Calico Museum of Textiles, Textile museum in Shahibaug, India

The Calico Museum of Textiles occupies the Sarabhai House in Shahibaug, a building designed by Gira Sarabhai around a courtyard. Its two-storey facade is clad in small square tiles of varying shades, with the letters "lico" mounted in outline on the upper left. A flat canopy on thin columns shelters the ground-floor glass doors.

It was founded in 1949 by Gautam Sarabhai and initially operated from within Calico Mills before moving to Shahibaug in 1983 to accommodate its expanding collection.

The museum's name comes from Calico Mills, the textile firm where it opened in 1949. Its galleries hold 19th-century regional embroideries, tie-dyed fabrics and religious textiles, alongside temple hangings, Jain art and South Indian bronzes. Gira Sarabhai curated the collection and designed the building around a courtyard, fitted with carved wood facades taken from old Gujarati houses.

Visitors must book guided tours in advance, which run at different times throughout the week. It's best to reserve early to secure a spot.

Gira Sarabhai designed the building herself, arranging it around a courtyard for gatherings and fitting it with carved wood facades taken from old Gujarati houses. The trees around the complex shield the textiles from dust, air pollution and temperature swings, and lights are dimmed between visiting hours.