To see the miracles of Ahmedabadi architecture, called shaking minarets (Jhoolta Minar), you must head for Sidhi Bashir mosque, where when one minaret is moved with force, the other shakes in sympathy. Unfortunately, after the Qutab Minar tragedy during which thousands were crushed, killed or injured, climbing up the minaret to feel the `shaking' has been dis-allowed. Another pair of shaking minarets are at Bibi ka masjid, near the station.

SIDI BASHIR MOSQUE
To see the miracles of Ahmedabadi architecture, called shaking minarets (Jhoolta Minar), you must head for Sidhi Bashir mosque, where when one minaret is moved with force, the other shakes in sympathy. Unfortunately, after the Qutab Minar tragedy during which thousands were crushed, killed or injured, climbing up the minaret to feel the `shaking' has been dis-allowed. Another pair of shaking minarets are at Bibi ka masjid, near the station.

The Jumma Masjid, before which description of any other monument in Ahmedabad is in the nature of being trailers before the actual movie is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture of the Ahmed Shahi style ! Historians have called it `the most beautiful mosque of the east' and Sir Jhon Marshal rated it among the most superb and imposing structures of it's class in the world.The mosque, inaugrated on March-11, 1411, took 13 years to complete, and is a great work of the Ahmedabadi eclectic style. A white marble paved courtyard, with a pool in the middle, some 220X95 ft in area provides a perfect pause between the racuous streets outside, and the dignity of the main sanctuary within.

The front elevation shows a huge archway, flanked by projecting pillars, with bands of intricate carvings, friezes and ornamentation running all the way to the top, and pointed arches on both sides. 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. The pillars form exact quadrangles for kneeling during `namaz' on Friday. The domes and jalis have been carefully designed to allow enough light and illumination in the great prayer hall, without any glare of direct sunlight!

Rani Rupmati Masjid named for the princess of Dhar who married the Sultan of Ahmedabad, is another fine example of the Indo-Saracenic blended style. A high central arch, 3 imposing domes, slim minarets, carved galleries and an exquisite mihrab are the high points. Note how the dome is raised to allow light in around the base but cut out the glare of the sun. The tomb of Rani Rupmati is next to the mosque. Nearby are the superbly proportioned 1465 AD mosque of Muhafiz Khan, splendidly carved with a 3 arch façade and minarets, the Saiyad Usman mausoleum which is 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 finest jali-work traceries in India.

The beautiful ashram complex of Ahmedabad, with it's shady trees populated by thousands of parakeets, beeeaters, sunbirds and squirells, offers a refuge from the loud streets of the city, and is one the foremost tourist attractions of Ahmedabad. Among all the monuments and memorials to Mahatma Gandhi, from Dehli to Maharashtra, this is easily the most moving.

Kankaria lake, is one of the best places to witness the sunset in Ahmedabad. It offers pleasant walks in the evenings and drives in the moonlight at night. The polygonal lake(it has appx 34 sides) with intricate sluice gates, was created in the 15th century by the Sultans. It has an island garden, called Nagina wadi, where royal families enjoyed the breezes of the lake.The lake attracts good birdlife.

Beside the lake is the Kamla Nehru hill garden zoological park, designed by late Rueben David, a zoological genius. It is well known for it's albino animals, specially a breeding stock of albino porcupines. The massive zoo has a huge number of birds, mammals and reptiles. Balvatika is a well known park for children.The Natural history museum has dioramas of wildlife scenes and stuffed birds including a pair of rare Great Indian bustards.