Sabarmati Ashram: Discovering the Soul of India

Sabarmati Ashram History

Later on 17 June 1917, the ashram was shifted to a barren land on the banks of the Sabarmati River, which is called the Sabarmati Ashram and also known as Harijan Ashram. 

On 12 March 1930, Gandhiji launched a salt march from Sabarmati Ashram with 78 companions and took a vow that he wouldn’t return to the ashram until India won Independence. Although India became independent on 15 August 1947, Gandhiji never came back to Sabarmati Ashram as he was assassinated in January 1948.

Sabarmati Ashram: Believed to Be the Best Site by Gandhi

Gandhiji was in search of a barren land where he could indulge in farming, animal husbandry, and related activities for which Sabarmati Ashram was the ideal site. Interestingly, this was the ashram site where Rishi Dadichi donated his bones for a righteous war as per mythology. 

Also his autobiography “The Story of My Experiments with Truth” was written at Sabarmati Ashram. 

Goals of Sabarmati Ashram

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Life at Sabarmati Ashram: Daily Routines and Activities

• Collect, Process, Preserve – They collect, process, and preserve archival materials like photographs, voice records, personal clothes, etc… 
• Negatives are preserved, microfilmed, and laminated 
• Arranging exhibitions on Gandhiji’s life, literature, and similar activities
• The community and routine maintenance of the Sabarmati Ashram Museum and its surroundings are being funded by the ashram’s trust. 
• For the benefit of people, the ashram’s trust helps to undertake, study and research in Gandhian thoughts.

Sabarmati Ashram Attractions

Hriday Kunj: This was home of Gandhiji and Kasurba. It was named as Hriday Kunj by Kakasaheb Kalelkar. 

Vinoba-Mira Kutir: Vinoba Bhave was praised by Gandhiji for her commitment to truth. Whereas Mira(named by Gandhi), a British admiral’s daughter, Madeleine Slade (original name) was devoted to Gandhiji’s ideology. 

Nandini: Nandini served as the guest house to many leaders. Poets Rabindranath Tagore and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru were a few among them. 

Udyog Mandir: It was founded during the historical strike of Ahmedabad mill workers in 1918. 

Somnath Chhatralaya: This is a large building with roughly 100 rooms, where the community students observed ashram rules. 

Upasana Mandir: As prayers were an essential part of Gandhiji’s life, he gave his “Discourses on the Gita” at this site. 

Gandhi Memorial Museum: This museum was inaugurated by India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It consists of 3 galleries and a library.

Mahatma Gandhi Ashram continues to be the home to the religious community and a museum dedicated to the life and principles of Gandhi. In one of the events, Gandhi was asked to give a message to the people of India. To which he responded, “My Life is My Message Gallery”. 

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Sabarmati Riverfront

Visitor Information

• Sabarmati Ashram timings: 

The Ashram is open from 10 AM to 6 PM every day including holidays.

• How to reach Sabarmati Ashram? 

Airways: The nearest airport is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. From the airport, you can take a taxi or use other transportation options to reach Sabarmati Ashram. 

Roadways: Ahmedabad has a well-developed public bus system. You can take a bus to the Sabarmati Ashram area. Look for buses heading towards Ashram Road or Gandhi Ashram. If you’re travelling within Ahmedabad or from nearby cities, you can drive to Sabarmati Ashram. You can also hire a taxi or use ride-sharing services like Uber or Ola. 

• The best time to visit Sabarmati Ashram: 

You can go to Sabarmati Ashram at any time of the year. But it’s better to visit Ahmedabad, where the ashram is located, between October and March to avoid the city’s heat. 

• Sabarmati Ashram entry fee:

There is no entry fee to see the Ashram. But smoking and alcohol consumption are not allowed here.