Filtered 10 stunning places in Ahmedabad

Filtered 10 Stunning places that one must visit in Ahmedabad

Welcome to the sweetest Gujju world !! Gujarat is a colorful state not only in respect to different places you visit, but the food you eat has so much variety and delicacies that you will feel yourself the luckiest to have them !! On July 8th 2017 the old city of Ahmedabad earned the eminent title of India’s first ever UNESCO World heritage city. Narrow, small lanes, old houses with poles, carving, jharokhas, windows with colored glasses, doors with old handles locks that’s how the real Ahmedabad is showcased.

As we all know India is the only country in the world with a blend of so many kinds of tradition, culture, religion, people and food. So Gujarat is one out of it. Ahmedabad is a heaven for history lovers, art lovers and foodies !! 

 

How to reach  Ahmedabad and Where to stay 

We reached Ahmedabad station in the morning by train. We booked one traveler as I was traveling with my family. We had booked an independent house for two days.If you are with family or friends independent houses or homestays are the best option to stay. If you want to know how to book the best homestays and Villas on an affordable budget, then let me know, I will make a separate blog on that topic. 

To explore Ahmedabad you need at least 3 days. So let’s begin an exciting but not tiring tour to  Ahmedabad city along with places to eat and shop. So let me know if you are a shopaholic like me ? Are you a foodie ? If yes, be ready to get a kick start to your Ahmedabad tour with me.

 

1)Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram

I live in Wardha, a city which is deeply connected to Mahatma Gandhi. In 1934 Gandhi visited Wardha, at the invitation of Jamnalal Bajaj and Gandhiji set up his ashram in sevagram after he left Sabarmati ashram. That is one of the reasons I am personally attached to this city.

Blessed by the tranquility of Sabarmati river, Gandhi ashram was named after it. This is the place where Gandhiji started the Satyagraha movement. Sabarmati was supposed to be the home of Gandhiji after he returned from South Africa. The place is quite green and beautiful.

Gandhiji’s Home

Background displaying Dandi March

We can see his personal artifacts and even his glass, slippers, and books. There you will find an art gallery and a library comprising thirty five thousand books in different languages that are  treasures of knowledge, family, life, literature if one wants to learn from it !! 

Location: Ashram road,Ahmedabad

Time      : 8:30 am to 6:30 am

Entry fees : Free

 

2) Gujarat Science City

 

Gujarat  Science city is a major step taken by the Indian government to develop an interest of people in science. The science city presents scientific information in an interesting, informative and entertaining manner. Exhibits that spark your imagination, there are virtual reality activities like watching 3D movies in IMAX theaters where you can watch the Gujarat earthquake that occured in 2001. Its special features are an energy park,musical fountain, Hall of space, Electrodome, Simulator & Auda garden. These are some  corners that keep you entertained and certain demonstrations that are easy to understand which makes it the best place in ahmedabad specially for kids and students.

Kid Enjoying in the Auarium

 

Aqquarium from different Views

Note: Science city is a vast place to be covered in a short span, so take out a day to visit this place appropriately.

Location : SG Highway Ahmedabad

Entry fees : Rs.20 (adults), Rs.10 (children), Rs.5 (school group)

Timings : 10:30 am to 7:30 pm

Map of Gujarat Science City

 

3) JAMA MASJID

The marvelous architectural wonder created by Sultan Ahmed Shah & this is one of the top visited places by tourists.The fort was built by Sultan in 1423, who wanted a place for Muslims in Ahmedabad to gather for their Friday prayers. Located next to the Bhadra fort,it matches its grandeur with its yellow sandstone and two hundred sixty pillars with fine carving.

An arched gallery and its walls are etched with teachings of the Quran, surrounding the courtyard. There were a number of pillars inside the mosque. When we reached there, it  started  raining, splashing rain on my face & the sun was bright. Alert to all the photo enthusiasts, you can strive for phtography and you will end up taking amazing pictures here.

Time : 6 am to 8 pm

Fees : Rs.40/ person

Nearby places : Teen darwaza, Manek Chowk , SwamiNarayan Temple

4) Kankaria lake & kankaria zoo

Kankaria lake is the largest water body in the city, attracting the tourist crowd towards it. It was built by Sultans Mohammad Shah & Ahmed Shah in the fifteenth century. Kankaria lake is exceptional in itself because it has an inbuilt purification system since it was a bathing place for most rulers of that era. We went there at day time, you can sit beside the lake & chill or take a walk around the lake.  An entertainment zone has been developed on the lakeside, which has a zoo, kidscity, toy train & water park with lots of water rides. One should definetly try food from Nagina wadi, which is a garden themed food stall area lip-smacking authentic Gujarati food.

 

Kankaria Lake

 Standing with my kid in front of the Cage of White Tiger

At night it looks beautiful with colorful lights all over the place & you can also enjoy a musical dancing fountain with a laser show, which propounds a beautiful symphony of water, light, and sound followed by the most striking laser show. This place is a  paradise for wildlife lovers for here you find rare species of white tiger and endangered species of  mammals, birds, reptiles.

Night View of Kankaria Lake

The zoo also opened a nocturnal section which houses animals like hyena, porcupine, jackals & leopards which are mostly active at night. This zoo is one of its kind in Gujrat and uses light management to induce a night like environment during the day . So definitely visit the zoo with your kids and let them explore the wildlife.

Fees: Rs.25 (for adults), Rs.10 (for children)

Timing: 4:00 am to 8:00 am & 9:00 am to 10 pm

 

5) Adalaj Ni Nav

When you are in Ahmedabad and if you haven’t visited stepwells like the prettiest Adalaj ni nav. Such places give you a real historic feel. 

Prettiest Adalaj Ni Nav

 

 

 

This stepwell was built in the 15th century in traditional Solanki style of architecture. It monumentalized the love story of queen Rudabai and king Rana veer Singh.

The architecture of Adalaj ni nav is mesmerizing .This Adalaj step well is five stories deep,it is constructed  by using sandstone and it has walls and pillars with dominant carvings of women performing daily chores, scenes of performance of dancers and musicians and the king overlooking all the activities. It is around 18 kms from Ahmedabad, reaching there in less than 30 mins.  and enjoy an easy one day trip. So don’t miss one of the major tourist attractions of Ahmedabad.

Fees : Rs.25 (IND), Rs.300 (INR)

Timings : 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

 

6) Teen Darwaza

Historic Teen Darwaza, part of the old city is a home to 1573 Sidi Sayyad Mosque, famed for its stone lattice work windows with tree-shaped windows. 

With lots of hawkers selling various things from clothes to electronic items, jewelry, toys, handicrafts and artifacts. You will also get mouth-watering Mughlai food as well as delicious Gujarati cuisine. It is the most famous yet crowded place of Ahmedabad. 

Personally I didn’t like the shopping items there, be it traditional dresses or jewelry. I didn’t find it worth visiting. Beware of any unpleasant incident there because it is a densely populated place with pickpockets, chain snatchers and keep watch on kids if you are going with them.

 

7) Manek Chowk 

What a happening place Manek chowk is !! The street has such a lively vibes that even if you are tired that you cannot stop your feet to stop exploring the streets of Manek chowk. The delicious chinese, south indian, Gujarati street food, & don’t miss the jamun shots.

 

 And the best part is the street food stalls remain open throughout the night. So if you have any kind of midnight cravings then hit the place !! 

Special Must try items – Gotala dosa, Ghugra sandwich from Ghugre wala, thick jamun shots made with fresh jamun pulp, cheese ice cream 

Must try Ghugra Sandwich                  Jamun Shots

Manek chowk is also famous for its antique, oxidized and stone jewelry but keep in mind that the jewelry market is only open till 8:00 pm because the street food starts at 8:00 pm. So definitely visit this place and let me know what you think about this place !!

 

8) Hutheesing Jain Temple

 

Hutheesing is an astonishing Jain temple dedicated to the 15th jain Tirthankara Dhamantha. The temple lies in sprawling grounds of  Hutheesing-ni-wadi which has temples, gardens and guesthouses.This temple was built by one prominent Jain businessman of Ahmedabad named Hathisinh Kesarisinh.

The elegant temple is created out of white marble and has been sacred to many Jain families. The temple is spread over a sprawling courtyard, a mandapa surmounted by a large rigid dome, which is supported by 12 ornate pillars. There are large protruding porches with magnificently developed columns and figurial brackets on three outer sides. The temple also has a special Mahavir Stambha which stands tall and looks impressive.

 

9) Law Garden

This is the best,affordable and one of the most popular places to do shopping of traditional attire, you will see shops of gujarati lehenga, cholis, jackets, phulkari dupatta, footwear all over the market and oxidized jewelry too. There are a variety of lehenga choli with vibrant colors and don’t forget to bargain. Lot of bargaining is done and you can get things at a reasonable price. 

Jam packed stalls selling ethnic garments from kutch & Saurashtra. Some of the most popular things to buy at law garden Night market, Ahmedabad include

1)Ghagra choli featuring rich mirror work, animal motifs, rabari designs and applique embroidery.

2) Bandhej or Bandhani

3) Colorful handbags or potli

4) Costume jewelry

5) Richly decorated Chaniya (Traditional Skirts)

6) Angrakha dhoti ( Traditional Kurta & dhoti worn by gujju men)

7)Juttis (traditional embroideried footwear comes in attractive colors)

8) Western clothing including jeans, top, footwear at reasonable price.

“Street shopping and street food “, the two things that fascinate women a lot. The neighborhood surrounding the law garden is one of the must visit streets for food where you can enjoy culinary delights Gujarat is best known for. There you will also find fusion food stalls that sell desi versions of chinese and italian cuisines.

 

10) Auto World Vintage Car Museum

If you love cars and automobiles, this place will thrill you without any doubt. The museum exhibits an impressive collection of vintage cars,horse carriages, antiques and much more. This extremely amusing collection includes vintage cars like Bentley, Rolls Royce, Cadillac, Austin, Mercedes and Jaguar.

Entry timing: 8:00 am to 9:00 pm

Fees           : Rs.50 per person

 

Don’t Miss To Visit these RESTAURANTS  For Authentic Gujrati Cuisine

 

SWATI RESTAURANT IN LAW GARDEN

They serve best Gujarati snacks with mouth watering dishes. You must try their locho, pan ki chutney, and handvo. I mean everything is so delicious and it’s near the marketplace so go shopping and come here to satisfy your hunger pangs. Just in front of the restaurant there are few swings for kids, so even kids can enjoy the place while you shop.

 

Delicious Handvo & Pan ki chutney

 GORDHAN THAL

  This place is rich in legacy, and exquisite place to have authentic gujarati and Rajasthani thali with an impressive decor           come the whole experience. We went there at lunch time . Thali served with 4 vegetables,2 types of chutneys, gujarati           snack, gujarati kadhi, dal , and ofcourse sweet dish. The price of the thali is Rs.350 per thali and you get unlimited          food in thali so don’t forget to cherish your taste buds with this Gujarati thali.

 

I hope you all liked this blog where I have covered the best places to shop, eat and visit in Ahmedabad !! 

So let me know how your experience visiting these places was?

 Do visit these places & let me know your experience. Please comment and let me know !!