Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Begin with a direct Mumbai–Ahmedabad train journey, preferably an overnight service so you arrive in the morning, or an early-morning train if you are comfortable reaching Ahmedabad later in the day. Allow roughly 7–9 hours on the train, plus time for Mumbai station access, security, luggage collection, and the transfer from Ahmedabad Junction to your hotel—usually 20–40 minutes by auto-rickshaw or cab depending on traffic. Diwali trains sell out quickly, so reserve through IRCTC as soon as your dates are fixed. After leaving your luggage at the hotel, take a cab or auto to Sabarmati Ashram on Ashram Road; set aside about 1½ hours for the museum, Gandhi’s former residence, and the riverside grounds. Entry is generally free, though timings and crowd controls can change during the festival period.
From Sabarmati Ashram, continue by cab toward the old city, allowing 25–40 minutes in daytime traffic, and stop at Sidi Saiyyed Mosque near Lal Darwaja. The celebrated stone jaali is a brief visit—around 30 minutes—and respectful clothing is advisable; check current visitor access locally, as prayer timings and restoration work can affect entry. Continue on foot or by auto to Manek Chowk, where the lanes become especially lively later in the day. For Jain food, do not assume a vegetarian snack is Jain: ask each vendor specifically for no onion, garlic, potato, ginger, or other root vegetables, and confirm whether the cooking surface is shared. Packaged farsan or plainly prepared items are usually safer than heavily seasoned street dishes, particularly during the busy Diwali rush.
Finish with an early dinner at Gordhan Thal on Ashram Road, reached from Manek Chowk by cab in roughly 20–30 minutes. Request Jain preparation when ordering and call ahead if possible, since the kitchen may need notice and festival crowds can mean a queue; budget approximately ₹300–₹600 per person. A Gujarati thali is filling, so keep the Manek Chowk tasting light. After dinner, return to your hotel by cab or auto, allowing extra time for congested roads, temporary Diwali closures, and difficulty finding parking around the old city.
Start early for Adalaj Stepwell, about 18–20 km north of central Ahmedabad. A cab is the simplest option and usually takes 35–60 minutes, depending on traffic; leave around 7:30–8:00 am so you have time to explore before the day becomes hot. The intricately carved, five-storey stepwell is best enjoyed slowly—look at the stonework, pillars, and shaded galleries rather than rushing through for photographs. Allow about an hour, plus a little extra for traffic and the entrance queue. Wear comfortable footwear, and avoid climbing into restricted areas.
Return toward Shahibaug for Hutheesing Jain Temple, one of Ahmedabad’s most elegant Jain landmarks. Plan roughly an hour, dress modestly, and follow the temple’s photography and visitor rules; prayer areas may have restrictions, particularly during busy religious periods. From there, continue to the Calico Museum of Textiles, ideally by cab or auto-rickshaw in 10–15 minutes. This is not a walk-in museum: its guided visits generally require advance booking, have limited daily capacity, and take around 2–3 hours. Confirm the session and reporting time before building your day around it; if you do not have a booking, do not assume admission will be available.
After the museum, take a cab toward Law Garden in Ellis Bridge—allow 25–40 minutes in peak traffic—and spend an hour browsing the street stalls and handicrafts. The market is liveliest from late afternoon into the evening, though stall timings vary, and Diwali crowds can make the area particularly busy. For dinner, continue to central Ahmedabad for Shree Manekchand Bhojanalay. Ask specifically for a Jain thali or Jain Gujarati meal and confirm that it is prepared without onion, garlic, root vegetables, or other ingredients you avoid; expect approximately ₹250–₹500 per person. A cab is more convenient than relying on parking near the market, and today’s route works best with point-to-point rides rather than trying to cover everything on foot.
Take a morning train from Ahmedabad Junction to Vadodara Junction, ideally departing around 7:00–8:00 am. Allow 1–2 hours for the ride, then keep another 30–45 minutes for an auto-rickshaw or app cab to your hotel, luggage drop, and onward travel. From the station, Laxmi Vilas Palace is roughly 15–25 minutes by road, depending on traffic. Plan 1½–2 hours here; entry procedures and availability can vary, so check the official booking channel or call ahead, particularly during Diwali. The palace grounds are extensive, and comfortable footwear is useful.
Continue by cab to Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery in Sayajigunj, allowing about 1½ hours for its archaeology, art, and Egyptian collection. Confirm the museum’s opening day and holiday hours before setting out, as Diwali schedules can change. A short auto ride then brings you to Kirti Mandir in Kothi, where 45 minutes is enough to see the Gaekwad memorial and its distinctive interior murals. Keep the pace relaxed rather than trying to add another attraction; Vadodara’s central roads can become slow around school and office closing times.
Finish at Shree Kathiyawadi Khichdi Restaurant for a simple Gujarati-style dinner. Tell the staff clearly that you require Jain food without onion, garlic, root vegetables, or other ingredients you avoid, and confirm how the khichdi and accompaniments are prepared before ordering. Expect approximately ₹250–₹500 per person. From Kothi, allow 15–25 minutes by auto-rickshaw or cab, with extra time during the evening rush. Since Jain preparation is best confirmed directly rather than assumed, calling the restaurant earlier in the day is advisable.
Check out after breakfast and take an auto-rickshaw or app cab to Eme Temple in Gotri. From central Vadodara, allow roughly 20–35 minutes depending on traffic; keep your luggage at the hotel or use a station cloakroom later rather than carrying it to the temple. This peaceful white-marble Jain temple is best visited in the morning, when the surroundings are quieter. Allow about an hour, dress modestly, remove footwear before entering, and confirm the day’s visitor timings locally, especially during Diwali. Avoid assuming that food containing onion, garlic, or root vegetables will be available nearby—carry a small Jain-friendly snack if needed.
Return towards Sayajigunj and spend an unhurried hour in Sayaji Garden, a convenient final stop before your train. The garden is good for a relaxed walk and a little shade, though Diwali crowds can make the paths busier. Afterward, eat near Vadodara Junction at a vegetarian restaurant in the Sayajigunj area, asking specifically for a Jain thali or plain khichdi without onion, garlic, potato, carrot, or other root vegetables. Budget approximately ₹200–₹450 per person and allow 45 minutes; confirm the preparation with the kitchen rather than relying only on the menu. Keep the meal simple so you have time for station formalities.
For your Vadodara–Mumbai train journey, choose a direct service with approximately 5½–8 hours of rail travel and reach Vadodara Junction 45–60 minutes before departure—more during the Diwali rush. Verify the platform and live running status on IRCTC or your railway app, and keep water, dry Jain snacks, and a light layer for the air-conditioned coach. Since trains may sell out well ahead of Diwali, reserve seats as early as possible; if your train arrives late at night, arrange onward transport in Mumbai in advance.
No packing list attached yet.