History of the Ashram: Dandi March
Upon his return from South Africa, Mahatma Gandhi built his very first ashram at the Kocharab Bungalow on 25 May 1915. Known as the Satyagraha Ashram at that time, Gandhi wanted it to be the centre of activities such as farming and animal husbandry. With the massive increase in the activities and following at the then Gandhi Ashram, the land at Kocharab became insufficient. As a result of this, Mahatma Gandhi moved the Ashram to a piece of open land along the banks of the River Sabarmati on 17 June 1917. The shift was also inspired by Gandhi's plans of experimenting in the fields of farming, animal husbandry, cow breeding, Khadi and related activities.
The Gandhi Ashram, also known as 'Harijan Ashram' served as Mahatma Gandhi's residence from 1917 to 1930, after which it became one of the epicentres of Indian Freedom Struggle. Activities such tertiary school education which focused heavily on manual labour, agriculture and literacy also continued in the Gandhi Ashram premises parallelly.
Mahatma Gandhi launched the famous Dandi march on 12th March 1930, 241 miles from this Ashram. It was in protest of the British Salt Law which taxed Indian salt in order to promote the sale of British salt. On 22nd July 1933, Gandhi forfeited the Ashram to support the freedom fighters. The local citizens later decided to preserve this Ashram. Over the years, the Ashram became home to the ideology that set India free.
Important Structures in the Gandhi Ashram
Sabarmati Ashram has a number of other important structures located in its confines. Some of these are:-
1. Magan Niwas: The Magan Niwas is named after Mahatma Gandhi's nephew, whom he said to be the spirit of the Ashram. He was the true follower of Gandhi and his teaching from the very beginning and was responsible for many improvements in and around the Mahatma Gandhi Ashram. He was an efficient manager and architect and introduced many upgrades in the spinning wheel which ultimately led to the birth of Khadi.
2. Hriday Kunj: This was the residence of Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi in the Sabarmati Ashram from the year 1917 to 1930. Inside, there are six rooms including Gandhiji?s; Kasturba?s; Guest Room, Kitchen, Store room and Secretariat, and was the venue for Gandhiji's meetings with many national and international dignitaries. Replicas of some of his original personal artefacts are still exhibited here.
3. Gandhi Memorial Museum: Perhaps the most famous structure in the Sabarmati Ashram, the Gandhi Museum has many important exhibits relating to his life. It was inaugurated on 10 May 1963 by India's first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru and has three galleries namely Gandhi in Ahmedabad Gallery, Painting Gallery and My Life is My Message Gallery. The Sabarmati Ashram Library is also situated here.
4. Vinoba Mira Kutir: This building was the residence of Vinobha Bhave when he stayed at the Sabarmati Ashram from 1918 to 1921. Madeleine Slade, a British Admiral?s daughter, was deeply influenced by Gandhi?s ideology and decided to serve the Gandhi Ashram in her own capacity. She was known as Mira around the Sabarmati Ashram and stayed here from 1925 to 1933, helping in the Ashram activities.
5. Udyog Mandir: A symbol of self-reliance, the Udyog Mandir was founded in the year 1918 during the historic strike of mill workers in Ahmedabad. It was instrumental in spreading the message of 'Swaraj through Khadi' in the country.
6. Somnath Chhatralaya: Somnath Chhatralaya was the community living quarters where the students of the Ashram school, participants of Swadeshi and Constructive Work Training Programmes stayed here and observed Ashram rules.
7. Upasana Mandir: This was a small site where Gandhiji held prayer services for everyone in the Sabarmati Ashram during the morning and evening hours. Gandhiji also delivered sermons based on the Bhagavad Gita at the Upasana Mandir.
Ashram Activities
The Sabarmati Ashram is still actively involved with the community. In addition to catering to its visitors, the Ashram is also responsible for collecting and archiving important historical documents, microfilming, lamination and preservation of negatives, publication of 'Mahadevbhani Diary' which is an account of India's freedom struggle, study and research in Gandhian school of thought and keeping direct contact with the youth of the country. Walking tours through the Mahatma Gandhi Ashram are conducted regularly as well.
Sabarmati Ashram Gaushala
The Sabarmati Ashram Gaushala is the country's premier centre engaged in advanced genetic improvement and enhancing the reproductive quality of farm animals. It was founded in the year 1915 by Mahatma Gandhi with the aim of providing better cattle to the farmers and the poor. Currently, the management of the Sabarmati Ashram Gaushala Trust is under the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) Dairy Services which is a subsidiary of NDDB. The trust is responsible for the production of high-quality cattle semen, embryos, fodder and fodder seed.
Best time to visit Sabarmati Ashram
Morning and evening hours are more pleasant. Winter season from October - March is ideal to visit this destination.
How to Reach Sabarmati Ashram
Since Sabarmati ashram is a major tourist spot, many road transport buses of Gujarat tourism run to the ashram. Bus, taxi or autorickshaw can be taken to reach the ashram as well.
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Tips
1. Smoking, alcohol and drugs are prohibited on the campus2. Visitors are expected to dress modestly and behave in a solemn manner3. Donations can be made to the Ashram trust
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