The Swaminarayan Temple at Kalupur was built in 1822 and is the original headquarters of the Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism. The exterior is a riot of bright paint, carved wooden balconies, and pastel domes — a striking contrast to the white marble austerity of more recent Swaminarayan temples. The main idols inside are of Nara-Narayan, served on silver platters at the daily morning rites.
For most visitors the temple is also the starting point of the Ahmedabad Heritage Walk, a two-hour guided morning walk through the surrounding pols of the old city, ending at the Jama Masjid. The walk leaves daily at 8am and is run by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation; tickets at the temple gate.