Tourism in Ahmedabad: Things to do in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, the city of Ahmed Shah (Medieval ruler of Gujarat), is known for its rich past and its association with the Mahatma (Great Soul), also known as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. The city offers the traveler a unique style of architecture, which is a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles (Indo-Saracenic style of architecture). The monuments of Ahmedabad mainly date back to the 15th century. Ahmedabad has been known for its industry since medieval times. Presently it is famous for its textile mills and is often referred to as the 'Manchester of the East'.

Location

Ahmedabad city is located in the state of Gujarat, in the western part of India. It lies along the Sabarmati River. Ahmedabad is 440 km north of Mumbai. The climate of Ahmedabad is hot and moist. Winters are cool and pleasant (November-February) but summers (April-June) are extremely dry, hot and the temperature can be as high as 46°C at times. The city experiences good rainfall during the monsoon season (July-September).

History

Ahmedabad has a chequered history. It has experienced a number of high points, followed by declines. It was founded by Sultan Ahmed Shah, the erstwhile ruler of Medieval Gujarat, in AD 1411. The city declined within a century of its being established. In 1572, Emperor Akbar seized it and assimilated it within the great Mughal Empire. Ahmedabad became an important business center during the Mughal period until the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, after which the city again began to decline. The British seized it in 1818 and set up a number of textile mills here. It became the temporary capital of the state of Gujarat from 1960 to 1970.

Fairs & Festivals of Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad is famous for its Makar Sankranti and International Kite Festival, which is celebrated in the month of January with kite flying, folk music and dance.

Best Time to Visit Ahmedabad

As the city of Ahmedabad experiences a harsh summer season, and is lashed by the southwestern monsoons, the best time to visit Ahmedabad is during winters.

How to Reach Ahmedabad

By Air

BY AIR -

Ahmedabad airport has both national and international flights. It is 10 km north of the city. It is linked with UK, USA, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Goa and Chennai.

By Train

BY RAIL -

Ahmedabad is well connected by trains with Delhi, Mumbai, Vadodra and Udaipur.

By Road

BY ROAD -

Ahmedabad has a good road network. By road it is linked with towns like Vadodra, Rajkot, Palitana and Jamnagar. We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.

Tourist Attractions in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad is world famous because of Mahatma Gandhi's Ashram. It has a number of tourist points, both within the walled city and beyond it. The tombs of Ahmed Shah and his queens, Ahmed Shah's Mosque, Jama Masjid, Mosque of Sidi Sayid, Teen Darwaza or Triple Gateway are major monuments. Other important monuments include Rani Rupmati's Mosque, Rani Sipri's Mosque, Raj Rabri Mosque, Hathee Singh Jain Temple and Siddi Bashir Mosque. Kankaria Lake, Kutbi Mazar, Bhadra Fort, Dada-hari-di-Vav (an architectural step well), Victoria Gardens, N C Mehta Museum of Miniatures and Calico Textile Museum are also important places to visit. The walled city boasts of a number of 'pols' or traditional colonies, which date back to the 18th century.

Places Around Ahmedabad

There are many tourist spots near Ahmedabad. Sarkhej, a spot 8 km southwest of the city, has important historical monuments. Nineteen km north of the city is Adlaj Vav, an intricately built step well. Lothal, an ancient dock belonging to the Indus Valley Civilization, lies 85 km southwest of Ahmedabad. The town of Modhera is 102 km northwest of the city and boasts of an ancient sun temple. Patan lies 130 km northwest of Ahmedabad and has about 100 Jain temples.