Sabarmati Ashram

Sabarmati Ashram, a sanctuary of tranquility and beauty, is located in the city of Ahmedabad. This Ashram was the center of activity for the great Indian struggle for freedom. Far away from the madding crowd, this Ashram is safely tucked into greenery and nature's beauty.

Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi, who had returned from South Africa, searched for a place to settle down along with those people who had been involved in the African Struggle. He chose the city of Ahmedabad and after making several visits to the Sabarmati River, he decided upon this place to be the site for the Ashram.

The 36 acre Ashram Site was a testing center for the members and Gandhiji, as he contemplated and practiced his moral and spiritual principles over here. The values and principals which form the basis of this Ashram are Education, Truth, Celibacy, Overcoming Fear, Simple Living and The Eradication of Evils like Untouchibility.

At Sabarmati Ashram, the first struggle addressed by Gandhiji was that of the textile mill workers. After 3 days of continuous fasting by Gandhiji, the textile mill workers finally reached to an agreement and established the Textile Labour Association. The Ashram was the hub of freedom activities and at this significant place, Gandhiji worked on his Charkha.

Sabarmati Ashram is also denoted as Harijan Ashram, Satyagraha Ashram and Gandhi Ashram. This historic Ashram was the starting point of Dandi March, which was done as a sign of protest against
the Salt Tax promulgated by the British Government.

After the success of Dandi March, Gandhiji had taken a vow never to return to Sabarmati Ashram until he saw India as a free nation. Though Gandhiji finally witnessed the anxiously awaited moment of India being freed from the British Raj, he never returned to Sabarmati Ashram.

Therefore from 1951, the safekeeping, preservation and maintenance of the Ashram has been done by Sabarmati Preservation and Memorial Trust.

Vinoba Kutir, Upasana Mandir, Nandini and Gandhi Sangrahalaya are some of the crucial areas in Sabarmati Ashram. Gandhiji lived in a tiny cottage called ''Hridya Kunj'' in the ashram, where his possessions like Khadi Kurta, Letters and Writing desk have been preserved well.

Vinoba Kutir, obtained its name from Acharya Vinoba Bhave, who resided at the ashram. Upasana Mandir is an open air prayer ground, which is located between ''Hridaya Kunj'' and ''Magan Kutir''. At this Mandir, Gandhiji would address the gathering, resolve their doubts and answer questions after a prayer session.

Gandhi Sangrahalaya, which is a crucial part of the Ashram, has a museum which was inaugurated by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1963. This part of the Ashram has five units, a Library, 2 Photo-Galleries and an Auditorium. The museum has eight beautiful, colourful oil-paintings and an exhibition called ''My Life is Message'', which is based on Gandhiji's life.

The Sangrahalaya arranges, publishes literature on Gandhiji. It is open to visitors from 8:00 am - 7:00 pm.