Sabarmati Ashram, formerly known as ‘Satyagraha Ashram”, situated in Ahmedabad at the Kocharab Bungalow of Jivanlal Desai, a barrister. Later on it was shifted to the banks of Sabarmati river and then it came to be known as ‘Sabarmati Ashram’. Gandhi stayed at the Ashram from 1915 to 1933 later on the Ashram was disbanded. The Ashram is a witness to many important historical events.
About Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat :
Nestled on the banks of the Sabarmati River, the Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad was the residence of Mahatma Gandhi. Considered to be one of the nerve centers of Indian political struggle during the pre independence period, the Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad is one of the most important destinations in India. placeforvacations.com/demo offers online information on Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad and other tourist attractions of Gujarat and other parts of India.
History of Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat :
The Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad was the center of many events that played a major role in Indian independence. Mahatma Gandhi made Sabarmati Ashram his home on 12th March 1930 and from here he sowed the seeds of non violent revolution in the heart of millions of Indians. Mahatma Gandhi preferred this serene location on the banks of the Sabarmati River for a number of reasons. This is one of the important monuments in Ahmedabad.
Firstly he felt it was his homeland and secondly Gujarat was the home of wealthy merchants who would be able to contribute in the freedom struggle. On the other side of the Sabarmati River were the iron gates of the Prison while on the other shores Gandhiji sowed the seeds of freedom through non violence.
Description of Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat :
Mahatma Gandhi lived in the Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad. One of the important tourist attractions of Ahmedabad it has still preserved important anecdotes, collectibles and letters of that period. On your tour to Gujarat you can get a glimpse of the important documents and memorabilia of that period in the Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad.
From here Gandhiji started his Satyagraha movement and he was joined by a number of followers. The famous Dandi March during the independence movement also started from the Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad and Gandhiji had even taken a vow that he will not return to Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad unless India is freed from the shackles of the British rule. The Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad gives an example of the simple lifestyle of one of the greatest political leaders of this world. Gandhiji also wrote his autobiography.
Ashram Activities :
- The Sabarmati ashram which receives about 7 lakh (700,000) visitors a year houses, photocopies of about 34,000 letters written by Gandhi and about 8000 photographs and 165 films and of course, Hriday Kunj, the house where Gandhi and Kasturba stayed from 1918 to 1930.
- Collecting, processing, preserving and displaying archival materials (writings, photographs, paintings, voice-records, films, personal clothes etc.
- A charkha’ used by Gandhi to weave khadi and the writing table he used for writing letters are also few of the priceless items kept here.
- Microfilming, lamination and preservation of negatives
- Arranging exhibitions on aspects of Gandhi’s life, literature and activities
- Publication of the “Mahadevbhani Dairy,” which chronicles the entire history of the Indian freedom struggle
- The Ashram Trust funds activities that include education for the visitor, the community and routine maintenance of the museum and its surrounding grounds
- Keeping contact with as well as helping and undertaking study and research in Gandhian thought and activities and publishing the results of such study and research and allied literature for the benefit of the people
- Observance in a suitable manner of occasions connected with Gandhi’s life
- Maintaining contact with the youth and student community and providing facilities to them for the study of Gandhian thought.
Museum Features :
- “My life is my message” gallery, consisting of 8 life-size painting and more than 250 photo-enlargements of some of the vivid and historic events of Gandhi’s life
- Gandhi in Ahmedabad Gallery, tracking Gandhi’s life in Ahmedabad from 1915–1930
- Life-size oil painting gallery
- Gandhi quotations, letters and other relics exhibition
- Library consisting of nearly 35,000 books dealing with Gandhi’s life, work, teachings, Indian freedom movement and allied subjects, and a Reading Room with more than 80 periodicals inEnglish, Gujarati and Hindi
- Archives consisting of nearly 34,117 letters to and from Gandhi both in original and in photocopies, about 8,781 pages of manuscripts of Gandhi’s articles appearing in Harijan,Harijansevak, and Harijanbandhu and about 6,000 photographs of Gandhi and his associates
- An important landmark of the Ashram is ‘Hridaya Kunj’ where some of the personal relics of Gandhi are on display
- Ashram book store, a non-profit book store selling literature and memorabilia related to Gandhi and his life work and also supports local artisans.
Best time to visit :
The best time to visit the Sabarmati Ashram is between the months of October and March when the weather is quite pleasant to enjoy the sightseeing tour at the ashram.
Trivia :
Incidentally the site on which Gandhi Ashram was constructed was the ashram site of Dadhichi Rishi who according to Indian mythology donated his bones for a righteous war.
Timing :
The Sabarmati Ashram or the Gandhi Ashram is open every day from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm.
How To Reach Sabarmati Ashram :
By Air: Ahmedabad is well connected to all major cities in India. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport lies 10 km northeast of Ahmedabad. You can reach Sabarmati Ashram by hiring an auto-rickshaw, taxi or tourist bus from the airport itself.
By Rail: The main railhead is Kalupur area. The station is connected to all major cities of India like Mumbai,Bengaluru, Lucknow, Chennai and Secunderabad.
By Road: Ahmedabad has a very developed road network and is well connected with all major cities. Major bus stops are Gitamandir Bus Depot near Kalupur Railway Station and the other one is Paldi bus stop. Ahmedabad is well connected to most important cities like Mumbai (545 km), Surat (267 km), Gandhinagar (25 km) and Rajkot (216 km). Ahmedabad BRTS (Bus Rapid Transit System) connects most important locations in Ahmedabad.