Calico Museum of Textiles

Calico Museum of Textiles Review

Visiting this vast collection is a rich way to experience the lavish colors and textures of Ahmedabad's age-old primary industry. Housed in a composite haveli (a traditional carved mansion) brought from another site, the museum buildings are connected by paths through lovely peacock-populated gardens. The museum is filled with beautiful examples of embroidery, dyeing, weaving, and other textile traditions from all over India—heavy royal costumes with gold brocade, battle scenes embroidered on silk, silver gilt, 12-foot-long Banarasi silk cummerbunds, 17th-century painted prayer cloths, and so on. For reasons of security and preservation, you must go on a rigid guided tour, which includes fascinating historical tales about the origin and use of these tapestries and garments. The two-hour tour, conducted in two parts, covers first the larger historical exhibit and then goes on to cover religious textiles. Call ahead, since the museum closes for several different holidays. No electronic items (including cell phones, cameras, and video recorders), bags or purses, or food are allowed into the museum; leave them at the holding center at the entrance. Children under 10 are not allowed.