Calico Textile Museum: planning a visit in Ahmedabad

The Calico Museum of Textiles is part of the Sarabhai Foundation’s galleries in Shahibaug. Founded in 1949 by Gautam Sarabhai and Gira Sarabhai, it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The museum moved from Calico Mills to Sarabhai House in Shahibaug in 1983.

Its holdings extend beyond textiles to related material, South Indian bronzes, Jain manuscripts, sculpture and objects, and Indian miniature paintings. Gujarat Tourism describes textiles that include Kashmiri shawls and double-ikat fabrics, with some pieces up to 500 years old. Low gallery lighting helps protect organic materials and dyes.

For a wider look at the city’s collections, see this guide to museums in Ahmedabad.

Choose one of the two guided tours, then register online as early as you can: registration opens 90 days in advance. The tours are two hours long and cover different galleries, so check the official site before you go for current visitor information.

• Haveli galleries: Tuesday through Sunday, except Mondays and public holidays, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Entry is between 10:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
• Chauk galleries: Tuesday through Sunday, except Mondays and public holidays, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Entry is between 2:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Admission is free, with places allocated on a first-come-first-served basis through the pre-registration system. Wait for a confirmation email after registering; multiple registrations for the same tour may lead to cancellations. Published tour capacities range from 15 to 25 places, depending on the tour and source.

Arrive within the entry window: late entry after a tour starts is not permitted, and visitors are asked not to leave midway. Gallery and shop access is restricted to tour hours. Children below 10 cannot join; children aged 10 to 15 may join only with a parent, guardian or tutor.

The Foundation says it cannot currently offer wheelchair access. Its galleries have multiple levels, varied floor surfaces, and passages of different heights and widths. The museum also offers Udyana Garden visits on Thursdays, except public holidays, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; entry is between 3:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

The museum is at Opposite The Underbridge, Shahibag, Ahmedabad 380004, Gujarat, India. For getting around the city, consult this guide to Ahmedabad metro and public transport. You can also find more information about staying at Rivera Sarovar Portico Ahmedabad.

For tour booking inquiries, email visit@calicomuseum.org or call +91-79-22868172 or +91-79-22865995.

The museum visit is organized around a single two-hour guided tour, so plan your day around either the morning or afternoon slot rather than assuming you can browse the galleries independently. Its location in Shahibaug gives you a clear anchor for a city cultural day; check the museum’s tour arrangements before planning other stops around it.