Why visit Ahmedabad
- Heritage walk in Ahmedabad
- Glorious ancient cities depicting a fascinating tradition and culture
- Fine examples of Indo-Saracenic architecture
- Step wells
- Gateway to Bhavnagar, ideal base for exploring the temples of Palitana
Ahmedabad was once graced with splendid monuments, mosques, pavilions and mausoleums, marking the beginning of the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. Its founder was Sultan Ahmed Shah after whom the city has been named. The finest examples of Indo-Saracenic architecture are the Jumma Masjid and the Siddi Sayyad Mosque. In Ahmedabad one also finds step wells or "vavs", a unique feature of this region. The Adalaj vav in Patan is perhaps the most beautiful in Gujarat with a series of beautiful platforms and galleries that are built into the sides of the step well all the way the way down to its subterranean depths. A major centre of India's textile trade and industry since the 15th century, Ahmedabad is the perfect location for the Calico Museum. The museum houses rare textiles which include royal tents, carpets and costumes, religious paintings on cloth, embroiders, brocades and silk weaves. Located southwest of Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar serves as a convenient base to visit the Jain temples at Palitana on the Shatrunjaya hills and the Velvadar Sanctuary, home of the Indian Black Buck. The most impressive of the main shrines at Palitana is the 17th century Adinath temple, with its ceilings, walls and supporting brackets covered with carvings of saints, dancers, musicians and lotus blossoms. Further southwest brings Junagadh, district home to the Somnath temple, one of the 12 most sacred sites dedicated to Lord Shiva. Though a base to visit Palitana, Bhavnagar in itself is very charming with its old bazaar, dotted with merchant havelis, and shops specializing in tie-dye textiles and silver and gold jewellery.
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