An Introduction to the "Peaceful Haven"

The Gandhi Ashram was established on the 25th of May 1915, at Jivanlal Desai's Kocharab Bungalow originally. Jivanlal Desai was the barrister friend of Mahatma Gandhi. Initially it was named Satyagraha Ashram. Mahatma Gandhi wanted to make use of the Ashram for the purpose of animal husbandry and farming. This needed a bigger land and hence the Ashram was shifted to the banks of the Sabarmati River where it got an area of thirty-six acres at its disposal. The Ashram henceforth came to be known as Sabarmati Ashram.

The Ashram is also known by names such as Harijan Ashram, Gandhi Ashram and Satyagraha Ashram and is located at the city of Ahmadabad in the suburbs of Sabarmati River by the river's bank at a distance of four miles from the Town Hall. The Ashram road adjoins it. An ashram is a religious retreat for the Hindus. The Sabarmati Ashram served as one among the other abodes of Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba Gandhi with whom he lived here for twelve years.

Mahatma Gandhi led the famous Dandi March from this Ashram on the 12th of March 1930. This March played a very important role in the Indian Independence Movement. As a move to recognise the Ashram's contribution to India's Independence quest the Government of India announced it to be a national monument.

In his tryst with the British to win independence for India, whichever place he stopped became a pilgrimage spot and the places he roamed became places of reverence. Deriving its name from the name of river Sabarmati, on whose bank this Ashram is situated, it is also one of the sanctified places. The Sabarmati Ashram is no longer working as an ashram. It has been turned into a museum, which serves as a means to preserve the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and further propagate it. The Ashram has numerous visitors both from within and outside the country who reach out to it with devotion in hearts and curiosity in minds to get enlightened and inspired. The numbers of people that visit this place cross the mark of half a million. Sabarmati Ashram has inspired the minds of the current generation and will continue doing so. The ideals of Mahatma Gandhi will always guide the generations to come like a beacon light. Sabarmati Ashram has seen the development transformed Karmavir Mohandas into a Mahatma who went on to become the Father of the Nation.

Features

• My life is my message gallery displays eight paintings in life-size and photo-enlargements that numbers over 250 depicting the historic life events of Mahatma Gandhi.
• The Ahmadabad Gallery showcases the life of the Mahatma that he spent in Ahmadabad between 1915-1930.
• An oil painting gallery of life-size.
• An exhibition shows the letters, quotations and relics of Mahatma Gandhi.
• A library that houses approximately 35,000 books that deal with the life, principles, teachings, works of Mahatma Gandhi and on the subject of India's freedom movements. There is also a reading room that has over 80 periodicals in three languages, which are Hindi, Gujarati and English.
• Originals and photocopies of close to 34,117 letters sent to and from Gandhiji and manuscripts of his articles (8,781 pages) that appeared in Harijanbandhu, Harijansevak and Harijan are preserved in archives. Archives also contain Gandhiji and his associates' 6000 photographs.
• 'Hridaya Kunj’, which is Gandhiji’s cottage, houses his personal relics that are put on display.
• There is an Ashram bookstore, which is a non-profit entity that sells literature related to Mahatma Gandhi and his memorabilia to support the local artisans there.

Inside the Gandhi Ashram

With permission from the Secretary, Gandhi Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust, the Gandhi Smarak Sangralaya, Gandhi Ashram Ahmadabad 380027 one can enjoy a walking tour of 90 minutes duration. A slide show begins this guided tour, which ends at Library. The tour takes to the places in the order mentioned below:

• Magan Niwas - Magan Gandhi - Here the different charkha designs are displayed and are called the soul of the Ashram.
• Upasana Mandir - It is the place where the ashramites listen to bhajans and readings from the Holy Quran, Bible and Gita. It is the prayer spot at the Ashram.
• Hriday Kunj - It is located at the centre of the Ashram and is to Ashram what heart is to body.
• Vinoba-Mira Kutir - This place is where Vinoba Bhave and Madeleine stayed at various times. Madeleine was British Rear-Admiral Sir Edmond Slade's daughter who Gandhiji renamed as Mirabehn.
• Nandini - Nandini was Ashrams guesthouse.
• Udyog Mandir - This place symbolised labour’s dignity and self-reliance and is referred as a temple in the field of industry.
• Somnath Chattralaya - It comprises of multiple rooms that the ashramites occupy who have forsaken family life and live in the Ashram.
• Teachers Niwas - The associates of Gandhiji stayed here.
• Gandhi in Ahmadabad - A gallery showcases the life of Mahatma Gandhi between 1915 and 1930 that he spent in Ahmadabad.
• Painting Gallery - Here eight paintings in life-size are displayed.
• My life is my message - By means of photograph and oil paintings the events that changed the Mahatma's life and Indian independence struggle are displayed.
• Library and Archives - The library has 35,000 books that include 4,500 books from the personal collection of Mahadevbhai Desai. There are books on the subject of Gandhian thought. The archives as Gandhiji’s legacy preservation mean houses 34,000 manuscripts, 6000 photos, 200 Photostats files and 150 felicitations. No wonder it is an invaluable source of information for researchers.

Ashram's Museum

Sabarmati Ashram has seen a lot of events in the bygone years that led to weakening of the British Empire in India. Established in I915, it is an example of an ideal community running on the basis of certain rules and value system.

Its location is on the Sabarmati River’s west bank, 5 km away from centre of the city of Ahmadabad.

Main Attraction

There is a show of sound and light that gives precise knowledge on the life of Mahatma Gandhi. One can get to see the original letters of the Father of the nation that he himself wrote at the museum. At the photo archive pictorial display of the significant events in his life are showcased for the visitors. While visiting the museum one can feel the Indian freedom struggle struggle's era through his eyes. The Sabarmati ashram is a landmark in the Indian history and a must see for tourists.

There are five units in the museum - an auditorium, two galleries of photographs, a library and an office. The collection of original manuscripts of Mahatma Gandhi's letter and articles in highest number is displayed here.

There are eight oil paintings in life-size exhibited at the museum and also "Gandhiji in Ahmadabad" and "My life is my message". In the archive, there are 6,367 photographs negatives, 8,633 articles' manuscripts and 34,066 letters that Gandhiji wrote.  In addition, there are 210 films that are made on Gandhiji's life and the struggle to gain freedom and Microfilms on the writings of his numbers to 134 reels. There are more than 30,000 books in the library and a host of memorabilia comprising of things such as postal stamps and coins, etc. There are 155 letters that he received on being felicitated from various quarters.

Information for Visitors

Admission

• No fee is charged for admission.
• It is advised that large groups and school tours should inform the authorities beforehand so that a free of cost-guided tour could be arranged for.

Prohibited

• Alcohol and smoking is totally prohibited.
• Drugs cannot be taken to the premises.

Behaviour

• It is requested to the visitors that they maintain a respectful and peaceful aura of the Ashram. They must abstain from rude, loud and impolite behaviour and make use of dustbin to dispose their waste and must also not touch the things that are put on display. Visitors are also request to dress properly keeping in view the dignity of the Sabarmati Ashram.
• Cameras can be taken to the Museum and the Ashram.
• Parking facility is available free of charge.

Donations

• A trust funds the activities of the Ashram and hence donations are welcome.
• Donations to the Ashram can be made upon visiting the Ashram and if one wishes to make donation from abroad, one may contact the authorities at the Ashram.

Means to Reach Ashram

By Road

The State of Gujarat has a good network of roads in the country. The city of Ahmadabad is very well linked to other towns and cities in the State by means of road. The bus stops that are prominent here are Paldi and Gitamandir that is close to Kalupur Railway Station. The bus service is regular and frequent which includes the private operators as well as the State run transport buses.

By Railways

Kalupur area has the main major railway station in the region. This railway station comes under the national railway circuit and connects all the important cities of the country. In case one happens to be on the Sabarmati River’s western side one can visit the Gandhigram station that is close to the Ashram and get the tickets from there with ease.

Aerial Route

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport located at Ahmadabad being an international one connects Dubai, Singapore, UK, USA and host of other international destinations via direct flights. Domestic flight too runs from this airport.