Gandhi Ashram:

For many years Ahmedabad was the center of Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent struggle for India’s independence. The energy of that movement can still be felt at the Satyagraha Ashram that he established on the banks of the Sabarmati in 1917. Mahatma desired to pursue works related to agriculture and animal husbandry from here. He learnt the art of spinning and weaving, and soon the ashram began to buzz with khadi, not just as a way of producing clothes, but also as a way of thought.

One can get a sense of his life, the history of the movement and those who worked alongside him, at the Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya, a small museum that includes excellent pictorial and written documentation, a library of Gandhian literature and paintings, and an immense archive of letters written by Gandhiji, every single one on the back of used paper.

Dandi Kutir:

Dandi Kutir is India’s Largest & Only Museum depicting Biography of Father of the Nation- Mahatma Gandhi using Sophisticated Technology in the world.

A glimpse of Gandhi’s early life is beautifully portrayed with the help of audio- visuals. From his birth on 2nd October 1869 in Kathiawad, to his childhood when he was a shy, remarkable and unique student. It also traces his marriage to Kasturba and his experiments with truth. It represents Gandhi’s powerful idea of people across lines of class, gender, age and community asserting their common right to salt itself: a symbol to inspire a pluralistic society to march towards independence, Purna Swaraj.

Akshardham:

It is intricately carved stone structure which stands amid sprawling gardens set in a 23-acre plot at Gandhinagar. It is built in 6000 tons of pink sandstone and not a bit of steel has been used. The temple is 108 ft in height, 240 ft in length and 131 ft in width. This modern monument to Hinduism was built as per the injunctions of Vastu Shastra. The monument enshrining the seven foot high, gold-leafed Murti (idol) of Lord Swaminarayan is the focal point of the complex.

Inspiring episodes and incidents from the glorious history of Sanatan Dharma are presented in sound and light form for the benefit of the visitors. The show takes the visitors through various facets of Hinduism. The wisdom of the Vedas, the epics, the Puranas is depicted on a crowded canvas by the exhibition. The visitor comes face to face with personages who have made this land what it is.

Kankariya Lake:

A polygonal lake almost a mile in circumference, it was constructed in 1451 by Sultan Qutb-ud-Din. It is a 34 sided polygon with a 1.25 km circuit and steps leading down to the water level. In the center of the lake, on an artificial island, is the pleasure pavalion known as Naginavadi. The promenade around Kankaria is one of the few places in Ahmedabad to enjoy a walk without the fear of being hit by a vehicle. In the evening it fills with crowd, food stalls and informal entertainment. There is also a water and light show. A zoo, a natural history museum, a toy train, a special garden for children called Bal Vatika, and an open air theatre are placed around the lake.

Sabarmati Riverfront:

It is a waterfront being developed along the banks of Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad. It has succeeded in restoring the city’s relationship with its river. The project is two-level promenade situated on both sides of the river where the lower level serves only pedestrians and cyclists while the upper level is capable of hosting numerous cultural and educational events, leisure activities, large public parks and plazas and a few areas for commercial and retail development. The River Front Flower Park has been envisioned as a permanent flower garden spread in Approximately 45000 Sq mt where there are more than 330 native and exotic flower species. Throughout the year, the garden serves as a city level unique park where visitors can enjoy beautiful flowers of both seasonal and non-seasonal varieties. It strengthens the green space network on the western park of the city.

Science City:

Located off the Sarkhej Gandhinagar Highway, Science City is an ambitious initiative of the government of Gujarat to trigger an inquiry of science in the mind of a common citizen with the aid of entertainment and experiential knowledge. Covering an area of more than 107 hectares, the idea is to create imaginative exhibits, virtual reality activity corners, and live demonstrations in an easily understandable manner.

Currently the 3D Imax theater, musical dancing fountain, energy park and simulation rides interest visitors. It is hoped that as this place develops, the investment helps to create awareness and sensitivity to better care for our ecology and people through the appropriate use of science and technology.

Sidi Sayeed Mosque:

Off the eastern end of Nehru Bridge stands the Sidi Sayeed mosque. Built in 1573, it is the last of the major mosques to be built in Ahmedabad under the Mughal rule. The carved jaalis in the windows of the western wall are known worldwide and have become a symbol of the city of Ahmedabad. Depicting a tree with intertwining branches, the carvings look like fine lace filigree work, but are hewn from solid stone. The craftsmanship of this mosque places it on a level nearly unequaled in the world.

Julta Minara:

They have left the best of architects and pioneering design engineers intrigued and in unresolvable wonder. What they cannot unravel is when one minaret is shaken the other begins to vibrate, though the connecting passage between the two remains vibration-free; what causes this vibration is unknown. There are two well-known pairs of Shaking Minarets in Ahmedabad, one located opposite the Sarangpur Darwaja and the other near the Kalupur Railway Station Area. They are three storeys tall with carved balconies where visitors were once allowed to climb all the way up. The other set of minarets near the Railway Station is taller in height. However, these are not in a very good condition as it is believed that the British had dismantled them to understand the cause of vibrations. They could not resolve the engineering and it was not possible to put them back in their original condition. Demonstrations of the minarets shaking or vibrating are not carried out anymore.

Jama Masjid:

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Jama Masjid is one of the most splendid mosques of India. Constructed in the year 1423 A.D, by using yellow sandstones, the architecture of this mosque is a blend of Hindu and Muslim styling. This edifice was built using items rescued from the demolished Hindu and Jain temples. Supported by 260 pillars, the Jama Masjid of Ahmedabad consists of 15 domes. There are different entrances to the mosque. Near the eastern entrance, stands the tomb of the Sultan Ahmed Shah, which houses the graveyard of three great rulers, namely Ahmed Shah I, his son, Mohammed Shah and his grandson, Qutub-Ud-Din Ahmed Shah II. The strong structure of this mosque has been able to withstand the pressure exerted by heat and rough weather.

Sarkhej Roja:

Sarkhej Roza comprises one of the most elegant and unique architectural complexes of Ahmedabad. It is an example of the early Islamic architectural culture of the region, which fused Islamic stylistic influences from Persia with indigenous Hindu and Jain features to form a composite “Indo-Saracenic” architectural style. This style is a precursor to the Mughal period in a true amalgamation of Hindu, Jain and Islamic styles. Hindu craftsmanship and construction know-how was overlaid on Islamic sense of geometry and scale.

Heritage Walk:

Ahmedabad was found on 1411. The City of Ahmedabad has some of the finest India, Islamic monuments and exquisite Hindu and Jain temples. Its carved wooden houses are another unique architectural tradition.

A special feature of Ahmedabad is the plan of the old city comprising numerous pols, self-contained neighborhoods, sheltering large numbers of peoples. Some of these virtually small villages, traversed by narrow streets, usually terminating in square with community wells and chabutaras for feeding birds, gates, Cul-de-sacs and secret passages. To experience the glory of Ahmedabad, it is necessary to walk through an old quarter and truly observe the nature of its architecture, its art, religious places, its culture and traditions. With the purpose of unveiling the city to the tourists and the citizens themselves, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has arranged this HERITAGE WALK OF AHMEDABAD.

Hutheesing Jain Temple:

This elegant temple created out of white marble was built in 1848 A.D. at an estimated cost of 10 lakh rupees by a rich merchant Sheth Hutheesing as a dedication to the 15th Jain tirthankar, Shri Dharmanatha. Traditional artisans working in stone belonged to the Sonpura & Salat communities. Located outside the Delhi Gate, the temple is spread over a sprawling courtyard, a mandapa surmounted by a large ridged dome, which is supported by 12 ornate pillars. The small garbhagruh (main shrine) on the east end reaches up into three stunningly carved spires and encircled by 52 small shrines dedicated to the various Tirthankars. There are large protuding porches with magnificently decorated columns and figural brackets on three outer sides. Also a recently built 78 ft Mahavir stambha (tower) fashioned after the renowned tower at Chittor in Rajasthan, flanks the outer courtyard by the front entrance.

Adalaj Stepwell:

It was built in 1499, this five-storey stepwell was not just a cultural and utilitarian space, but also a spiritual refuge. It is believed that villagers would come every day in the morning to fill water, offer prayers to the deities carved into the walls. There is an opening in the ceilings above the landing which allows the light and air to enter the octagonal well. However, direct sunlight does not touch the flight of steps. Hence some researchers say that the atmosphere inside the well is six degrees cooler than the outside. Another remarkable feature of this stepwell is that out of the many stepwells in Gujarat, it is the only one with three entrance stairs. All three stairs meet at the first storey, underground in a huge square platform. The vav is a spectacular example of Indo-Islamic architecture and design. Fascinating to many visitors is the Ami Khumbor (a pot that contains the water of life) and the Kalp Vriksha (a tree of life) carved out of a single slab of stone.

The Calico Museum of Textile:

It is undoubtedly one of the foremost textile museums. Its remarkable collection of fabrics spanning varied and remote regions of India exemplifies handicraft textiles across five centuries. The textiles were collected with a vision to conserve, built awareness and empower the vast and deep textile heritage of India. Over the years the collection has grown into an outstanding repository of fabrics based on colors, pattern, weave and embellishment and has become a recognized center providing Indian and international scholars an opportunity to study and draw in-depth knowledge on this extraordinary range of Indian ethos. In recent years the foundation has also been holding workshops to sensitize museum and university scholars to look at art afresh and more closely.

Vechaar Utensils Museum:

Built in 1981 within the vicinity of Vishalla Village Restaurant is the VECHAAR (Vishalla Environmental Centre for Heritage of Art, Architecture and Research) Utensils Museum, a brainchild of architect Mr. Surender C. Patel. It is an effort to cherish and preserve our rich cultural heritage and rare artistic skills and wisdom of our craftsmen. It is an extensive study of utensils from thousand years old to present times that have evolved over different periods of history as a result of our changing needs and environment. The range varies from leaves or a gourd jug, to modern stainless steel and glass utensils. The metal utensils cover everything from brass, copper, bronze, zinc to German silver.

Auto-world Vintage Car Museum:

Formed in year 1927, Auto World Vintage Car Museum in Ahmedabad houses a world-class collection of more than 100 vintage cars, antique vehicles, utility vehicle, motorcycles, and buggies. From the rare marques cars to ceremonial limousines to the romantic convertibles to the sports car, here one can find cars from all over the world of different ages and types, of famous brands like Mercedes, Maybach, Packards, Cadillacs, Cord, Lancias, Lincolns, etc.

Museums take one back to the time when the automobile industry was emerging in India and cars were known more as a status symbol. The museum also offers the facility to drive any of the vintage cars by paying Rs 500 for 3.5 km drive in any of the old cars of their choice. Every year, the museum organizes vintage car rally on a large scale in Jaipur, Mumbai, and Delhi. Hundreds of cars, which are preserved for decades by the connoisseur, are displayed in the rally.