Ahmedabad is often known as ‘The City of Modern Architecture’ in India but is also home to some of the finest historical buildings that shape the city’s past, present and future. Established by Ahmed Shah in 1411 A.D., Ahmedabad was known as ‘Walled City’ for its firm hold on the culture and history. Yet, the twelve doorways in the city symbolise the openness of Ahmedabad to reshape its architecture with new evolving trends and innovations. It is also India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, and proudly so. All across Ahmedabad, you will witness buildings that weave a story through stones and bricks and awe observers with intricate details and stellar elegance.
We bring you the top 5 architectural marvels that have shaped the city’s heritage over the last few centuries:
1. Hutheesing Jain Temple
The temple is one of the most prestigious Jain temples in Ahmedabad, dedicated to the 15th Tirthankara – Lord Dharmanath. It was constructed in 1848 by the Hutheesing family, and it blends the traditional Marwadi-Gujarati architectural styles with new design elements in the Haveli. The temple is a sight to behold during the festive season with the mesmerising lights. This two-storeyed temple is made in marble and offers travellers and devotees a picturesque walk experience. Stop by during sunset for some epic golden hour pictures for your social media handles.
2. Bhadra Fort
Built in 1411, the fort houses lavish gardens, royal palaces, massive gates, mosques and open spaces on the premises. The British East India Company established a clock tower in the fort in 1878, and it beautifully narrates the times of the city’s glorious past. It’s in one of the city’s most scenic locales and encompasses 44 blissful acres. Visit the fort for captivating views and to explore historic architecture at its best.
3. Dada Harir Ni Vav
About 500 years before Instagram, this ancient underground stepwell was created in sandstone, making it every Instagrammer’s dream today. Make your way down the five stories, and you’ll notice the air becoming cooler and the environment getting calmer, even on the hottest or busiest days. It’s a beautiful sight to visit at different times of the day to capture the changing light and shadows amidst the stacked vertical pillars.
4. Trimandir Adalaj Temple
This beautiful architectural masterpiece is a picture-perfect frame during the early morning hours. Trimandir Adalaj Temple was built to reflect the concept of three religions – Jainism, Shaivism and Vaishnavism. If you’re a photography enthusiast or an Instagram star, the Gigantic Hall is the best place for pictures in this temple. It measures 31250 sq. ft. and can fit thousands of devotees within the walls. The dusky pink exterior also offers a perfect background for dawn photographs!
5. Sarkhej Roza
This is located on the city’s outskirts, around 7 km from Ahmedabad but is still one of the most prominent architectural sights for travellers and city dwellers. It is a Sufi site, home to Saint Shaikh Ahmed Ganj Baksh. The designs were created by two Persian brothers and resonated with Hindu and Islamic architectural schools of thought. Sarkhej Roza is also known as the Acropolis of Ahmedabad, with 120 magnificent pillars across 34 acres of land.
At Bakeri Group, we are constantly amazed by the architectural excellence in the city and continue to take inspiration from these marvels for our constructions. So whether you’re visiting Ahmedabad for the first time or settled here for a lifetime, these destinations are a must-visit to connect with the city’s culture, heritage and history.
Which is your favourite architectural marvel in Ahmedabad? Do let us know in the comments section!
