Dholka

Dholka is a historic city and municipality in Central Gujarat, India. Located 50 km southwest of Ahmedabad, Dholka offers a quiet escape into medieval Indo-Islamic architecture, Solanki-era stepped tanks, and rich mythological lore.

Local tradition links the city to the ancient town of Viratnagar from the Mahabharata. Dholka grew into an influential administrative and commercial centre during the Chaulukya (Solanki) and Vaghela dynasties (10th–13th centuries) when it was known as Dhavallak. During the Tughluq and Gujarat Sultanate period, several architecturally beautiful mosques were built by the generals. Later it fell under the Maratha rulers for a brief period. During the British period, it was under the Bombay Presidency.

The zenith of the city is long gone but the monuments of the glorious past still remain.

The nearest airport is in Ahmedabad, 50 km away.

• 22.73186272.4345961 Dholka railway station (DOK). lies on the Ahmedabad–Botad broad-gauge section, with local passenger trains operating daily. It has 2 platforms.  (updated Sep 2026)

Frequent state transport (GSRTC) buses connect to all major cities in Gujarat from 22.7286472.4373062 Dholka Old Bus Station and 22.71657972.4359763 New Bus Station. Ahmedabad is reached in 1 to 1.5 hours.

From Ahmedabad, the drive takes 45–60 minutes via NH 8A or the Bagodara highway.

Autorickshaws are the other main local mode of public transport. The old town is best explored on foot due to narrow lanes.

• 22.72947672.4406291 Jumma Masjid. A 15th-century mosque with adorned walls and pillars  
• 22.73377572.4314342 Khan Masjid (Alif Khan Mosque). Built in 1453 on an immense scale near a large lake, this rare brick-and-limestone mosque features massive domes, grand arches, and ornate carved jalis (stone screens). Alif Khan was a general of Gujarat Sultanate under Sultan Mahmud Begada. There is a tomb of Alif Khan nearby.  
• 22.72526372.4403723 Tanka Masjid. A 14th-century stone mosque which is an example of early Indo-Islamic architecture. It features stone as well as wooden colonnades. Permission required to enter.  
• 22.73063972.4370684 Hazrat Khan’s Roza. Locally significant tomb complex.  
• 22.73442972.4298725 Khan Talav. A large octagonal lake next to the Alif Khan Mosque. Picturesque views. Check its sluice gates which bring in the waters.  
• 22.72658572.4354636 Malav Talao (Malav Lake). Constructed in the late 11th century by Queen Minaldevi (mother of Jayasimha Siddharaja), this historic stepped tank remains a central landmark. The central platform can be reached by a bridge.  
• 22.73198272.4452387 Swaminarayan Temple, Lilajpur, ☏ +91 2714 222259. 5AM-9PM. Established in 1827 by Lord Swaminarayan, this grand temple complex of Murali Manohar Dev serves as a key spiritual hub for the regional Swaminarayan tradition.  
• 22.73566172.448898 Chandreshwar Mahadev Temple (Nagnath or Parpotiya Mahadev). It was built in 1751 by Antaji Rao, an officer of the Gaikwad’s of Baroda State. The temple houses a crystal type lingam. The lamp tower in front of the temple is unique. A small stepwell nearby.  
• 22.73541572.4445759 Atal Sarovar. A lake with walkways and public park.  
• 22.71759572.43609210 Virat Sarovar (Maghiya Talav).  
• Kalikund Parshwanath Jain Temple. A large Jain temple complex 
• 22.74164172.44910411 Jindatt Suri Dadawadi. A Jain temple complex dedicated to Jain monks.  
• 22.73962172.45081112 Shetrunjay Temple (Mini-Palitana). A miniature replica of Palitana hill temples  
• 22.69509572.4434813 Shantivan Indrashil Tirth (Transad Road). A sprawling Hindu temple complex with large landscaped gardens and beautiful architecture  
• 22.73437872.44137114 Hilal Khan Ghazi Mosque (Bahlol Khan Gazi Masjid). 5:45AM-9PM. Built by Hilal Khan Gazi, a general during the Tughlaq dynasty, in 1332-33. A great example of a medieval mosque.  (updated Sep 2026)

• 22.65788772.5401681 Vautha Fair, Near Vautha village (15 km from Dholka). A large annual fair. Held around November, for five days ending on the full moon day of Kartik month in Hindu calendar. Located on the confluence of seven sacred rivers (primarily Sabarmati and Vatrak) where pilgrims take holy dip. The largest livestock trading fair where thousands of donkeys and camels, brightly coloured and decorated, are traded by nomad tribes. Tents are erected across three miles of area offering foods, handicrafts, toys, entertainments and household items.  

• 22.74005972.4490281 Mini Kachori and Samosa Centre, Shop No. 8, Shetrunjay Complex, Kalikund Road, ☏ +91 9106802563. 10AM-5PM. A 35-year-old shop. Unique golgappa-sized Kachoris. For Samosas, go early between 10AM-2PM as they are sold fast! ₹30 for plate.  
• 22.74135672.4532322 Dahi Handi, Kalikund Circle, ☏ +91 8511468610. 11AM-3PM, 6:30PM-11PM. A multicuisine restaurant with Punjabi and Kathiawadi Gujarati meals. ₹200-400 per person.  

• 22.7281472.4377411 Mehta Lassi Centre, Nr. Old Bus Stand, ☏ +91 9016150749. 11AM-8PM. Since 1965, this shop has been selling lassi (a yogurt-based drink) in various flavours such as rose, saffron, as cardamom. ₹30.  

• 22.74096672.4498431 Jain Dharmashala, Kalikund Jain Temple premises. for Jain pilgrims  
• 22.7416672.4491092 Jindatt Suri Dadawadi Dharmashala, opposite Kalikund temple. for Jain pilgrims  
• 22.71740672.4236073 Hotel Urban Nest, FF, Dev Ganesh Complex, Dholka-Bagodara Road, ☏ +91 9726527242. Check-in: 11PM, check-out: 10AM. Deluxe, Premium and Family Rooms. Breakfast provided. Special Jacuzzi Rooms are there too. ₹1500.  
• 22.80085972.4576724 360 Degree Ville, Chandisar Road, ☏ +91 9909911121. Check-in: 11PM, check-out: 9AM. A large resort with villas for stay, adventure games, swimming pool. All meals are included as per request. ₹4000-5000.  

• 22.72930772.3986411 Dholka Head Post Office (382225). 10AM-4PM.  

• 22.7442372.4402922 Kalikund Parshwanath General Hospital.  
• 22.73528472.4364273 Dholka Town Police Station, ☏ +91 2714 222265.  
• 22.73507572.4398054 Community Health Centre.  
• 22.73411972.4453295 Shrimati Santokba Bhagwati General Hospital.  

• Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary — A large natural wetland host to thousands of migratory birds (including flamingos and pelicans) during autumn and winter.
• Lothal — One of the most prominent cities of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, featuring a well-preserved dockyard, residential ruins, and an archaeological museum.
• Ahmedabad — Gujarat's largest urban centre, famous for the Sabarmati Ashram, the UNESCO World Heritage City, and heritage stepwells.