Dodhia Haveli

Nestled in the bustling streets and alleys of Ahmedabad is Dodhia Haveli, a 19th-century pol whose walls, pillars, and timbers are filled with ornate wood carvings. This beautiful home was saved from destruction and then carefully restored to its former splendor due to the dedication of Chandrakant Dodhia. He had local craftsmen renew the materials that made up the home, while artists worked on the wood carvings and wall paintings. Once restorations and renovations were done, he opened it as a heritage stay in 2014. Though the story of Dodhia Haveli has been lost to time, Dodhia wished for it to tell a new story, one involving his family, whom he hoped would treasure the home as an heirloom.

Before being reborn as Dodhia Haveli, the home was originally a pol - a type of neighborhood or compound housing in old Ahmedabad. Like many classic pols, the home was filled with wood timbers and panels embellished with intricate carvings. When Chandrakant Dodhia had Dodhia Haveli restored, he aimed to not only bring back its old splendor but surpass it. He added new decor to the haveli, bringing in antique furniture and woven tapestries, likely from his own collection. Aside from framed pictures and photos to hang on the walls, he also had murals done on certain spaces, creating a sense of contrast and balance to the aesthetics.

Since Dodhia Haveli is situated in one of Old Ahmedabad's historic neighborhoods, you'll have many interesting places to check out that are within walking distance. The nearby houses have shrines and temples that you can admire. Several historic attractions are also close by; Rani no Hajiro is the open-air mausoleum where the queens of Ahmad Shah I are interred. A short distance from it is Jama Masjid, the central mosque of Ahmedabad that was built in the early 15th century.

The hosts of Dodhia Haveli can also arrange cultural experiences for you. They will be glad to recommend and book a tour to some of Ahmedabad's museums and landmarks, as well as help with renting a vehicle or bicycle. They can also help you sign up for cooking classes, if you'd like to learn some authentic Gujarati recipes.