Ahmedabad or Amdavad as Gujaratis like to call it is a city that paints a beautiful picture of sweetness, simplicity, the colors of chania cholis, and the taste of gathia and undiyu. It is the first time in the world to be named UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Ahmedabad has been constantly evolving since its inception and was founded by Sultan Ahmed Shah. But, over the years, the enduring thing is the city’s love of celebrating life and preserving its heritage with its architectural wonders. These wonders are now the pride of the city and one of the main tourist attractions in Gujarat. Apart from these, there are many parks and water tanks in the city that are worth a visit.
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Some of the best places to visit in Ahmedabad, Gujarat:
- Sabarmati Ashram.
- Jama Masjid.
- ISKCON Temple.
- GandhiNagar.
- Akshardham Temple.
Sabarmati Ashram:
The first word that comes to mind when talking about Ahmedabad is that of Mahatma Gandhi and Sabarmati Ashram. Once the home of the Bapu and the center of the Indian liberation struggle, it is located on the banks of the Sabarmati River. This place gives visitors an understanding of the life and hardships of Mahatma Gandhi.
You can see his many personal artworks, including his glasses, slips, and books. There is an art gallery and library with about thirty-five thousand books in English, Hindi, and Gujarati here. The writings, paintings, and artwork here are valuable if one wants to learn more about Gandhi’s life, family, and changing ways. Sabarmati Ashram holds the right to be the first of the famous Dandi Mashi, who was a key figure in the Indian liberation struggle.
Location: Ashram Road, Ahmedabad
Special mention: Magan Niwas, Upasana Mandir, Dyog Mandir, Hriday Kunj, and Nandini
Opening hours: 8:30 am to 6:30 pm
Admission: Free
Jama Masjid:
Another architectural monument built by the Sultan Ahmed Shah, Jama Masjid is the top tourist attraction in Ahmedabad. The fort was built in 1423 by Sultan, who wanted the Muslims of Ahmedabad to have a place where they could meet for their Friday prayers. Located near Badra Fort, it resembles its size with its yellow sandstone and two hundred and sixty pillars with fine carvings. The construction of the mosque reflects the combination of Hindu and Muslim architectural styles, and it is said that the yellow sand used in the mosque was part of certain Hindu and Jain temples.
Location: Manek Chowk, Ahmedabad
Special mention: It has a wide yard for filtering sunlight
Opening time: 6:00 am to 8:00 pm
Admission: Free
ISKCON TEMPLE:
The fascinating exterior of the ISKCON temple features a seamless combination of two styles: Gujarat Sompura and Rajasthani Khamira. The four-acre (4 ha) center houses the temple, man-made gardens, and beautiful fountains. The ISKCON Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radar, but it also houses the idols of other Hindu deities.
Location: Satellite Road, Sarkhej, Ahmedabad.
Special talk: Meditation in the prayer room and morning and evening aartis
Opening hours: The time of opening is 4:30 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Admission: Free.
GANDHI NAGAR:
Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat, is well worth a visit by Ahmedabad. Many city temples, such as the Hanuman Temple and the Brahmani Temple, lend themselves to the divine aura in Gandhinagar. There is plenty to do in the city, such as visiting the deer park, Sarita Udyan, and Children’s Park. The bones of large mammals such as blue whales stand out in the park.
Location: 26 km from Ahmedabad
Special mention: Trimandir, Fun World, Rani Roopmati’s Mosque, Mahudi Jain Temple, and Sant Sarovar Dam
AKSHARDHAM TEMPLE:
This temple holds the reputation of being the most beautiful temple of Akshardham in India, and it is. Nearly two million devotees from Gujarat flocked to the temple to pay homage to King Swaminarayan. The temple is a masterpiece when it comes to combining modern style while keeping the essence of Hindu mythology alive in architecture. The building stands in the middle of a 23-acre [23 ha] lawn and is built using 6,000 tons of pink sandstone without the use of metal. Inside the temple, a 1.2-tonne gold statue of Lord Swaminarayan sits on the right hand of an idol erected in Abhay mudra. It is one of those places that gives you more than the enlightenment you need in the temple. Mystic India, an action-packed film on the journey of an 11-year-old yogi named Neelkanth, is instructive and illustrative.
Location: 26 km from Ahmedabad
Special mention: A seven-foot-tall gold statue of King Swaminarayan
Opening time: 9:15 am to 5:15 pm. It is closed on Monday.
Admission: Free