Mahatma Gandhi established the Sabarmati Ashram in 1915. Its initial home was in Kochrab, an Indian city in Gujarat’s suburb of Ahmedabad. The Ashram was moved to its current site on the banks of the Sabarmati River in 1917. Originally, the ashram was known as the Satyagraha Ashram, which is a Sanskrit term for “abode of truth.”
Gandhi’s efforts with nonviolent civil disobedience and the Indian independence struggle were both centered at the Ashram. Gandhi also chose Ashram as their residence while working for social reform with his supporters.
Architecture of Sabarmati Ashram
Charles Correa created the current Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya, often known as the Mahatma Gandhiji Museum. However, it is said that this was one of the original ashram locations of Dadhichi Rishi, who sacrificed his bones for a fight, before the Ashram was established.
Presently the architecture of the ashram is as follows:
Magan Niwas: Exhibits different designs of charkhas.
Upasana Mandir: Prayer Ground where the people of Ashram sing bhajans and readings from the Holy Gita, Quran, and Bible.
Hriday Kunj: Gandhi’s own cottage in the Ashram where he met national and international personalities.
Vinoba-Mira Kutir: Vinoba Bhave, Madeleine and other people stayed here on various occasions.
Nandini: This served as the guest house of the Ashram.
Udyog Mandir: It is the workplace for the people of Ashram, comprising of other sections.
Interesting facts about Sabarmati Ashram
- On March 12, 1930, Gandhi led the Dandi March, popularly known as the Salt Satyagraha, from this location with 78 other supporters.
- Following the Salt Satyagraha, the British government seized the Ashram.
- On July 22, 1933, local residents opted to keep the Ashram rather than dissolving it as the Ashram had become a desolate location due to the large number of people held there.
- On March 12, 1930, Gandhi made a commitment to delay his return to the Ashram until India had achieved independence.
- The idea that liberated India found a home in the Ashram throughout time. Numerous countries and individuals benefited from it as they fought repressive forces on their own.
How to reach Sabarmati Ashram
By Air: Ahmedabad International Airport, 7.1 km from the ashram. You can take a taxi or an auto rickshaw from the airport to the ashram.
By Bus:- Geeta Mandir bus stand for Sabarmati Ashram is about 9 km away from here you can take bus comfortably.
By Railway:– Kalupur Railway Station is the main station. It is the nearest railway station to Sabarmati Ashram. The distance between the station and Ashram is 5.8 kms.
By Road:- Ahmedabad city is well connected by road, you can take auto or rickshaw to go to Sabarmati which you will easily find here.
Entry Fee & Timings: No Entry Fees. The Ashram is open for visits every day, all the year-round, including public holidays.
Nearby famous places
- Adalaj Step-well 29 minutes away
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Memorial 21 minutes away
- Hathee Singh Jain Temple 2.3 km away
- Sabarmati Riverfront 3.3 km away
- Calico Museum of Textiles 1.7 km away
- Jami Masjid 4.1 km away
- Bai Harir ni Vav (Stepwell) 3.2 km away
- Manek Chowk 3.9 km away
- Ahmedabad One Mall 5.5 km away
