Shaking Minarets

Ahmedabad

Named after a Sultan who founded it in 1411 and graced it with splendid monuments; Associated with Mahatma Gandhi, the Apostle of peace and nonviolence whose simple Ashram on the banks of river Sabarmati is now a site of national pilgrimage; renowned as a great textile & commercial centre and as the 'Manchester of India'. Ahmedabad is today the second largest prosperous and thriving city in western India.

Ahmedabad also played a prominent role during the freedom movement of India as it was the centre of Mahatma Gandhi's activities for some years.

The city has number of attractions for travellers. It is one of the best places which blends Islamic and Hindu architectural styles. Ahmedabad is an interesting place for those who like to shop and roam.

Navratri at Ahmedabad

While the basic celebrations are alive and joyous, as they are elsewhere, at Ahmedabad the garba parties are enormous. In large public squares, group of musicians sing the traditional garba song. A bhajan singer with a harmonium sings into a microphone. in crowded localities, where open space is not available, the garba ceases to be the circular dance but instead becomes a long line of people, comprising both men and women moving in accordance with the turns and bends of the street. The scene is fully fantastic.

Places to Visit

Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram
Situated along the bank of Sabarmati River,this ashram was founded by Mahatma Gandhi and has become a place of pilgrimage. It was from here that he set out for his famous Dandi March undertaken in 1930 to have the Salt Tax repealed. It served as Mahatma Gandhi's headquarters during the struggle for Indian Independence. Gandhiji's living quarters are preserved as a small museum with pictorial exhibits of major events in his life.

Kankaria Lake
South-east of the city, this artificial lake complete with an island summer palace, was constructed in 1451 and has 34 sides, each 60m long. Once frequented by Emperor Jehangir and Empress Noor Jahan, it is now a local picnic spot. There's a huge zoo, a small acquarium, boat club. The entire Kankaria area with the introduction of open air theatre and children's garden is known as 'Balvatika'.

Bhadra Fort
The foundation of this old fort was laid in 1411 it once enclosed the royal palaces and gardens.

The Jumma Masjid
Described by some as one of the most beautiful mosque in India. This Friday or Congregational Mosque, was built by the city's founder, Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1423. It stands on 26 pillars supporting 15 domes at varying elevations. The mosque is located in the centre of the old city.

Rani Rupmati Masjid
The Queen's Mosque in Mirzapur, built between 1430 and 1440, is more representative of the pattern of mosque building in 15th centuary Ahmedabad. Three domes stand on twelve pillars each, with the central part so raised as to let in natural light without sunlight.

The Shaking Minarets
The Shaking Minarets of Sidi Bashir's Mosque are unique in its own way, when one minaret is shaken the other minaret vibrates too.

Sidi Sayyad Mosque
One part of the wall in the old citadel of the mosque built by Ahmed Shah's slave, Sidi Sayyad, is celebrated the world over for its exquisite stone window tracery - a superband peerless example of delicate carving that transforms stone into filigree.

Nal Sarovar
This delightful bird sanctuary of Gujarat nestles around the Nal Lake ? 1 Kms. from Ahmedabad. The lake extends over a vast, low-lying stretch which serves as a catchment area for the monsoon rains and provides a perfect habitat for resident birds as well as a huge number of species that migrate here starting from November to February. Winter migrants from the north include the Rosy Pelicans, the Flamingos, the White Storks, Brahminy Ducks and Herons.

Three Gates
The triple-arched gateway was built by Sultan Ahrned Shah to serve as the royal entrance to the Maidan Shah or the Royal Square.

Adalaj Step-well
It is situated 17 kms. north of. Ahmedabad. The step well at the village of Adalaj is another. fine y example of this magnificent architectural faun. Adalaj Vav is richly carved, every pillar and wall surface covered with leaves and flowers, birds and fishes and friezes of ornamental designs. .

Lothal
 A find of tremendous archaeological significance. This site. 87 Kms. from Ahmedabad was discovered some 20 years ago. Lothal has proved to be a full-fledged settlement of the Harappan era dating as far back as the 2nd millennium B C .

How to get there ?

Air
International and various domestic airlines connecting Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Calcutta, Bangalore and other major centres of India.

Rail
Ahmedabad is linked by rail to Delhi, Bombay, Jaipur, Udaipur, Calcutta, Madras, other major centres of India, and several other tourist centres.

Road
State Transport buses and private luxury coaches connects various centres of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan. It is 555kms from Bombay, 1076 kms from Delhi via Udaipur and Jaipur.