A rich carrier of heritage arts and crafts, Ahmedabad is a cynosure of cultural and historical tokens that Indians, till date, identify with. Just one such splendid marvel is The Calico Museum of Textiles, a symbolic space that speaks about why Ahmedabad is the textile hub that it is today.
Erected under the aegis of the influential Sarabhai Foundation in 1949, the 74-year-old museum houses some of the finest culturally significant Indian textiles, along with a comprehensive collection of Jain art and sculpture, miniature paintings, South Indian bronzes, and more.
An insightful tour into India’s textile journey
Calico Museum of Textiles with its incredible collection of fabrics illustrating varied Indian handicraft textiles across five centuries is a celebrated Institute in Indian Textiles around the world. #GujaratHeritage pic.twitter.com/bVowbXbR2Y
— Gujarat Tourism (@GujaratTourism) December 18, 2017
Inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Lal Nehru, in 1949, some of the hand-crafted textiles sheltered here date back 500 years. The museum covered Calico Mills and then Sarabhai House in Shahibaug 1983 as its prime locations.
Containing an amalgamation of antique and modern textiles, it draws a trajectory of the country’s textile journey that all history buffs must experience. For, on display here are textiles belonging from the courts of the Mughals to those of provincial rulers of 15th -19th centuries. You can also indulge into the scenic beauty of regional embroideries from the 1800s, tie-dyed textiles or/and religious textiles. There are ritual art and sculpture, temple hangings, and so much more making for a rather stimulating visit.
When in Ahmedabad, pre-book a tour
When in the city, make it a point of pre-booking a tour of this rich museum.
P.S. The Sarabhai Foundation galleries (including the Haveli galleries, Chauk galleries, the museum, etc) are open on all days of the week, except Mondays and public holidays. Here, entry is free for all and based on a first-come-first-serve concept.
The guided tour, that takes place on a daily basis, starts at 10:30 AM and ends at 1 PM. For more info, visit https://www.calicomuseum.org/ .
Contact: +91–79–22868172 or +91–79–22865995 (call between 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM from Tuesday to Sunday)
Location: Opposite Underbridge, Jain Colony, Shahibag, Ahmedabad
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