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Jhulta Minar: The Shaking Minarets of Ahmedabad

Marvel at the architectural mystery of Ahmedabad's Shaking Minarets, a testament to ancient engineering and unsolved vibrations.

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The Jhulta Minar, or Shaking Minarets, are a pair of unique minarets in Ahmedabad, India, known for their mysterious vibrations. When one minaret is shaken, the other vibrates in sync, while the connecting passage remains still, an unsolved architectural and engineering puzzle.

A brief summary to Jhulta Minar, Bibiji Masjid

  • 5, Julta Minar Rd, Ahmedabad, Manhar Nagar Society, Rajpur Hirpur, Gomtipur, Gujarat, 380038, IN

Local tips

  • Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds and experience the site in a more peaceful atmosphere.
  • Photography is allowed, so capture the intricate carvings and unique architecture of the minarets.
  • Combine your visit with other nearby historical sites like Ahmad Shah's Mosque and Jama Masjid.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Kalupur Railway Station, the Jhulta Minar is approximately a 15-minute walk. Exit the station and head east towards Sarangpur Darwaja. The minarets will be visible in the distance. Follow the main road, Julta Minar Road, until you reach the site. There are no entrance fees.

  • Public Transport

    The Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) and Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) have routes that stop near the Kalupur Railway Station. From the station, it's a short walk to the Jhulta Minar. Bus fares typically range from ₹10 to ₹30 depending on the distance. Check local transit apps for the most up-to-date routes and schedules.

  • Taxi/Ride-share

    Taxis and ride-sharing services like Ola and Uber are readily available in Ahmedabad. A short ride from the Kalupur Railway Station to the Jhulta Minar will cost approximately ₹50 to ₹100, depending on traffic and surge pricing. Confirm the fare with the driver or app before starting your journey.

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Discover more about Jhulta Minar, Bibiji Masjid

The Jhulta Minar, also known as the Shaking Minarets, is one of Ahmedabad's most captivating architectural mysteries. Located near the Kalupur Railway Station, these minarets are the remains of the Sidi Bashir Mosque, which was largely destroyed in a war in 1753. What remains are two three-story minarets, standing approximately 34 meters tall, connected by an arched gateway. The minarets' unique characteristic is their ability to vibrate. If the upper arch of one minaret is shaken with a bit of force, the other minaret begins to vibrate after a few seconds, while the connecting corridor remains still. The reason for this phenomenon remains unknown, baffling architects and engineers for centuries. Some theories suggest the minarets were built on a flexible foundation of porous sandstone to withstand earthquakes, while others propose the design incorporates a mechanism for dissipating vibrations. The minarets showcase Indo-Saracenic architectural style with Rajputana influences, featuring intricately carved balconies and a stairway that runs through the middle of each minaret. Visitors were once allowed to climb the narrow spiral staircases inside, but public entry has been closed since 1981 to preserve the structure. Despite their proximity to the railway station, the minarets do not shake when trains pass by. Conflicting stories surround the minarets' origins. One account attributes the mosque's construction to Sidi Bashir, a slave of Sultan Ahmed Shah, in 1452. Another suggests they were built by Malik Sarang, a noble in the court of Mahmud Begada, possibly after 1511. Regardless of their precise history, the Jhulta Minar stand as a testament to the architectural and engineering knowledge of the 15th and 16th centuries. Bibiji Masjid, another historical mosque, is located in the Rajapur area of Ahmedabad. An inscription dates it to 1454 CE. The mosque has a rectangular shape and opens onto a large open space on its east side.

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