Gandhinagar Things to Do

Travel south along the highway, and a short day tour will bring you to the Sarkhej complex, a cluster of monuments dating from the Sultanate.

Sarkhej was the home of the Muslim religious leader Ahmed Shaik, who was a spiritual guide of Sultan Ahmed Shah. In 1411, he was one of the 4 Ahmeds who laid the foundation of the city. The Rauza or Maqbara (mausoleum) of Shaik Ahmed Gunj Baksh - 140 ft in area is one of the largest mausolea in India, rivalling the Taj Mahal.

Rani Rupmati Masjid named after the princess of Dhar who married the Sultan of Ahmedabad, is another fine example of the Indo-Saracenic blended style.

A high central arch, 3 imposing domes, slim minarets, carved galleries and an exquisite Mihrab are the high points.

Note how the dome is raised to allow light in around the base but cut out the glare of the sun. The tomb of Rani Rupmati is next to the mosque.

To see the miracles of Ahmedabadi architecture, called Shaking Minarets (Jhoolta Minar), you must head for Sidhi Bashir mosque, where when one minaret is moved with force, the other shakes in sympathy.

Unfortunately, after the Qutab Minar tragedy during which many were crushed, climbing up the Minaret to feel the 'shaking' has been dis-allowed.

The beautiful ashram complex of Ahmedabad, with it's shady trees populated by thousands of parakeets, beeeaters, sunbirds and squirells, offers a refuge from the loud streets of the city, and is one the foremost tourist attractions of Ahmedabad. Among all the monuments and memorials to Mahatma Gandhi, from Dehli to Maharashtra, this is easily the most moving.

This ashram was Gandhi's headquarters during the long struggle for Indian independence. His ashram was founded in 1915 and still makes handicraft, handmade paper and spinning wheels. Gandhi's spartan living quarter are preserved as a small museum and there is a pictorial record of the major events in his life.

The ashram is open from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm (7 pm between April and September). Admission is free. There is a sound-and-light show for a small charge at 6:30 pm (in Gujarati) and 8:30 pm (in English on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday and in Hindi on the other nights

Ahmedabad, the city of Ahmed Shah (Medieval ruler of Gujarat), is known for its rich past and its association with the Mahatma (Great Soul), also known as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.

Ahmedabad city offers the traveler a unique style of architecture, which is a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles (Indo-Saracenic style of architecture).

The monuments of Ahmedabad mainly date back to the 15th century. Ahmedabad has been known for its industry since medieval times. Presently Ahmedabad is famous for its textile mills and is often referred to as the 'Manchester of the East'.