Jama Masjid

One of masterpieces of India’s architectural wonders the Jama Masjid is one of the most beautiful mosques in the western India . Built during the period of Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1423 the mosque combines both the Hindu Muslim style of architecture in a harmonious way. This fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture of the Ahmed Shahi style was built over a period of 13 years. Built in yellow sandstone standing on 260 pillars supporting 15 domes at varying elevations it gives a majestic look to the onlookers as well as the surrounding around.

Near the Eastern entrance stands the ‘Roja' or the tomb of the Sultan Ahmed Shah, which was homage to the Sultan by his son Mohammed Shah II. The tomb houses the graves of three great rulers of Gujarat - Ahmed Shah I, his son, Mohammed Shah and his grandson, Qutub-Ud-Din Ahmed Shah II. The tomb was repaired after 100 years later by nobleman Farhatul Maluk, who also got its walls engraved. Items salvaged from demolished Hindu and Jain temples are said to have contributed towards the construction of this mosques. The mosque has not lost its charm even today thought two of its 'shaking' minarets ( if one of the minaret is shaken the other too vibrates after a few seconds ) have lost half of their height in the great earthquake of 1819, and in later in 1957.The structure consists of a marble paved courtyard with a pool in the middle. The front elevation shows a huge archway, flanked by projecting pillars. The mosque is covered by 5 rows of 3 domes each, the central ones being the most ornate inside, supported by 210 slim pillars placed to create exact quadrangles during the namaz.

Jama Masjid of Ahmedabad is as beautiful as the one found in Delhi and deserves a special visit by tourists.

Sidi Bashir's Mosque and Shaking Minarets

One of the most popular places to visit in Ahmedabad is the mosque of Sidi Bashir. What makes the monument one of the architecture wonders is the presence of shaking minarets in its structure. What is amazing about these minarets is that if one is shaken the others vibrate in symphony too. Thus it is also called Jhulta Minar . It was first seen and experienced in the 19th century by Monier M Williams, a European Sanskrit scholar. After that it became a place, which generated wonders among many to the extent that the British had to dismantle one of its minaret to understand its secret. But after the Qutab Minar tragedy during which many were crushed in a stampede while climbing on its narrow steps, climbing up the Minaret to feel the 'shaking' has been barred by the authorities to avoid any such tragedies.

The exact year of construction of the Sidi Bashir mosque is not consistently mentioned but it is believed to be built in 1461 by one of the favorite slaves of sultan Sidi Bashir. The minarets, standing 21.42 meters high, are intricately designed with three stories of balconies lying above the mosque’s main archway. The connecting passageway between the two vibrating minarets, however, remains free of any vibration generating mysteries and awe among the onlookers.

A trip to the Sidi Bashier mosque thus remains a must for every tourist visit the city of Ahmedabad.

Kankaria Lake

After a hectic day of work Kankaria lake is the perfect place to unwind oneself in Ahmedabad. It provides a cool and beautiful ambience to the people.

Situated in the southeast part of the city it is an artificial lake made during the time of Sultan Qutubub-Din in 1951.It is polygonal in shape with approximately 34 sides. It has an island garden, called Nagina wadi and a palace which was frequented by Emperor Jehangir and Empress Nur Jahan in their days. The lake also attracts good birdlife.

Kankaria Lake has become a popular picnic spot between the local as well as outsiders. It is surrounded by parks, ‘Bal Vatika’ and a huge zoo. An aquarium, a boat club and a natural history museum add additional places which can be visited in its neighborhood.

The place can be reached easily by local buses from different parts of the city - some of them are 32, 42, 60, 152 -153 from Lal Darwaza.

Kankaria Lake is popular both among adults and children because of many means of recreation it provides for them.

The Bhadra Fort and Teen Darwaja

The founder of Ahmedabad Sultan Ahmed Shah built the Bhadra fort in 1411 along with the Teen Darwaja, the arched gateway serving the royal entrance to Maidan Shah. The fort was named after the goddess Bhadra Kali. The fort once encompassed 12 gates, 189 bastions and 6000 battlements. Close to this edifice is Ahmed Shah’s mosque.

The Teen Darwaja is on the east side of the fort. They are huge archways with fretted stonework. From here the Sultans used to watch various processions from the palace to the Jama Masjid.

Today the Bhadra Fort houses government offices from where permission can acquired to the access to the roof for views of the surrounding areas.