Ahemdabad - City of Museums

Ahmedabad in Gujarat has a lot to offer to a visiting tourist, the highlight being the varied and interesting museums which are just not to be missed. But the city can be pretty hot during summers and is best avoided then. Winter is the best time to visit as that is also the time to enjoy eating out, but be sure to be adequately protected.

Kites Museum

January is the season for kites in Ahmedabad, as it is in the whole of Gujarat. During the festival of Makar Sankranti, which marks the end of winter solstice, the city skies become ablaze with colourful kites of all shapes and sizes. It is a little surprise then that Ahmedabad is home to a unique Kite Museum. A visit to this museum is an educative and entertaining experience for the children, one that will acquaint them with kites - how they are made and how they fly. Creative designs are bound to capture their imagination.

Utensils Museum

Another unique exhibition worth a visit is the Vishalla Utensils Museum, which is housed inside Hotel Vishalla. This hotel is known for its delicious Gujarati thali served amidst traditional setting. Around 2000 everyday use and ritual utensils and vessels are on display at the museum. There are utensils in copper, brass, and bronze. You will find traditional kitchen and ritual vessels and tools like nutcrackers, urns, jars, pots, and ladles of quaint shapes and exquisite carving and craftsmanship.

Textiles Museum

Ahmedabad has the distinction of being a rich textile-producing city and is known as the 'Manchester of East'. Therefore it boasts of one of the finest textile museums in the world, in Calico Museum. It is housed in a quaint and quiet, sprawling haveli of Sarabhai family and set amidst beautiful gardens, fountains and park benches. The exhibits include tapestries, wall panels and sarees - fabric which is woven, spun or printed. You get to see some fine kalamkari and tie-and-dye (bandhna) work, patola and ikat weaves. It takes more than a day to see all the exhibits, so you may have to keep more time on hands if you wish to do justice to it. The museum keeps limited visiting hours to manage the crowd. Check the timings and days before you go.

Sabarmati Ashram

Visiting Ahmedabad and not visiting the Sabarmati Ashram of the great Mahatma Gandhi would be sacrilege. Situated on the banks of the Sabarmati River, this Ashram was the stage from where Mahatma Gandhi embarked on his freedom struggle. As you enter the gates you are greeted by statues of Gandhiji's famous 'three monkeys' who exhort not to see evil, hear evil or talk evil. The Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya situated in the precincts serves as a good portrayal of Mahtma's life through photographs and written word. It vividly brings to life the greatness of thought and action of the Mahatma and is truly inspirational, especially to small children who read of him through school textbooks.

Hriday Kunj, the small room in the Ashram, which was Gandhiji's personal quarter, has been left untouched to serve as an exhibit. It has Gandhiji's trademark glasses, the charkha or the spinning wheel which he used to spun khadi, and other personal effects. The Ashram has a meditative effect on visitors and takes one back in time to the heady days of freedom movement. A visit to Sabarmati Ashram is highly recommended.

Besides the museums, Ahmedabad has lots to offer and you must explore all places of interest; you'll find you have fallen in love with the city.