Information on Sabarmati Ashram (Ahmedabad, Gujarat) - History & Architecture

The very famous Sabarmati ashram is also known as the Gandhi Ashram, Harijan Ashram and Satyagraha Ashram. This historic place is located in the Sabarmati area in the city of Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat. The reason for the ashram getting its name Sabarmati is the fact that it lies right next to the Sabarmati River. The place has got special attention all over the world because of the reason that this was the residence of the father of the nation; Mr Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi also fondly called the Mahatma Gandhi. He lived in that house with this wife Kasturba Gandhi for 12 long years and therefore the place has a definite sense to it that tells one that Gandhiji left a remarkable mark over there.

Sabarmati Ashram History

The ashram was actually built at a different locality and was called the Satyagraha ashram but then since Gandhiji wanted to carry out various activities and for which he needed a bigger area and that was when the ashram was brought to another locality and was named the Sabarmati ashram for the proximity it has with River Sabarmati.

It is also believed that the Sabarmati ashram has connection to the great saint of ancient India, Dadhichi Rishi who had given his body bones to gods make weapons in a war to win against the demons. It is said this ashram is one his sites therefore along with the historical significance the ashram also have some mythical and mythological importance. The location of the ashram is such that it lies in between a jail and a crematorium. Owing to this, Gandhiji said that we are bound to go to either of them if we are to follow Satyagraha and thus whole heartedly accepted the place. The place has a quite a mention in the Indian history because it was from Sabarmati ashram many historic events kick started such as the famous Dandi march of 1930. It was here Gandhiji planted the seeds of Satyagraha. Since the Dandi march and Satyagraha played a very important role in contributing to the Indian Independence movement, the government made it the national monument in India.

Today at present the ashram is used as a museum and is called the Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalay. It was right for the government to turn it into a museum because the place houses a variety of items that belonged to Gandhiji and also few things that were a vital part of the Indian independence movement. There is Hriday Kunj which is also holds important documents about Mahatma Gandhi and the freedom struggle made by the native people. Visitors from India and abroad are accommodated in a cottage like ashram called the Nandini. People can stay there and learn many things taught in the ashram. Then there is the Vinoba kutir which is named after the famous Acharya Vinoba Bhave for he had stayed in the very place. Well, whatever be, the historical significance of this very Ashram is well known and it carries the same even today.

Sabarmati Ashram Tourism Importance

The ashram gets more than 700, 000 visitors in a year. It is open every day from 8 am to 7 pm. The people working in the ashram take care of each and every item displayed and that belongs to the ashram. There are experts too who can help researcher if they are to research more and learn about Gandhian thought and ideology.