Sarkhej Roza
Sarkhej Makarba Rd, Ahmedabad, India, 380051
Travelers interested in religious architecture will enjoy visiting Ahmedabad’s Sarkhej Roza, a 15th-century mosque, palace, and tomb complex centered around a man-made water tank. The carved stone geometric screens by the entrance are especially beautiful, and the whole complex melds Islamic and Hindu elements. Swiss–French modernist architect Le Corbusier famously compared Sarkhej Roza to Athens’ Acropolis, highlighting its beauty and architectural significance.
The basics
Despite Sarkhej Roza’s significance, the buildings are in various states of dilapidation today. Some work is being undertaken to spruce things up and provide more visitor facilities and information. Visiting with a private guide is a good idea as they can provide context in the absence of English-language information.
Many travelers visit independently by catching a taxi or auto rickshaw from Ahmedabad. Private tours of Ahmedabad typically combine the site with visits to the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, the Old Town, and Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram, among other attractions.
Things to know before you go
Entrance is free, although small donations are welcome and can be placed in boxes in various places.
Remove your shoes and leave them in the designated areas before stepping inside.
Women should cover their heads with a scarf before entering the mosques and mausoleums, and visitors of all genders should dress modestly.
How to get there
Sarkhej Roza is about 5 miles (8 kilometers) from central Ahmedabad, on the south-western outskirts of the city and west of the Sabarmati River. Unless you’re on a tour, the easiest way to get here is by auto rickshaw or taxi: arrange for the driver to wait for a hassle-free trip back into the city.
When to get there
Sarkej Roza is open daily between mid-morning and evening. It’s generally a quiet place but tends to be busiest in the evenings, around sunset, when local families gather here. There’s an active mosque here so avoid disrupting worshippers on Fridays and during prayer times on other days of the week. Most people prefer to visit Ahmedabad between October and March, when the weather is pleasant.
Visit Ahmedabad’s beautiful Sidi Saiyyed Mosque
Architecture enthusiasts have many great options in Ahmedabad, and the small Sidi Saiyyed Mosque contains one of the finest examples of stone carving in Gujarat. The 16th-century mosque features fine carved stone screens depicting the tree of life, which can be seen by entering the mosque and from the road outside. It’s on the western edge of Ahmedabad’s Old Town.
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