City Museum -Ahmedabad

About:

The tourists can also get a glimpse of ancient art, pottery, woodcraft and frescoes of medieval India in the City Museum, Ahmedabad. There are historical evidences of Industrial Revolution in Ahmedabad and the effects of Gandhism. Ahmedabad which was one of the most excellent textile producing regions was called the Manchester of India during that period. The City Museum, Ahmedabad also has remnants of that period stored in its precious memorabilia. Tourists can get a glimpse of exquisite designs on variety of textiles such as brocade, Chinese embroidery, carpets, tents, royal attire. There are some precious photographs as well as antique camera and other equipments.

The City Museum, Ahmedabad is a result of the efforts made by the Vastu Shilpa Foundation. It is located in Sanskar Kendra which was built in the year 1954 by well known French architect Le Corbusier. Before the City Museum, Ahmedabad was built Sanskar Kendra was mainly used as an exhibition hall.If you are keen to know more about the art, history and culture of Gujarat then, City Museum, Ahmedabad is the perfect destination. This is one of the finest museums in Ahmedabad that gives you a greater insight into the history, art and cultural heritage of Ahmed Shah’s Ahmedabad.

Location info:

Climate/Weather:

History:

Interesting things to do:

Interesting things to Visit:

Adalaj Step Well:
The Adalaj step-well is a popular tourist attraction of the city and is situated 18 km. north of Ahmedabad.The step well or Vav, as it is called in Gujarati, is intricately carved and is several stories in depth. The designs on its walls and pillars include, leaves, flowers, birds, fish and other breathtaking ornamental designs. In the past, these step wells were frequented by travelers and caravans as stopovers along trade routes. The Adlaj Vav (step-well) is a classic example of the Indo-Islamic style of architecture and has features of both the styles.

Calico Textile Museum:
One of the finest textile museums in the world in one of Gujarat"s famous carved wooden havelis. The museum displays a magnificent collection of rare textiles dating back to the 17th century. There is also an excellent reference library on textiles. Located in the Sarabhai Foundation, in Shahibagh the Calico Museum of Textiles, widely regarded as one of the finest textile museums in the world was constructed in 1949 AD. It has the finest collection of not just textiles and clothes but also furniture, temple artifacts and crafts in the country. It has no less than five centuries of the finest fabrics spun, woven, printed and painted in different parts of India. It has a collection of marble, sandstone and bronze icons and busts split in two thematic sections- gallery for religious textiles and historical textiles. An excellent reference library on textiles is found here.

Gandhi Aashram:
Located near Vadaj, the Sabarmati Aashram was once house of Mahatma Gandhi. The ashram was founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1915, and today without doubt it is the biggest tourist attraction in Ahmedabad. It lies on the tranquil stretch of the Sabarmati river and was referred to as the Satyagraha Ashram during the lifetime of the Mahatma. It was from here, that the Mahatma began his famous 'Dandi March' in 1930 to protest against the Salt Tax imposed by the British. One can see the three wise monkeys and many more of Gandhiji's teachings at the ashram premises. The ashram today continues the work started by Mahatma and houses a handicrafts centre, a handmade paper factory and a spinning wheel factory. Besides, there are several other attractions for the tourist.

Jhulta Minara:
Quite an unusual structure, Jhulta Minara or swaying minarets are a part of the mosque of Siddi Bashir and can be moved back and forth by applying a little force at the topmost arch. One of the minarets was partly demolished by an Englishman in his endeavors to unravel the mystery of the swaying minarets. The mosque was built by master craftsmen and the crucial mechanism that leads to the vibration is still a mystery. The other interesting fact here is that these minars stand the test of the rumbling trains that pass not very far away from them.

Kankaria Lake:
A circular lake built in 1451 by Sultan Qutub-ud-Din. In the centre of the lake is an island garden with a summer palace known as Nagina Wadi, It has a very beautiful Musical Fountain show(although the music sucks but the lights and fountain are worth a trip). The lake is a popular recreation centre surrounded by parks, "Bal Vatika" - an aquarium, a boat club, a natural history museum and a zoo.

Sarkhej Roza:
Sarkhej Roza lies in the village, off the main Sarkhej road, about 10 kilometers southwest of Ahmedabad. he gateway of its entrance opens to a fore-court with the majestic mausoleum to the right and the royal tombs to the left. Beyond these is a spacious courtyard mosque, which is remarkable for its unassuming elegance and the linear purity of its multi-domed prayer hall and colonnades.

Vastrapur Lake:
The Vastrapur Lake is a lake situated in the city of Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat in western India. It is located in the western part of the city in the Vastrapur area. The lake was beautified by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and has since become a popular spot in the city. The prestigious Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad is located about 1km from the lake. The lake is about 5-10 minutes away from the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar highway. Every weekend, a large number of people visit this lake. It currently boasts an open air theatre, children"s park and boating facilities. There is a pathway all around the lake which serves many walkers and joggers in the early mornings and in the evenings. There is also a multi-speciality hospital "Sanjivani" located near the lake.

Vishala Utensils Museum:
The Veechar Utensils Museum is located in the campus of Vishala Restaurant near old Vasna toll post. The museum exhibits several utensils from various parts of India. Vishala is a village theme based restaurant in Ahmedabad, and is situated off Sarkhej road near APMC market.The Only Museum in the Country Showcasing over 3000 Utensils used by the various households in INDIA. Its a personal collection of Mr. Surendra Patel who has curated and designed the Museum. The Museum is part of Vishalla, a restaurant serving ethnic Gujarati Food. Its a magnificent museum showcasing a very different culture of India.

Vaishnodevi Temple:
Situated in the city limits, Vaishno Devi temple in Ahmedabad is a popular shrine among not only the devotees but also the tourists. It’s strategic location on Ahmedabad - Gandhinagar road gains it huge crowds all round the year. A true replica of the famed temple in Jammu and Kashmir, this lovely shrine also depicts Vaishno Devi as the principle deity. The only difference between the two is that the latter can be visited with in a couple of hours.

Vishala:
Vishala is situated about 5 kms. from Ahmedabad. It is purposefully built showpiece of a collection of huts along clay paths which capture the spirit of a traditional Gujarati village. It began as an excellent vegetarian restaurant in 1978 but has grown since to include a museum, live performances of music, dance and puppet shows as well as craftsman at work and an excellent shop. Pots, handloom linens, hand crafted shoes, clothes, brassware or embroidery from Vishala. Here you can sit cross-legged at low tables, eat on green leaves and drink from clay tumblers. The portions are generous and there is a large variety of traditional dishes, breads, chutneys, ending with an Indian sweet and nutty ice-cream.

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir:
Shri Swaminarayan Temple, Ahmedabad is the first temple of the Swaminarayan Sampraday, a Hindu sect. It is located in Ahmedabad, the capital of the Indian state of Gujarat. It was built on the instructions of Swaminarayan, the founder of the sect.

As per the will of Swaminarayan, the administration of the Swaminarayan Sampraday is divided into two Gadis (seats) - NarNarayan Dev Gadi and LaxmiNarayan Dev Gadi. This temple is the headquarters of the NarNarayan Dev Gadi. Green and yellow sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses, their bodies fitted in opulent dress, cover the structure of this nineteenth century temple.According to Anjali Desai, author of India Guide Gujarat, the temple resembles a fairytale with all its colours and opulent carvings that profusely embellish every wooden bracket, column and arch.The temple attracts a million people on the day after Diwali.The temple has a multi-story guesthouse that is air conditioned and has a fully equipped medical clinic within its compound.

Law Garden:
Another important public garden located at the heart of city of Ahmedabad, Law Garden is famous place for buying handicrafts and traditional Gujarati outfits from local hawkers. The garden has been named as Law Garden because of the Law College situated adjoining to this place.

Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum:
If you are an ace bibliophile you must necessarily visit the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum in Ahmedabad. The Museum covers a wide variety of topics from Buddhism, Jainism and its darshans, grammar, tantra and poetics to Vedas, agama to the different branches of Indian philosophy. It is learnt that this museum has the largest collection of Jain scripts which come around 75, 000 manuscripts with 500 illustrated versions and 45,000 printed books. The books of different languages like Sanskrit, Pali, Old Gujarati, Apabhramsa, Hindi, and Rajasthani are found in Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum.

Dada Hari Vav:
The Dada Hari Vav, Ahmedabad is a uniquely designed octagonal shaped step well in Ahmedabad. The interiors and the underground of the Dada Hari Vav, Ahmedabad has been intricately designed. Each year tourists from all over are allured to visit this unique step well which is one of the major tourist attractions of Gujarat. One of the beautiful monuments in Ahmedabad every aspect of the Dada Hari Vav is beautifully decorated. From sculptured floral patterns to the shapely figurines everything is intricately done in order to beautify the Dada Hari Vav, Ahmedabad.

Mobile range info:

How to reach?

Nearest Visiting places:

Lakshmi Vilas Palace:
Laxmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara is one of the famous monuments in Vadodara that is high on tourist value. People visiting Vadodara make it a point to visit Laxmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara. A wonderful exemplification of the Indo-Sarcenic architectural style, the palace is a majestic structure that warrants a special visit if you wish to marvel at the detailed and exquisite work from the close quarters. Indianholiday.com is your indispensable e-travelogue that provides you with all you needed to know on Vadodara’s Laxmi Vilas Palace.

Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum:
Vadodara Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum houses the remarkably huge number of works of art of the royal family. Maharaja Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad III during his several visits out of India collected works of art and stored them here. The most fascinating collection of this museum however comprises of host of paintings by European and Indian artists. In this collection paintings of Raja Ravi Varma who was specially deployed by the then Maharaja of Baroda catches the limelight. His collections essentially comprises of the portraits of the Royal family and paintings based on Hindu mythology. Hindu mythology was the forte of Raja Ravi Varma.

Gandhi Ashram:
After his return from South Africa, Gandhiji decided to settle in Ahmedabad. It was for four reasons that he selected this place as the venue for his ashram- In his own words "being a Gujarati, I'll serve my country best through the use of Gujarati language. As Ahmedabad was the centre of handloom in early days, the work of spinning wheel (charkha) could be done in a better way, I believed. Being the capital of Gujarat its wealthy persons will also make larger contribution, I hoped."

Sarita Udyan:
Sarita Udyan is also a favorite picnic spot among the residents of Gandhinagar. People flock in large numbers with their friends and families and enjoy doing picnic in the Sarita Udyan in Gandhinagar. The location on the undulating land beside the river Sabarmati gives Sarita Udyan of Gandhinagar an added prominence. The Sarita Udyan at Gandhinagar in Gujarat in India is also full of recreational and entertainment facilities. This feature of the Sarita Udyan attracts people of all ages and all round the year.

Hanumanji Temple:
Hanumanji Temple in Gandhinagar is visited by thousands of devotee everyday. The idol of Lord Hanuman in the Hanumanji Temple of Gandhinagar is seen bearing a mountain on his shoulder. The idol is saffron in color. As per the Indian mythologies and tradition it is said that regular visitors to the temple gains special favor of Lord Hanuman. The temple is visited by thousands of visitors every Tuesday and Saturday. As per the Vedas, Hanuman protects human beings from the wrath of the planet Saturn. People as per the astrology if has the position of Saturn ill placed in their horoscope should specially visit the Hanumanji Temple.

Ishwariya Temple:
The location of the temple on the outskirts and on the hilly terrain makes it a favorable spot for an outing even for the locales. The Ishwariya Temple at Rajkot in Gujarat in India is visited by many people with a dual purpose, one that attracts the people to the Ishwariya Temple, Rajkot is the spiritual aspect of the temple and second is the location which makes it a favorite outing spot. People of Rajkot often visit the spot during the winter season to have a picnic with friends and families. The hilly terrain and the small pond located near by adds to the beauty and charm of the place. A small fair is also organized here annually.

Lothal:
Dockyard in Lothal is the oldest in the world, and is admired for its extended nature, scientific positioning and constructional skill. It is a wonder that people during the times of Harappan Civilization knew so much about technology.Cemeteries that have been discovered ages back to the period of Dravidians, proto Dravidians, Proto Australoids and Mediterranean etc.Potteries that previously belonged to the Harappan people have been kept inside the museums and so, is a point of great Tourist Attraction in Lothal.
Sheltered Harbor that grew rice, cotton and wheat are of primary importance to geologists and historians. Red Wares are often on display and they tell us about the intricate pottery that Harappan people were skilled at creating. Indigenous ceramic goods are also on display.

Takhteshwar Temple:
Erected over a petite mound looking out on the city, this Takhteshwar Temple has been dedicated to Lord Shiva. One can have a splendid view of the adjoining Gulf of Cambay; it is an important pilgrim spot.

Gandhi Smriti Museum:
Gandhi Smriti Museum or Gandhi Memorial with its vast collection of pictures and memorabilia related to Gandhi throws light on Indian Independence struggle as well. It is an important Tourist Attraction at Bhavnagar.

Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary:
A black tailed godwit gracefully descends upon the tranquil water, flutters its wings and sails on. A small, brown and white wader with a slightly up curved bill, the bird has traveled 3500 kms from its nesting ground in Central Europe to spend the winter at Nalsarovar in Gujarat!.Clouds upon clouds of more than 200 types of birds land in this lake having made an equally long journey to escape the harsh winter of their nesting areas. Here they find food and warmth. These migrant birds visit Nalsarovar every year from November to February. During these four months water is plentiful and fish, insects and aquatic plants abound in the lake - an ideal environment for the birds.Nalsarovar at this time is a birdwatcher's delight.

When food and water are scarce in Nalsarovar, some birds go away for short periods to nearby areas and return to the lake after monsoon to a feast of fish and insects. These are the resident birds. The lake - Nalsarovar - and the wetlands around it were declared a bird sanctuary in 1969. Spread over 120 sq.kms, the lake and the extensive reed beds and marshes are an ideal habitat for aquatic plants and animals. The lake attracts a large variety of birds like plovers, sandpipers and stints.

Thol lake bird sanctuary:
Thol lake bird sanctuary is a shallow freshwater body surrounded by marshes on the edge and scrubby forest embarking the sides. The lake sanctuary covering an area of 7 square kilometers was declared officially in 1988 and is also known by the name of Thol Bird Sanctuary.

The shallow water reservoir speckled with reed beds gives it a distinct ambience while being an ideal dwelling for varied species of birds and insects. The agricultural land surrounding the lake provide ample amount of food for quite a number of birds while the hydrological ecosystem takes care of the others. One gets overwhelmed with flocks of bird flying together and crating graphical patterns on the sky while long-legged elongated necked cranes keep stalking for fishes and small insects. The still and serene ambience of the locale gets melodiously symphonized with the echoing of thousands birds and illustrated by the varied movements of these spirited creatures.

A visual treat for any tourist and a treasurable experience for a bird watcher or ornithologists, this place is home to more than 100 species of birds. Cranes, geese, flamingoes, pelicans, egrets, herons, spoonbills, ducks, whistling teals and many other migratory birds nest and breed in the lap of this natures exuberance. The most commonly noticed Indian Saras Crane with its long bare legs, elongated head and red head gracefully pecks insects while walking around the lake with dance like movements. This bird which flaunts the status of being the tallest flying bird on earth is often see in pairs and has over centuries inspired poets and artists with its elegance and beauty.

Nearest Petrol Pump:

Petro Explo Services:Sumeru Centre,Nr Parimal Crossing, Paldi, Ahmedabad,Gujarat,India,,Get Directions,MO09824046089

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

Hotel Vice President:Off C G Road,Narrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat,India,Ph:079 26575005

Things to carry:

Tips & Suggestions:

Help Line/Phone Number: