Gandhi Ashram is located by the banks of River Sabarmati. It has a rich history being the epicenter of the Mahatma’s activities during those revolutionary times. Gandhi Ashram still serves as the model of non-violence and echoes with Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of simple living and high thinking.
The Ashram receives nearly 7 lakh visitors each year and stays open from 8 am to 7 pm.
Bapu, as Mahatma Gandhi is fondly called lived at the Ashram with several of his colleagues. The life had a routine where discipline and self control were emphasized. Gandhi Ashram is also known as Sabarmati Ashram or Satyagrah Ashram.
The Ashram served his base in the famous Dandi March, the Salt Satyagraha that compelled the British to eventually remove the Salt Tax. It serves as a National Monument today.
Originally, the ashram was set up at the Bungalow of Jivanlal Desai, friend of Gandhiji and a barrister on the fateful date of 25th May, 1915. This Ashram known as Satyagrah Ashram was to serve as the base for several activities including farming, animal husbandry and other activities that needed a larger patch of land.
Two years later on 17th June, 1917, it was relocated to the banks of river Sabarmati on a much bigger piece of land of 36 acres. As the legend goes, this was the place where Dadhichi Rishi had donated his bones for a righteous war.
The Ashram is now Gandhi Memorial Museum. Plenty of things to see here, especially Hridaya Kunj, Gandhiji’s cottage, Nandini – the guest room where Indian and International visitors were accommodated, Vinoba Kutir – where Vinoba Bhave lived or Mira Kutir – where sister Mira, the daughter of a British Admiral lived.
Find some time to meditate in the Upasana Mandir – prayer ground and experience the peace in Magan Nivas – where Gandhiji’s beloved nephew Maganlal Gandhi lived until his death.
The Museum has:
Gandhi in Ahmedabad Gallery
This gallery consists of 50 hand drawn panels that depict the major events in Gandhi’s life that occured while he was in Ahmedabad (1915 – 1930).
Painting Gallery
This gallery is dedicated to 8 paintings depicting Gandhi in various poses during various activities (marching; spinning cloth; meditating etc). These portraits were painted in the 1960′s by Chandulal Shah and Hiralal Khatri who were textile merchants as well as accomplished artists.
My life is my message Gallery
The “My Life is my Message” gallery is a gallery dedicated to chronicling the inspiring life of MK Gandhi, the Mahatma. This is achieved through an exhibition of over 250 photographs organised in 7 parts which covers his entire life from his birth in Porbandar (in 1869), his time spent in England, the pivotal role he played in the South African Indian freedom struggle and his multiple roles in the path to Indian independence and finally ending with his tragic assassination in Delhi in 1948.
You can learn how to make cotton using the famous spin yarn. Don’t forget to be a part of the prayers as the day comes to an end here. If you manage to have some time to yourself, take some time and sit across the riverfront and stare into the seeming endlessness of the calm waters of the river Narmada along the riverfront. Once you have recharged your soul, get ready to see the rest of Ahmedabad.
Stay at the ultimate luxury hotel while in Ahmedabad – the Westend hotel only 12 minutes drive from Gandhi Ashram.