SABARMATI ASHRAM: A TRIBUTE TO MAHATMA GANDHI

Every country that exists today has been structured by some prominent people who continue to be a source of inspiration for today’s generation. With their ideology and beliefs, they managed to bring a radical change in the society. In the context of creating a positive stir in the nation as a whole, Indians recall Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, better known as Mahatma Gandhi. Citizens refer to him as “Father of The Nation”, owing to the efforts he had put in to achieve independence from the British rule and reform the society to make it a better place to live and prosper. Like all other revolutionaries, the people and places associated with Mahatma Gandhi have now achieved a historic status. One amongst these is the Sabarmati Ashram in the state of Gujarat.
Location
The Sabarmati Ashram is situated in Sabarmati, a suburb of Ahmadabad city. The Ashram has been designated as a national monument as Mahatma Gandhi had spent a considerable amount of time here and also due to the role of this ashram in the famous Dandi March, a significant part of the Indian independence movement.
History
The Sabarmati Ashram was initially established on May 25, 1915 in a bungalow. Two years later, on June 17, 1917, the ashram was relocated to the bank of Sabarmati River. The ashram functioned in the open land without any formal structure as Mahatma Gandhi wanted to engage himself in activities like farming; cow breeding, animal husbandry, etc. were the words of Mahatma Gandhi when he acquired this place.
Gandhi established a learning institute in the form of a tertiary school with an aim to teach the inmates the practices involved in farming and the acquisition of knowledge that will help the learners to contribute their efforts towards the fulfillment of making India self-sufficient. A few years later on March 12, 1930, Gandhi led the famous Dandi March. This march was aimed to protest against the British Salt Law, a law which enforced enhanced taxes on Indian salt. This further resulted in the increased sale of British salt. Gandhi started marching and came along people from different parts of the state that became aware of the purpose of the march.
Dandi was at a distance of 241 miles from the origin point of the march, and it was no joke to cover such a distance on foot. Still, Gandhi kept his personal interests aside and continued walking for 23 days until the time he and his followers were arrested by the British government on the grounds of civil disobedience. More than 60,000 people were arrested after this movement. The ashram was seized and despite Gandhi’s request to forfeit it, the government continued to arrest and keeps the freedom fighters here. Later, the local residents made efforts to preserve the ashram area though it was not until 1963 that the museum was erected here. The design of the museum called Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya was created by an Indian architect Charles Correa.
Structure
The museum is a well-built structure that was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru on May 10, 1963. The museum was initially started from the Hridaya Kunj, Gandhi’s personal cottage. On the right side of Hridaya Kunj is Nandini, a guest house of the ashram. There is another chamber in the ashram premises called Vinoba Kutir, also called Mira Kutir. A ground solely meant for praying called Upasana Mandir is another section of the museum. During the period Gandhi stayed here, he used to answer the questions of the people who gathered for prayer sessions.
What to Do
Inside the museum, you will come across a number of artifacts that depict Gandhi’s life and the lifestyle and culture of that period. Several galleries here are dedicated as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
“My life is my message”, boasts more than 250 enlargements of photographs that show various events of his life. “Gandhi in Ahmadabad” gallery depicts his life from 1915-1930, the period which he spends in Ahmadabad. Two galleries are home to life-size oil paintings of Gandhi and his quotations, letters, etc., respectively. A library of more than 35,000 books are a haven for researchers and history enthusiasts who want to learn more about this revolutionary than just the usual information that is derived from textbooks and anecdotes.
An archive that is home to around 34,117 letters, which were sent and received by Gandhi, along with thousands of photographs and manuscripts of articles that appeared in various newspapers and magazines, allows you to learn all that you can about him. The ashram continues to spread the Gandhian thoughts by developing and maintaining contact with the youth through various programs. A guided tour, which takes you to different sections of the ashram, is organized upon approval by The Secretary, Gandhi Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust.
Eat, Drink, Collect
The ashram bookstore sells literature and artifacts to the visitors which are worth bringing back as a reminiscence of your visit. A large number of eateries on the Ashram Road will satiate your thirst and hunger and energize you to trip around the ashram area and the city. Some famous eateries of this area are Cafe Landmark, Oshwal, Oriental Wave, Decent Restaurant, Orchid, 24 Carat, Pakwan Dining Hall, Cafe 15A, Chamunda Lassi, Fortune Cookies, Krunchy Food, Pleasure Trove Restaurant, Gopi Dining Hall, etc.
Best Time to Visit
The ashram is open from 08:30 am to 06:30 pm every day, and admission to the ashram is free. There are no charges for parking as well. Consumption of nicotine and alcohol is prohibited in the ashram premises. Visitors are advised to maintain the decorum of the ashram and avoid using foul language or engaging in indecent behavior or activities that compromise the serenity of this place.
How to Reach
Ahmadabad is well-connected to major cities of India and foreign countries through a proper network of rail, road, and air transport. The Sabarmati Ashram is at a distance of approximately 5 to 7 miles from the airport, railway station, and the central bus depot. You can easily get public transport vehicles and private auto rickshaws or taxis to go to the ashram. A visit to the Sabarmati Ashram will help you understand the persona of Mahatma Gandhi and his impact and contribution in the development of a nation that will always be thankful to him.

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