its prosperity to three textiles - cotton, silk and gold. Ahmedabad has one of the finest textile museums in the world. Housed in one of Gujarat`s famous carved wooden havelis, the museum displays a magnificent collection of rare textiles that date back to the 17th century. There is also an excellent reference library on textiles.
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