Ahmedabad

The first and foremost Swaminarayan temple was built at Kalupur in Ahmedabad. It is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan, a 19th century saint. It took 13 years and thousands of devoted volunteers to build this 23 acre, exquisitely well maintained cultural and religious complex, finished in 1992. The temple boasts of its exquisite wooden carvings. The structural design of the Ahmedabad Swaminarayan temple is mesmerizing. The interiors and exteriors of the temple have been adorned with the typical Gujarati designs that depict different aspects of the Gujarati culture and lifestyle. 

It is Ahmedabad’s most photographed monument is located in northeast corner of Bhadra Fort and is renowned for its superb yellow stone latticework. Built and named for a slave of Ahmed Shah in 1572, the mosque is a masterpiece with twin jalis on the western wall depict the intertwining branches of a tree, carved with extraordinary delicacy. 

Sabarmati Ashram, formerly also known as 'Satyagraha Ashram’ is situated in Ahmedabad at the Kocharab and was founded on May 25, 1915.  The ashram eventually became the nerve center of the Indian independence movement, occupies a tranquil spot on the bank of the Sabarmati River just outside the city center. Gandhi stayed at the Ashram from 1915 to 1933 later on the Ashram was disbanded. It was also from here on 12 March 1930 that Gandhi launched the famous Dandi March 241 miles from the Ashram (with 78 companions) in protest of the British Salt Law. The Ashram now has a Museum also.

This museum, 3km west of the river in Bhudarpura, was established in April 1977 and displays an impressive range of Gujarati folk arts, including wood carvings, metalwork and some wonderful embroidered textiles and amazing tie-dyed quilts. The museum is a depository of art and culture from more than fifty four states and countries. A large elephant skeleton which is more than 3 mts. high, toys, weapons, coins, costumes and other objects are on display.