Hatheesing
Temple(built 1848)
This imposing Temple complex, built
in 1848 by Sheth Hutheesing, a rich
Jain merchant, is a marvel of Jain architecture.
The two-storied temple is dedicated
to Dharmnatha - the 15th Tirthankar
(an enlightened soul according to Jain
religion.) It has a huge dome, porches
on three sides, paved courtyards and
cloisters containing 52 shrines.
Sarkhej
Roza(built 1451 AD)
The Sarkhej Roza complex is situated
8 km from Ahmedabad and has an array
of beautifully designed monuments arranged
around an artificial lake including
a 15th and 16th century mausoleum. It
has traceries, inlaid-marble work, a
medieval mosque, and palatial pavilions.
A fine example of early Islamic architectural
culture of the region, it shows stylistic
Islamic influences from Persia fused
with indigenous Hindu and Jain features
that form a composite “Indo Saracenic”
architectural style.
Modhera
Sun Temple(built 1026
AD)
The sun temple of Modhera is famous
for its exquisite sculptures depicting
scenes from the great Hindu epics,
showing deities, traditional erotica
and faunal figures. Built n 1026,
it is an example of the exquisite
architectural style of the Solanki
dynasty and was built by King Bhima
I. The temple is constructed in such
a way that the rays of the rising
sun fall into the innermost sanctum.
It is fronted by the Surya Kund, a
rectangular pond, which contains over
100 shrines dedicated to deities.
The tank is surrounded
on three sides by idols of Ganesh
and Vishnu.
The temple has a brick base and is
embellished with elaborate mouldings.
Every year during winter, the Government
of Gujarat hosts a classical dance
festival here at the Modhera Sun temple.
Gandhi
Ashram(built 1917 AD)
The ashram was the residence of Mahatma
Gandhi in the 1920s till the Salt March
to Dandi in 1930. A memorial to the
Mahatma, the ashram complex has his
cottage-house with his simple belongings.
The museum and galleries depict tales
of Mahatma Gandhi’s life. The
ashram still supports activities like
handloom weaving and handmade paper-making
in keeping with Mahatma Gandhi’s
principles of self-reliance. It is here
that Mahatma Gandhi developed his ideas
and ideals that played a pivotal role
in the freedom movement in India.
Adalaj
Wav Step Well (built 1499)
It is one of the most beautiful step-wells
found in Gujarat . Situated in Adalaj
village some 18 kms away from Ahmedabad,
the structure derives its name from
its patron, Ruda, wife of the Vaghela
chief, Virsinh; who built it in 1499.
The 'Vav', laid out in the north-south
direction, the step well with the well
in the north and the entrance in the
south, has a total length of 75.3 meters.
The carving inside the well depicts
intricate motifs of flowers and birds.
It was built for the dual purpose of
providing water and cool chambers in
the hot summer days. One can easily
get there by bus plying between Ahmedabad
and Gandhinagar.
IIM
(built 1961)
IIM Ahmedabad is a name everyone is
aware of & is one of the best MBA
colleges in India. Within a span of
four decades, this premier institute
of India has emerged as one of the most
prominent international schools of management.
Many years back, a few industrialists
took the initiative of giving vision
to their dreams, which in turn led to
the formation of the Indian Institute
of Management. IIM Institute of Ahmedabad
has made a special position for itself
in the field of international management.
To know more about the Indian Institute
of Management, Ahmedabad, read on…
Established in the year 1961, IIM
was started as an autonomous body
with the joint efforts of the Government
of India, Government of Gujarat, and
industry. From its inception, the
concept of faculty governance was
introduced, in which all the faculty
members of the institute have an important
role to play in the administration
of the various academic as well as
non academic activities. It is owing
to this fact that the quality of learning
is fabulous at the Indian Institute
of Management, Ahmedabad.
Le
CORBUSIER MUSEUM
The Museum of Ahmedabad in India
was commissioned the architect Charles-Edouard
Jeanneret-Gris (Le
Corbusier), in 1951. After a debate
that had the City Council in July
of that year, the museum project became
the main objective to make the "heart"
to the civic center.
Le Corbusier simultaneously conducted
various projects for Ahmedabad as
the Palace of the Spinners' Association
the same year, the Villa
Shodhan and the House of
Manorama Sarabhai.
The generative idea was the Cultural
Center of a Museum "Unlimited" (Musée
à croissance illimitée),
formerly Le
Corbusier would have projected
the idea that over the years suffer
changes and even add new concepts
or elements.
Swaminarayan
Temple - Kalupur
This temple is the first temple of the
Swaminarayan sect. Built around 1822.
The temple is carved in Burmese teak,
and every arch and bracket is painted
with bright colors, a defining characteristic
of Swaminarayan temples. Lord Swaminarayan
himself installed idols of Shri Narnarayan
Dev here. In the adjoining haveli, a
special section for women, and an area
where ceremonies and teaching sessions
are held for women only. The Swaminarayan
Temple is a splash of color in the midst
of the city’s grey and is also
the starting point for the Heritage
Walk through the pols of the old city...Read
More
Sidi
Saiyad Mosque
This elegant mosque is noted for its
twin windows of pierced stone, worked
in style of a tree with palm leaves
and curving tendrils. A superb and peerless
example of delicate carving that transforms
stone into filigree. It was constructed
by Sidi Saiyad, a slave of Ahmed Shah,
and has beautiful carved stone windows
depicting the intricate intertwining
of the branches of a tree.
Bhadra
Fort (built 1411 AD
)
When it comes to monuments in Ahmedabad,
Bhadra fort is one name that indeed
deserves a special mention. Constructed
in the year 1411 A.D. during the rule
of Marathas, it was established by Sultan
Ahmad Shah, the founder of Ahmedabad
city. Bhadra fort in Ahmedabad is a
royal fort that occupies the top most
position in the Ahmedabad sightseeing
tour. Read on to know more about Bhadra
fort in Ahmedabad, India…
Consisting of splendid palace and beautiful
lush green garden, the charm of Bhadra
fort is unbeatable. The fort is well
known for the Bhadrakali Temple that
was built in the dedication of Hindu
Goddess 'Bhadra, a different form of
Goddess Kali. In the present times,
the fort more often serves as the venue
for conducting flag hoisting ceremony
during the occasion of Independence
Day & Republic day.
Within the vicinity of the Bhadra fort,
there are located a couple of Government
offices. On the eastern side of the
fort, lies the well known Teen Darwaza,
which is another important tourist attraction
spot in Ahmedabad. Bhadra fort, which
is made by using the beautiful deep
red stones, stands majestically even
today. It is the maiden Muslim edifice
that was constructed long back in the
Ahmedabad city.
The fort houses a magnificent palace,
the arches and balconies of which are
ornately embellished. People are of
the belief that, Goddess Lakshmi had
once visited the Bhadra fort and blessed
the Sultan that, his city would always
remain prosperous. Since times immemorial,
people of Ahmedabad have been wealthy
and infact, Ahmedabad has throughout
been the hub of trade and commerce in
the state of Gujarat.
Dada
Hari Vav
Built during the reign of Mehmud Begda
in the year 1501, Dada Hari Vav is an
elaborately designed stepped well. The
well lies just behind the tomb of Dada
Hari. It is one of the most complicated
structures of the Ahmedabad city. The
basic purpose of setting up the well
was to provide the travelers with cool
water and a place for relaxation. To
know more about the Dade Hari Vav in
Ahmedabad, India read on…
Dada Hari Vav is an octagonal shaped
well, which is located below the ground
level. This underground well has been
intricately carved in the typical Gujarati
designs. Made from fine stone work of
Gujarat, the well has been drawing more
and more tourists year after year. While
designing this stepped well, adequate
attention was paid to its each and every
detail. This is indicative from the
fact that, right from pillars to walls
to steps, everything has been beautifully
decorated. The visiting hours of the
well are from 09:00 am to 05:00 pm.
Jhulta
Minar
Ahmedabad is well known for its swaying
minarets, more commonly known as Jhulta
Minar. A classic example of superb craftsmanship,
Jhulta Minar is actually a part of the
mosque Siddi Bashir. The mosque has
been constructed in such a manner that,
if you apply a little force on its upper
arc, the Minar tends to sway. For kids,
Jhulta Minar in Ahmedabad, India is
a real fun place.
An Englishman made an attempt to demolish
one of the minarets of the mosque, but
all in vain. He did so to unravel the
mystery behind the swaying of minarets.
The mechanism that leads to vibration
is still a mystery. An interesting thing
about Jhulta Minar is that, it can even
withstand the pressure of fast moving
trains that pass from a distance not
lying very far from the minaret.
Teen
Darwaza
Teen Darwaza is an architectural marvel,
the beauty of which is surely going
to leave you awestruck. Consisting of
gorgeous arched gates, Teen Darwaza
is one of the longest as well as the
oldest gateways of the Ahmedabad city.
It was established in the year 141 A.D.
by Sultan Ahmed Shah, who founded the
city of Ahmedabad. Read on to know more
about Teen Darwaza of Ahmedabad, India…
Lying adjacent to the famous Bhadra
fort, Teen Darwaza has been intricately
carved. Initially, it served as an entrance
to Royal Square at Bhadra Fort. The
great Mughal emperor Jahangir used to
come here along with his beloved wife
Noorjahan, to take a look at the procession
that started from this grand gateway
and went nonstop till Jama Masjid. The
walls and pillars of Teen Darwaza are
beautifully designed.
Teen Darwaza of Ahmedabad, India is
truly an epitome of the fine Islamic
architecture. The windows of this fabulous
monument are semi circular and adorned
using mesh work. The central window
depicts the tree of life. Five palm
trees are shown that are covered with
snakes. This portrayal also serves as
the symbol of the Gujarat Government.
This regal citadel is one of the most
sought after tourist destinations in
Ahmedabad.
Jama
Masjid
Lying opposite to Mahatma Gandhi Road,
on the eastern side of Teen Darwaza,
Jama Masjid is one of the most splendid
mosques of India. Constructed in the
year 1423 A.D, the Ahmedabad Jama Masjid
was established by Sultan Ahmed Shah,
the founder of the Ahmedabad city. Read
on to know more about Jama Masjid in
Ahmedabad, India…
Made 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. Jama Masjid
lies in the heart of the old city.
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.
A visit to this fabulous monument
is indeed a must.
Lying adjacent to the famous Bhadra
fort, Teen Darwaza has been intricately
carved. Initially, it served as an
entrance to Royal Square at Bhadra
Fort. The great Mughal emperor Jahangir
used to come here along with his beloved
wife Noorjahan, to take a look at
the procession that started from this
grand gateway and went nonstop till
Jama Masjid. The walls and pillars
of Teen Darwaza are beautifully designed.
Teen Darwaza of Ahmedabad, India is
truly an epitome of the fine Islamic
architecture. The windows of this
fabulous monument are semi circular
and adorned using mesh work. The central
window depicts the tree of life. Five
palm trees are shown that are covered
with snakes. This portrayal also serves
as the symbol of the Gujarat Government.
This regal citadel is one of the most
sought after tourist destinations
in Ahmedabad.
Credits
:
We acknowledge, with special thanks, the contributions
of Mr. Anil Munchandani for providing us in-depth
information on various places included in
the tour and for his guidance and support
for designing the tour.
