Ahmedabad was a city on my to-visit list forever, mainly because I am very fascinated with Gujarati culture and food. But the place is so much beyond that. Before I get into how amazing Ahmedabad is, let me tell you how to reach there.
Ahmedabad airport is around 12km from the city center, while the railway station is about 5km away and is connected to all the major cities. The city has the best road transport system in the entire country with interstate bus services available easily. We went on a road trip from Mumbai, and it took us around 9-10 hours via National Highway No. 8. It was a smooth & beautiful drive. I would totally recommend it if you like road trips.
The best time to visit is November to February as that is the winter season and the weather is pleasant. During summers with the soaring temperatures, it does get a little uncomfortable during the day for exploring the city. Personally, I would recommend visiting the city during the Navratri festival which is usually in the month of October-November that goes on for 9 days. During this period, the entire city is lit up and alive with everyone donning their fanciest attire and participating in the Garba dance. It is an experience in itself.
Ahmedabad not only holds great importance in the history of India but also has the second oldest stock exchange in the country. It is also the second-largest producer of cotton in India.
Sabarmati Ashram by Umar
Every person visiting this beautiful city must visit Sabarmati Ashram. It is the home of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation. An important historical place, it shows the simple life that he led. It also has accommodation facilities in guest houses and dorms/suites for families. There is also a khadi shop where you can buy various apparel from. Don’t forget to carry your camera along to click some amazing photos of the time gone by. I recommend Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera – https://amzn.to/3jDa2GN
Sardar Vallabhai Patel National museum is a great place to visit especially if you have children traveling along, as it depicts the Indian heritage and gives knowledge about freedom fighters. This museum is in an old palace called Motishahi Palace built by Shahjahan to provide employment to his subjects at that time. The place is well maintained even today and has photos and writings of this great politician and freedom fighter on display. Photography however is not allowed within the premises.
lake is known to be the second largest lake in the city. It was constructed by the finest Mughal architects of the time and their fine work is visible in the cuts and designs of the stones. There are various interesting theories regarding how the place got its name. India’s largest public sector bank, The State bank of India’s logo is inspired by Kankaria Lake. I had visited during the evening hours and found the place to be very scenic and peaceful. There is a zoo within the campus, boat rides, and plenty of food stalls. The place is shut on Monday, so pre-plan your trip to avoid disappointment.
Teen Darwaza is situated next to Jama Masjid which was the largest mosque in the Indian subcontinent built during that era. If you like seeing old architecture, this place is a must-visit. It has a triple-arched gateway and guards the entrance of Bhadra fort. Back in the day, royal family members used to stand at the windows in this monument and watch processions, festivals, etc. Bhadra fort was used as a prison during the British period. It ceases to exist today as a portion of it was torn down to make place for courts.
Sidi Saiyyed Mosque. Photo by Sharvari Mehendale
Another wonderful piece of art is Sidi Saiyyed Mosque which symbolizes a time when Gujarat prospered under Muslim rule. It is situated in the heart of the city; the place has beautiful carvings on the windows and is famous for its depiction of the tree of life. You have to visit this place to admire its beauty.
Photo by trawell.in
The Calico Museum of textiles is a place I was not very keen on visiting, but I am so glad I did. There are 500-year-old textiles available on display. It is a guided tour where all the details are well explained. However, you would require to book the tour in advance.
This time I decided to explore the city via a tour bus which is arranged by Gujarat tourism. It was an open-air double Decker bus that took us around the city and showed us different spots, many of which I have mentioned. I found the experience very interesting and would recommend this tour.
Photo By Tanisha Jaiswal
After all the sightseeing, I could not go back without doing some shopping. I headed to Dhalgarwad market to pick some of the best #Bandhej, Silk Patola saris, and cotton prints, this place will spoil you with the variety of garments it offers. Manek Chowk is in the city square in Old Ahmedabad and has jewelry for sale in the afternoons and street food in the evenings, the best of both worlds. I also picked a lot of souvenirs from the law garden night market.
Overall, the vibe, people, and food of Ahmedabad are the things that make it worth visiting.
