Located in Gujarat, this industrial powerhouse maintains its traditional crafts of wooden carving and textile making alongside modern factories and educational centers.
Ahmedabad spans both banks of the Sabarmati River in Gujarat. In the east, you'll walk through pols - neighborhood blocks where wooden houses display intricate carvings of peacocks, flowers, and geometric patterns. The western side contains the 132,000-seat Narendra Modi Stadium and the modern riverfront promenade. You can explore the 1423 Jama Masjid mosque with its 260 columns, meditate at Gandhi's former residence at Sabarmati Ashram, or wander through the stone lattice windows of Sidi Saiyyed Mosque.
Exploring the Pols of Old Ahmedabad
Eastern Ahmedabad contains hundreds of pols - neighborhood blocks dating from the 1700s. Each pol has a gateway, community spaces, and bird feeders (chabutras) shaped like small temples. As you walk through the narrow streets, you'll see wooden houses with carved facades, small temples, and shared courtyards. These neighborhoods developed as defensive units, with residents sharing resources and maintaining strong community ties.
Religious Architecture
The Jama Masjid's 260 columns support 15 domes, creating a prayer hall that accommodates 7,000 worshippers. At Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, you can examine the stone lattice windows with their intricate tree patterns - a design that became the symbol of Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad. The white marble Hathi Singh Temple contains detailed carvings of elephants and sculptures of 24 Jain spiritual leaders called Tirthankaras.
The Sabarmati Riverfront
An 11-kilometer promenade runs along both banks of the Sabarmati River. You can walk or cycle on dedicated paths, rest in gardens, or join locals at evening markets. The riverfront comes alive during festivals with food stalls and cultural performances. Water levels remain constant throughout the year thanks to the Narmada Canal, making it a year-round destination for morning walks and evening gatherings.
Gujarati Cuisine
Start your day with a Gujarati breakfast of fafda (crispy chickpea flour crackers) and jalebi (sweet spirals) from the street vendors in Manek Chowk. For lunch, try a complete Gujarati thali - multiple dishes served on a single plate. The old city's lanes contain small eateries where you can sample dhokla (steamed chickpea flour cake) and khandvi (rolled gram flour snacks).
Museums and Cultural Institutions
The Calico Museum (open Tuesday-Saturday, pre-booking required) displays textiles from across India, including royal costumes and religious tapestries. At Sanskar Kendra, designed by architect Le Corbusier, you can trace Ahmedabad's growth through maps and photographs. The Shreyas Folk Museum demonstrates Gujarat's crafts through live demonstrations and workshops.
Climate and Visiting Seasons
Summer (March-June) temperatures reach 45°C, making outdoor exploration challenging. The monsoon brings rain from July to September. Plan your visit between October and March when temperatures stay between 20-25°C - ideal for walking through the pols and exploring the mosques and temples.
