It doesn't happen often that the beauty of a place or a monument leaves you starry-eyed. However, this is exactly the case with Jhulta Minar. Located in Laxmi Bazar, Ahmedabad, this is an applause-worthy historical monument.
The architecture of these minarets is apparently one of the major attractions of this place which draws the attention of tourists and locals alike. The name ‘Jhulta Minar’ actually stands for the swinging minarets.
However, when we look back in history we come to know that this place was earlier a mosque named Sidi Bashir Mosque. But in the present times, only the central gateway along with two of its minarets remain which are famous as the Jhulta Minar.
These are the tallest minarets in all of Ahmedabad and it is enough a reason to visit here. These minarets are quite damaged but still the stairs of these buildings can be used and are in functional condition. These minarets are about the height of a three-story-tall building. What makes this structure really amazing is the fact that even a gentle shaking of either of the minarets results in the shaking of the other minaret after some time.
A really worth noting thing here is the fact that although the minarets shake with the vibrational force, the passage which joins them remains completely free of any such vibrational force. This interesting phenomenon was first observed in the 19th century by an English and Sanksrit Scholar named Monier M. Williams.
Another interesting fact that would compel you to contemplate is that these minarets which appear to be weak can take the full vibrational force of earthquakes. They can also withstand the vibrations from fast-moving trains passing nearby.
While the monument can be visited on any day of the week as it remains open all 7 days, it is advisable to visit during winter as summer in Gujarat can be overwhelming. The place gets maximum tourist footfall in the months of October to March as the weather during this time is quite pleasant.
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History of Jhulta Minar
It is believed that this mosque was either constructed by Sidi Bashir who was a slave of the Sultan Ahmed Shah or by Malik Sarang who was a noble in the court of Mahmud Begada a wealthy sultan of Gujarat. The origin of these minarets can be traced back to 1452 AD. However, the architectural style and the material which has been used in the construction of these minarets closely resembles the times of the early 16th century.
It was later on in history, in 1753 AD to be exact, that this structure was considerably destroyed during the war between Marathas and the Khan of Gujarat Sultanate.
Major Attractions in and Around Jhulta Minar
1. Ahmed Shah’s Mosque
This mosque was built in the year 1414 by Sultan Ahmad Shah. He was the one who had founded Ahmedabad city. The prayer halls of the mosques and the entire interior have been quite intricately designed using the black and white marble. Apart from that, this place also has some really beautifully carved stone pillars along with the jaali screens with a brilliant symmetry.
2. Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid was built by Ahmed Shah in the year 1423 and is one of the most beautiful mosques. It has been built of yellow sandstone and is actually quite a brilliant blend of Hindu and Muslim architectural styles. And the prayer hall of this place has got about 260 columns along with 15 domes at different elevations.
3. Sidi Saiyyed’s Mosque
This mosque was built in 1573 AD. It is also one of the last major mosques which were built in Ahmedabad by the Mughals. The interiors of this building like the carved jaalis along with many other architectural examples are known worldwide and have truly become an eternal symbol of Ahmedabad.
4. Shopping
You can check out places like Anand Cloth Market, Sarangpur Sindhi Market. Here, you can buy vibrant and colourful Gujarati dresses to wear on special occasions and during Navratri celebrations. You can buy traditional dresses such as Chaniya choli, Kediyu and Chrono (kurta and dhoti), Phento (headwear), along with the traditional oxidized jewellery from the local markets.
5. Kankaria Lake
This is an artificial lake which is situated in the East Ahmedabad. This lake was essentially built to offer the locals and tourists some refreshing urban space to relax. This lake also has some really great entertainment options like tethered balloon safari along with train ride.
How to Reach Jhulta Minar
Usually, you don’t find many places which stay with you for a lifetime. However, the Jhulta Minar is one such tourist attraction in Gujarat that will leave you awe-struck for years to come. To reach here, and witness this architectural marvel, you will need to cover a total distance of 946, 529, 1,959, 1,493 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Check out the details on how you can reach here by the following means of public transportation.
By Air
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport (AMD) in Ahmedabad is the nearest airport situated 8km away. The airport, named after the first deputy Prime Minister of India, has direct flight connectivity from several Indian cities with major airlines operating to and fro. After deboarding the flight you can book a local taxi or take a seat on a local tourist bus to further travel to Jhulta Minar.
- From Mumbai - Board AirIndia, Spicejet, IndiGo flights from Mumbai Airport. The airfares start from INR 2,000 - INR 3,000
- From Lucknow - Board GoAir, Air India flights from Lucknow Airport. The airfares start from INR 3,000- INR 4,000
- From Nagpur - Air India, IndiGo, Spicejet flights from Nagpur Airport. The airfares start from INR 4,000 - INR 5,000
By Train
Kalupur railway station aka Ahmedabad Junction is the nearest railway station to Jhulta Minar. One can take a local taxi, auto-rickshaw or if you want you can also just walk to Jhulta Minar as it sited at a distance of few metres. Ashram Express, Ahmedabad Ahimsa Express, Ahmedabad SF Express are some options which connect Ahmedabad with other regions.
By Road
The city of Ahmedabad is quite well-connected through roads with other nearby and major cities. You can easily travel to this from cities without any hassle. To travel here, you can consider booking interstate/private buses, book taxis or take your own vehicle to reach here.
- From Nashik - 472 km via NH48
- From Indore - 386 km via Indore-Ahmedabad Highway
- From Aurangabad - 662 km via NH48
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here
