Ahmedabad Tourism: Places to Visit and Things to Do

One of the most populous cities of India, Ahmedabad is a culturally rich city with a long history of its own. It is located near the banks of Sabarmati River and is an important economic and industrial centre in India. Even though it is a mega city, its planning was done so well that you can find a strange peace amidst its bustling urban crowd. That’s the reason Ahmedabad Tourism is among the top ones in India.

Quick Facts:

Before we go through the travel guidelines in Ahmedabad, let’s have a quick look at few details:

• Population: 82 Lakhs
• Elevation: 174 feet above sea level
• Area: 505 km square
• Climate: Hot, semi-arid
• Ahmedabad is the second largest producer of cotton in India
• Third fastest growing city in the world in the last decade as reported by Forbes.
• Declared as World Heritage City by UNESCO in 2017.

A Brief History of Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad was inhabited by many different dynasties in India, the oldest being Chaulukya dynasty in 11^th century India. However, the area came under the rule of Muzaffarid dynasty in the early 15^th century. Sultan Ahmed Shah, one of the rulers of this dynasty laid the foundation of this city and named it after himself as Ahmedabad in the year 1411.

It was a major political centre during Indian independence movement when Mahatma Gandhi established Sabarmati Ashram here in 1917. Before Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad was the capital of Gujarat until 1970.

Places to Visit in Ahmedabad

The city has a rich cultural heritage and Ahmedabad tourism attracts a vast number of visitors every year. It has a mix of all kinds of tourist destinations ranging from old educational institutions to temples, mosques and ashrams, to natural attractions. The list of things to do in Ahmedabad is huge but we have curated it in this Ahmedabad travel guide to cover only the best places:

Spiritual

• Sabarmati Ashram
• Jama Masjid
• ISKCON Temple
• Swami Narayan Temple
• Vaishno Devi Temple

Museums

• Sardar Vallabhbhai Museum
• Calico Museum
• Sanskar Kendra
• Vechaar Utensils Museum

Architecture

• Sun Temple Modhera
• Adalaj Step Wall
• Sarkhej Roza
• Bhadra Fort

Spiritual

Ahmedabad has been a centre for many spiritual centres due to its long history of different cultures meeting here. Few of the best places that come under Ahmedabad Tourism are:

Sabarmati Ashram

One of the most popular tourist attractions, Sabarmati ashram is known for its tranquil ambience amidst nature. Located near the bank of Sabarmati River, the ashram still echoes the memories of Mahatma Gandhi along with most of the national activities that happened here during his time.

Jama Masjid

Built some 700 years ago, this is a classic piece of architecture that still stands tall in the city. With its wide courtyards, sandstone architectures that depict the local culture, it is one of the famous tourist spots under Ahmedabad Tourism.

ISKCON Temple

This is one of the most spiritual destinations suited best for modern spiritual seekers, especially Krishna devotees. Utmost cleanliness and well organized routine can make your visit a comfortable one while you absorb the spiritual vibes of the place.

Swami Narayan Temple

A temple with its intricate carvings, this is a great piece of art in the middle of the city. With its clean compounds and remarkable patterns, the temple is one of the best and oldest Swami Narayan temples in the world.

Vaishno Devi Temple

Named after famous Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu and Kashmir, this temple holds a special place among visitors. Thousands of devotees, if not in lakhs, visit this temple every month because of its scenic splendour and for lifelong blessings.

Museums

Being a hub of so many cultures and political activities, it would be odd if we don’t mention the museums in this Ahmedabad travel guide. Few of the best ones are:

Sardar Vallabhbhai Museum

Set up to reminisce the life and achievement of one of India’s political stalwarts, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, this museum is located in Moti Shahi Mahal in Ahmedabad. It is one of the best museums in Ahmedabad and is a place you wouldn’t want to miss.

Calico Museum

The Calico Museum is one of the oldest textile museums in India with its vast collection of different types of textiles from all over the country.

Sanskar Kendra

If you want to have a glimpse of the city’s past and glorious history, this museum is just for you and is one of the most valuable assets of Ahmedabad Tourism.

Vechaar Utensils Museum

This museum has an antique collection of various pots and utensils used by ancient civilizations in India. The museum depicts the evolution of utensils used by the local inhabitants of India.

Architecture

Building classic architecture was a mark of esteem for earlier dynasties. Ahmedabad, being a hub of many dynasties, has a vast collection of world-famous architectures that you wouldn’t want to miss out on. But the best ones among those are:

Sun Temple Modhera

Built under Solanki’s rule, this temple is a magnificent piece of art in the village Modhera in Ahmedabad district. It is on the banks of River Pushpavati that makes the place more picturesque.

Adalaj Step Wall

Built in 15^th century, this classic piece of architecture was built to provide villagers with access to groundwater. The temperature is much cooler here and the area around is quite serene for a peaceful time to have for visitors.

Sarkhej Roza

One of the beautiful structures built under Mughal dynasty, Sarkhej Roza is a tomb and mosque complex that is comparable to Acropolis of Athens.

Bhadra Fort

Bhadra Fort was built under Martha’s rule in 1411 and is considered one of the top places to visit in Ahmedabad. The palace has a wide courtyard and a Kali temple and has many legends of blessings associated with it.

Famous Food in Ahmedabad

Gujarat is famous for its street food all over the country. Locals often visit street vendors during the weekends to satisfy their cravings. Few of the best local foods are:

• Khakhra of Navrangpura: This is one of the most famous food in Ahmedabad, Light and easy to digest, salty snack, best to go with tea.
• Bhelpuri of Ellis bridge: Prepared with different flavours and varieties, this is a best munch for an evening snack.
• Mutton Chap of Khanpur: Located in Dahyabhai Parmar Road, this is a must-try dish for non-vegetarians.
• Pav-bhaji of Law Garden: Law Garden is best for Ahmedabad’s authentic dishes like Vada-pav, Pav-bhaji, Dabelis and Gotas.
• Baghdad Fry Centre: famous for Chicken kababs and Tandoori items.
• Traditional delicacies offered at Club Mahindra Kensville Golf Resort.

When to Visit

The best time to visit Ahmedabad is between October and March when the weather is pleasant. Months between April and July bring summers that are quite hot when the temperature peaks up to 43 degrees Celsius. Monsoons are quite pleasant between July and September but won’t be suitable to travel freely around the city for tourists.

Resorts in Ahmedabad

Club Mahindra Kensville Golf Resort is the perfect choice for you when planning a holiday in Ahmedabad.

Ahmedabad is accessible from all the major cities in India as well as from tier-2 cities. The city has a wide variety of things to see and a vibrant culture. Plan your stay well in advance and keep at least a week if you want to dive deep into Ahmedabad tourism. With such a happening place and attractions, it is most likely that you would always want to come back here to explore more.

About Mahindra Holidays

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