The largest city in Gujarat has a wealth of sights, which makes it all the more surprising that it doesn’t receive as many visitors as other cities in India of a smaller stature. Aside from the Gandhi references in Ahmedabad, there is a wealth of startling temples to visit, many featuring striking designs with acute attention to detail. Many people may be daunted by the sheer number of temples to visit here but even if you are not a fan of shrines and mosques, it is difficult not to be stirred by some of the architecture Ahmedabad has to offer.

Akshardham Gandhinagar
Located 12 miles (20kms) outside of Ahmedabad in the twin city of Gandhinagar, the state capital, this impressive temple complex is one of the largest in Gujarat. The main attraction here is the thousands of tonnes of pink sandstone that enshrine a seven-foot statue covered in gold leaf. The gardens here are also extensive, featuring a lake, waterfall and children’s rides.

Hathisingh Jain Temple
Unlike many of the temples in Ahmedabad, this sleek white marble structure is a Jain place of worship that can be found on Shahibaug road. The structure is best-known for its intricately carved design that displays musicians and other figures, and symbols related to Dharmanath, the 15^th Jain apostle.

Jhulta Minara
If you only visit one temple during your visit to Ahmedabad, make it this one. Jhulta Minara, or the ‘swaying minarets’ in English, are a bewildering part of the Siddi Bashir mosque in that they actually do sway when pressure is applied to the top arch. Nobody has ever been able to sufficiently explain how this happens, including an Englishman during the colonial era who destroyed one of the towers in a bid to unearth their secret.

Juma Majid
Another of Ahmedabad’s outstanding mosques, Juma Majid was built by the founder of the city, Ahmed Shah, nearly 600 years ago and is still going strong today. The building’s design is incredible: built of yellow sandstone, the mosque features hundreds of pillars supporting a series of domes, rare examples of Muslim architecture from the 15^th century.

Sarkhej Roza
This series of mausoleums that entomb the family of the founders of Ahmedabad is one of the grandest monuments in the area, about six miles (10kms) outside of the main part of the city. The structure spans a huge area and is notable for its series of iconic domes. The complex is a mixture of religious buildings, tombs, pavilions, courtyards and royal palaces that combine to form one of the most startling sites in Gujarat.

Sidi Sayed Mosque
Different from many of the other exquisite mosques in Ahmedabad, Sidi Sayed mosque features famous screens including one in particular which has been carved out of a single rock. The semi-circular screened windows here are one of the strongest images in the city and should not be missed.

Teen Darwaza
Part of everyday life for your average Ahmedabad resident, Teen Darwaza is nevertheless one of the oldest pieces of architecture still standing in the city today. Dating back to the very first days when Ahmedabad was founded at the beginning of the 15th century, these three arches formed gateways into the heart of the city and are impressive examples of traditional Gujarati architecture.

Develop a sweet tooth Ahmedabad-style and enjoy some of the excellent local desserts, sweets and ice creams found on sale throughout the city. A meal in Ahmedabad is just not the same if you don’t finish with something sugary.

Enjoy a local theatre performance. Head to the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts or the ever-popular and usually very busy Law Garden for one of Ahmedabad’s special performances, which usually include song and dance.

Fly a kite during the annual Uttarayan Festival and go head-to-head with local enthusiasts on the final day of Ahmedabad’s biggest event, when kites try to bully each other out of the sky.

Go boating on Kankaria Lake. Ahmedabad weekends during the dry season are not the same without a visit to this popular recreational spot where families typically enjoy an afternoon out on the water.

Shop for local folk art. Ahmedabad is well-known for producing textiles, but certain areas are known for specialising in hard to find knick-knacks that make ideal souvenirs. Head to Paldi for unique embroidery or Madhupura for traditional mojri footwear.

Take a rickshaw tour of the city’s many mosques. With so many wonderfully ornate Islamic structures to take in during your trip, the best way to see them is at a leisurely pace with a driver that can wait for you at every stop.

Watch a game of cricket. If there is one thing the locals love, it’s a test match or one-day game at the Sardar Patel stadium. If you are lucky enough to be in town for an India international, make sure you don’t miss out. Even if you’re not a fan, the atmosphere is worth a visit alone.