Sidhpur - A Legendary Town on The Bank of River Saraswati in Gujarat

Sidhpur

Sidhpur is a historic & holy town, which is around 110 km. from Ahmedabad. It is situated on the left bank of the River Saraswati, around 24 km. upstream of Anhilwad Patan, the old capital of Gujarat before Ahmedabad was founded in the first quarter of the fifteenth century. The town is a revered destination, flanked by Bohra Havelis, European Architecture, colorful houses, temples, kund, ashram & wooden artwork of havelis.  Around the 10th century, under the Solanki rulers, this town was at the pinnacle of prominence and glory. It derived its name from the great ruler of Gujarat, Siddhraj Jaisinh from the Solanki dynasty. Sidhpur is only town in India located in Gujarat which is full of different power and mixture of history, culture, mythology and great colonial architecture in the city is the famed by merchants.  

Sidhpur holds importance for the Bohra Muslims, community an affluent Muslim community spread all over the world. They have contributed significantly architecture to the development of Sidhpur which make the a historic town. Their old Havelis and mansions, some are more then 100 years old have a markedly European style and a walk through the ‘Bohra Vad’ is like a stroll through an England replete with the lamp lighters at dusk. So enamored were they by the style & existence of living in the 19th century Europe that as a sign of opulence and to gain respectability among the community they tried to create a slice of Europe in their hometown. This, they did by imitating the Victorian architecture. The facades are rich in variety and aesthetic expression with intricate details in wood. This amazing design houses known as Bohra Havelis.

The houses are colorful with different paints. The street look like colorful puzzle boxes. Each house design like old European style house. The houses are so similar in design and architecture that the facades look more like magnificently decorated walls flanking the street, protecting it from the scorching mid-morning sun. Once you entered in these street you will feel like walking in Persia.

Explore Sidhpur

Sidhpur is a beautiful town in Gujarat with long histories connected to Rajput, Sultanate, Mughal and Maratha ruler dynasty. Vohrawads in this town are known for were mainly built over the last 150 years, except for the oldest Sidhpur Vohrawad (near the river in the Hassanpura locality) which apparently dates from the 13th century. Both were substantially developed in the 11th century by the Solanki king Siddharaj Jaisinh, who also lent his name to Sidhpur. Sidhpur also has the Bindu Sarovar, apparently the only place in the country where a Hindu matru-shraddha can be performed. The visitor may also be struck by the ease with which aesthetic values and strategies run across the noticeably distinct Bohra and Hindu architecture. For instance, at Sidhpur, the colour strategies used in the Bohra façades are very similar to those used in the Bawaji nu Math (an ashram on the other side of the Saraswati) and both also show a strong colonial influence.

How to Reach Sidhpur

By Air

The nearest airport from Sidhpur is Ahmedabad, located at a distance of 110 km from Sidhpur. Ahmedabad have International Airport.

By Road

Sidhpur is well connected to National Highway to Ahmedabad also well connected to the rest of the country through a good road network. There is even a good network of National and State Highways connecting the city. 

By Rail 

Sidhpur lies on the Western Railway network of the Indian railways. The city is well connected with the rest of the country via Indian Railway. There are many express and local trains that operate from Ahmedabad to Sidhpur.