First of all let me ask you a question. Have you ever really thought about visiting Ahmedabad? I always thought Ahmedabad is just another Indian city with crowd and chaos. My idea about Ahmedabad was limited to place related to M.K. Gandhi and Indian Institute of Management. I always thought people living here must be all businessmen and very rich. And there are more garments shops than anything else. I didn’t have any idea that this place behelds much more than my knowledge until I immersed in it.
So lets explore some of the popular tourist spots in Ahmedabad and it’s neighborhood:-
- Sabarmati Riverfront
- Sabarmati Ashram
- Auto World Vintage Car Museum, Kathwada
- Rudabai Step-Well, Adalaj
- Hutheesing Jain Temple
- Sidi Sayeed Mosque
- Ahmedabad One Shopping Mall
- Sabarmati Riverfront – Ahmedabad city is located by the side of Sabarmati river. We were on the way to Sabarmati Ashram, our driver suggested to roam around little bit to get a few pictures of the riverfront. I went to see the river closely. The riverfront project made the river look like artificial long slow-moving water body and took some pics which look cool actually! But closer look at the water made me realise that the water looked blackish! I Googled and found sad story of development in Ahmedabad. Due to dumping of industrial effluent the river is now “India’s second-most polluted river”. I didn’t have the intention of stating it on this blog-post. But sometimes we need to be little bit harsh so that it improves the status in the long run. Anyway! Photos by the riverfront did come out brilliant!
2. Sabarmati Ashram – Founded by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as “Mahatma Gandhi” Sabarmati Ashram is a popular tourist spot in Ahmedabad. Amid the chaos, you will find everything so calm and peaceful in the ashram. Historically this place holds an important place with regards to Indian independence. A visit to Ahmedabad would remain incomplete without visiting Sabarmati Ashram. Check out Sabarmati Ashram blog for full details.
3. Auto World Vintage Car Museum, Kathwada – My son just loved Auto World Vintage Car Museum not only for the cars but also for chasing peacocks. This is a really great spot to visit with family. Car lovers best spot to visit – Car Museum is located at private estate, Dastan in Kathwada (nearly 15kms from Ahmedabad) exhibiting vintage and classic cars some of which are more than hundred years old. It was founded by Pranlal Bhogilal in 1927. Now his next generation successors look after the museum. Auto World entry fee Rs.100/- for 11 years and above for 4-11 years entry fee is Rs.50/-. Museum is open to public from 8am to 9pm on all days. Photography by phone or camera Rs.100/- and Rs.1000/- is charged for vintage car ride. This car museum earned Guinness Book of World Records in 1987 as the owner of world’s largest private garage.
4. Rudabai Step-Well, Adalaj – Rudabai Step-Well is located in Adalaj village (15kms from Ahmedabad). Entry fee for SAARC nationals is Rs.25/- and Rs.300/- for other foreign nationals. This historical place has amazingly held it’s beauty for more than 500 years. Step-wells in north-western India served not only source of water but also place where people sat and chatted, carried out ritual performances and also a place of artistic beauty. Check out the blog on Adalaj Step-Well for details.
5. Hutheesing Jain Temple – Hutheesing Kesarising, a wealthy trader from Ahmedabad originally planned to build a Jain Temple. After his death, his wife Harikunwar Sethani completed the construction of the Jain Temple in 1848. The temple was built during the period of severe famine. Construction of the temple employed hundreds of skilled artisans for two years. The temple is combination of both old and new style of architecture. Photography inside the main temple complex is not allowed.
6. Sidi Sayeed Mosque – Sidi Sayeed Mosque was build in 1572-73AD by Habshi nobleman, Sidi Sayeed. During colonial period the mosque was converted to an office. Lord Curzon in order to preserve the historical monument ordered to restore it. The mosque is famous for it’s intricately curved stone latticework windows (jali). The mosque is open to all public on all days. Due to it’s location in Ahmedabad city, you can visit by walking.
7. Ahmedabad One Shopping Mall – Ahmedabad One shopping mall or popularly called Alpha One is the largest shopping mall in Ahmedabad. If you are pro-shopping, you should definitely check it once. It is not as large as Phoenix in Chennai (which I visited in 2018) yet for shopping lovers you get to find so many brands.
These are just few of many other places in and around Ahmedabad. You can visit other places like Science City, Dada Harir Vav, Calico Museum of Textiles to name a few.
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