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Hatheesing Temple
The Hatheesing temple is located outside the Delhi Gate to the north of the
old city at a distance of three kilometres from Ahmedabad Railway station. Built
in 1848 by Sri Kesarsing Hatheesing and made of white marble, this temple is
dedicated to Dharmnath, the 15th Jain Tirthankara (teacher). The main temple
is surrounded by 52 small temples. It has been named after its founder Seth
Hathee Singh, a prosperous Jain merchant. The temple is a double storied construction
with a dome on the front side while the sides are embellished with lavishly
carved out balconies. The temple has a cemented courtyard that is enclosed by
row of cloisters. The 52 shrines surrounding the main temple have an image each
of a Tirthankara.
Swaminarayan Temple
The Swaminarayan temple is located in Kalupur in Ahmedabad. It is believed to
be the first ever Swaminarayan temple to be built. The interiors and exteriors
of the temple have been adorned with typical Gujarati designs and has beautifully
decorated domes and galleries. There are lush green lawns outside the temple
which accentuate its beauty. On the southern side of the Temple there are nine
tombs which are popularly known as 'Nau Gaz Pir' or Nine Yard Saints..
ISKCON Temple
The ISKCON temple in Ahmedabad is located close to the Gujarat Samachar Press.
It is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and his consort Radha. It is also known
as the Hare Krishna temple. ISKCON stands for International Society for Krishna
Consciousness. The society was established in 1966 by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
and is also known as the Hare Krishna movement. It has more than 350 centres,
60 rural communities, 50 schools and 60 restaurants worldwide.
The temple has huge halls which are illuminated with grand
looking chandeliers. The interiors are quite spacious and as regards the exteriors,
the campus is filled with large number of flowering trees and plants. The temple
has a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere and the devotees who come to the temple
are supposed to maintain the silent and peaceful atmosphere of the temple premises.
Prayer sessions are held here in the mornings and evenings. The prayer ceremonies
are accompanied with chanting of religious songs called 'kirtans'. The temple
hosts two main festivals- Janmashtami (birthday of Lord Krishna) and Nand Mahotsav
(the day following Krishna's birthday). On Janmashtami Day, the entire temple
is illuminated and lavishly decorated. 'Mangal Aarti' is held in the evening
which is attended by a large number of people. Flowers, fruits, incense and
sweets are offered to the deities on this day and there are discourses from
the Bhagvad Gita- the holy book of the Hindus. Nand Mahotsav is celebrated the
day after Janmashtami. On this day thousands of devotees throng the temple premises
to offer their prayers. The temple arranges for lunch for the devotees on this
auspicious occasion.
Mahaveer Swami Temple
Mahaveer Swami temple is a highly revered Jain temple located in Ahmedabad.
The presiding deity of the temple is Bhagwan Mahaveer. Besides there are metal
idols of twenty three Tirthankaras of the Jains. This ancient temple is assumed
to be of a period earlier than the year 1619. The temple possesses a large dome,
then there are sculptural carvings of Goddesses in the open square. A bluish
crystal idol of Bhagwan Shantinath and a silver coated carved fort of Ashtapadji
are the other attractions. A marble built model of Pavapuri, the place at which
Mahaveer attained nirvana can be seen on the terrace. There is complete absence
of electric bulbs in the temple and the illumination inside the temple comes
from the lamps burnt with coconut oil. Devotees visit the temple on the first
day of the bright half of the month of Kartik (March-April) and on the first
day of the bright half of the month of Bhadrapad (mid of September to mid of
October) as it is considered auspicious.
Gheekanta Shankeshwar Teerth
Gheekanta Shankeshwar Teerth is a famous Jain pilgrim centre located in the
Gheekanta locality in Ahmedabad city. The presiding deity is Parikaryukta Bhagwan
Shankeshwar Parshwanath in the Padmasana posture. It is a 53cm high white coloured
idol. The temple has a simple and low-built structure without any ancient workmanship.
People come to this temple for worship on the first and fifteenth day of the
month and also on Sundays. Other deities worshipped here include Adinath, Bhagwan
Shantinath, Parshva Yaksh and Padmavathi Devi.
Sri Karnavati Teerth
Sri Karnavati Teerth is an important Jain pilgrim centre located in Ahmedabad
city. It is dedicated to Sri Dharmanath Bhagwan. The idol is a white coloured
one in the 'padmasana' posture.
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Jagannath Temple
Jagannath temple is an ancient Vaishnavite temple located in the Jamalpur area
of Ahmedabad district. The presiding deity is Lord Krishna. The other deities
worshipped are Balram and Subhadra. The highlight of this temple is the annual
rath yatra. Every year in the month of June/July a massive procession is taken
out from the Jagannath temple. It is known as 'Rath Yatra' and is similar to
the one at Puri Jagannath temple. Chariots, carrying the idols of Lord Jagannath
(Krishna), Balram and Subhadra are the main attraction of the procession which
starts in the morning. The chariots are decorated and adorned with garlands.
Decorated elephants, gymnasts, acrobats, saints and devotees, all form part
of the procession.
Param Dham
Param Dham is located on top of a hillock at Bhavnirjar in Ahmedabad. The shrine
is dedicated to Lord Krishna who presides here as Sri Venu Gopal who is the
main deity. The idol of the main deity is flanked by the idol of Lord Ganesha
in 'narthana' pose and Hanuman as Veer Maruti. The highlight of the temple is
its unique architectural style.
Manav Mandir
Manav Mandir is a lotus shaped, pink temple erected by the Ashirvad society
and is located at Cinema Road. It is also known as Kamal Mandir. The presiding
deity of the temple is Mataji also known as Ambaji - the source of Shakti-Spiritual
energy. Darshan is open to visitors from morning 6.00am to 12.30 noon and from
3.00pm to 9.30pm. The Arti timings are 7.00am and 7.00pm. During the Navaratri
festival (September-October) special prayer programmes and yagna are performed.
Sri Mahalakshmiji Temple
Sri Mahalakshmiji Temple is an ancient shrine located at Ahmedabad. The presiding
deity of the temple is Goddess Lakshmi. The area where the temple is situated
is known as Mahalakshmi - Ni-Pole.
Vageshwari Mataji Temple
Vageshwari Mataji Temple is an ancient shrine located at Ahmedabad and was established
about 550 years ago. It lies in the Vageshwari-ni-Pole area and is dedicated
to Vageshwari Mataji, the family deity of Shrimali Sonis.
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Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid is located in the centre of the old city beside the Mahatma
Gandhi road and to the east of Teen Darwaza. It was built by Sultan Ahmed Shah
in 1423 and is one of the biggest and oldest mosques of India. Jama Masjid
combines the best of Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture and is built in
yellow sandstone. The mosque has 260 pillars supporting 15 domes (cupolas)
arranged symmetrically. It has entrances on three sides- west, south and north.
The Muluk-Khana or Royal Gallery is the special feature of the mosque. It is a
platform standing on pillars and enclosed upto the roof with beautiful stone
work. The court has a large marble courtyard with a long rectangular ablution
tank in the centre. The prayer hall of the mosque is a rectangular area with
five symmetrical domes. The central Mihrab (position indicating the direction of
the Holy Mecca ) of the mosque has inscriptions commemorating its completion in
1424 by Sultan Ahmed Shah I. The masjid also had tall minarates which were
destroyed in an earthquake.
Rani Rupmati's Mosque
Rani Rupmati's mosque is located on the northern side of the Ahmedabad city.
The mosque was established by Sultan Mahmud Beghara and was named after his wife
Rani Rupmati. The special features of this mosque are its impressive domes,
carved galleries and tall minarates. The prayer hall consists of exquisite
carvings. The three domes are duly supported by pillars and the one in the
central position illuminates the mosque with natural light. Small domes located
in the front, rear and at the centre rise in crescent like shape.The
architecture of the mosque is a combination of both Hindu and Muslim styles. The
minarates of the mosque were lost in earthquake. The tomb of Rani Rupmati is
located next to the main mosque. Also located close to the mosque are the mosque
of muhafiz Khan and Saiyad Usman Mausoleum.
Rani
Sipri's Mosque
Rani Sipri's Mosque is yet another combination of Hindu and Muslim Architecture.
It was built by Rani Sipri, wife of Mahmud Beghara who executed their son for
a minor misdemeanour. It is a small mosque but outshines Rani Rupmati's mosque
with its intricately carved decoration, jali screens with flowering plant and
tree forms and the building's elegant design.It is also known as the Masjid-e-Nagira
(Jewel of a Mosque) because of its extremely graceful and well-executed design.
It has a separate area of worship, upstairs, for women called 'Jenana'. After
the death of Rani Sipri, she was buried in the premises of the mosque.
Sidi
Saiyad's Mosque
Sidi Saiyad's mosque is located near Lal Darwaza in the city of Ahmedabad. It
was constructed in the year 1573 by Sid Saiyad a slave of Sultan Ahmed Shah.
The highlight of this mosque are its ten semicircular windows which are covered
by splendid mesh known as Jali. The Jali screen windows represent the Indo-Saracenic
styling. The stone windows are delicately carved depicting the complex intertwining
of the branches of the kalpa tree. This intricate design work make it famous
all over the world.
Sidi Bashir's Mosque
Sidi Bashir's Mosque is located at a distance of one kilometre from the
Ahmedabad Junction Railway Station outside the Sarangpur Gate. It is supposed
to have been built by a slave of Sultan Sidi Bashir in 1461. The mosque is an
example of master craftsmanship. Sidi Bashir's mosque is a place of religious
significance as well as tourist interest. The Swaying Minarates or Jhulat Minara
which are part of the mosque are very popular among tourists visiting Ahmedabad.
Jhulta Minara or Swaying Minarates
Jhulta Minara or 'Swaying Minarates' as they are known in English are
one of the most ancient structures of Ahmedabad city and are actually a part of
the Sidi Bashir mosque. Each minarate has three storeys, girdled by carved stone
balconies. The special feature of these minarates which gets them
their name is that when one of the minarates is shaken the other one also rocks
in tandem. This feature of the minarates is believed to be a protection against
earthquakes. An example of superb craftsmanship the secret behind the swaying
minarates still remains a mystery to even the trained minds of architects and
engineers. The minarates have stood the test of time. Being situated close to
the railway station they have withstood the pressure of fast moving trains
and also dismantling at the hands of humans. It is believed that an Englishman
once made an attempt to demolish one of the minarates unravel the mystery behind
their swaying. However he was unable to find out the theory behind the swaying
minarates and could not replace the dismantled parts either.
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Ahmed
Shah's Mosque
Ahmed Shah's mosque is located on the Sardar Patel Road. It lies to the south-west
of the Bhadra fort. It was built in the year 1414 AD by Sultan Ahmed Shah, the
founder of Ahmedabad city. It is one of the oldest mosques in the city. The
prayer halls (Mehrabs) have been intricately designed using black and white
marbles. Towards the north-east corner lies the separate prayer room for women
which is known as 'Zenana'. The mosque initially was meant only for royal class
but nowdays it has become a popular tourist destination.
Raj Babri Mosque
Raj Babri mosque is located on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, near the suburb of
Gomtipur. It is an ancient shrine believed to have been built in the 15th
century and also has its share of fame in the form of its shaking minarates. The
minarates were damaged during the Gujarat earthquake and the government has
since been trying to restore them. Like most of the other mosques in Ahmedabad,
Raj Babri's mosque also exhibits a combination of Hindu and Muslim architectural
styles.
Bai Harir Mosque
Bai Harir mosque is a highly revered shrine in Ahmedabad. It is believed to
have been built by Bai Harir Sultani who was the superintendent of th eharem of
Sultan Beghara. The central mirhab or prayer area of the mosque shows
inscriptions. The sculptural work int he centre of the prayer room and upper
part of the walls depict features of Gujarati architecture. The courtyard of the
mosque has a few sealed passages that are possibly connected to the nearby
stepwell or with some spacious underground alcoves. Near the mosque are located
Dada Hari Vav (step well) and Bai Harir's tomb.
Bai Harir tomb is located on the north-eastern part of Bai Harir mosque. The
entrance of the tomb faces towards the south. the mausoleum has a tomb chamber
with a huge semi circular dome. This is surrounded by low corridors with four
small domes. Plant sculptures and geometric patterns resembling Gujarati art
decorate the basement of corridors and the bottom of the mausoleum.
Bibi ki Masjid
Bibi ki Masjid is an ancient mosque located at Ahmedabad in Gujarat. It was
built by Makhduma-I-Jahan, mother of Sultan Ahmed Shah II sometime in 1454 AD.
The mosque has a royal gallery enclosed by a carved dome with a luxuriant spiral
pendant and is an example of Indo-Islamic architecture. Another feature of the
mosque is the presence of shaking minarates here too.
Badshah-no-Hajiro
The tomb of Ahmed Shah the founder of Ahmedabad is called
Badshah-no-Hajiro.It is located just outside the east gate of Jama Masjid. It is
square in shape with porticos on each side and has perforated stone windows.
Women are not allowed into the central chamber of the structure. The tomb also
has cenotaphs of Ahmed Shahs son and grandson. Opposite the Hajiro and across
the main gate lies the Rani-no-Hajiro where the queens of subsequent sultans
were buried.
Roza of Shah Alam
Roza of Shah Alam is a monument built in the memory of Muslim saint Shah Alam.
It is believed that the roza was built by the brother of the Mughal Empress
NoorJahan. The complex of the roza is believed to contain the footprints of the
Prophet in marble. The tomb is supported by 12 columns and the brass doors are
set in carved marble frames and the floors are tiled in black and white marble.
The annual Shah Alam fair is held here in the month of March/April and is
attended by thousands of devotees from far and near.
Kutbi Mazar
Kutbi Mazar in Ahmedabad is a colossal monument built in memory of Syedna Qutubuddin
Shaheed, the high priest of Bohra community.
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