India Guide
Gujarat
Calico Museum of Textiles
Address: Sarabhai Foundation, 3km north of Delhi Gate opposite Shahibagh Underbridge
Website: www.calicomuseum.com
Telephone: 079/2786 8172
Opening time: Daily: morning tour 10.30am–12.30pm, afternoon tour 2.45–4.45pm
Nobody should leave Ahmedabad without taking a tour of the Calico Museum of Textiles ; it's simply the finest collection of textiles, clothes, furniture and crafts in the country. Highlights of the morning tour include a number of exquisite pieces made for the British and Portuguese, while from India's royal households there's an embroidered tent and the robes of Shah Jahan. Look out too for the patola saris, woven in Patan, as well as the extravagant zari work that gilds saris in heavy gold stitching and can bring their weight to almost nine kilos.
Other galleries are dedicated to embroideries, bandhani tie-and-dye, textiles made for overseas trade and woollen shawls from Kashmir and Chamba. In addition, tribal crafts such as Kutchi silk-and-cotton mashru weaving are displayed in spectacular wooden havelis from Patan and Siddhpur in northern Gujarat.
The afternoon tour includes the galleries of pichwais and other temple paintings and decorations, including Jain statues housed in a replica haveli temple and centuries-old manuscripts and mandalas painted on palm leaves. Arrive early for the tours, as they fill up quickly and it's not possible to look round on your own.