Ahmedabad, in western India, is the largest city in the state of Gujarat. The Sabarmati River runs through its center. On the western bank is the Gandhi Ashram at Sabarmati, which displays the spiritual leader’s living quarters and artifacts. Across the river, the Calico Museum of Textiles, once a cloth merchant’s mansion, has a significant collection of antique and modern. The area around Ahmedabad has been inhabited since the 11th century, when it was known as Ashaval At that time, Karna. Ahmedabad is divided by the Sabarmati into two physically distinct eastern and western regions. The eastern bank of the river houses the old city, which includes the central town of Bhadra. This part of Ahmedabad is characterized by packed Bazaars the Pol system of closely clustered buildings.
FAMOUS PLACES IN AHMEDABAD
1. Sabarmati Riverfront
Sabarmati Riverfront is a waterfront developed on the banks of river Sabarmati in Ahmedabad. Started with an objective for sustainable development and environmental improvement, the pace has now become a major tourist attraction owing to its lush green promenades, beautiful parks and plazas and an all-around soothing ambiance.
The cultural space here hosts various events, competitions, and other local festivities. Some of the frequent markets here include the Local Sunday Market (Riverfront Market) and the Ravivari Market which is found towards the east of the waterfront. There are washroom facilities as well.
2. Rani ki Vav
The 900-year-old structure listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is displayed prominently in the new ₹ 100 currency note issued by the Reserve Bank of India. Rani Ki Vav or ‘Queen’s Stepwell’ is a distinctive form of water storage system located in the small town of Gujarat called Patan, on the banks of River Saraswati. Believed to be the grandest stepwell in the state of Gujarat, Rani ka Vav epitomizes the peak of the Maru-Gujarat architectural style.
The most emphatic pieces of embellishment here have to be the statues and sculptures of Lord Vishnu. The most imposing imagery here is present at the water level of the Rani ki Vav, where you can see Vishnu reclining on the thousand-hooded serpent Shesha.
3. Kankaria Lake
Kankaria Lake is the second-largest lake in Ahmedabad, formerly known as Hauz-e-Qutub. Located near the Maninagar area, the lakefront is popular for the balloon safari, zoo, toy trains and amusement park.
The super thrilling tethered balloon ride is available at Kankaria Lakefront. It elevates to a height of around 350 feet, affording a mesmerizing panoramic view of Ahmedabad city. The balloon ride premise also has some restaurants.
4. Bhadra Fort
The Bhadra fort today houses the Teen Darwaza, a three-doored gateway at the fort’s eastern corner, along with a bunch of office quarters such as Civil Courts, the ASI and a Post Office. The fort also cites the city’s first-ever electrical apparatus, the Bhadra Clock tower, which functioned with an electric bulb after having used a kerosene lamp for over 70 years since 1849.
Bhadra Fort carries out an Indo-Gothic style of architecture. Popularly known as Indo-Saracenic, this form of architecture is characterized by elaborately designed arches, balconies and inscribed Islamic engravings at the fort’s entrance.
5. Auto World Vintage Car Museum
Located in the Dastan of Kathwad, the Auto World Vintage Car Museum is a connoisseur of over 120 vintage cars including old utility vehicles, motor vehicles and ancient carriages. It is organized and maintained by the Vintage and Classic Car Club of India.
The museum has a restaurant that is said to serve some of the best Rajasthani and Gujarati delicacies. There is a children’s play park with a toy train and other activities on the museum premises, There are regular live cultural dances organized in the museum. The green landscape of the museum also has an artificial pond with a couple of cottages around.
6. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Memorial
Sardar Vallabhai Patel National Museum is a museum and a memorial dedicated to the 1st Deputy Prime Minister of India – Sardar Vallabhai Patel. The museum has exhibitions in English, Hindi and Gujarati. Surrounded by a beautiful garden, the museum also has umpteen exhibits and photographs from the Indian National Movement and specifically from Patel’s life.
There is also a food court on the museum premises. Housed within the walls of the Moti Shah Mahal built by Shah Jahan in 1622, the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Memorial was further colonized by the British in the 1700s. It was also a place of thought and stay for the renowned Indian poet and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore.
7. Jhulta Minar
Jhuta Minar is one of the most intriguing architectural wonders that the world has ever seen. They are still an unsolvable mystery. What makes the minarets unique is if one of the minarets is shaken then the other minaret shakes within a few seconds,
The minaret was designed with such an intention that applying a small amount of force on the upper arch of the mosque would lead to the shaking of every minaret simultaneously. It is hence believed that the minarets were constructed with the main purpose of avoiding any damage to the mosque in the case of a natural catastrophe.
8. Kamla Nehru Zoo
Kamala Nehru Zoo was established at Kankaria in 1951. Bracketed by the 117-acre Kankaria Lake, the zoo is home to various Indian species of about 450 animals, 140 reptiles and 2000 birds, The Kamla Nehru Zoo is under the management of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. The AMC also looks after the Kankaria Lake.
9. Law Garden
Law Garden, a lush green garden in the middle of a bustling city, is located in Ahmedabad in the colourful Indian state of Gujarat. It’s a fabulous place to buy traditional Gujarati apparel, accessories, ornaments and handicrafts with traditional handwork on them.
The Law Garden is also well known for street food. Food enthusiasts often visit the garden to get a taste of the traditional Gujarati snacks. The sounds, the colours and the energetic atmosphere of the place should be experienced at least once in a lifetime.
Law Garden has gracefully welcomed almost all the famous street foods of India – right from Punjabi to South Indian along with Gujarati snacks. One can find scrumptious Chaats, Gol Gappas or Pani Puris, Buttas, Dosas, Uttapams, Idlis, Dhoklas, Paav Bhaji, Dabelis, Kulfi, Ice cream and whatnot. Some creative minds also sell Desi versions of Chinese and Italian snacks.
10. Gujarat Science City
Located on the Science City Road in Ahmedabad, Gujarat Science City is a remarkable initiative taken up by the Government of Gujarat to spread general awareness and a scientific temperament, especially among the youth of the country.
11. Parimal Garden
Located on the Parimal Cross Road in Ambavadi, Parimal Garden is a beautiful well-maintained garden in the heart of Ahmedabad. Replete with swings and dotted with stone benches, the park is popular among both adults and kids alike. Mostly used for morning and evening walks, the garden also has routine laughing clubs for the elderly, It looks very beautiful and peaceful.
12. Vastrapur Lake
Vastrapur Lake is an ancient lake which was renovated and prettified in 2002. A huge statue of Narsinh Mehta (a famous poet-saint of Gujarat), was installed here and the lake was named after him as the Bhakt Kavi Narasinh Mehta Sarovar. The lake is bracketed by a stone path which is generally used by the locals for morning walks, jogging, cycling etc. There are various street food stalls at the lake entrance along with various Gujarati and Rajasthani eateries nearby and boating options also.
13. One Tree Hill Garden
One Tree Hill Garden located in Kankaria in Ahmedabad is synonymous with beauty. Boasting a charming lake, charming gateways, and well-maintained lawns, It is one of the most visited and finest gardens in the city.
14. Dada Bhagwan Temple
The Dada Bhagwan Temple Is A Huge Temple On Mehsana Highway From Ahmedabad. It is a calm & peaceful place to visit. Along with idols of The Gods of Hinduism, There is a special attraction for children available, A special theme: “Store Of Happiness”. Along it there is a play area for children also, There are gardens available to spend time with your family. There are also other facilities available like Food Court, Dining Hall & Book Stall. Lift & Wheelchair facilities are also available for elderly & physically disabled people.
15. Sarkhej Roza, Ahmedabad
A group of tombs and pillars make up the beautiful complex of Sarkhej Roza. Like most monuments in the city featuring Islamic architecture, this one too has some gorgeous latticework along with intricate carvings. Built around an artificial water body, called Sarkhej Lake.
16. Hutheesing Jain Temple, Ahmedabad
A Jain Merchant, named Hutheesing Kesarsing, this temple adds to the rich cultural heritage of Ahmedabad. Made with marble and carved with extreme finesse, this exceptional work of art pays reverence to Dharmanath, who was the fifteenth Jain Tirthankara.
17. Akshardham Temple, Ahmedabad
This temple holds the honor of being the most beautiful Akshardham temple in India, and rightly so. Almost two million devotees from all over Gujarat flock to this temple to pay homage to Lord Swaminarayan. The structure stands tall in the centre of the 23-acre lawns and has been built using six thousand tones of pink sandstone, A light and music show called Sat Chit Anand Water show and audio-animatronics shows are also held at the temple, which is quite entertaining.
18. Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Ahmedabad
Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary is one of the largest bird sanctuaries in India and though it stretches a little over our fifty-kilometer criteria, the sanctuary is home to several exotic species of the aviary world. The Presence of Nal Lake and marshy land in the area attracts more than two hundred kinds of waterfowl like geese, pelicans, flamingos, cranes, spoonbills, storks, and ibis. Migratory birds like the bluish-grey-hued demoiselle crane from Siberia are sighted here easily in winter.
19. Manek Chowk
The Manek Chowk square is in a prime location in Old Ahmedabad and enjoys proximity to many historical places like Bhadra Fort, Teen Darwaza and Rani-no-Hajiro. It is known to be the second biggest market in India and one of the places to visit in Ahmedabad at night.
The market is known for its pav bhaji, kulfi and other local cuisines. Sandwiches, dosas and Jamun shots are specialties popular among the locals that you must try. The Manek Chowk is a one-stop place to satisfy your food cravings while having a relaxed and fun time after a tiring day wandering around the lanes of Ahmedabad.
20. Vechaar Utensils Musuem
VECHAAR (Vishalla Environmental Centre for Heritage of Art, Architecture and Research) Utensils Museum is a one-of-a-kind museum in Ahmedabad, With different fascinating utensils used in rural or urban Indian homes, the museum gives a peek into the country’s rich heritage, VECHAAR Museum is also an exhibition of the diversity of craftsmanship of the country. While some utensils are simple, others are designed to represent cultural beliefs.
