Things to do in  Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad’s Gandhi Ashram at Sabarmati is a fascinating destination for Indian history enthusiasts and anyone interested in spirituality and concepts of nonviolence. The Indian freedom fighter was from Gujarat and spent many years living at the ashram with his wife. Now, visitors can stroll through the grounds, browse the museum, or even do historical research in the archives located here.

Located on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, the five-story-deep Adalaj Stepwell is considered a masterpiece of West Indian temple architecture and engineering. Like other stepwells found across the subcontinent, it was constructed as a means to collect and harvest monsoon rainwater for residents to use during dry times of the year.

This museum holds some of India’s finest textiles. Collections contain antique and modern shawls, tapestries, saris, tie-dyes, royal costumes, and other items. Other objects such as sacred statues, religious texts, and miniature paintings round out collections. The museum is a must-see for visitors interested in one of India’s oldest traditions.

Ahmedabad’s Manek Chowk is a general produce, jewelry, and textiles market by day that transforms into a vibrant street food market at night. Located in the atmospheric Old Town, right beside the Jama Masjid, Manek Chowk is a convenient place to browse Indian bling or to grab a cheap and cheerful vegetarian Gujarati meal at night.

Ornate pillars, richly decorated columns, carved spires, and graceful carvings of dancers, musicians, and deities in white marble make this Jain temple outside Delhi Gate one of the most stunning in Ahmedabad. Built in 1848, the temple is dedicated to Dharmanath, or the 15th Tirthankara, or “ford-maker,” one of the 24 great teachers of the Jain religion.

Ahmedabad’s ornate Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kalupur temple belongs to the Swaminarayan Sampraday sect of Hinduism. It was built during the early 19th century and comprises several buildings, including the main temple, a women’s temple, mansions, and gateways. It’s a beautiful place to visit, whatever your culture or faith.

If you’ve ever paused mid-meal in India to admire the plates and bowls you’re eating from, check out Ahmedabad’s Veechar Cultural and Heritage Museum for Utensils. Located in a village hut-like setting, the museum was established in consultation with an anthropologist and presents an exciting array of antique vessels and utensils that reflect traditional Indian life.

Snow is a rare sight in India (outside the Himalayas), but Maniar’s Wonderland Snow Park in Ahmedabad provides a wintery experience the whole year round. Kids and adults will enjoy playing in the park, riding the roller coasters and zip lines, and even having snowball fights—a particularly enticing option when it’s hot outside.

Bandhej (tie-dye) saris, traditional blouses, and colorful wall hangings line the stalls of the Law Garden Night Market, where business starts after sunset. So-called because of its proximity to the Gujarat Law Society University, and the garden of the same name, the market is where locals and tourists shop for traditional Gujarati handicrafts and local street food.

Ahmedabad’s Sidi Saiyyed Mosque is an exquisitely beautiful building with a fascinating history. The 16th-century mosque features fine carved stone screens depicting the tree of life, which have become an artistic symbol of the city. It was built by Sidi Saiyyed, a pre-Mughal sultan descended from slaves and laborers brought from Ethiopia. Their descendents still live in parts of Gujarat today.

Archaeology and ancient history enthusiasts will want to make a detour to Lothal, an archaeological site that was part of the Indus Valley civilization about 4,500 years ago. While many Indus Valley civilization sites are less accessible nowadays, in the deserts of modern-day Gujarat and Pakistan, Lothal is just 50 miles (80 kilometers) southwest of Ahmedabad.

Travelers interested in religious architecture will enjoy visiting Ahmedabad’s Sarkhej Roza, a 15th-century mosque, palace, and tomb complex centered around a man-made water tank. The carved stone geometric screens by the entrance are especially beautiful, and the whole complex melds Islamic and Hindu elements. Swiss–French modernist architect Le Corbusier famously compared Sarkhej Roza to Athens’ Acropolis, highlighting its beauty and architectural significance.

Ahmedabad’s Splash the Fun World is a water-based amusement park that offers more than 20 rides, many of which are suitable for both kids and adults. It is particularly popular on hot days and weekends and also offers a number of dry attractions and rides.

Undoubtedly one of Ahmedabad's more out-there experiments in craftsmanship and architecture, Amdavad Ni Gufa is an underground art gallery that showcases the works of Maqbool Fida Husain, among the most celebrated Indian artists of the 20th century. Visit to see the artist's paintings and experience a gallery space that looks like a giant caterpillar/spaceship half buried underground.

This landmark, yellow-sandstone mosque is a standout in Gujarat, with its blend of Hindu, Jain, and Islamic design elements. Built as the principal place of worship for Muslims during the reign of Sultan Ahmed Shah I, the mosque was once among the largest in India and is a must-visit for travelers interested in Indo-Islamic history and architecture.