Sightseeing

Rani Rupmati Mosque

Named after the Hindu wife of Sultan Mehmed Beghara, the Rani Rupmati Mosque built between 1430 to 1440 A. D., is a fine example of the Indo-Sarcenic blended style. The mosque showcases a harmonious fusion of both Hindu and Muslim architectural styles. It has three domes supported by pillars with the central domes slightly elevated which allow natural light to enter the mosque.

Some other highlights of the mosque are its high central arch, slim minarets, carved galleries and an exquisite mihrab. Also located nearby are the mosque of Muhafiz Khan, famous for its three arch façade and minarets; the Saiyad Usman mausoleum - said to have started a trend for corner minarets in 1460s and the 16th century mosque of Hasan Muhammad Chisti which has some of the country's finest jali-work traceries .

Rani Sipri Mosque

Another fine example of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles, the Rani Sipri Mosque located on the south east of the city was built in 1514 by the wife of Sultan Mahmud Begada after he executed their son for some minor misdemeanor. The mosque is also known as Masjid-e-Nagina or Jewel of a Mosque because of its extremely graceful and well-executed design.

Hatheesing Jain Temple

The Hathee Singh Jain Temple is a beautiful ornately carved Jain temple that was built by Shri Kesarisimha Hatheesing Shah at a whopping cost of Rs. 10 lakhs way back in 1848. Designed by Premchand Salat, the two-storied temple with elaborate porches on three sides and front porch crowned by a large dome has a paved courtyard surrounded by an imposing row of cloisters 52 shrines, each with an image of a tirthankar. Located just outside the Delhi Gate , the temple dedicated to Dharamnath the 15th Jina or Jain apostle is built entirely of white marble.

Calico Museum of Textiles

The Calico Museum of Textiles one of the finest textile museums in the world displays an impressive collection of rare textiles, antique tapestries, wall hangings, costumes and antique looms that dates back to the early 17th century. Located in Sarabhai House, a former haveli (bungalow) in the Shahi Bagh Gardens, the Calico Museum of Textiles houses a wide range of collections that are of historical value i.e ., from court costumes and textiles used by the Mughal and Provincial rulers to textiles that were manufactured for trade and export markets of the 15th to 19th centuries ; from regional embroideries of the 19th century to tie-dyed textiles and religious textiles.

Most of textiles and fabrics that are exhibited in the Museum include yarns, embroidered shamianas, wall hangings, costumes, saris, phulkris, kalamkaris etc. Some of the popular exhibits include: embroidered wall hangings depicting Krishna legends ,an embroidered tent and the robes of Shah Jahan, Kashmiri shawls, Kullu embroidery, glittering silk brocades from Varanasi, masks and large wooden temple cars (processional vehicles) from Tamil Nadu, tribal crafts such as, Kachchhi silk and cotton 'mashru' etcIn addition to textiles, the museum also houses one of the finest collections of furniture, temple artifacts and crafts such as hangings or pichhvais, South Indian bronzes, Jain art and sculpture etc. The Museum also has a textile techniques gallery as well as an excellent reference library on textiles. The Museum is opened from 10 am- 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm- 5.30 pm except on wednesdays and government holidays.

The Utensils Museum

Located in the compound of Vishalla Restuarant is a unique meseum that goes by the name of Utensils Museum. Started by Surendra Patel, an interior designer by profession, the museum houses over more than 2000 varieties of traditional Indian utensils in curious shapes and sizes.The exhibits include huge cooking pots, portable ovens, strange implements for grinding ingredients, nutcrackers, locks, a collection of receptacles and various other utensils. The museum is open from seven days a week from 10.30 pm.

Shreyas Folk Art Museum

Located 2.5km west of Sabarmati in the suburbs of Ambavadi is Shreyas Folk Art Museum. The Museum showcases the traditional folk art and crafts of Gujarat's numerous tribes. The museum is opened from 9 am to noon from 3-5 pm from Tuesday to Thursday.