Gandhi Ashram, Sabarmati

Built on June 17th, 1917, the Sabarmati Ashram is situated in the Sabarmati suburb of Ahmedabad, Gujarat at a direction of 23°03′36″N 72°34′51″E. As the ashram is established at the banks of River Sabarmati, thus, the name of the Ashram was given after the most important river of Gujarat. This is located adjoining the Ashram Road.

Important Information about the Gandhi Ashram at Sabarmati
Address-
Gandhi Ashram, Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya
Ahmedabad, Gujarat- 380 027
India

Phone: (+91) 79 2755 7277
Fax: +91 79 2756 0569

Opening time- Everyday from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM
Email: mahatma@gandhiashramsabarmati.org

On June 17th, 1917, the Gandhi Ashram was inaugurated but per history, the ashram was actually established much before with the famous Kocharab Ashram. This was established on May 25, 1915, by Jivanlal Desai, one barrister friend and admirer of Mohandas since his days in South Africa. At that time the ashram, dedicated to the values of Gandhi was named as Satyagraha Ashram.

Later on, this Satyagraha Ashram was shifted to a much scattered and open arena by the banks of Sabarmati River and this is the present Gandhi Ashram that was relocated on June 17th, 1917. The aim of the Mahatma was to develop the indigenous products and use them instead of the imported daily products supplied by the British during that time. He initiated the process of using the charkha to take out the strings from the cotton and make the clothes out of that. This is called the khadi wear that is exclusively Indian. Besides, Gandhiji also wanted to help people learn farming, animal husbandry as well as breeding cows and rearing the animals to live their lives.

Mythological analysis has clarified the centuries ago, the location of the present Gandhi Ashram was the hermitage of the Dadhichi Rishi who donated his bones for a righteous was against evils. Later on, the Sabarmati Ashram became the epicenter of the Indian Freedom Movement. The place has witnessed the historical Dandi Movement of Mahatma Gandhi.

Hriday Kunj
This was the cottage where the Mahatma lived for 12 years with his wife Kasturba Gandhi. Today, the cottage has been preserved to be a museum where visitors can see the used stuff of Gandhiji and his wife.

Upasana Mandir or the Prathana Bhoomi
The mahatma believed that prayer is the ultimate food of the soul and this has helped him a lot to taking the personal and national decisions. Thus, before starting the work during the morning, and after retiring back home in the evening, regular prayers is a must for the ashramites at this place. They listen to bhajans, Vedic chants, and hymns from the Gita, Quran and Bible.

Magan Niwas
Maganlal Gandhi was the nephew and an ardent follower of Gandhi. The both were bonded since their days at the Phoenix Ashram in South Africa. Gandhi called him “the soul of the Ashram” as he was one of the efficient managers and architects of the Ashram. Maganlal also introduced latest designs of the archetypal Charkha. When he died in 1928, Gandhi said that “I have been widowed”.

Museum and Bookstore
Visitors to the ashram should also visit the museum and the bookstore.

Best Time to Visit October to March

By Air: The nearest airport is the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport at Ahmedabad which an international airport that has direct flights to the UK, USA, Singapore, Dubai and other international destinations. Many domestic flights also fly and arrive at this airport.

By railway: The nearest railway station is Ahmedabad Junction station. Trains are available for all the major Indian destinations from this railway stop.

By road: Gujarat now boasts on its recently developed roads and the improved network with the rest of the country. Bus services and taxis are prevalent here. Besides, tourists from Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Jaipur etc can easily drive down to the Gandhi Ashram via the National Highways.