Gandhi Ashram (Sabarmati Ashram)

Gujarat is the land of the Mahatma and many freedom fighters. It also exposes the rich
archeological monuments like Indus Valley Civilization, temples with mix cultural
blends. Gandhi Ashram or Sabarmati Ashram is one of
the most important historical place in Gujarat. It is so named
after the holy river Sabarmati in Ahmedabad.

I have visited this place many times, this year in this

summer vacation once again I have visited this place on 19th
May 2012 and found it as the great source of inspiration.

It was founded in the year 1917 AD. This is is no

longer functions as a working ashram but as a
museum and an institution whose aim is to preserve
and propagate the legacy of the
Mahatma. It is said that Bapu
(Gandhiji) chose this place
because it gave him inspiration to
move ahead with the freedom struggle undeterred. He
found it the perfect place to start the national freedom struggle
from here. The first campaign launched from the
Sabarmati Ashram was the Satyagrah of the Ahmedabad
Textile Mill workers. It is also known as the Satyagraha Ashram. It was Gandhiji's head
office during the struggle for Indian independence. In 1930, Mahatma started on his famous
"Dandi March" to the sea to protest against the Salt Tax imposed by the British
Government.

Today, the ashram has become a national

monument. It is a holy place for all the
Gandhians in the world. A large number of
tourists visit the place every year to pay their
homage to the father of the nation. A Meseum, library,
and number of kutirs (cottages) also preserved within the
boundaries of the Ashram.

In 1963 the Museum

building was built
(designed by
architect Charles Correa), and memorial activities were
then started here. It preserves an invaluable collection,
comprising of Mahatama's correspondence, letters,
manuscripts of his articles; several films composed on
the life of Gandhiji & India's freedom struggle, photographs and other memorabilia. The
plenty of books in the library that
give the valuable insight into the life
history of Mahatma Gandhi. Sound
and light shows are also organized
for the visitors, to give them an
insight into the life of Gandhiji and
the national movement.

The place where Gandhiji actually stayed is

known as Hriday Kunj and still contains the
charkha on which he used to spin cotton.

Gandhiji initiated the movement of non

violence and freedom struggle for India from
this small house which is preserved as a
national monument at Gandhi Ashram.
 Vinoba Kutir: Named after Acharya Vinoba
Bhave who stayed here, and also known as
Mira Kutir after Miraben, Gandhiji's disciple,
daughter of a British Admiral. The Nandini
Guest house in the vicinity is also worth
seeing. The leaders of the nation stayed
here when they came to see Mahatma.

Upasana Mandir: It is an open -air prayer

ground, situated between 'Hridaya Kunj' and
'Magan Kutir' (the hut where Maganlal
Gandhi, the ashram manager, used to
stay).Here, Gandhiji used to refer to
individual questions after prayers and as the
head of the family analysed and gave his

solutions.

One can see the statues of

three wise monkeys in the
ashram sitting side by side. One
has put its hands over its eyes;
the second one over i ts mouth
the third over its ears. We all
know Gandhiji wanted to give a
message to us is "Bura mat
socho,bura mat dekho,bura mat
karo" ("see no evil, hear no
evil, speak no evil").
 Gandhi stayed at the Ashram from 1915 to
1933. The Ashram is a witness to many
important historical events and has been a
major center during the struggle for
Independence movements. Gandhiji spent
approximately 12 years of his life here.

Ashram's complex is very beautiful. It is

surrounded by the trees and flowers. The
ashram still makes handicrafts, handmade
paper and spinning wheels. The peaceful
environment of the ashram will draw you
towards the ideals of the great hero of
India’s freedom movement.

In all, This ashram is now a national monument

established by the Government of India due to
its significance for the Indian independence
movement. It is a must visit place, to remember
the era and its great souls who sacrificed their
lives for the freedom of our country which is of
great historical importance.

In tribute to Gandhi, Nehru said: “Wherever

he trod became hallowed land, wherever
he sat became temples”. True, indeed,
that wherever Gandhi stopped has become
a place of pilgrimage and wherever he
roamed has become a sanctified place.
 At the entrance of the
ashram there is a
letters box, if the
letters are posted in
this letter box they are
specially stamped with
a “Charka”, which
symbolizes the Gandhi Ashram.

The Sabarmati Ashram is a source of inspiration for the present generation, and will serve
as such for the generations to come. The Ashram has stood witness to many important
happenings, which includes the shaping the Karmavir Mohandas into the Mahatma and the
Father of the Nation.