The Ahmedabad Heritage Walk is a great way to immersively experience the vibes of Ahmedabad, the UNESCO World Heritage City. The Ahmedabad Heritage Walk is the official heritage walk of the city organized by Heritage Walk Ahmedabad in conjunction with the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. The heritage walk is an award-winning walk that is also called, “Mandir to Masjid walk.”

Ahmedabad Heritage Walk – A Photo Blog

The heritage walk starts from the 200-year-old Swaminarayan Temple near Kalupur and winds its way across the narrow Pols to reach the Jama Masjid which is the final point in the Ahmedabad Heritage Walk. Join us on the walkthrough of these pictures that will give you an idea of the rich heritage of the old walled city of Ahmedabad, which is the first city in India to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage City.

Ahmedabad Heritage Walk – A Stroll Through History

The Heritage Walk Ahmedabad which famously takes you on a scintillating sojourn from Mandir to Madjid provides a window into life within the narrow confines of the walled city. These are known as Pols and are self-contained gated communities. The communities in each Pol are usually homogenous and is based upon religion or profession. The remarkable point to note is that these Pols are living heritage sites inhabited by people who go about their daily lives. The Ahmedabad Heritage Walk also gives a glimpse of the architectural legacy of the city.

Ahmedabad Heritage Walk – Swaminarayan Temple

The Swaminarayan Mandir is a 200-year-old temple of the Swaminarayan sect. The temple was constructed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan himself.

Dalpatram Chowk – Tribute To A Poet

The Dalpatram Chowk is a square that lies near the Swaminarayan Temple. It is a memorial to the noted Gujarati poet and social reformer by the same name.

Khara Kuva Ni Pol

The Khara Kuva Ni Pol is named after a well within the Pol. The Pol has a single entrance and exit gate with a guardroom above the entrance.

Bird Feeders or Chabutras

The generous nature of the people of Ahmedabad and the influence of Jain thinking and philosophy can be seen in the special feeding towers that are built in the Pols for pigeons and other birds.

Shantinath Ni Pol

The Shantinath Ni Pol is a classic example of a Pol. There is a community space with seating where the people may gather for a casual chat. There is a blackboard where announcements are scribbled, and there is the Chabutro for feeding birds. In the background is a Jain temple.

The Kala Ramji Temple

The Kala Ramji temple is a 400-year-old temple dedicated to the Hindu God and an avatar of Vishnu, Lord Ram. The temple has a unique black marble statue of Lord Ram in a seated position.

The Kuwavalo Khancho – An Architectural Wonder

The Kuvawalo Khancho is a unique square that has four different houses and the design of each of these houses has elements of different styles of architecture.

If one has elements from Persia, the other has a European influence, a third house has elements of Marathi architectural elements while a fourth house is influenced by Mughal architectural designs.

Ashtapadji Mandir – Brilliance of Jain Temple Architecture

While on the Ahmedabad Heritage Trail you will come across a grand Jain temple with exquisite ornate balconies, beautiful columns, and arches. This is a Jain temple known as Ashtapadji Mandir.

Doshiwada Ni Pol

This is a Pol which where you come across beautiful heritage Havelis with wooden facades that have been carved intricately. Gothic windows and winding wooden stairs complete the pleasing picture.

Harkunvar Sethani Ni Haveli

As you progress further your Ahmedabad Heritage walk, you will come across a huge 3-storeyed building at the corner of a narrow street. The building has beautiful wooden carvings including a wooden bracket with a Chinese Dragon. This building is the Harkunvar Sethani Ni Haveli. Harkunvar was the third wife of Seth Hutheesing, a famous Jain businessman and philanthropist who was instrumental in building many Jain temples including the famous Hutheesing Jain Temple in Ahmedabad.

Old Stock Exchange Building of Ahmedabad

In the centre of the famous square, Manek Chowk stands the dilapidated and ghostly building where once was located the historic Ahmedabad Stock Exchange.

Where today cows gather to be fed, and in the evening locals make a beeline to the food stalls, once bulls and bears fought it out. Fortunes were made and lost every day at the Ahmedabad Stock Exchange. Today it lies desolate, a shadow of its past, but still standing tall, proud of its legacy.

Mahurat Pol

The mahurat Pol is the first Pol that was built in Ahmedabad. It is believed that King Ahmed Shah I who founded Ahmedabad lived here for some time.

Badshah No Hajiro

At a little distance from Manek Chowk is located the tomb of Ahmed Shah I. Besides his tomb are the tombs of his son and grandson. The place is known as Badshah No Hajiro.

Jama Masjid – Culmination of Ahmedabad Heritage Walk

The Jama Masjid with a massive courtyard is also a structure that synthesised different architectural styles and designs. It even has iconography of Hindu temple architecture.

The Ahmedabad Heritage Walk ends at the Jama Majid and one leaves with awe at the richness of the heritage of the city and its structures. One also understands why Ahmedabad became the first Indian city to become a UNESCO Heritage World City.

We hope you liked our Ahmedabad Heritage City photoblog. Do let us know your thoughts through our comments section.

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