Calico Museum of Textiles Ahmedabad Entry Fee
- No entry fee
Calico Museum of Textiles Ahmedabad Phone
079 2286 8172
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Based on total 28 reviews
Calico Museum of Textiles Ahmedabad Address: The Retreat, Opp. Underbridge, Shahibag, Jain Colony, Shahibag, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380004, India
Ahmedabad reflects a perfect blend of cultures and history. With flourishing textile industries, Ahmedabad was referred to as the Manchester of India in 1888. It has been a significant textile manufacturing centre with a rich heritage of Arts and Crafts.
Ahmedabad, also popular as Amdavad, is known for its business oriented people and hospitality. An interesting and must-visit spot of the city is the famed Calico Textile Museum. An impressive museum maintained by Sarabhai Foundation is an opportunity to learn about textiles history and how the city emerged as a textile hub.
Ahmedabad’s most edifying attraction, the Calico Textile Museum is an interesting landmark that draws the attention of both Indian and International researchers seeking knowledge about Indian textiles. Several students visit the amazing museum to familiarize themselves about diverse and rich textile culture of the 600 years old city. Students often visit the museum for better understanding of textile history and appreciate textile culture.
History of Calico Museum of Textiles
Calico Museum of Textile poised to be one of the best museums was founded by famed industrialist Gautam Sarabhai and his sister Gira Sarabhai. Inspired by Dr. Ananda Coomaraswamy, the imposing museum has been drawing several visitors, especially textile enthusiasts.
Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy was an eminent historian and philosopher of Indian Art who did exemplary work in both literature and the Swadeshi movement. During his visit to Gujarat he suggested the famed industrialist and owner of Calico Textiles, Mr. Gautam Sarabhai to set up a textile institute in the city keeping in view the tremendous growth of the textile industry.
In 1949 Gautam Sarabhai and his sister Gita Sarabhai founded the incredible museum that unravels the intricacies of the country’s textiles. Then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Lal Nehru inaugurated the famed museum in 1949. Initially set in the Calico Mills, the museum found a new home in 1983 when it was shifted to Sarabhai House in Shahibaug.
As the collection of fabrics varying in colours, design and patterns exemplified, the museum was then shifted to the Sarabhai House. A non profit organization, Sarabhai Foundation was established in 1959 by Sarla Devi Sarabhai and Ambalal Sarabhai with the vision of promoting and encouraging art, science and literature. It plays a significant role in preservation of the culture and heritage of the country.
Image Gallery of Calico Museum of Textiles Ahmedabad
Museum
A remarkable Museum boasts a spectacular collection of both ancient and modern textiles. The museum was developed within the premises where the Sarabhai family resided called the Retreat. It included the Sarabhai ni Haveli that was amazingly designed by the parents of Gautam Sarabhai.
Sarabhai ni Haveli holds several religious and spiritual textiles. Retreat housed a collection of buildings near a swimming pool that were renovated with the carved wooden facades brought from the old mansions and was named Chowk.
As such the museum had two sections: The Haveli with an exclusive collection of religious textiles, Miniature paintings, Bronze items and Jain art. Chauk accommodated royal tents, carpets, furnishings and costumes of the Mughals.
This fascinating museum dedicated to textiles displays a diversified collection of handicrafts dating back to five centuries. It holds an impressive collection of Bronze, Pichwais, and Indian miniature paintings. A noteworthy collection includes Katchhi embroidery and patola from Patan.
Court Textiles belonging to the Mughal and the provisional rulers of 15th and 16th century are one of the impressive pieces. Traversing through the Museum, the visitors can view the galleries representing textile techniques and an informative library.
Strolling through the two sections of the Calico Museum is an enriching experience for every visitor who can learn about textile culture and heritage tracing back to centuries. Fascinating collection of varied needlework from across the world inspires visitors.
Collection highlights include Kashmiri shawls made in a span of three years. Iconic museum holds thematic sections which portray finest spun and woven fabrics belonging to varied parts of the country.
This priceless gem has an amazing wall hanging depicting Krishna that hangs from the second floor to the ground level. The museum also showcases an embroidered tent and robes of Shah Jahan.
Division of the museum featuring ancient manuscripts and mandalas printed on palm leaves is a not to be missed section of the amazing museum. Visitors venture into the attention grabbing museum to learn about the textile culture of the country.
Exhibits range from a collection of textiles to Indian art and craft that have been researched by eminent scholars. One of the noteworthy displays includes the double ikkat cloth with its one lakh threads individually dyed before weaving.
Outstanding illustration of folk art from Punjab, temple cars from South India and silk brocades from Varanasi are other noteworthy collections. In order to retain the colour and quality of materials the lighting in the museum has been kept low.
Section of the museum that showcases costumes worn in royal courtrooms is another interesting division not to be missed. Lush gardens and fountains located within the premises of the museum proffers an enticing experience.
How to Reach Calico Museum of Textiles
Calico Museum of Textile is located in Shahibaug opposite to the Shahibaug Underbridge. Ahmedabad can be reached through rail, road or air. Several trains run between Ahmedabad and other cities of the country. Kalupur Railway station is the nearest railway station.
The main airport of Ahmedabad is Sardar Vallabhai Patel airport that has both domestic and international flights to various parts of the country and international destinations. Government and private operators run buses from Gita Mandir and Paldi bus stops.
Local buses, taxi, cab or auto-rickshaw can be boarded to reach the museum from the railway station, airport or bus-stand. You can even book a taxi from top car rental companies in Ahmedabad to reach the museum.
Entry Fees and Timings of Calico Museum of Textiles
Only one tour is arranged on a daily basis with a limited number of 20 seats as such it is advisable to do advance booking. Children below ten years old are not allowed inside the museum. Photography is not permitted.
There is no charge for visiting the museum which offers a guided tour from 10.30 am till 1 pm in the afternoon. Visitors are not permitted after 10.30 a.m. in the morning. Only fifteen to thirty people are allowed in the museum on a first come first served basis.
Bookings can be done anytime between 10.30 a.m. till 1.45 p.m or 2.45 p.m to 6 p.m. except on Wednesdays and public holidays. If registered users do not turn up, the foundation can admit unregistered users. Children aged between 10 to 15 years are required to come along with their parents, guardian or tutor.
So it is highly recommended to book four weeks in advance. Children below the age of ten years are not permitted and bags are strictly prohibited. To make the advance booking, tourists can visit the calico museum website or call at 07922868172/22865995.
FAQ’s and General Information about Calico Textile Museum
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